Fall in New Jersey brings a full lineup of festivals, Oktoberfest and Halloween events. Here’s where to find the best October festivals across the state.
Daily, October 1-13
Holland Ridge Fall Flower Festival
Holland Ridge Farms, Cream Ridge
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.
October 1-26
Pumpkin Days
Riamede Farm, Chester
Pumpkin Days include a pumpkin patch, apple picking, hay wagon rides, live music, and a variety of family-friendly activities.
Daily, October 1-26 (closed Tuesdays)
Tri State Sunflower Festival & Pumpkin Fest
Dalton Farms, Swedesboro
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.
October 1-31
Fall Harvest Days
Norz Hill Farm, Hillsborough
There are farm tours, corn mazes, a kids’ corner, food, and a scenic pumpkin patch.
Fall Fest on the Delaware River Waterfront
Cherry Street Pier and Spruce Street Harbor Park, Philadelphia, PA
Autumn-themed activities include art exhibitions and studio tours, Villains Day cosplay party, scary movie screenings, Super Game Day, a Taste of the Philippines, a Halloween party, Summerween Weekend, and Tails and Ales.
October 1 – November 2
Fintastic Pumpkin Glow
Adventure Aquarium, Camden
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.
Select Days, October 1 – November 2
Fright Fest
Six Flags Great Adventure Resort, Jackson Twp.
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.
Great Pumpkin Festival
Heaven Hill Farm, Vernon
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.
October 3
Storefront Art Walk & Chalkfest
Throughout Hoboken
The opening night party includes Chalkfest, where participating businesses will have snacks and activities for kids. Urban Arts and other local artists will create custom works of art using chalk. This is part of Hoboken Art Month.
Oktoberfest
Municipal Building, Spotswood
There will be food, drinks, music, games, crafts, contests and a sensory table. The event will recognize the town’s emergency service professionals. Race for the Cure will have a special table set up in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
October 3 – 4
Philadelphia Marketplace
Dilworth Park, Philadelphia, PA
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.
Fridays – Sundays, October 3-12
Morey’s Piers Oktoberfest
Mariner’s Pier, Morey’s Piers, Wildwood
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.
Fridays – Sundays, October 3-26
Fall Funland at Harbaugh Village
Harbaugh Village, Mullica Hill
Compete on the pedal car track, go sky high on the straw mountain, get lost in the corn maze and plunge down the mega slide.
Weekends, October 3-26
Lentini Farms Harvest Festival & Fall Festival
Lentini Farms, Newton
Haunted hayrides will take place every Friday and Saturday night in October. 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 September 20 and October 10. There is also a 10-acre corn maze, U-pick sunflowers and pumpkins, hayrides, corn cannons, corn pits, tractor bikes, pumpkin bowling and more every weekend.
Fridays – Saturdays, October 3 – November 1
Harvest Moon Nights
Alstede Farms, Chester
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.
October 4
Oktoberfest & Anniversary Celebration
Flounder Brewing, Hillsborough
The brewery will celebrate its 12th anniversary during Oktoberfest. There will be German food, steins of Flounder’s award-winning Märzen Last Train to Munich, and entertainment in the barn and on the farm.
Longmeadow Farm Harvest Festival
Longmeadow Farm, Hope
There will be apple picking, pumpkin picking, live music, hayrides, food trucks, permanent jewelry, flash tattoos, face painting, artisans and kids’ activities.
Hunterdon Harvest Fest
Main Street, Flemington
There will be live music, local vendors, a kids’ area, food trucks, beer and wine vendors, and a DJ playing music.
Tapas, Taps & Tunes
Friends Village, Woodstown
Outta Toon will provide the background music for pumpkin picking, face painting, a petting zoo, a build-your-own-bouquet station, small bites and brews.
Collingswood Book Festival
Haddon Avenue, Collingswood
Reading lovers will meet over 60 presenting authors and an additional 275 authors and exhibitors; there will also be music, food, and literary games and activities.
