Fall is officially here, and we’re so ready! We’ve rounded up a mix of festivals, pre-Halloween fun, Oktoberfest celebrations, Hispanic Heritage Month events and the super fun Teaneck Tailgate perfect for the whole family. Here are some of the best events happening in NJ this weekend:
WEEKEND
Festival of Fountains
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
Thursday – Sunday
Come for the Waterlily Court but stay for the Rose Garden, Flower Garden Walk, Peirce’s Woods, Idea Garden, Ornamental Kitchen Garden, Meadow Garden and indoor West Conservatory. You can visit on any day, but special events are planned for the Fireworks & Fountains Shows, as well as Fountain Fest Weekends.
Cirque de Paris
Menlo Park Mall, Edison
Thursday – Sunday
Anouchka Bouglione will bring a cast of circus artists from across Europe – including BMX trick riders, illusionists, aerialists, acrobats and clowns – to perform in French circus traditions.
Olde Tyme Italian Festival
Fox Park, Wildwood
Friday – Saturday
The weekend starts with a Mass and Procession of Saints on Friday, followed by a jam-packed musical lineup. There will be tons of Italian food (sausage and peppers, chicken cutlets, pasta, fresh cannoli and zeppole), vendors selling Italian merch, kids’ activities, and a meatball contest.
Monsters on the Beach Monster Truck Races
The Wildwoods
Friday – Saturday
Friday’s kickoff is the Monsters on Main Street Event: each of the eight Renegade Monster Trucks will be on display before they all fire up and parade through Wildwood Crest to the performance area on the beach. Then, on Saturday, choose one of two monster truck obstacle shows on the beach at Schellenger Avenue in Wildwood.
Navratri Golu
West Windsor Arts, West Windsor
Friday – Saturday
The South Indian tradition of Navratri Golu will include a display of intricately arranged dolls and heirlooms created by local community members. There will be Indian classical music on Saturday, children’s art activities and traditional snacks.
The Addams Family
MPAC, Morristown
Friday – Saturday
The stage show highlighting the creepy, kooky characters is geared toward theater lovers age 7 and older.
Lentini Farms Harvest Festival
Lentini Farms, Newton
Friday – Sunday
On Friday there will be a Cars, Pies and Harvest Skies Event with a classic car show. Angelo’s Pizza food truck will offer a Lentini Pie from the farm’s own harvest veggies. September 27 will be the farm’s first line dancing event.
Bergen County 4-H Fair: Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival
Overpeck County Park, Ridgefield Park
Friday – Sunday
The fair features 4-H and Master Gardener displays and exhibits, arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, local farm vendors, live music, a petting zoo, chick hatching, educational and hands-on activities for children, games, county organizations, a midway, and more.
Middlesex County Jazz Festival
Friday: Carteret Performing Arts Center, Carteret
Saturday: Metuchen High School, Metuchen
Sunday: In front of New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, New Brunswick
The jazz fest features different performers singing at various locations around the county. Highlights are Elizabeth Bougerol of the Hot Sardines on Wednesday, a Metuchen High School Combo celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Peanuts comic strip on Saturday; and the Rutgers Alumni Jazz Orchestra taking the stage on Sunday.
Hackettstown Oktoberfest
Hackettstown BID, Czig Meister Brewing Company, Grand Avenue Tavern and Man Skirt Brewing in Hackettstown
Friday – Sunday
The town-wide event includes activities, contests, music, drinks and food suitable for the whole family. Vendors will line up along Main Street, Valentine Street and Grand Avenue for a street-fair style event. There will be kids’ activities and other non-alcohol-related activities as well. The highlights on Saturday at Czig Meister Brewing include barrel tapping, wiener dog races, a grain bag toss, a cornhole tournament and a stein-holding competition.
Chester Lions Oktoberfest Weekend & Car Show
Chubb Park, Chester
Saturday – Sunday
The authentic Bavarian-style Oktoberfest experience has traditional German food and beer, live oompah music, a car show, and games and activities for the kids.
