hoboken

The City of Hoboken today announced the musical lineup for the return of the River City Fair, a free, family-friendly celebration along Hoboken’s waterfront on Saturday, Sept. 26.

The fair will take place from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. along Sinatra Drive from Newark Street to Fifth Street and will feature two stages of live performances, river education programs, a dedicated Food Alley, and local Hoboken and Hudson County artists, crafters, makers, and other vendors.

The 2026 River City Fair revives a waterfront tradition first held in the 1970s by local advocates who worked to transform Hoboken’s working waterfront into a destination for public access and recreation.

“River City Fair is about bringing our community together and celebrating our people, our waterfront, and our incredible artists, musicians, businesses, and community organizations,” said Mayor Emily B. Jabbor. “The fair gives residents and visitors of all ages a chance to enjoy the waterfront and learn about the Hudson River while supporting our local businesses and artists. I hope you will join us as we bring back this Hoboken tradition and create lifelong memories for a new generation of residents.”

Festivalgoers will also have opportunities to learn more about the Hudson River, its wildlife and ecology, and the importance of protecting the waterfront for future generations in partnership with the Hoboken Green Team, local nonprofits, and businesses.

Residents and visitors will also be able to enjoy a Food Alley on Sinatra Drive from First Street to Second Street creating a dedicated destination for grabbing lunch and snacks while taking in the music and waterfront views.

Sinatra Park will serve as the fair’s youth stage. Performances on the Sinatra Youth Stage will be as follows:  

• 12:15 p.m. - 12:40 p.m.: Interactive Storytime with Raakhee Mirchandani, a local children’s author, sponsored by the Hoboken Library Friends and Foundation.
• 12:55 p.m. - 1:05 p.m.: Garden Street Music's dance performance
• 1:20 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.: All Saints Bold Dancers‍
• 1:45 p.m. - 2 p.m.: Hoboken Dance Academy’s dance performance
• 2:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.: School of Rock‍
• 3:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.: JAW - A middle schooler indie band with roots in Hoboken and Brooklyn
• 4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.: BTL - The Hudson School’s rock band Between the Lines

The Pier A main stage will provide expanded space for live entertainment following the success of the Observer Highway stage at the Spring Arts & Music Festival, which drew more than 3,000 concertgoers.

The Pier A musical lineup will showcase local and regional performers as well as headliner Cherokee Social.

Performances on the Pier A Stage are as follows:

• 12 p.m. - 12:20 p.m.: Bateria Fogo Azul - NJ’s women-led Brazilian samba drumline
• 12:30 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.: The Maybes - Local band with deep Hoboken roots, blending pop, folk, and rock
• 1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.: Bass Envy with Jack Skuller - The new project from local rocker Jack Skuller, featuring his signature good-time, raucous, foot-stomping grooves and melodies.
• 2:45 p.m. - 3:30p.m.: Sed Marsh and Eazier Sed Than Done - The latest project from Sed Marsh, Grammy-nominated drummer who has played with Donnell Jones, Patti Labelle, Angie Stone, and more.
• 4 p.m.- 5 p.m.: Cherokee Social - Colorado-based indie-pop duo blending pop, soul, hip hop, and indigenous influences. River City Fair is part of their nationwide Eeyoko Mataylë Tour. 

Pier A will also feature activities for children including bounce houses and a guest appearance by Dinosaurs Arise from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.  

The festival is sponsored, in part, by the Hoboken Business Alliance.