Pawprints Pet Fest & 5K
Smithville Park, Eastampton
The Friends of the Burlington County Animal Shelter put on this fundraiser with food trucks, Tito’s Beverage Garden, a deejay, vendors, a kids’ zone, a pet costume contest, raffles, an adoption zone, and a 5K run/walk.
Salem NJ 350th Anniversary Celebration
Salem
Lenape guests, Quaker and Underground Railroad reenactors are a large part of this 350th anniversary party, plus live music indoors and outdoors, kids’ activities, artisan vendors, glass blowing, a fire performance, carriage rides, and a grand finale drone show.
Bottle Hill Day
Museum of Early Trades & Crafts, Madison
Members of the 3rd New Jersey Regiment will be cooking on the front lawn and performing militia drills on the back lawn. Makerspace and crafts will be open inside the Education Annex. There is free admission to the museum all day.
Rockin’ on the River
Riverwalk Village, Hackettstown
While you wait for EPICSOUL to take the stage, get some food, go by the beer and wine garden, enter a raffle, warm up by the fire pit, walk along the scenic trail, play some classic yard games, strike a pose in the photo booth, or bring your kids to paint pumpkins – or their face.
Applewood Village Apple Fest
Applewood Village, Freehold
The Smokin’ Mayhacks provide the music as you enjoy food truck fare and apple-inspired beverages and treats. Shop for goodies from Battleview Orchards, a family-owned business founded by Applewood Village residents Norman and Betty Lou Applegate. They will offer samples of different apples, apple-themed fun facts, and apple trivia.
Westfield Street Fair & Craft Show
Downtown Westfield
There will be arts and crafts, vendor shopping, live music, kids’ rides and food vendors.
Charlotte Joy Touch-a-Truck Festival
East Freehold Showgrounds, Freehold
There will be dozens of first responder vehicles, classic cars, vintage buses, the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile, big rigs, race cars, tri-axel dump truck, excavators, roll-offs, and exotic cars that kids can climb in. There will also be a helicopter landing, Re/Max hot air balloon, Monmouth Fun Bus, a broadcast by Thunder 106 Country Radio, NJ Bubble Parties, visits by Crunchy the T-Rex and Yellow Bumblebee Transformer, a mobile gaming arcade, a GellyBall shooting range, NY Teacup piggies, pony rides, mechanical rides, entertainment on the stage, facepainting, music, food trucks and tons of vendors.
Artisan Market
Bergen Town Center, Paramus
Take a stroll through this market in the mall, featuring 25+ artisans and vendors selling handcrafted jewelry, home decor, pet products, sweet treats, handmade gifts and more.
Hamm-O-Ween: A Night of Art and Mischief
Horton Street, Hammonton
There will be a pop-up vendor market, a performance by Allegory Dance Theatre, mesmerizing acts from Mary Macabre and the Lady White Rat, an epic costume contest, freaky photo ops, games, and interactive art installations.
Oktoberfest
Readington Brewery, Neshanic Station
Activities include a stein-holding contest, goat races, live music, and German foods and beer.
October 4-5
Oktoberfest
Historic Smithville, Galloway
There will be over 150 juried crafters, an international food court, kids’ activities, and non-profit organization booths set up for the festival; plus the village’s 50 shops, the train, the carousel, paddle boats and arcades.
PuchiCon
DoubleTree, Fort Lee
Anime lovers and gamers will come together to celebrate pop culture by meeting artists, shopping for merch, exploring comics, dressing up for cosplay, and chatting with voice actors.
The Dog Market: Barktoberfest Dog Adoption Event & Market
Van Saun County Park, Paramus
Saturday – Sunday
Along with your babies and furbabies, browse a market of dog-themed vendors and businesses, meet adoptable dogs and puppies, participate in family-friendly pet crafts, and enter your dog into the Dog Trick Show Contest and Dog Costume Contest.
Grand Harvest Wine Festival
Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, Morristown
More than a dozen wineries will offer samples, plus food trucks and craft vendors will be on site. Rosewood performs on Saturday, and Naughty Humphrey performs on Sunday.