Hopewell Tour Des Arts
Hopewell Borough Train Station, Hopewell
Saturday – Sunday
Take a behind-the-scenes look into local artists’ studios and pop-up art spaces, where you can watch them work.
Mountain Creek Fall Fest
Mountain Creek Resort, Vernon Twp.
Saturday – Sunday
There will be scenic sky rides so you can see the Vernon Valley fall foliage, Alpine Mountain Coaster rides, live music, guided hikes, giant lawn games, and seasonal snacks.
Margate Fall Funfest by The Bay
Margate
Saturday – Sunday
There will be performers on the Kids Stage, 11 bands on the main stage, parades, costumed characters, 110 vendor booths, ax throwing, a dog show, street sorcery shows, a Wild Thrill Stunt Extravaganza, Irish dancing, a wetlands educational exhibit, eco tours, a gymnastics show and dance performances. Saturday night’s Funfest After Dark caters to adults only, with a PJ contest, wine and spirits, a Grateful Dead tribute band, and a balloon act straight from The Hook in AC.
Asbury Park Fall Bazaar
Convention Hall, Asbury Park
Saturday – Sunday
There will be shopping from local artisans, live music and entertainment, food and beverages, fall photo walls, an Oktoberfest celebration, kids’ activities, a permanent jewelry bar, vinyl record shopping and giveaways.
RoboCon New Jersey
Bridgewater Commons, Bridgewater
Saturday – Sunday
STEAM-based activities include a bubble show, droid building, a robot driving experience, a Gummy Bear Launch, lots of LEGO projects, FIRST robotics competitions, and a special guest appearance by American Ninja Warrior/TV Host/Author Jay Flores.
Saucetoberfest
Cross Country Nurseries, Stockton
Saturday – Sunday
The “hottest” show in New Jersey is celebrating its 10th year, a collab between Cross Country Nurseries and Whitehouse Station Hot Sauce. There will be tons of hot sauce vendors, spicy food challenges, cold beer and more.
FRIDAY
Baby Walk
Hoffman Park, Hampton
The purpose is for you to get outside with your baby and explore your local trails. There will be some nature education geared toward the adults, and then you can enjoy the company of other parents. Older siblings are welcome, but the group will walk at the pace of the adults.
South Orange Downtown Fiesta in La Placita
Spiotta Park, South Orange
The outdoor celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month features a live mariachi performance, a salsa dance lesson, music throughout the evening from DJ Mixxx, and tacos for sale.
NJ Shark Shindig
Black Eyed Susans, Harvey Cedars
The Nature Conservancy New Jersey will celebrate the sand tiger, sandbar and smooth dogfish shark species – the ones that rely on NJ’s salt marshes to survive – during an evening dinner. There will be appetizers, shark-themed drinks, shark trivia, a shark photo station, a custom tote filled with shark swag, and remarks by shark and coastal scientists.
SATURDAY
Woofstock Festival
Voorhees Town Center, Voorhees
Voorhees Animal Orphanage puts together a pet-themed event with craft and retail vendors, animal rescue groups, a Kids Corner, a basket raffle pavilion, dog demos, an alumni parade, doggie contests, the Mummers string band and other live music, food trucks, and a beer garden serving Tonewood Brewery beers.
Fall Fest
Montclair History Center and Montclair Community Farms, Montclair
The fundraiser features hands-on fall activities, meet-and-greets with farm animals from Dreamscape Acres, museum tours, hearth cooking demos, and live music from Montclair’s School of Rock.
Worldwide Day of Play
New Jersey State Museum, Trenton
Pick up a “Play Passport” and you can explore the museum, including the ActiveFloor in the Discovery Den, and the AR Sandbox in the STEAM Center.
Breakfast with The Pups
Seaview Hotel, Galloway
In between bites of the brunch buffet items, smile for the camera as characters from PAW Patrol come by your table.
