With the heatwave behind us and fall on the horizon, the next few weekends will be all about apple picking, fall festivals and all things Oktoberfest!
WEEKEND
Ocean Xperience
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Thursday – Friday
You’ll become an “Xplorer” as you pilot the OceanXplorer, the most advanced research ship in the world. Deploy its research vehicle, conduct a guided mission, study orca groups, and then watch OceanX footage of the ocean. This is the closing weekend of the exhibit.
Members’ Juried Exhibition
Center for Contemporary Art, Bedminster
Thursday – Friday
Take your time viewing 75 works of art in painting, printmaking, charcoal, ink, graphite, pastel, fiber, photography, mixed media, ceramics, and more.
Riverdale Carnival
National Guard, Riverdale
Thursday – Sunday
This will be a celebration of the town’s centennial. The carnival will have rides, games, food, and activities.
Lancaster Hot Air Balloon Festival
Bird-in-Hand, PA
Thursday – Sunday
Dozens of hot air balloons will lift off into the sky. You can choose to take a ride in one, or stay on the ground for balloon glows, entertainment, and food.
New Jersey State Firemen’s Convention Weekend
Wildwood
Friday – Saturday
Firetrucks and fire apparatus from around the state will be displayed in the Wildwoods Convention Center parking lots on Friday and Saturday. The Five Mile Beach Volunteer Firemen’s Association will present an expo of fire equipment and vendors of fire-related products at Fox Park on Friday and Saturday. The Firefighter’s Parade is a grand procession of firetrucks and apparatus/equipment on Saturday along New Jersey Avenue, from Cresse Avenue in Wildwood Crest, proceeding north to 26th Avenue in North Wildwood. The Wildwood Crest Firefighter’s Weekend Craft Show at Sunrise Park in Wildwood Crest will be held Friday and Saturday.
New Brunswick Sustainable Health and Wellness Festival
Boyd Park, New Brunswick
Friday – Saturday
This community-based health and wellness program will connect at-risk populations with resource providers so that they can learn about accessible healthcare to improve their quality of life.
Ghost Hunters Return
Clifton/Rahway
Friday – Saturday
Join TV’s Ghost Hunters Steve Gonsalves, Dave Tango, and Bruce Tango at the Holiday Inn in Clark for a meet-and-greet on Friday along with special guests, Josie Varga, the best-selling author of Visits from Heaven, and Eric Altman, an experienced researcher in cryptozoology. There’s an afterparty with the celebrities planned at the Parkway American Grille and Bar at the Holiday Inn. On Saturday, after another meet-and-greet and Q&A, you’ll travel to the Merchants and Drovers Tavern Museum to conduct your own paranormal investigation of the rumored to be haunted, 228-year-old historic tavern and inn and the Rahway Cemetery.
NJ Sports Card Convention
iPlay America, Freehold
Friday – Sunday
Stop by the indoor boardwalk-style theme park and arcade and get your tickets to a weekend of buying, selling, and trading the rarest cards and memorabilia. You can meet WWE Legend Goldberg on Sunday.
Nellie Bly: A Chain Around the World
The Apple Tree House, Jersey City
Saturday – Sunday
Travel around the world with Nellie Bly as she races to beat the record set by the fictional Phileas Fogg in Jules Verne’s “Around the World in 80 Days!” On November 14, 1889, The World’s convention-defying reporter set sail from Hoboken on a daring adventure that awed the nation and changed her life forever. After Sunday’s matinee, kids are invited to join a special book club and bring a picnic lunch.
Oktoberfest
Mountain Creek, Vernon
Saturday – Sunday
Start with authentic German foods like Schweinshaxe, sliced sauerbraten sandwiches, grilled bratwurst, and potato pancakes. If you’re of age, wash it down with over 10 varieties of German and domestic beers, cider, seltzer, and canned cocktails, plus wine and liquor. Adults can participate in lawn games like the stein holding and pie eating contests, lumberjack contest, hay bale toss, and wife carrying relay, or battle it out in a classic sack race; while kids enjoy petting zoos, bounce houses, and face painting. You can take free sky rides on the Mountain Creek lift or ride the Mountain Coaster.