Festival of Fine Craft
WheatonArts, Millville
There will be 150 juried artists, unique artist demos, a Beer & Wine Garden, family art activities, the signature Glass Pumpkin Fundraiser, food trucks, and music by South Jersey’s Chris Lax and the Package Goods Orchestra.
Saturdays – Sundays, October 4-12
Plus Monday, October 13
Funtober Festival
The Funplex, Mt. Laurel and East Hanover
Rides, pumpkin decorating, entertainment, seasonal food and drinks, and activities are open to the whole family.
October 4-26
Etsch Farms Fall Festival & Corn Maze
Etsch Farms, Monroe Twp.
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.
Weekends, October 4 – November 1
(Plus Monday, October 13)
Maple Leaf Farms Fall Fun Fest
Maple Leaf Farms, Manalapan
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.
Weekends, October 4 – November 2
Von Thun Farms’ Fall Festival
Von Thun Farms, Washington Twp.
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.
Mountain Creek Fall Fest
Mountain Creek Resort, Vernon Twp.
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.
Saturdays – Sundays, October 4-12
Fall Family Fun Weekends
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
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.
October 5
Oktoberfest
West Main Street, Freehold Borough
The street from Court Street to Throckmorton Street in Downtown Freehold will be closed off to traffic so a huge beer garden can be set up, with vendors, food, live music and activities.
Somerville Street Fair & Craft Show
Downtown Somerville
There will be arts and crafts, vendor shopping, live music, kids’ rides and food vendors.
Cranford Fall Street Fest
North Union Avenue and Alden Street, Cranford
More than 100+ artisans and businesses will place their booths along the streets, in addition to food trucks and live music set up in the fire department parking lot next to the gazebo.
Harvest Fest Fair
Veterans Park, Westwood
Take your time strolling through the park, as 125 booths will be set up with all sorts of arts and crafts, antiques and collectibles, handmade items and vintage treasures.
Denville Food Truck Festival
Gardner Field, Denville
A wide variety of food trucks will serve up everything from savory bites to sweet treats. Groove to live music, shop unique finds from local vendors, sip on cold beer, and let the kids play.
A Celebration of Pets
Verona Town Hall Center, Verona
Whether or not you have a pet, spend the afternoon celebrating your favorite animals. There will be a variety of pet-oriented businesses that create things for and about pets; plus music, food, activities for kids, a pet parade (costumes optional) and pet blessings.
Fall Festival
West Windsor History Museum, West Windsor
Kids can pick mini pumpkins or visit the petting zoo. There will be music, plus museum tours.
Fall Family Day
Morven Museum & Garden, Princeton
There will be fall activities like a scavenger hunt inside the historic mansion, leaf art making, harvesting potatoes in the garden, storytime, and cider and snacks.
Weekends, October 5-26
Fall Festival
Snyders Farm, Somerset
The events and roadside stand will reopen in late September when the fall season begins. There will be festivals, pumpkin and sunflower picking, a corn maze, music, food trucks and kids’ activities on October weekends.
October 8-12
Fall NJ Gem Show
New Jersey Convention & Expo Center, Edison
There will be museum-grade minerals, meteorites, beads, crystals, gold, silver, turquoise, and gemstones on display and for sale. Paleontologists, miners, gemologists and artists will talk about their custom work. The Kids Zone has a fossil and gem dig pit and a craft station. During the Rubber Duck Hunt, search for gold- and silver-painted ducks hidden throughout the venue to win prizes. Other hands-on activities include metal detecting, geode cracking, gemstone sluicing and panning for gems.
Newark Arts Festival
Newark Museum of Art, Newark
Artists will channel the power of joy to foster strength, harmony and revolutionary change through arts and ideas.
October 9-16
Navy & Marine Corps 250th Celebration
Camden and Philadelphia
The 250th anniversaries of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps will be celebrated with dozens of events, including a parade of ships, a veterans reunion picnic, concerts, museum exhibits, the Rocky Steps Run at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, an Army-Navy soccer match, Navy-Temple football game, galas, weapons demos, flyovers, and fireworks.
October 10-11
Morristown Festival of Books & KidFest
Morristown
The festival includes in-person talks by authors, meet-and-greets with award-winning writers and illustrators, special events for book lovers, and the day-long KidFest for young readers.