Company Town Walking Tour
Roebling Museum, Roebling
Take a guided walking tour of the company town to discover the stories of workers who lived in the unique houses – from immigrant laborers to wealthy superintendents.
Italian Festival
Historic Smithville, Galloway
Entertainment across three stages incluodes live music, Italian covers, a DJ, and dance performances. There will be bocce courts, 15 food trucks, 70 craft vendors, a beer truck, face painting, sand art, a wheel of chance, and raffles.
Red Bank Mac & Cheese Festival
Red Bank
More than a dozen restaurants will offer samples of their best mac & cheese dishes as part of this town-wide food crawl. Options include soul seasoned mac from JBJ Soul Kitchen, lobster mac & cheese from Patrizia’s, wild forest mushroom with Irish bacon from Dublin House, and BBQ short rib mac from Char Steakhouse.
Metuchen Pops Art Festival
Downtown Metuchen
As you walk down the streets, look at the beautiful murals, graffiti, comics, illustrations, photography, wearable art, and interactive experiences – including a unique battle of the walls and pieces from internationally recognized artist ChrisRWK.
Wheat Planting, Wheat Weaving, Threshing & Baking
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Learn how wheat is planted, cleaned, ground into flour, and baked into bread.
Mercer County Library System Book Festival
Lawrence Headquarters Branch, Lawrenceville
You’ll hear authors talk about their latest books, ask questions, and talk about the people behind the stories they love. In addition to author panels, the festival will feature crafts, activities, and kid-friendly performances.
Gibbstown Car Show and Festival
Memorial Park, Gibbstown
Aside from the car show, there will be food vendors, games for families, shopping vendors and a live DJ. Stay for the awards ceremony and prizes at the end of the show.
Russo’s Harvest Festival
Russo’s Fruit & Vegetable Farm Pick Your Own Annex, Tabernacle
Take a wagon ride to the orchard and pumpkin patch, where you’ll pick your own apples and pumpkins straight from the farm. There will be food vendors, fresh apple cider donuts, a bounce house, pony rides and a hayride.
Walktoberfest ’25: Step Up for The Arc
ArcMorris, Morris Plains
In addition to a 1-mile walk, there will be a 5K running route, live music, hamburgers, donuts, pastries, hot apple cider, a bounce house and T-shirt giveaways. The event supports people with I/DD.
The Baron’s Oktoberfest
Historic New Bridge Landing, River Edge
Major General Baron von Steuben’s birthday party includes craft beer samples from three local breweries, colonial games, free pumpkin picking and decorating, music by Particle Theory, and tours of the state historic 1752 Steuben House.
Freestyle Takeover 2
Carteret Performing Arts Center, Carteret
Legendary Freestyle artists Cynthia, TKA, Soave, The Cover Girls, C-Bank, Noel, Lisette Melendez and Sammy Zone take the stage; plus the Dare Goes Da Djzz experience with DJ Blazer One, DJ White Boy KYS, DJ Frankie Cutlass, DJ Lucho and DJ O. The official after party is happening at the same venue, celebrating The Godfather of Freestyle Sal Abbatiello’s birthday.
Tewksbury Harvest Festival
Christie Hoffman Farm Park, Tewksbury
There will be 10 food trucks, 40+ antique/art/craft/gourmet food vendors, a silent auction, a beer garden, mini concerts by Duke Band and Jessie Bardwell & the Noble Brothers, a petting zoo and pony rides, games, hayrides, and free popcorn and cotton candy. This is a fundraiser for the Tewksbury First Aid & Rescue Squad.
Pennsauken Surf Fishing Club Fishing Tournament
Wildwood Crest beaches
Both teams and individuals can register to fish off the beach.
Horse Farm Autumn Leaves Bike Tour
Roebling Museum, Florence Twp.
Travel along the Delaware River Bike Path to Hedding, taking a scenic tour through Burlington County horse country, viewing the fall foliage along the way.