Sea.Hear.Now
Asbury Park beachfront
Saturday – Sunday
The beachfront concert is about more than just tons and tons of music. Since 2018, it’s been a celebration of art, surfing, and ocean sustainability. This year, the headliners are The Killers and Foo Fighters, in addition to dozens of other popular and up-and-coming bands.
Sea. Hear. Now Events
The Asbury Hotel and Asbury Lanes, Asbury Park
Saturday – Sunday
If you have tickets to the show, or you need a break from all the action, The Asbury Hotel and Asbury Lanes will be hosting events and parties for adults over the weekend. There will be live music and food at the hotel’s rooftop bar, Salvation; pool parties; yoga; an oxygen bar; a silent disco; specialty spa service popups on the Baronet rooftop; and a concert afterparty at Asbury Lanes on both nights.
Food Truck Festival Season: A Touch of Italy
Laurita Winery, New Egypt
Saturday – Sunday
There will be several food trucks on the grounds of the winery serving Italian specialties. Bring the kids for activities, or grab your girls and sip some wine inside. There will be fireworks on Saturday night.
Dino Days Train Ride
Delaware River Railroad Excursions, Phillipsburg
Saturday – Sunday
All aboard a narrated train ride along the Delaware River, where the theme will be dinos. Other family-fun activities include The Dinosaur Show, admission to the Ol’ Susquehanna Mine Tour, and a bag of real fossil ore. Kids can get a temporary tattoo, do spin art, or wander through the corn maze and the Dinosaur Discovery Maze.
Scarecrows in the Village
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
Saturday – Sunday
During the weekend of September 16 and 17, Peddler’s Village will host a Scarecrow Festival that will include scarecrow workshops, live music, a juggling show, pumpkin painting, axe throwing, sand art, and outdoor food and drinks.
FRIDAY
Spanish Harlem Orchestra
Union County Performing Arts Center, Rahway
Hispanic Heritage Month starts today, so kick off the next month with a celebration of music. Spanish Harlem Orchestra, the three-time Grammy Award-winning salsa and Latin jazz band, is celebrating its 20th year.
SATURDAY
Festival in the Borough
Downtown Washington Borough
The streets will be lined with three stages of music for 18 different musical acts, vendors, a children’s fun zone, food, local shopping, and a beer garden are open to all.
Farm-to-Table Dinner
Cherry Grove Farm, Lawrence Twp.
A five-course dinner from celebrated Philly Chef Nicholas Bazik features a farm-to-table meal, starring Cherry Grove cheeses and meats.
OktoBEARfest
Philadelphia Zoo, Philadelphia, PA
This exclusive after-hours night for grown-ups includes a Bavarian Beer Hall with more than 100 seasonal craft beers and ciders to sample, live music from local DJs and Polka band Polkadelphia, a beer stein-holding and pretzel-eating competition, plus all your favorite animal exhibits.
Festival of the Sea
Downtown Point Pleasant Beach, Pt. Pleasant
Start your day with a 5K run along the beach. Aside from a seafood festival, there will be 250 craft and restaurant vendors, a beer and wine garden, live music, games, family activities and beach fun.
The Wiggles
Wellmont Theater, Montclair
Two shows are planned for your kids to sing along with The Wiggles!, who return to the U.S. and Canada this fall for their “Ready, Steady, Wiggle!” Tour.
Harvest Brew Fest
Cape May MAC, Cape May
Celebrate South Jersey through its local beer, food vendors, artisans and musical talent.
Davis Honda Burlington Hops & Rocks and 5K
Burlington Riverfront Promenade, Burlington
This event typically draws over 500 people for an afternoon of music, food, fresh air, fun and beer. You get unlimited tastings from more than 25 NJ breweries. My Next Ex will be back this year to keep you rocking. Current food trucks are Smokin Rev and Lady Q BBQ, Matty G Dogz and B-UNO. You can sign up for a 5K before the festival.
Breweries and food are being added, so keep up with us on Facebook for updates.
