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2026 Down & Derby Wine Festival: A Day of Wine, Music, and Derby Fun in South Jersey

Published by New Jersey Stage

originally published: 03/19/2026

(CAMDEN, NJ) -- South Jersey's most anticipated wine festival is back! The Fourth Annual Down & Derby Wine Festival will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 2:00pm – 7:00pm at Veterans Island in Cooper River Park. Hosted by the Camden County Board of Commissioners and Visit South Jersey, this exciting event will bring together the finest local wineries, live entertainment, delicious food, and derby-themed festivities.

Attendees will enjoy tastings from South Jersey’s award-winning wineries while immersing themselves in the lively spirit of the Kentucky Derby. With GoodMan Fiske Band and The Lally Brothers Band performing live, this year’s festival promises an unforgettable day of music, food, games, and more!

“Every year, the Down & Derby Wine Festival grows bigger and better. This year’s lineup of wineries and entertainment sets the bar even higher, and we can’t wait to show visitors why South Jersey is a premier destination for wine and culture.” shares Michael P. Snyder, Director of Operations for Visit South Jersey.

General Admission Tickets: $35; Includes tastings of 20 wines, access to live music, food trucks, and all festival activities. Designated Driver Ticket: $15; A special rate for those who are ensuring everyone has a safe and fun experience.

Tickets are available for purchase online. Veterans Island in Cooper River Park is located in Pennsauken, New Jersey.




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Event Highlights Include:

* Wine Tastings: Sample wines from South Jersey’s best wineries, including Tomasello Winery, Valenzano Winery, Villari Vineyards, Wagon House Winery, White Horse Winery, Auburn Road Vineyards, Plagido’s Winery, Sharrott Winery, Summit City Winery, White Horse Winery, Cedarvale Winery and Saddlehill Winery. Discover your next favorite bottle while enjoying the lively Derby atmosphere.

* Live Music: Enjoy performances by the GoodMan Fiske Band and The Lally Brothers Band, two of the region’s most popular groups.

* Delicious Food: Featuring a variety of food trucks serving up mouthwatering eats.

* Derby Fashion Fun: Put on your finest Derby attire, and you might just walk away with a prize! Throughout the day, prizes will be awarded for the best-dressed festival-goers. Don’t forget to snap a selfie and share it with the hashtag #downandderbywinefestival.

For more information on the festival, click here.


EVENT PREVIEWS

(CARTERET, NJ) -- One of New Jersey's most popular Independence Day Festivals will take place in Carteret's Civic Center Park (100 Cooke Avenue) from 6:00pm to midnight on Friday, July 3, 2026 in celebration of America's 250th birthday.
Bergen County presents 3rd Annual Star-Spangled Spectacular

Bergen County presents 3rd Annual Star-Spangled Spectacular

(RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ) -- County Executive Jim Tedesco, the County Board of Commissioners, and the Bergen 250 Initiative are excited to announce that Bergen County's 3rd Annual Star-Spangled Spectacular will return July 4, 2026 at Overpeck County Park. All are invited to attend this patriotic afternoon of family fun which will include live music, children's activities, over 20 food trucks, a beer and wine garden, carnival attractions, and stunning fireworks to conclude the evening over Overpeck Creek.
Washington Crossing Historic Park Launches Community-Wide Call to Support Expanded Independence Day Celebration in America

Washington Crossing Historic Park Launches Community-Wide Call to Support Expanded Independence Day Celebration in America's 250th Anniversary Year

(WASHINGTON CROSSING, PA) -- Washington Crossing Historic Park (WCHP) in Pennsylvania plans to host an expanded Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, July 4, 2026 from 4:00pm to 9:30pm featuring immersive living history experiences, family-friendly activities, live music, and the return of fireworks over the Delaware River. Designed as a community-wide celebration of America250, the event is intended to create a meaningful space for residents and visitors to commemorate this historic milestone year. Please note: Admission is required; registration is recommended only for the 4:00pm ‐ 8:00pm Living History Program. The evening concert and fireworks are free and open to the public; no registration is required to attend those portions of the event.
Bergen County

Bergen County's Star-Spangled Spectacular Schedule and Parking Logistics

(RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ) -- County Executive Jim Tedesco, the Bergen County Board of Commissioners, and the Bergen 250 Initiative have released parking, transportation, and event information for Bergen County's 3rd Annual Star-Spangled Spectacular, taking place Saturday, July 4, 2026 at Overpeck County Park.
Trenton to Celebrate Nation

Trenton to Celebrate Nation's 250th Birthday with "Heritage Week" Events

(TRENTON, NJ) -- New Jersey's capital city is preparing a monumental celebration to mark America's 250th Birthday, and everyone is invited. "Heritage Week", running from July 3-8, 2026, will feature a multi-cultural parade beginning 11:30am on July 4th with over 50 marching units, including 4 marching bands and 10 floats, as well as circus performers, antique cars and representations of the many cultures and ethnic groups which make up the Trenton community.

SOPAC presents Stewart Copeland: Have I Said Too Much? on July 16th

(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Stewart Copeland brings his first American spoken-word tour (Have I Said Too Much?) to the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at 7:30pm. Copeland is the founding drummer of The Police and one of rock's most inventive forces.

Hallmark Stars Take the Stage at The Carteret PAC on July 22nd during First-Time Multi-City Tour Experience Hallmark Stars Live

(CARTERET, NJ) -- Hallmark and Gershwin Entertainment are proud to announce Hallmark Stars Live presented by Michaels, a new live tour kicking off at URSB Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at 7:30pm where some of the network's most beloved stars step off screen and onto the stage. Hosted by fan-favorite Nikki DeLoach (A Grand Ole Opry Christmas), the tour will feature Hallmark mainstays for a night where the cameras are off – and the stories keep rolling.
Hallmark Stars Live comes to MPAC on July 26th

Hallmark Stars Live comes to MPAC on July 26th

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Hallmark Stars Live presented by Michaels, is a new live tour kicking off this summer where some of the network's most beloved stars step off screen and onto the stage. Hosted by fan-favorite Nikki DeLoach (A Grand Ole Opry Christmas), the tour will feature Hallmark mainstays for a night where the cameras are off – and the stories keep rolling. The tour comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at 7:00pm.
 

FEATURED EVENTS


Flamingosis to Bring Bright Moments 10th Anniversary Tour to Newark Culture Club

Friday, July 03, 2026 @ 10:00pm
Newark Culture Club
563 Broad Street, Newark, NJ


1776 - The Classic Movie Musical

Friday, July 03, 2026 @ 7:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
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Michael Allman Band - Matinee Show

Sunday, July 05, 2026 @ 3:30pm
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217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ


Michael Allman Band - Evening Show

Sunday, July 05, 2026 @ 7:30pm
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217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ


FREE SUMMER MOVIE! A Minecraft Movie

Tuesday, July 07, 2026 @ 10:30am
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ



 

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