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Wharton’s Canal Day is back for 2026, and the free celebration of the historic Morris Canal returns to Hugh Force Canal Park on West Central Avenue on Saturday, August 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The borough has officially confirmed the date, so families across Morris County can start planning a day of local history, live music, food trucks, vendors, kids’ activities, and a beer garden along one of New Jersey’s most storied waterways.
A Festival Rooted in Canal History
Canal Day marks Wharton’s place on the Morris Canal, the roughly 102-mile waterway that once hauled coal and iron across northern New Jersey between Phillipsburg on the Delaware River and Jersey City on the Hudson. Wharton sits on a well-preserved stretch of that route, and Hugh Force Canal Park at 180 West Central Avenue takes in a watered section of the old canal along with its historic stonework. That heritage is why the town has celebrated Canal Day here for years.
What to Expect on August 22
This year’s festival fills the park with live music, food trucks, vendors, kids’ activities, and a beer garden, and the borough is still adding participants as the date gets closer. Businesses, community groups, and food vendors can find applications and permits through Municipal Events Services, the company coordinating this year’s event. Admission is free, and the park’s shaded paths along the water make it an easy outing for all ages.
Take a Free Canal Walking Tour
One of the day’s highlights is a free guided walking tour of the canal grounds led by the Morris County Historical Society. Tours step off from Hugh Force Canal Park at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m., and pre-registration is required because spots fill up. You can reserve a tour time on Eventbrite. It is a great way to see the canal up close and hear how boats once moved coal and iron across the hills of Morris County.
Plan Your Visit
Wharton Canal Day 2026 runs Saturday, August 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hugh Force Canal Park, 180 West Central Avenue, Wharton. Admission is free. For the latest details, check the Borough of Wharton’s Canal Day page or call Town Hall at (973) 361-8444. If you are making a day of this corner of the county, our Morris County guide and our roundup of the best pick-your-own farms in Morris County are good next stops as late summer settles in.