Wind & Sea Festival
Bayshore Waterfront Park/Belford Ferry Terminal, Port Monmouth
Take a kayak nature tour of Sandy Hook Bay. Watch the Wind Wolves Traveling Kite Show and sand artist John Gowdy. Celebrate all things water along the coast by fishing, flying kites, crabbing, building a sand castle, seining, shelling, doing kid’s crafts, going on a selfie scavenger hunt and painting shells.
Daybreak: The Music of Barry Manilow
LeVoy Theatre, Millville
You’ll be transported back to the ’70s with Barry Manilow’s greatest hits performed by a tribute band.
Latino Festival of Monmouth County
East Main Street, Freehold
The streets will be lined with vendors celebrating Latin food, music, games and entertainment.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Pig Roast
Holy Family Church, Lakewood
Sample foods from 13 different countries. There will be live music, games, raffles and more.
Disney Junior Live on Tour: Costume Palooza
Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
Your kid’s favorite Disney Junior characters and Marvel Super Heroes will be live on stage for a concert-style show with singing, dancing, acrobatics, and more. Come join the costume party and see Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Doc McStuffins, the Puppy Dog Pals, Bo from Firebuds, Ginny from SuperKitties, and Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends live on stage.
Adoption Event
Red Horse by David Burke, Rumson
Friends of Wag On Inn Rescue will be hosting a dog adoption event during their dog-friendly Yappy Hour in the “Barking” Lot.
St. Anianus Coptic Orthodox Church Carnival
St. Anianus, Monroe Twp.
There will be free food, fun, and games on the church grounds.
Incredible Duck Race
Belgrove Drive, Kearny
Watch the plastic ducks sail down the river. Then, stay for live music, vendors, food trucks, and a beer garden.
MMR*B*Q 2023
Freedom Mortgage Pavillion, Camden
Join Philadelphia’s rock authority, radio station MMR, for an all-day concert featuring big names and up-and-comers, including Shinedown and goth-rockers Evanescence.
Fall Plowing and Manure Spreading
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
It’s time to plant winter wheat, which means it’s time to help fill the farm’s spreader with old bedding, corn cobs, and manure. Then, follow the farmer and horses out to the field and watch as they spread it over the ground. Once the soil is ready, you can help turn over the earth with a mouldboard plow pulled by another team of horses. Farmers will be there to drive the team and teach you how to turn a perfect furrow.
Haddon Township Fall Festival
Haddon Twp.
Formerly known as Haddon Township’s Block Party, this year’s highlights include an apple pie bakeoff and a wing eating competition, JamFest, a car show, character meet-and-greets, rides, games, food trucks, a beer garden, and vendor shopping.
A Bronx Tale One Man Show
LeVoy Theatre, Millville
Actor Chazz Palmintieri grew up in the Bronx, NY, and pursued acting; he now has more than 50 movies to his credit, plus other roles and producing. He created a one-man show based on his life and career. You can get tickets to meet him after the show.
Delaware River Cleanup
Multiple Locations
Join Hamilton Clean Communities and the Delaware River Greenway Partnership for a cleanup event at many new areas along the river, stretching from Holland Township in Hunterdon County to Duck Island at the Abbott Marshlands in Hamilton.
Mexican Independence Day Celebration
Monument Square Park, New Brunswick
Celebrate the day of Mexican Independence by watching traditional dances and performances from Sagrada Youth Dance Troupe. View the county’s flag-raising ceremony while you enjoy Mexican food and live music.
Second Anniversary Party
The Gravity Vault, Montclair
To celebrate, day passes will be discounted to $5 for everyone. There will be local vendors providing breakfast and sharing treats at tables during the event. There will also be competitions including augmented reality climbing games, a kilter twister contest, and bounty routes.
The Chivalrous Crickets
Herrontown Woods, Princeton
The magical Celtic concert takes place in the Veblen House garden under the fairy lights.
Battle of the Badges
Veterans Park Softball Field, Hamilton Twp.
Officers from the Robbinsville and Hamilton police departments will play charity softball to raise money through Mercer County’s Home Run for Heroes to support Garden State C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors).
