Hoboken Resident Hosting Survivor-Inspired Contest from 3/31-4/6 - Hoboken Girl
Survivors ready… go! If you’re a Survivor fan, you know these words all to well. While the competition show is usually held in a tropical location far far away from the Garden State, Hoboken residents have the chance to be involved in a local offshoot of the ever-so-popular reality TV show this month. Run by Hoboken resident and Survivor fan Matt Carlson, the Mile Square version of the show — a week-long social competition — will take place from Monday, March 31st and run through Sunday, April 6th.
While there won’t be any locals shipping off to remote locations or being broadcast on TV in this Hoboken version of Survivor, it will include other elements of the show like daily challenges and tribal councils “until 1 person is crowned the sole survivor of Hoboken, NJ,” per the website. The social competition will take place from Monday, March 31st through Sunday, April 6th. The winner will receive $250 and the title of “Hoboken Season 1 Sole Survivor.”
This local version of Survivor will be facilitated by Hoboken resident and Survivor fan, Matt Carlson. Matt fell in love with Survivor over 10 years ago, and has even applied to the show more than six times. Think of him as the Mile Square version of Jeff Probst.
“Born from a passion for Survivor and a love of competition, is designed to bring people together, challenge them, and create lasting friendships,” the website says.
“Excited to run the game!” Matt told The Hoboken Girl.
We’re sure you’re wondering just how this local version of Survivor will work. Per the website, “Survivor Hoboken will be played similar to your favorite reality TV show Survivor without the cameras, grueling conditions, and living together.” The game will be played over the course of one week starting on March 31st at 7PM. There will be one to two tribal councils per day, in which people will be continuously eliminated from the game until the contestants are narrowed down to the final three.
Each challenge will test each participants’ athleticism, coordination, the ability to work with a team. If you work well under pressure, Survivor is just the thing for you. There will be a mix of in-person challenges (like Retrieve + Shoot, where contestants will shoot basketballs with their team) as well as at home challenges (like being the first person to solve the daily Wordle puzzle).
Tribal councils and challenges will be held outside of normal working hours (Monday through Friday from 9AM-5PM), and may be held in person or via Google Meet. The website also mentions that there may be some hidden immunity idols, backstabbing, and twists — essentials of a typical Survivor season.
More information about the challenges can be found here. The full Survivor Hoboken rule book can be found here, and includes information about tribe selection, challenges, tribal council, being voted out/on the jury, the final tribal council, winning the game, absent players, advantages, and the code of conduct.
Hudson County locals can apply to Survivor Hoboken by filling out a Google Form HERE. After that, applicants will complete a 5-10 minute phone interview with Matt to learn more about you and why you want to participate. The final “cast” will be announced on or before Thursday, March 27th.
There is a $50 Venmo entry fee to participate. If you are one of the first three people voted out, you will get your money back. The entry fee money will be used to fund the challenges and prizes for the winner. The website notes that no show will be produced from this competition (aside from some social media clips), and each participant will be required to sign a waiver.
Survivor is a reality TV game show hosted by Jeff Probst that takes 16-20 contestants to an isolated location, usually a tropical locale. The contestants compete in daily challenges while working together to survive in groups and find food, water, and shelter. The American version of the show is currently in its 48th season, which first kicked off in 2000 in Borneo, located in Southeast Asia.
Each season lasts about a month, and includes a variety of daily endurance and mental challenges to win immunity, including swimming challenges, obstacle courses, puzzles, and more. The teams that lose the challenges must attend tribal council, where a contestant is voted off the show by their team. The last remaining “survivor” wins a grand prize of $1 million dollars.
Please note, this local competition is affiliated with Survivor on CBS.
Follow @thehobokengirl on Instagram + TikTok to stay in the know with all of the local news, sign up for our weekly newsletter here, and check out our events calendar.
also appears in
There's always something fun to do in Hoboken and Jersey City — which is just one of the many reasons we love to call this little North Jersey nook home. As our readers know, each week we round up hundreds (yes, hundreds) of events and things to do around town, but there are some recurring annual events that we at The Hoboken Girl consider "need-to-knows." So, keep this list in your back pocket to reference all year long whether you have guests coming to town, or are just looking to participate in some community fun.
The Fall and Spring Arts + Music Festival are two of the Mile Square's most anticipated events. The festivals showcase local businesses including artists, food vendors, crafters, and more along Washington Street in Hoboken. This event typically takes place around September or October in the fall, and around May in the spring — this year's festival will take place on May 18th.
The Artists' Studio Tour is part of Hoboken's Art Month every year. This self-guided Artists’ Studio Tour features dozens of local galleries, artists’ studios, murals, and group exhibitions, featuring artwork by talented artists. 2025 dates have yet to be announced. This event typically takes place around October or November.