October 10-11, 17-18, 24-25
Brite Nites
Wagner Farm Arboretum, Warren
The 1/4-mile walking path transforms into a glowing display of hand-carved, LED-lit pumpkins, skeletons interacting with excavation equipment, spooktacular games, Halloween-themed photo ops and local food trucks.
October 11
Oktoberfest
Edmund Wilson Plaza, Red Bank
Set up between Triumph Brewing and The Two River Theater will be beer and liquor samplings, plus live music, food, a kids zone, and a vendor market curated by Fresh Markets.
Oktoberfest
American Hungarian Foundation, New Brunswick
Seven Tribesmen Brewery will bring beer samples and there will be Hungarian food and pastries, too.
Haddon Twp. Music Festival
Haddon Avenue, Haddon Twp.
Haddon Avenue will be lined with two music stages, food trucks, local artisans, beer gardens, a kid-zone, and a 70-foot Ferris wheel.
Stafford Fall Harvest & Wine Festival
Heritage Park, Manahawkin
This all-ages festival will include samplings from nine New Jersey wineries, live music, food trucks, and local artisan crafters.
Bloomfield HarvestFest
Washington Street and Glenwood Avenue, Bloomfield
There will be food, vendors, live music, games and family activities.
Harvest Celebration
Unionville Vineyards, Ringoes
The winery will be open to everyone to celebrate the end of the grape harvesting season. There will be live music by Free Soil, food available from Antimo’s Italian Kitchen Food Truck, vineyard walks, and lots of wine.
Little Shepherds Early Learning Community Fall Festival
Little Shepherds ELC, Washington Twp.
Come for games, local vendors, arts & crafts, pumpkin decorating, face painting and a photo booth.
Diwali Celebration
MarketFair, Princeton
The Festival of Lights will include cultural music, dance performances, photo moments, crafts, snacks and vendor shopping.
Falling for Local Sip & Shop Vendor Market
Garden State Distillery, Toms River
This free local craft and vendor market is hosted by Jenn Zazzara of Shore Crafted, who wants to bring together local makers, artisans, and small businesses. Shop for one-of-a-kind items while sipping on craft drinks.
Fall Festival
Main Street, Allentown
Aside from visiting the cute shops in the historic downtown, you can walk along the street for crafters, food trucks, kid zones, street music and a beer & wine garden.
Hungarian Artisan Market
American Hungarian Foundation, New Brunswick
There will be Hungarian food and dessert vendors, Magyar apparel, and new product vendors each month.
Waggin’ Tails Fall Fest
SAVE, A Friend to Homeless Animals, Skillman
Entertainment includes food, treats, music, artisan and craft vendors, pumpkin decorating, a parade with SAVE adoptable dogs in costume, a fall-themed photo area, a scavenger hunt, a bounce house, and dog agility course demos by Princeton Dog Training Club.
October 11-12
Renaultberfest
Renault Winery Resort, Egg Harbor Twp.
The two-day harvest and Oktoberfest celebration includes live music, German food and drinks, grape stomping, a 5K run, pet adoptions, a photo booth, stein-holding contests, barrel rides, pumpkin painting, lawn games, and other activities for the family.
OctoberFeast
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
The autumn festival features live music by Polkadelphia, Philadelphia German Brass Band and Galena Brass Band; an outdoor beer garden; Oktoberfest-inspired food from six restaurant tents and food trucks; axe-throwing, moonbounces, pumpkin painting, sand art, a petting zoo, hay piles and lawn games; plus the final weekend of Scarecrows in the Village.
Catsbury Park
Bell Works, Holmdel
The purr-fect day includes adoptable cats and kittens, speakers, presentations, dozens of vendors, cat-toos, arts and crafts, games, a cat-photographer, and more.
October 12
Fall Fest
Palmer Square, Princeton
The festive afternoon will be filled with live music, food, and cozy autumn vibes out on the Green.
Califon Street Fair
Main Street, Califon
Stroll through the downtown area, where artisans and crafters, food trucks, vendors, a beer garden and music stages will be set up. Sign up for the pie-eating contest.