San Gennaro Festival
Pyanoe Plaza, Belmar
The day starts with a special 10 am Mass of San Gennaro at Belmar’s St. Rose Catholic Church. This Mass will be conducted in Italian. Following the Mass, a procession along Main Street will display the Statue of San Gennaro. Afterward, there will be live music to listen to while you indulge in lots of Italian food.
Architecture Tour
Museum of Early Trades & Crafts, Madison
Explore some of the many architectural gems in downtown Madison including the James Library Building during a walking tour.
Seaside Semper Five 5K/1-Mile Fun Run
Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights
2023 is the 10th year the race is held. You have the option to run in person or virtually to support Semper Five, which benefits Marines and sailors who have lost their lives, or been seriously injured, in service to our country, and their families.
SUNDAY
Jersey Shore Comic Book Show
Toms River Elks Lodge, Toms River
There will be over 70 tables of comics, art, toys, Funkos, trading cards, Pokemon, crafts, LEGO, retro, sci-fi, collectibles and more. You can meet guest artists, writers and creators, as well as cosplay groups like the 501st Star Wars Legion and independent cosplayers.
Ridgewood Fall Craft Street Fair
Downtown Ridgewood
This family fun day will have 200 exhibitors from three states bringing their arts, crafts and photography to display and sell. For the kiddies there will be a large Kids Zone with inflatables and children’s activities to keep them busy. Music will be played by the trio Tomfollery with classic rock from the ’60s to the ’90s.
Young Patriots Day
Princeton Battlefield State Park, Princeton
Introduce your kids to the history of the American Revolution. Watch the New Jersey Grays as they fire their cannon and muskets and then march and drill with them. Meet Gen. George Washington and Ben Franklin. Talk with living historians about colonial life. Tour the battlefield and the Clarke House. There will be activities for children.
Hoboken Ice Cream Eating Contest & Festival
Main Street Pops Artisan Market, Hoboken
Sign up for the race to finish a scoop, a half-pint or a pint of ice cream – beware of the brain freeze! If you’re still hungry, there will be a sundae bar with craft ice creams and toppings. Plus, shop from dozens of vendors at the market.
Steampunk Train Rides
Whippany Railway Museum, Whippany
Steampunk is clothing, costumes, gadgets, and styles inspired by the Victorian-era and 19th-century industrial steam power; think vests, corsets, top hats, and goggles. Wear your coolest outfit and climb aboard a historic steam locomotive, No. 385 – built in 1907; or the 1918 Railbus; or the the 1912 “Millionaire’s Express” Subscription Car; or the 1927 “Jersey Coast” Club Car. On site will be various vendors selling Steampunk gear and souvenirs, while a Whippany Railway Museum kiosk will offer up antique lanterns, railroad hardware and other rail and transportation artifacts.
(SELF)ISH Philly Conference
W Hotel, Philadelphia, PA
The conference is dedicated to self-care and female empowerment. Aunyea Lachelle from NBC10 Philadelphia and Miss Pennsylvania Alysa Bainbridge will be guest speakers. Tickets include exercise classes, gourmet lunch, swag bags; and for VIPs, reiki, facials, acupuncture, massage, cocktails and more.
Arts & Cars Downtown Art Festival & Summit Elks Classic Car Show
Downtown Summit
The Summit Downtown Art Festival is an outdoor, juried art show that showcases a diverse range of artistic talents. The main stage will include performances by Candice Lee, The Carnival Dogs and The Rusty Monks. The beer garden will feature Zuko, Phillips, Cohn & Starr and Sabrinna Dias. Hundreds of classic cars will be on display, and food trucks will be open for lunch. You can also order takeout from downtown restaurants and bring food to the beer garden. There will be cornhole, a juggler, a balloon artist, spin art and henna. Visit the farmers market in the morning.