Color Blast Fun Run/Walk
Vernon Township High School, Vernon Twp.
Wear all white so you get blasted with color as you run or walk around the track. After, there will be a wellness fair, music, games, crafts and T-shirt decorating.
The Shops at Riverside Beauty, Health and Wellness Event
The Shops at Riverside, Hackensack
This day of pampering and self-care includes a free lipstick reading, the opportunity to receive a custom painted design from artist Soo Kim, an exclusive embroidery workshop with Embroidery Babes, and shopping incentives from participating stores
SUNDAY
FEATURED EVENT
Teaneck Tailgate
Cedar Lane, Teaneck
The Teaneck Tailgate block party is taking over Cedar Lane with an outdoor bar, corn hole, food trucks, a bounce house, a photo booth, carnival games, tailgate games, sports challenges, performances by the Teaneck High School cheerleaders, a dunk tank fundraiser featuring team leaders and the principal, a pep rally parade, and music by Cresskill School of Rock students. The event benefits the Teaneck Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO) and Teaneck Public Schools. New Jersey Family is proud to be a supporting media partner!
Saddle Brook Street Fair & Craft Show
Saddle Brook
There will be arts and crafts, vendor shopping, live music, kids’ rides and food vendors.
The Great Empanada 5K, 10K and 1-Mile K9 Walk
Thompson Park, Monroe Twp.
Choose from a 5K, 10K, or a 1-mile walk with your dog – and end with a free freshly cooked empanada from These Freakin’ Empanadas at the finish line.
Pups & Pints
Casino Pier, Seaside Heights
Doggy Day features dog-friendly carousel rides on the chariot, $3 doggy sundaes at Mrs. C’s Waffles & Ice Cream, and $3 beer at Pier Pub, Surf Bar & Waves Bar. There will also be a costume contest for your dogs in the afternoon.
Princeton Festival Cultural Latino
Downtown Princeton
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month through music, dance, food, performances, creative arts and crafts, and family activities.
Traveling Knights of Old Bridge Art & Craft Show
Old Bridge High School, Old Bridge
The indoor Art & Craft Show includes jewelry, ceramics, quilting, crochet, glasswork, art, photography, pet items, bath, beauty and more.
Batsto Village Antique, Glassware & Bottle Show
Batsto Village, Hammonton
The fall antique and bottle show will have between 80 and 90 dealers, several food trucks, and wagon rides through the historic village.
BioBlitz 2025
Edelman Fossil Park, Mantua Twp.
There will be guided walks in the morning, and self-led observations all day so you can help ID as many species as possible across the museum grounds. There will also be family activities, crafts and storytime.
Flemington Bizarre Bazaar
Stangl Factory, Flemington
Greenhouse Flemington, Kev Von Holt Gallery and Alkemy Coffee put together a curated collection of oddities, handmade goods, botanicals, crystals, jewelry, art, sweets, treats and more odds & ends.
Monarch Madness
Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary, Bernardsville
There will be butterfly displays and a butterfly garden tour. Little ones can enjoy a story, game, and a craft about monarchs. Learn about butterfly migration.
South Orange Downtown Fall Festival
Spiotta Park, South Orange
There will be free fall crafts, pumpkin decorating, games, live music from DJ Lou, storytime, hands-on activities for families set up by local businesses, and food vendors.
Acoustic Open Mic
The New Weis Center, Ringwood
Play your instrument or listen to others perform. A stage will be set up by the 1800s-era farmhouse for an afternoon of acoustic music (originals and covers) in a variety of genres.
Último Domingo: Celebrate Hispanic/Latine Heritage Month
Zimmerli Art Museum, New Brunswick
Último Domingo (Last Sunday) is a series celebrating Latinx culture. Bilingual communities come together through art by checking out the museum’s exhibitions, creating their own art, and watching interactive performances.