Diwali Gala
North Brunswick Veterans Park, North Brunswick
There will be food, entertainment, music by the NBTHS marching band and orchestra, and lots of Indian-themed décor at the Festival of Lights holiday celebration.
Viva Rahway: Italian Heritage
Main Street, Rahway
The town’s first-ever celebration of Italian culture will transform Main Street into a lively piazza with offerings from local restaurants, a classic Italian car show, an Italian-inspired art alley, DJ music, games, giveaways, and activities designed for families.
October 16
HarvestFest
Middlesex College, Edison
The college campus will be filled with hayrides, music, inflatable games, food trucks, a classic car show, a performance of Haunting Melodies, a corn maze, a mental health fair and a pumpkin patch.
October 16-18
Jersey Fresh Jersey@The Point Festival
Gregory’s Restaurant & Bar / Gateway Playhouse, Somers Point
Only New Jersey-born or -based artists will perform, including headliners John Pizzarelli and The Benedetto All-Stars featuring Howard Paul and Friends.
October 17
Seton Village Food Truck Festival
Seton Village, South Orange
Some of the best food trucks from the area will serve up a wide range of food; wash it down at the beer garden by Gaslight Brewery. There will be live music, too.
October 17-18
Wildwoods ‘50s, ‘60s, & ’70s Weekend
The Wildwoods
The Wildwoods is considered the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll and doo wop. This year’s headliners include the Pointer Sisters and the Spinners.
October 17-26
Montclair Film Festival
Montclair
Watch film screenings, attend filmmaker Q&As, and join live convos and educational programs about the movies.
October 18
Heartstrings Fall Festival
Colts Neck Firehouse, Colts Neck
Families are invited to enjoy face painting, bracelet making, a petting zoo, inflatables, live music, vendor shopping, and food and drinks.
Long Branch Fall Festival & Pooch Parade
Pier Village, Long Branch
Dress up your dog for the costume parade. Then stay for lots of music all day, a pumpkin carving demo, bracelet making, face painting and henna, inflatable rides, trick-or-treating around the shops and vendor tables, pet massages, seasonal treats, psychic readings, and a photo with Sparky from the Long Branch Fire Department.
Sussex County Harvest, Honey, & Garlic Festival
Sussex County Fairgrounds, Augusta
More than just a food fest, this fair celebrates agritourism, ecotourism and arts & heritage tourism. But, when it comes to the food – there will be a farmers market, beekeeping displays with honey products, and tons of food made with garlic. There will also be craft and vendor setups, a hayride, pumpkin painting and face painting.
Geeks and Nerds Fest
Ramoth Church Event Center, Vineland
There will be a cosplay contest, Hot Wheels car races and trivia games. Meet artists and writers. Vendors will sell comic books, anime, crafts, toys, trading cards, Funko Pops, LEGOs, action figures and collectibles.
New Jersey Seafood & Music Festival
Bell Works, Holmdel
Food trucks include Cousins Maine Lobster, Angry Archies, Shore Fresh Catering, Cold Stone, Johnny Zeppoli and House of Cupcakes. Mighty Spectrum Band and Mr. LoveJoy will perform. A 35-foot-high, 250-foot-long zip line will be set up above the festival; plus pony rides, inflatables, a bungee trampoline and mini golf.
Rahway Day
Rahway Recreation Center, Rahway
Rahway Day will feature local vendors, live entertainment, food trucks, pumpkin painting, pickleball classes, karate demos, yoga sessions, performances by Rahway High School students and local dance troupes, hourly door prizes, a selfie station, a 360° photo booth, a touch-a-truck, an antique police car, and food trucks.
Tice’s Corner Fall Festival
Tice’s Corner Marketplace, Woodcliff Lake
There will be trick-or-treating, a bounce house, face painting, games, balloon art and a costume contest.
Trunktoberfest
Lucy the Elephant, Margate
There will be a beach hayride, a pumpkin patch, pumpkin painting, an obstacle course, an inflatable corn maze, a baking competition, games and food.