For the last two years, Mile Square Mommies and the Hoboken Historical Museum have joined forces for a joyous celebration of Black History called Black Jubilee. The event typically features arts and crafts, spoken word, dance, and special performances. While the 2025 event has already passed, 2026 event details are TBD.
Hoboken is home to three farmers' markets every year including the Downtown Farmers' Market (June-November), Midtown Farmers' Market (June-November) and Uptown Farmers' Market (May-December). The markets feature local produce and treats from local farmers and businesses.
The Hoboken Harvest Festival is a family-friendly festival that showcases several small businesses, and community organizations. The fall-themed event often has festive activities, food, and shopping to celebrate autumn. This event typically takes place in October.
The Ragamuffin Parade is a long-time tradition dates back to the late 1870s. Now, the event lives on right here in Hoboken. Every Halloween, the Ragamuffin Parade commences and features a line-up of spooky festivities including a parade down Washington Street, costume contests, and plenty of photo opportunities.
The Hoboken Italian Festival (aka the Feast if the Madonna Dei Martiri) is an Italian street fair with delicious eats, entertainment, fireworks and more. The festival typically takes place in September on the Hoboken waterfront.
The Hoboken Mac + Cheese Festival is a favorite among foodies. This year will mark the 6th annual celebration that will take place on April 5th, 2025. The event is presented by Hoboken Happy Hours and includes an elite line up of Hoboken restaurants showing off their best mac + cheese dishes.
The Hoboken Summer Fun series hosted by the City of Hoboken encompasses several warm-weather events for locals each year, including Fitness In The Park, Dancing + Concerts In The Park, and Movies Under The Stars. 2025 dates have yet to be announced.
Spice lovers, this one is for you. Hoboken non-profit Computers 4 People hosts the Hoboken Pepper Fest each year with several fun-filled activities. The Pepper Fest includes spicy pepper eating contests, chili eating contents, and more. The event typically takes place in October.
Mutzfest is organized by the Hoboken Family Alliance, one of the oldest Hoboken non-profits. The tasty mozzarella-centric event is packed with family-friendly activities including a cannoli eating contest, and a Sinatra Sing-A-Long. Proceeds from the event will fund Hoboken Family Alliance's numerous local community initiatives. The event typically takes place in the spring.
Love it or hate it, Santacon is one of Hoboken's most iconic holiday celebrations. Every December, thousands of locals dress in their holiday best to hop around some of Hoboken's most popular bars.
St. Ann's Italian Festival in Hoboken is a long-time tradition of over 114 years. The food and fun-focused features out-of-this-world Italian eats (including the infamous zeppoles), kiddie rides, music, and more. The event typically takes place in July.
Summer Blockfest is Hoboken's first hip-hop and R+B music festival that has been taking place for the last two years. The event presented by What Hoboken Sounds Like, a local nonprofit, shines a light on local talent for a fun-filled day of music, food, and culture. 2025 dates at TBD but the event typically takes place in August.
Wing + A Prayer is a chicken wing contest hosted by St. Francis Church to benefit Fr. Michael Food Pantry. After a five-year hiatus, the competition returned in early February of 2025 while 11 restaurants from the Mile Square competed for the title of "King of Wings." Stay tuned for next year's contest announcement.
Photo Credit: Andrew Nicolas + Art Fair 14C
The 14C Art Fair is one of Jersey City's most anticipated art events and is expected to pick back up this spring. The art crawl features gallery showcases around town to highlight the work of local artists.
Every year on September 11th, the City of Jersey City hosts a memorial ceremony on the Hudson River waterfront to honor those lost during the tragic attacks in 2001.
Photo Credit: HDSID
HDSID's All About Downtown Street Fair in Jersey City is a premier event featuring dozens of local vendors. Locals can find jewelry, handmade gifts, snacks, face painting, and more for the whole family. This year's festivities will commence on September 20th, 2025.
Ghost of Uncle Joe's is an annual masquerade fundraising ball to benefit the preservation of the historical Harsimus Cemetery in Jersey City. The event features live performances from local musicians, food trucks, dancing, and festive Halloween fun. This event takes place in October.
Goatchella is one of the many innovative Harsimus Cemetery fundraisers to help maintain the grounds. The furry-friend festival typically takes place in the summer at Harsimus Cemetery where bands play and goats graze.
Photo Credit: HDSID
Groove on Grove is a weekly summer music series hosted by HDSID at the Grove Street Path Plaza. The free event features local performers and is a family-friendly hangout. This year performances will take place from May to August 2025 on Wednesdays from 6PM-9PM.