ONGOING
Harvest Glow
The Bronx Zoo, The Bronx, NY
September 25 – October 31
Although the animals won’t be viewable at night, the nighttime Halloween spectacular features a trail of 5,000 hand-carved, animal-themed jack o’lanterns, Dinosaur Safari, pumpkin carving demos, games, face painting, illuminated characters, shows in the Wildlife Theater, photo ops and food trucks.
Fintastic Pumpkin Glow
Adventure Aquarium, Camden
September 25 – November 2
The aquarium’s fall festival puts glowing gourds of every shape, size and species both above the surface and deep below the sharks and stingrays. As part of the themed activities, you can paint and take home your own personalized pumpkin masterpiece.
Hoboken Art Month
Throughout Hoboken
September 28 – November 3
Highlights include a storefront art walk with a docent-led tour, Jazz on the Hudson, a public print event where families can squeegee their own hand-cut print on paper, storytelling, a lace exhibit, a screening of “Hocus Pocus,” a walking tour of Hoboken art studios, pop-up markets, musical performances, an improv workshop, hat making and pottery building.
UniverSoul Circus
Weequahic Park, Newark
October 2-19
This fall’s new Rhythm of the World production features stuntpeople performing dizzying spins on a towering vertical pole, a graceful ballerina act, a contortionist, an aerial lyra duo, a rollerskating troupe, hoop divers, a stylized teeterboard act, a strong-man hand-balance duo, 20-foot dancing puppets, fire-breathing stilt dancers, hip-hop dancing clowns and the Wheel of Death stunt.
Indian Acres Tree Farm Fall Activities
Indian Acres Tree Farm, Medford
Daily, through October 31
There will be pumpkin picking, a giant sorghum maze with 40 scarecrows to find, Boo Buddies Maze with 19 kid-friendly scarecrows, a Ghoul Gang Maze with 21 “slightly scary” scarecrows, weekends-only barrel train rides, a free play area, live music, visits with goats and alpacas, grilled food, and apple cider donuts.
Harvest Moon Nights
Alstede Farms, Chester
Fridays – Saturdays, September 26 – November 1
After going through the corn maze, take a leisurely hayride through the fields, then have some snacks by the campfire. There will be locally crafted hard ciders from Ironbound Hard Cider.
Halloween House
Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Twp.
Deptford Mall, Deptford
Daily, from September 26 to November 2
This indoor experience transports you into a movie-based Halloween world that is more creative than scary. Each of the 10 rooms you walk through have different scenes like the Beetlejuice Illusion Room, Glow Room, Halloweentown and Trick-or-Treat Room.
Highlights Tour
Zimmerli Art Museum, New Brunswick
September 27, October 11, October 19, November 2, November 15, November 19, December 6, December 14
Student educators will take you on a free guided tour of the galleries, highlighting key artworks in the Zimmerli’s collection.
Funtober Festival
The Funplex, Mt. Laurel and East Hanover
Saturdays – Sundays, October 4-12; plus Monday, October 13
Rides, pumpkin decorating, entertainment, seasonal food and drinks, and activities are open to the whole family.
Black River and Western Railroad Pumpkin Train
Black River & Western Railroad, Ringoes/Flemington
Saturdays-Sundays, September 27 – October 26
Ride the train from Flemington Station to Everitt Farms to pick a pumpkin, explore the corn maze, take wagon rides, see sunflowers, and listen to music.
Halloween Light Show
Demarest Farms, Hillsdale
Select dates, September 27 – October 31
Known for its Orchard of Lights at Christmastime, the Halloween Light Show is a family-friendly drive-through of 32 acres around the farm. After, park your car near the farm market for fall goodies.
Legends Brunch
Marcus Live! Bar & Grille, American Dream, East Rutherford
September 18, October 5 and 19, November 2 and 16
Giants and Jets fans can pregame at a two-hour breakfast buffet, which includes meet-and-greets with football legends. Stars on the schedule include Bart Oates, Joe Klecko, Wayne Chrebet, Ahmad Bradshaw and Hakeem Nicks.