October 18-19
Diwali @ The Commons
Bridgewater Commons, Bridgewater
The two-day celebration of the Hindu Festival of Lights will include a devotional dance, instrumental and dance performances, a sari walk, a Bollywood flash mob, a cancer awareness walk, mehndi stations and vendor shopping.
Chatsworth Cranberry Festival
Main Street, Chatsworth
There will be lots of cranberry-themed items; plus a juried craft show with up to 150 vendors, more than two dozen food vendors, live music; and a car show on Sunday.
October 18 to October 26
Celebrating Diwali
BAPS Swaminaryan Akshardham North America, Robbinsville
There will be all-day festivities, including Shayona Café, special mahaprasad and a family unity abishek ceremony. Nighttime festivities include Diwali Diya experience, live traditional Indian music and Diwali Maha Arti in Nikanth Plaza. October 20 will include a fireworks display.
October 19
Main Street Pops Artisan Market
Monroe Plaza, Hoboken
There will be dozens of artisan vendors, live music and food vendors.
Fair Lawn Street Fair & Craft Show
Fair Lawn
There will be arts and crafts, vendor shopping, live music, kids’ rides and food vendors.
Haunted Harvest Food Truck Festival
Sussex County Fairgrounds, Augusta
There will be “boo-tiful” vendors, a beer garden and live music.
Country Living Fair
Batsto Village, Hammonton
Take a fall hike through the Pine Barrens. Then, browse the vendor booths, see the historical exhibits, listen to live music, check out old-time engines and cars, have some food, shop for antiques and take a pony ride.
Chuseok K-Fest
City Hall Plaza, Jersey City
Jersey City’s first official Korean festival will include traditional music and dance, a live showcase of martial arts, a Daegum solo performance on the Korean bamboo flute, a K-hip-hop showcase, a K-Pop dance finale, K-food, K-beauty and kids’ activities.
Celebrate Fall Festival
Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Summit
Highlights include fall-themed games, crafts, and activities for kids; pumpkins and a spooky trail (costumes encouraged!); a special presentation with Tenafly Nature Center in the outdoor amphitheater; and the Wisner House Art Exhibition, Nature’s Tapestry: Improvisational Quilts by Carolyn McKibbin. Families can visit the friendly goats, check out the food and market vendors, and take plenty of pictures in the gardens and woodland trails.
Wayne Valley H.S. Fall Craft Show
Wayne Valley High School, Wayne
This indoor event has more than 100 booths set up in the gym by exhibitors from three states. The breakfast and lunch menus will be available in the café, and a bake table will be set up in the entranceway. Homemade pickles and kettle corn will be set up outside.
18th Century Field Day & Fall Harvest Festival
Red Bank Battlefield Park, National Park
Watch history unfold before your eyes during a battle reenactment from colonial times. The festival portion includes kids’ games and crafts, friendly farm animals, food vendors, local crafts, music, and a live magic show.
Tenafly Fall Festival
Hulyer Park, Tenafly
There will be a curated artisan market, bubble fun, a slime bar, face painting, hair braiding, a pumpkin carving demo, a pumpkin patch, pumpkin decorating, a fall planting project, an animal encounter from Tenafly Nature Center, carnival rides, a petting zoo, art projects, craft projects, a costume contest, the Monster Mash DJ Dance Party, a football game viewing truck, live music and performances all day, and PSE&G’s new mobile escape room experience.
October 24
Pumpkin Fest
Main Street, Clinton
Work together as a family to paint, carve and illuminate a pumpkin. Then there will be a night of magic with Wanda the Wacky Witch, Tomas the Pumpkin Carver and more.
October 24-26
Dream Asia Food Fest
American Dream Lot 26, East Rutherford
In addition to 90 Asian food vendors and 40 merchandise and craft vendors, there will be trick-or-treating for kids at every booth; live performances such as martial arts shows, lion dances, taiko drumming, and K-pop dance crews; and family workshops like pumpkin lantern decorating, mask-making, a Squid Game challenge and eating contests.