New Concepts for Living 2023 Walk-a-Thon
Wood Dale County Park, Woodcliff Lake
All are welcome to walk and help make a difference in the lives of adults living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Guided House Tour: Many Voices
Crane House & Historic YWCA, Montclair
Stop by for a guided tour of the buildings. Hear the many voices of the men and women who lived, worked, and played in the house throughout its 226-year history. While you visit see what’s cooking on the hearth and explore the herbs in the Landsberger Learning Garden.
Denville Art in the Park
Hogan Memorial Park, Denville
Watch a live painting demo while you stroll through the outdoor art gallery.
ONGOING
Circus Vazquez
Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus, Sept. 8-25
Woodbridge Center Mall, Woodbridge, Oct. 27 – Nov. 13
This is no ordinary circus. Instead, watch as an international cast of performers do trapeze acts, juggle faster than you can imagine, ride a unicycle through a 15-wheel vertical cycle; and perform a rarely seen Palo Hindu act.
Seuls en Scene: Princeton French Theater Festival
Around Princeton University campus, September 8-28
McCarter Theatre Center, September 29
Ten different works by French writers, actors and directors, all of which were recently presented on stages in France, will be shown around Princeton. Most are performed in French, but some have English subtitles.
Kayak Eco Tours
Liberty State Park, Jersey City
Select dates, September 13-30
From the canoe/kayak launch located at the south side of Liberty State Park near the Park Office, climb into your boat for a guided tour that will highlight the wildlife and habitats of Caven Point.
Royal Canadian International Circus
American Dream, East Rutherford
September 14-23
Circus acts under the Big Top include the Wheel of Destiny with Joseph Bauer, Mexican Senorita aerialists, trapeze, The African Bone Breakers Contortionists, the motorcycle Fernandez Globe of Death, speed juggler Nilson Escobar, the Duo Domingues Crossbow Thrill Act, Fantastic 5 Guerrero High Wire and comedy acts.
Hawk Watches
Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary, Bernardsville
Thursdays, September 14 and 21
Fridays, September 15 and 22
Join a Naturalist from the New Jersey Audubon Society on the observation deck for a bird’s eye view of fall migration. You will be looking for migrating raptors, passerines, broad-winged hawk kettles and Bald Eagles as they pass through the sanctuary.
Oktoberfest
Morey’s Piers, Wildwood
Fridays – Sundays, Sept. 15 – Oct. 8
The German-style activities and food include keg tapping, a stein holding contest, a Muddy Schnitzel Family Fun Run, German bands on stage and strolling throughout the fair, authentic German food and beer, and a hotel-ride package at the four Morey’s resorts.
Fall Flower Festival
Holland Ridge Farms, Cream Ridge
There will be thousands of rainbow blooms including sunflowers, gladiolus, dahlias, calla lilies and mums; dozens of food options; more than 25 floral photo activations; a hundred vendors; live music and more family-friendly activities.
Halloween Haunt
Dorney Park, Allentown, PA
Fridays – Saturdays, September 15 – October 28
Also Sunday, October 8
Halloween Haunt is not recommended for kids under 13 because of its haunted scare mazes, scare zones and live entertainment. There will be zombies and vampires walking around.
Kids Boo Fest
Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson
Select dates, September 15 – October 29
Bring your little goblins to Great Adventure for daytime Halloween fun. There will be family-friendly trick-or-treating, fall festivities, character photo opportunities and treats. This is not Fright Fest.
Hill Creek Farms Fall Season
Hill Creek Farms, Mullica Hill
Fridays – Sundays, September 15 – November 5
2023 season highlights include u-pick apples, Asian pears, sunflowers and vegetables; live music at The Loft; kids’ activities, including moon bounce, barrel train rides, gem mining and a playground; photo ops around the farm; local wine, small bites, food trucks, ice cream and freshly baked apple cider donuts.
Fall Family Fun Weekends
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Saturdays – Sundays, September 16 – October 29
Choose just the right pumpkin for your jack-o’-lantern or decorations, and let the kids have fun at the pumpkin painting station. Then take them to the area with pony rides, pedal and play tractors, children’s games and activities, the Corn Stalk Maze and Hay Bale Maze, Adventure Story Barn and the barnyard of farm animals. Take a stroll along the pollinator sunflower trail and go on a scavenger hunt. Get lunch from Pam’s Food Pavilion and then take the adults in your group to the orchard for Terhune’s own wines. Local musicians will play during the weekend.