Photo Credit: HDSID
The HDSID Farmers' Market has been a staple in downtown Jersey City for over a decade. The markets occur in the winter from January 16th-April 24th from 4PM-6PM and in the spring, fall, and summer from April 28th-December 22nd from 3PM-7PM.
Photo Credit: HDSID
The HDSID Halloween Family Bash is a fun-filled event with games, corn mazes, face painting, pumpkins, bouncy houses, candy, and more. This year's festivities will occur on October 31st, 2025 from 3PM-8PM.
The HDSID Handmade Market features goods from talented local artists and makers. This spring and summer the Handmade Market will take place from May 7th-September 17th. In addition, the Handmade Happy Holiday Market will occur in December 2025 from 12PM-6PM at Grove PATH Plaza and at The Ashford Rooftop.
Holi Hai is a colorful celebration that takes place each spring in Jersey City. The Hindu celebration kicks off the welcoming of spring and includes exciting food, dancing, activities, and more.
Every year, Hudson Pride Center hosts an LBGTQ+ Prom at White Eagle Hall to celebrate love, diversity, and acceptance. Proceeds from the event benefit the Hudson Pride Center's daily operations, programs, and services. This event typically takes place in June in honor of Pride Month. 2025 details are TBD.
Every year, the Pride flag on the corner Newark Avenue and JFK Boulevard in Jersey City gets a fresh layer of paint with the helping hands of the community. Join in on the fun or stop by to support. 2025 details are TBD, though the event typically occurs in June or July.
The Jersey City Marathon will take place on April 13th, 2025. The third annual event will operate on a double-loop system giving runners a full tour of the many neighborhoods of Jersey City. Runners have the option to participate in a full marathon or half marathon and can register here.
The first-ever Jersey City Pizza Fest will take place on Saturday, March 29th 2025 from 1PM-5PM to kick off the start of the spring season. The event is presented by Jersey City Happy Hours, and tickets are already on sale.
The Jersey City Puerto Rican Heritage + Culture Festival is an exciting celebration of Puerto Rican heritage in Jersey City. Food and live music set the scene for lively, family-friendly fun. The series of events typically takes place over a weekend in August. 2025 dates are TBD.
Jersey City's 12th Annual Jazz Festival will take place from May 30th-31st this year at Exchange Place Plaza. Over 200 musicians will show off their skills as locals enjoy vendors, music, and more.
Last year, Jersey City celebrated its 2nd Annual Day of Fashion. While info is still TBD for 2025, last year's events were filled with local talent, collaboration, and inspiring panels with local leaders and fashion industry icons. The event typically takes place in September.
Photo Credit: La Festa Italiana
La Festa Italiana is Jersey City's Italian Festival taking place Wednesday, August 13th-Sunday, August, 17th, 2025. The street fair is filled with unbeatable eats, vendors, and more in downtown Jersey City.
Photo Credit: Office of Cultural Affairs
The annual Martin Luther King Oratory Contest is hosted by Jersey City’s Office of Cultural Affairs. In this contest, over 100 students from grades three to eight compete for the best-memorized oration of one of Dr. King’s writings or speeches. While the 2025 event has already passed, the event typically takes place in January. 2026 details are TBD.
Movies in The Park is a summer film series presented by the Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association. The outdoor movie showings welcome residents to sit outside and enjoy a film during the warm, summer months. 2025 details are TBD.
Every summer, The Exchange Place Alliance hosts Movies on The Pier, with a family-friendly movie screening for locals. 2025 details are TBD.
Back in 2021 Mayor Fulop, Mana Public Arts, the Office of Cultural Affairs, and the Jersey City Mural Arts Program (JCMAP) announced the first annual Jersey City Mural Festival. Now, the event aims to celebrate the vibrant public art, foster community, and benefit local small businesses affected by the pandemic. 2025 event details are TBD.
Record Riot is a music lovers' paradise. Starting on Saturday, April 5th, 2025 the Grove Street PATH Plaza will be filled with music-related vendors from all over the country with records, LPs, CDs, 45s, and more. This event will take place on April 5th, May 4th, June 28th, July 26th, September 27th, and November 1st, 2025.
Riverview Farmers' Market is a staple in Jersey City Heights with dozens of local vendors. The Farmers' Market typically runs from May through November (rain or shine) and is located at 498 Palisade Avenue.
For nearly 10 years, Whole Spectrum Autism has hosted an annual gala with a night of sensory-friendly entertainment and fun. The event provides families on the spectrum with an elegant evening that includes dancing, music, food + drinks, a silent auction, photo booths, guest speakers, and more. This year's event will take place on June 20th, 2025 at 76 Audrey Zapp Drive in Jersey City. All donations go directly to supporting Whole Spectrum Autism’s mission.