Children’s Entrepreneur Markets
September 27: Turkey Brook Park, Mt. Olive
October 4: Hightstown Bank Street, Hightstown
October 5: Weichert, Morris Plains
October 26: The Shoppes at Lafayette, Lafayette
Let your little ones showcase their entrepreneurial spirit by setting up their own booths and selling their handmade crafts, treats and unique creations.
Scarecrow Festival
Hillsborough Twp.
September 28 – October 29
Residents, organizations and businesses will decorate their buildings with scarecrows, which you can view in the streets during Halloween time.
Hoboken Art Month
Throughout Hoboken
September 28 – November 3
Highlights include a storefront art walk with a docent-led tour, Jazz on the Hudson, a public print event where families can squeegee their own hand-cut print on paper, storytelling, a lace exhibit, a screening of “Hocus Pocus,” a walking tour of Hoboken art studios, pop-up markets, musical performances, an improv workshop, hat making and pottery building.
All-Ages Folk Dances
Suzanne Patterson Center, Princeton
2025: September 28, October 26 (note: this dance will be held at Princeton Friends School, 470 Quaker Rd., Princeton), November 23
2026: January 25, February 22, March 22, April 19
Open to everyone from age 4 to 104, the options include square dances, contra dances, party games, traditional American dances, and folk dances from around the world. The music will be played by the Mixed Age Dance Band, and you can join the group at a rehearsal before the dancing begins.
Philadelphia Marketplace
Dilworth Park, Philadelphia, PA
Fridays – Saturdays, through October 4
Makers and crafters from the tri-state area will bring their handmade artwork, home goods, plants and more to the outdoor market every weekend. The pop-up shops will be set up alongside activations and events set up by the Center City District. You can also skate on the Rothman Orthopaedics Roller Rink.
Fall Harvest Weekends
Giamarese Farm, East Brunswick
Select dates, through October
PYO apples and pumpkins are ready! Stop in the farm market before heading out to the field. There’s also a corn maze, sunflower picking, pony rides and a petting zoo.
Morey’s Piers Oktoberfest
Mariner’s Pier, Morey’s Piers, Wildwood
Fridays – Sundays, through October 12
Oktoberfest-themed decorations will liven up the boardwalk every weekend. The event includes live German music, food, beer, and games and rides at the pier. On September 13, there will be an additional Boardwalk Bier Run, a ceremonial keg tapping and the stein-holding contest. New this year, Founder Haus will offer a ticketed Oktoberfest dining experience with family-style appetizers, a special German fare menu, and seasonal beers.
Fall Family Fun Weekends
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Saturdays – Sundays, through October 12
Celebrate fall with PYO pumpkins and apples; there will be a pumpkin painting station. There are 30+ activities and attractions to enjoy: pony rides, pedal and play tractors, wagon rides, children’s games and activities, corn stalk maze and hay bale maze, a barnyard of farm animals, barnyard sports (basketball toss, pumpkin bowling, baseball throw), the pollinator sunflower trail, a scavenger hunt, live music, and tastings of Terhune’s wine and sangria.
Scarecrow Season
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
Daily, through October 13
While walking around the village to vote on your favorite scarecrow that lines the pathways to the shops and restaurants, you can also sign up for a scarecrow-making workshop, view the pet photo exhibit, attend the Scarecrow Festival (September 13 and 14), order from the food trucks (September 18) or bring your significant other to the wedding show.
Holland Ridge Fall Flower Festival
Holland Ridge Farms, Cream Ridge
Through October 13
Aside from millions of sunflowers, dahlias, gladiolus, calla lilies and mums, people from all over the region come for the photo ops, windmill tour, Bloom Bar, new “Moovie” Theater, picnic pods and hayrides around the farm.
Free Guided Garden Tours
New Jersey Botanical Garden, Ringwood
Sundays, through October 16
A docent will lead you on a tour of what’s blooming around the gardens.