Great Pumpkin Fest
Dorney Park, Allentown, PA
Saturdays – Sundays, September 16 – October 29
This Halloween celebration is all fun and no fear, so it’s great for kids of all ages. Located in Wildwater Kingdom, you’ll find family-friendly activities, games, play zones, costume contests, dance parties and more.
Great Pumpkin Festival
Heaven Hill Farm, Vernon
September 16 – November 5
There is so much to do on the farm! There’s everything from a tractor hay ride to a corn maze to a hy crawl and barnyard sports ball-cade, plus a Chicken Little Show, the Boo Barn, a dancing robot show, pedal cars and an obstacle course, Skee-Ball, a giant straw bale pyramid, boat racing, pig racing and the Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show.
The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular
Sesame Place, Langhorne, PA
Select dates, September 16 – November 5
Dress your kids in their Halloween costumes and bring them to the Sesame Street-themed theme park for Halloween-themed shows and parades, a scavenger hunt, a trick-or-treat trail, pumpkin decorating, photo ops with their favorite furry friends, and the new Count’s Hello Halloween Spectacular.
Liu Shiming Life Gives Beauty Form
Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, New Brunswick
Through September 22
The exhibition will feature more than 80 sculptures made over the Chinese artist’s 60-year career, including 27 works that are being exhibited for the first time in the United States. The exhibition has an emphasis on popular fairy tales, family life and animals, with a Family Guide created by Mason Gross Galleries to help spark conversations around the pieces so that everyone can attend. There is also an interactive clay room set up inside the galleries where guests can try their hand at sculpting in Shiming’s style.
Rise of the New Jersey Diner
Hannah Memorial Garden at Paterson Museum, Paterson
Through September 23
The newest exhibit, “Order’s Up!” Paterson and the Rise of the New Jersey Diner acknowledge what we already know: that New Jersey is the “Diner Capital of the World.” Learn how Paterson played a role in this statewide phenomenon.
Bonfires on the Beach
Asbury Park
Through September 29
On Fridays in May and June, Wednesdays in July and August, and Fridays again in September, you can visit one of several beaches in Asbury for a family bonfire. Bring your chairs, blankets and s’more-making items.
Cowtown Pro-Rodeo
Cowtown Rodeo, Pilesgrove
Saturdays, through September 30
There will be tons of bull riding fun, including steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, tie-down roping and team roping.
Festival of Sunflowers
Dalton Farms, Swedesboro
Through October 8
The golden fields include not only sunflowers but also dahlias this year. The farm is open every day, but there will also be Oktoberfest and the Two Bridges wine trail announced later in the season.
New Jersey Film Festival
Voorhees Hall, Rutgers University, New Brunswick
Plus Virtual Option
Fridays and Sundays, through October 8
The films range from the topics of nature to culture to history to music documentaries to romance, and everything in between.
Quest Middlesex County
Throughout Middlesex County
Through October 11
Solve riddles and take photos from 25 different spots throughout the county. Prizes will be awarded.
Harry Potter: The Exhibition
50 West 34th Street, New York, NY
Through October 15
This immersive exhibit is dedicated to all things Harry Potter. The exhibition features the iconic moments, characters, settings and beasts seen in the films and stories of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts and also includes the costumes, props and imagery from the Broadway production Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. You can choose a Patronus, cast a spell, test their Quidditch skills, and brew potions while you’re there.
Ode to New Jersey Opening Reception
West Windsor Arts, Princeton Junction
Through October 28
Celebrate New Jersey, known as The Garden State, the Diner Capital of the World and the Crossroads of the American Revolution. Our state is famous for the Jersey tomato, cranberry bogs and growing blueberries (the state’s official fruit). An opening night reception is planned for September 8.
