It’s the first official fall weekend, which calls for celebration in the form of Oktoberfests, performances and food truck fests. Try cultural foods and music at the Greek Festival in Toms River and hit the 7th Annual Original Downtown Somerville Oktoberfest 2019 for pumpkin beer and local foods. If you’re fested out, watch the timeless tale of Cinderella in Lakewood.
For more things to do in nj this weekend, check out our complete list of fairs and festivals, if you don’t want to be outside, take a look at our favorite indoor activities. Got a bunch of five-and-unders to entertain? We’ve got activities that cater just to them, plus free events for the whole fam. Check out our calendar for events near you, or browse things to do in NJ this weekend by county below.
THINGS TO DO IN NJ ALL WEEKEND
Great Pumpkin Festival
Vernon
Check out one of the largest fall festivals in Northern Jersey! Try the corn maze, which has pathways and mysteries to keep you guessing.
$15, free/ages 2 and under
Lady of the Lake Kinderfest and Oktoberfest
Verona
The kiddies can check out events like Escape From Alcatraz, the dunk tank and obstacle courses. There’ll be live entertainment, crafts, carnival games like ring toss, wheel of fortune and more.
Prices vary
Morey Pier’s Oktoberfest
Wildwood
Celebrating its fourth consecutive year, this Oktoberfest has special German themed menus, an outdoor biergarten, live entertainment and a kid’s zone for the little ones.
$19.95-39.95
Casola Farms Fall Fest
Holmdel
This fall fest guarantees fun for all ages with Halloween-themed rides like the haunted hayride and greenhouse, corn mazes, house of horror, cowboy shows and a petting zoo.
Call for costs
Saint Barbara Greek Festival
Toms River
Try authentic Greek food and pastries like souvlaki, gyros and more. Adults can hang at the beer truck and bar while kids can hop on rides and play games.
Prices vary
Italian American Festival
West Windsor
Celebrate Italian-American culture at a vendor market and food piazza (with beer and wine gardens), listen to live entertainment, visit cultural presentations, enjoy amusement rides, stop by the children’s activities and more.
$5/adults, free/ages 12 and under
Harvest Moon Hayride and Night Time Corn Maze
Chester
Enjoy an evening hayride, without the scare factor! Bring the whole family to Alstede Farms for a night filled with hayrides, pumpkin picking, relaxing around the campfire, apple cider and tasty s’mores.
$17
Polkadots
Hackettstown
As the first polka dot in an all square school, Lily faces the nearly impossible task of gaining acceptance from her peers. This musical is meant to serve as a lesson that people’s differences are what makes them special.
$17.50
The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
NYC
All ages are welcome to learn about the forces of flight and NASA’s journey to Mars on a special tour guide talk (with Spanish-language demos), then heard from innovators working toward building the space economy. Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a trip to the Hidden Figures: Hispanics Making Strides in STEM panel discussions.
$33/adult, $24/ages 5-12, free/ages under 5
Saturday (September 28)
Roselle Park Arts Festival
Roselle Park
Think hands-on activities for the family like crafts, chalk writing, spray painting, string art and more. There’ll also be dances and theater demonstrations, along with a vendor art exhibit.
Free
Wizard World Harvest
Flemington
Bring the family out for an event filled with witches and magic, where there’ll be a live wizard chemistry show, spelling lessons, dark arts and crafts, a costume contest, unicorn rides and more.
$10
Public Lands Day Open House Celebration
Lebanon
Visit Hunterdon County Arboretum to learn about and see live animals, birding, guided walks, and also explore opportunities to try hiking, horseback riding, fishing and more.
Free
Woodstown Fall Festival
Woodstown
Take a visit to the Halloween-themed Woodstown historic downtown shopping district, where you can expect dozens of scarecrows, an array of decorated houses and vendors and local shops lining the streets with their crafts and food.
Prices vary
Edison Family Fall Spectacular
Edison
Say yes to live music and entertainment, pony rides and a petting zoo for the kids, plus eight blocks of food, crafts, exhibitions, wine and beer.
Prices vary
Linden’s Annual September to Remember Street Festival
Linden
Check out this street fest’s classic car and motorcycle show, food, music and games for all ages.
Free
Rock the Farm Festival
Seaside Heights
This event will feature music from tribute bands like Simply Queen and Classic Stones Live, plus food trucks, a beer and wine garden and a kid’s zone for the little ones.
$25, free/ages 10 and under
Franklin Day
Somerset
Join Franklin Twp. for art walks, food, a classic car show, live bands, a putt-putt course and tons of exhibitors.
Prices vary
7th Annual Original Downtown Somerville Oktoberfest 2019
Somerville
Have some seasonal fun at this Oktoberfest with fall flavors like pumpkin beers and sangria, plus food from local restaurants and live music.
$8-10
Yogi Berra Stadium Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival
Little Falls
Come hungry! There’ll be plenty of food and drinks from 25 food trucks (and 100 craft beers for adults) to enjoy, plus entertainment by the Alternate Groove Party band, backyard games and more.
$8
Aiken & Friends Fest Concert
Branchburg
Spend a day at a concert featuring Americana artists, a planetarium laser show, hand and arm massages and local vendors.
Free
20th Annual Leonia Oktoberfest
Leonia
Listen to live live music, snack on German food, cool off with beer, try some dancing and test your luck at games and competitions.
$10-15, free/ages 12 and under
Cinderella: Atlantic City Ballet
Lakewood
Watch this timeless tale of rags to riches on stage instead of on-screen. Watch Cinderella’s happily ever after through classical ballet moves and choreography.
$15-35
SUNDAY (September 29)
Garfield’s Fall Street Fair
Garfield
This block party will have all kinds of things to keep the lil’ ones busy like kiddie rides, wall climbing, pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, temporary tattoos, live entertainment and an assortment of delicious foods like empanadas, shish kabobs and cheesesteaks.
Free
Harvest Home Festival
Holmdel
Take a step back in time and experience an old-fashioned festival from the 1890s. This fest takes visitors to a time when communities gathered to work, harvest and enjoy each other’s company.
Prices vary
Red Bank Guinness Oyster Festival
Red Bank
This feast comes straight from the kitchens of Red Bank’s restaurants. Think plates with special seafood and Irish dishes, plus continuous live music on two stages by Tim McLoone & the Shirleys, Almost U2, Fish Eyed Blues Ban, and others.
$5, free/ages 10 and under
Family Fun Day
Branchburg
Visitors can expect two hours of field games and activities like a bounce house, arts and crafts, prizes and giveaways.
Free
FIND MORE THINGS TO DO IN NJ THIS WEEKEND
If you have any upcoming events you’d like to add to our calendar, click here! And if you know of other things to do in NJ this weekend, leave us a comment.