LuminoCity Dino Safari
Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Twp.
Through October 25
The kids will be in awe as life-sized, animatronic dinosaurs move their heads and tails, open their mouths and roar. There’s also a Dino Speedway, bounce zone, playground, safari dig, fossil hunt and Dino Carousel.
Pumpkin Days
Riamede Farm, Chester
Through October 26
Pumpkin Days include a pumpkin patch, apple picking, hay wagon rides, live music, and a variety of family-friendly activities.
Etsch Farms Fall Festival & Corn Maze
Etsch Farms, Monroe Twp.
Saturday – Sunday, through October 26
At the family-owned, fourth-generation farm, you can wander through the 8-acre corn maze. You can also take a hayride, meet the farm animals, sample apple cider donuts and slushies, and pick a pumpkin.
Tri State Sunflower Festival & Pumpkin Fest
Dalton Farms, Swedesboro
Daily, through October 26 (closed Tuesdays)
Daily activities include flower picking, a corn maze, a giant slide, a trike track, a playground area, a low ropes course, a pumpkin patch and fall photo ops. Weekend activities add a farmers market, live music, food vendors, a beer garden, and pedal boat rentals.
Lentini Farms Fall Festival
Lentini Farms, Newton
Weekends, through October 26
Haunted hayrides will take place every Friday and Saturday night. Food trucks, live bands, Angry Erik’s Brewery, Milk Street Distillery and O’Reilly’s Pub will be part of the entire season. Fireworks are scheduled for October 10.
Stone Tavern Orchards
73 Rues Rd., Cream Ridge
Through October (date TBA)
Fall festivities include PYO apples, pumpkins and flowers; a hayride; a corn maze; a corn pit; pony rides and a petting zoo; a food tent; and a farm stand with veggies, honey, flowers and autumn essentials. If you just want the fruit and not the festival, head down the road to Annie’s Orchard, where Farmer Pat’s daughter Annie has a rustic second location for just apple picking.
Red Wagon Farm Fall Activities
136 Applegarth Rd., Monroe
Thursdays to Sundays, through Halloween
Activities include pumpkin picking, hayrides, farm animals, redneck basketball, a giant swing set, axe throwing, tic tac toe, checkers, rock hunt, cornhole, tug of war, bowling, a tire mountain, ring toss, Connect 4 and Jenga.
Fall Harvest Days
Norz Hill Farm, Hillsborough
Through October 31
There are farm tours, corn mazes, a kids’ corner, food, and a scenic pumpkin patch.
Fall Harvest Days
Norz Hill Farm, Hillsborough
Through October 31
There will be entertainment, farm tours, corn mazes, a kids’ corner, food at Café 120, and a pumpkin patch.
Corn Maze, Hayrides & Pumpkin Adventures
Abma’s Farm, Wyckoff and Hillsborough
Select dates, through November 1
Depending on the location, there will be morning yoga, music classes, tractor time, spooky storytime, a Halloween dance party, a corn maze, hayrides, and pumpkin picking.
Maple Leaf Farms Fall Fun Fest
Maple Leaf Farms, Manalapan
Weekends, through November 1; plus Monday, October 13
Classic autumn adventures include hayrides through the farm, a sprawling corn maze, a festive pumpkin village, train rides, farm animal encounters, outdoor games, playgrounds, and interactive attractions for kids of all ages. There are live bull riding shows and pig races scheduled throughout each day.
Jacks & Lights
Argos Farm, Forked River
Select dates, through November 2
Included in admission are the lighted pumpkin trail, the pumpkin patch, a flashlight maze, access to fall treats and the Spook-Easy, and photo ops.
Von Thun Farms’ Fall Festival
Von Thun Farms, Washington Twp.
Saturday – Sunday, through November 2; plus school closure days
Come to the farm for apple and pumpkin picking, hayrides, cider donuts, apple blasters, corn cannons, other kids’ activities, and a new Sesame Street-themed corn maze.