Little Falls Farmers Market
Little Falls
Sundays, through October 29
Soupeteer, Doughboy On The Rise, Jersey Pickles, High Mountain Foods, Pastabalities, Rosie’s Empanadas, Jersey Spirits, Seven Tribesmen and Cousins Main Lobster are just some of the returning vendors for the season. Live music will be from Your Mom’s Hot and new this year will be live jazz music from Hunter Hays – plus DJ Allstar Spotlight.
Mountain Creek Resort Bike Park
Mountain Creek Resort, Vernon Twp.
Through October 29
The bike park at Mountain Creek has 52 downhill trails that challenge everyone from first-time bikers to downhill professional racers. Zip tours feature a series of ziplines ranging from 200 feet to 1,500 feet in length.
Scarecrows in the Village
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
Through October 29
More than 100 scarecrows will be on display throughout the village. If you want to try your own, sign up for a scarecrow-making workshop. Throughout the season there will be a series of events, like Food Truck Thursday, a wedding show, a murder mystery dinner show and a free movie. During the weekend of September 16 and 17, Peddler’s Village will host a Scarecrow Festival that will include scarecrow workshops, live music, a juggling show, pumpkin painting, axe throwing, sand art, and outdoor food and drinks.
Fright Fest
Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson
Select dates, through October 31
This is not for the faint of art! Recommended for teens and adults 13 and older, this is one of the area’s scariest Halloween events. Nighttime festivities include a ghoul parade, live stage shows, terrifying scare zones, plus six haunted houses designed for the ultimate scare.
Grow Little Gardner
Veblen House Lawn, Princeton
Fridays, through November 3
Certified Master Gardener and local mom Mathilde Burlion will teach a weekly youth gardening class in Herrontown Woods. In these sessions, kids ages 6-12 will learn and grow by exploring the woods and interacting with nature.
Oktoberfest
Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson
Select dates, through November 5
This German heritage festival is a new fall tradition filled with authentic fare and a large selection of seasonal craft lagers and beers from around the world, including the Gutentag One Man Band.
Duke Farms Market
Duke Farms, Hillsborough
Sundays, through November 12
The best farms and artisan vendors from the Raritan Watershed region will offer items for all your grocery needs.
T-Rex Takeover
Field Station: Dinosaurs, Leonia
Select days, through November 12
The park will be home to more than 30 larger-than-life-sized dinosaurs and includes the Jurassic Jump attraction, activities like dino trivia or feeding a T-Rex, time to speak with actual paleontologists and a scavenger hunt.
Aerial Adventure Park Night Climb
Great Gorge Golf Club, Vernon
Select dates, through November 18
Night climbs give you three hours of access to the 10 original aerial obstacle courses, plus the new zipline course, The Black Creek Flyer. You can spend the night climbing, zipping, scrambling and scampering through the trees. Stop for something to eat or sit by the fire to relax before heading up again.
Morning Walks
Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary, Bernardsville
Saturdays, through November 18
During a quiet morning at the sanctuary, walk the trails with an NJ Audubon staff member or associate naturalist and learn about the birds, trees, tracks, wildflowers, reptiles and amphibians that you come across.
Food Truck Festival Season
Laurita Winery, New Egypt
Select Saturdays and Sundays, through November 19
Each weekend will have a different theme with food trucks to match, plus a glass of wine or two. There will be family activities, too.
Hopatcong Sunday Market & Craft Fair
Park & Ride, Hopatcong
Sundays, through November 26
Each week, bring the kids and shop from a variety of food, produce and craft vendors.
Monday is National Cheeseburger Day. These restaurants and fast food chains have special menus and discounts to satisfy all your burger lovers.
Read More:
A Day Trip to Longwood Gardens Is Just What We Need Right Now
New Jersey’s Best Fall Festivals
Pick Your Own Sunflowers At These NJ Farms
The Best Fairs and Festivals in New Jersey in September
Where to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in New Jersey
The Best Field Trips To Take In The NJ Area
Wine and Beer Fests in NJ
Tap Into Your Creative Side at These Craft Festivals in NJ
Food Truck Festivals in NJ
The Best Outdoor Street Fairs in NJ
60 Things to Do Outdoors in NJ
50 Things to Do Indoors in NJ