October 24-26, October 31 to November 2
Fall Harvest Festival
East Jersey Old Town Village, Piscataway
There will be pumpkins, wagon rides to the farm fields, seasonal treats, interactive living history interpreters, tours of the historic buildings, live music by the Sawmill Run Old Time String Band, children’s crafts, goodies inside the gift shop, and BBQ fusion-inspired cuisine from Beastro. You can also explore the nearby Cornelius Low House Museum.
October 25
Halloween Spooktacular
Pier Village, Long Branch
Start by trick-or-treating around Pier Village. Other spooky but friendly activities include a spooky bubble show, Boogie Down with DJ JoJo, psychic and tarot card readings, and a Spooky Makers artisan market.
Fall Festival & Trunk-or-Treat
Pluckemin Presbyterian Church, Pluckemin
There will be a balloon artist, bounce house, basket raffle, carnival games, The Batmobile, a pumpkin patch and trick-or-treating.
HalloWheaton
WheatonArts, Millville
As you explore the arts campus in costume, you can trick-or-treat, watch the Mystic Realms actors perform, visit the Museum of American Glass, stop into the Down Jersey Folklife Center, watch live demos in the Artist Studios, and compete in a campus-wide scavenger hunt.
October 25-26
Asbury Park Halloween Food Truck & Music Festival
Bradley Park, Asbury Park
Across from Convention Hall, the park will be set up with shopping, kids’ activities, costume contests, live music, pumpkin painting, a craft village, and approximately 20 gourmet food trucks.
October 26
Bazaar Fall Festival
Whitechapel Projects, Long Branch
There will be Halloween vibes with a pet costume contest, the Haunted Halloween Dome, vendor shopping, trick-or-treating, face painting, a fall photo wall, a fall menu and craft beers. Join a Fall Sea Glass Art Sip & Paint Workshop, a pop-up mobile bookstore, a DJ set by Mike Chick from Yawn Mower.
Harvest Homecoming
Historic New Bridge Landing, River Edge
See broom-making and corn-shelling demos, ask the carpenter and blacksmith what they’re doing, learn about woodworking, make a scarecrow, pick out a pumpkin to decorate, taste test apples, and come in costume for the Treat Trail.
Spooky Spiotta
Spiotta Park, South Orange
Bring the kids for a costume contest, an interactive obstacle course, themed games, trick-or-treat stations, plus face painting and fairy hair from SOMA Pop Party.
Fall Festival
Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, PA
Trick-or-treat inside the penitentiary, then explore Eastern State’s history during a special scavenger hunt designed with children and their caregivers in mind. There will be storytime, hands-on activities, art making, and a performance by Philly Elmo and the Positive Movement Drumline.
October 30 – November 2
Samhain + Dia de los Muertos
San Patricios, Jersey City
This Mexican cantina and Irish pub fusion restaurant will celebrate both Samhain (pronounced “sow-in”), the Irish pagan festival that predates Halloween, and Día de los Muertos. Events include live Irish music on Thursday; trick-or-treating with Irish and Mexican sweets, DJs, and a Day of the Dead Costume Party on Friday; kids’ face painting during the day and live music at night on Saturday; and a live four-piece Mexican band plus Catrina dancers on Sunday.
Every Weekend through November
Laurita Winery Food Truck Festivals
Laurita Winery, New Egypt
October 25-26: HalloWine
November 8-9: Jeep Festival
November 15-16: Chili & Chowder Festival
Bring everyone in the family for live music, fire pits, face painting, a vineyard wagon tour, playgrounds for the kids, cornhole, pony rides, u-pick flowers and pumpkins, and of course food trucks and wine.
Events are subject to change. Please check websites before heading out to check on event or weather updates.
Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram!
Read More:
Celebrate Oktoberfest at These NJ Festivals
Pick Your Own Pumpkins in New Jersey
The Best Spots to Get an Apple Cider Donut in NJ
Popular Now:
Celebrate the Release of The Life of a Showgirl at These NJ Spots
New Jersey’s Best Halloween Attractions Ranked by How Scary They Really Are
Epic Sleepovers in NJ and NY Your Kids Will Never Forget
The Ultimate Guide to College Football in New Jersey