Fright Fest
Six Flags Great Adventure Resort, Jackson Twp.
Select dates, through November 2
Start in the daytime at Kids Boo Fest, a not-so-scary Halloween event with trick-or-treating, silly performances and fall photo ops. At night, dare to be scared inside movie-themed haunted houses, scare zones and themed performances.
Happy Day Farm Fall Festival
Happy Day Farm, Manalapan
Select dates, through November 2
There’s a little bit of everything you love about fall here: sunflower and pumpkin picking, corn cannon and pumpkin blaster, animal zoo and pony rides, a real corn maze and an inflatable corn maze, pig races and a bee barn, pumpkin bowling and a spider web climb, and many more kid-friendly activities.
Great Pumpkin Festival
Heaven Hill Farm, Vernon
Select dates, through November 2
There will be 35+ fall-themed attractions, plus food, games, a hayride to the pumpkin patch, an Alice in Wonderland-themed corn maze, farm animals and pig races, a dog show, giant slingshot, a straw pyramid and a baseball speed through. For an additional fee, take the kids to the carnival ride area, apple cannon, paintball range and gem mining.
The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular
Sesame Place Philadelphia, Langhorne, PA
Select dates, through November 2
Sesame Street- and Halloween-themed activities include a castle maze, stage performance, trick-or-treating, costume contests, Halloween parade, pumpkin decorating, character shows, Halloween storytime, and a special Halloween dining op.
Winery Weekend Music Series
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Saturdays, through November 2
In the wine orchard among 100-year-old apple trees, have a glass of wine, listen to live music from local artists, snack on food, shop in the farm store, or take a stroll with the kids on the farm.
Halloween Haunt
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, Allentown, PA
Fridays – Saturdays, through November 1
Additional Sundays October 12, 19 and 26, and November 2
There are seven haunted mazes, separate scare zones, access to the theme park’s 60 rides, musical stage shows, and seasonal food and drinks.
Halloween Nights
Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, PA
Select nights, through November 8
The ten-acre former prison site is transformed for Halloween with five haunted houses, historic tours, themed bars, live entertainment, and more. There’s an outdoor scare zone, food and drink vendors, a lineup of characters from Shadow of the Veil, and the ability to “opt in” to access hidden passageways.
Field Station: Dinosaurs
Overpeck County Park, Leonia
Select dates, through November 9
This will be the final season of the dino-themed park, which has 30 life-sized dinosaurs, a bounce house, live musical shows, meetings with paleontologists and science shows.
Fall Theatre Season
All Children’s Art Center of New Jersey, Denville
Select dates, through November 26
ACACNJ’s fall productions include Aladdin, Camp Rock, The Sound of Music Jr., Shrek Jr., and The SpongeBob Musical.
Terhune Orchards Fall Art Show
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Through December 7
This year’s exhibit honors the Mount family with the theme “50 Years of Terhune Orchards.” Displayed inside the 250-year-old red barn, the art showcases original works inspired by the farm’s landscape, history and community over the past five decades.
Hometown Pride: The Power of Sports in Middlesex County
Cornelius Low House Museum, Piscataway
Select dates through December 31
Middlesex County’s sports connections include the first-ever college football game played between Rutgers University and Princeton University; professional athletes and Olympians, Paralympians, and Special Olympians. You will see high school trophies from the 1930s to the present, NFL golden footballs for pro athletes, balls from the highest-scoring high school athletes, uniforms from the 1930s to the present, and more.
Springsteen in Long Branch: An exhibition telling the story of Born to Run
Long Branch Arts & Cultural Center, Long Branch
Ongoing through 2026
Fifty years ago, Bruce Springsteen wrote the “Born to Run” album in West End, Long Branch. A new exhibit showcases his life at the Jersey Shore through photos, posters, album promo materials and mementos – like his green drum set from his first band, and a replica of the guitar used on the album cover.
Editor’s Note: Always check times, dates and weather updates before heading out.
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