This weekend it’s time to celebrate as we flip the calendar from September to October, which is unspoken license to start fully celebrating all things Oktoberfest and Halloween (not that you needed our permission!). Let the kids stay up past bedtime for Harvest Moon Nights, pick a bunch of gorgeous sunflowers at Holland Ridge Farms and don’t miss a Beatles’ themed event that will encourage one NJ town to come together. Happy fall, y’all!
ALL WEEKEND
Halloween Light Show
Demarest Farms, Hillsdale
Friday – Sunday
Take your vehicle on a guided tour through 32 acres of brilliant Halloween light displays, warm up by the fire pit and enjoy hot cocoa and treats in the retail farm market. This experience is appropriate for all ages.
Oktoberfest at Morey’s Piers
Mariner’s Pier, Wildwood
Friday – Sunday
This fall, Oktoberfest returns to Morey’s Piers in Wildwood, NJ. Guests can enjoy four consecutive weekends of German-themed revelry, live entertainment, kids “Rootbier Garten” activity area, and more. A full line-up of bands will rock the Coca-Cola stage at Mariner’s Pier near the Giant Wheel during the Oktoberfest weekends.
Harvest Moon Nights
Alstede Farms, Chester
Friday – Saturday
This event offers something for everyone, from delightful harvest moon hayrides to nighttime corn maze fun. Delight in picking your own pumpkin, enjoy live entertainment, sip fresh-pressed cider, all while creating the perfect family memories around a campfire.
Paterson Poetry Festival
Courtyard Plaza, Paterson
Friday – Monday
This multi-day event includes the Poetry in Motion Car Show with the Classic Riderz Car Club, The Paterson Poetry Festival Slam with a cash prize, Open Mic, The Speak Series/ Homage Stage, Lit Fest (creative fun space for young kids), Youth Poetry Contest, Master Classes, Award ceremonies, vendors, food and much more. All outdoor events are open to the public and free to attend.
Olde Time Italian Festival
Fox Park, Wildwood
Friday – Saturday
Celebrate Italian culture and heritage at Fox Park on Ocean Avenue between Burk and Montgomery Avenues in Wildwood on Friday from 5 pm. until 11 pm and on Saturday from noon until 11 pm. Come experience an ‘Olde World’ family festival including a Procession of the Saints, delicious Italian food favorites, merchandise vendors, games, and continuous live entertainment. A spaghetti eating contest will take place as well.
Diggerfest
Diggerland, West Berlin
Saturday – Sunday
It’s the time of year all of the pumpkins sprout up to drive, ride and operate all of the amazing machines. You can enjoy live music, specialty food, hayrides and plenty of fun and games at this fun fall festival.
Sunflower Festival at Holland Ridge Farms
86 Rues Rd., Cream Ridge
Friday – Sunday
You can pick sunflowers at this popular festival and choose from eight different varieties including yellow, white and red. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Jack-O-Lantern Experience
Skylands Stadium, Augusta
Friday – Sunday
This October, Skylands Stadium is transformed with over 6,000 Jack-O-Lanterns throughout the stadium, and surrounding cornfields. Sussex County’s Family Entertainment Destination will be set ablaze with spectacular visuals, and a thrilling Fall Festival.
Oktoberfest
Historic Smithville, Smithville
Saturday – Sunday
Historic Smithville’s famous Oktoberfest has over 100 juried crafters, an international food court, music, kids’ activities, non-profit organizations and more. All of this is in addition to over 60 Shoppes, carousel rides, train rides, paddle boats, 7 eateries, and antique arcades that are already located at the Village year-round!
Festival of Fine Craft
WheatonArts, Millville
Saturday – Sunday
Experience this 22nd annual award-winning showcase of 125 juried artists mastering in clay, fiber, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, photography, wearable art, wood and more! Watch unique craft demonstrations and then create your own with complimentary family art activities sponsored by PNC Arts Alive. Relax in the Beer & Wine Garden with Cape May Brewery and Bellview Winery, listen to live music and enjoy refreshments from gourmet food trucks.
Fall Family Fun Weekends
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Saturday – Sunday
Visit the barnyard of animals, adventure barn, hay bale & corn mazes, pony rides, pumpkin picking & painting, pedal tractors and enjoy fresh, open air. Have fun at the hippity-hop corral and duck races. Explore the hands-on fun in our discovery barn, little tots farm store and junior mechanics shop.
ChowderFest
Long Beach Island
Saturday – Sunday
Support restaurants directly by purchasing their competition chowder. Then, place your vote online for your favorite in Red, White and Creative categories! Celebrate with vendors, brews on tap, live music line up, and ChowderMonth champion announcements in Beach Haven. The Festival will be a non-tasting event.
DiDonato’s Trick-or-Treat Train
DiDonato Family Fun Center, Hammonton
This little goblin-friendly Halloween outdoor train ride will leave the whole family laughing and gasping for more. Tricks, treats, and surprises are included for kids and grownups. Your admission includes a train ride through Halloween Town, Halloween Hay Maze, pumpkin from the pumpkin patch and more.
FRIDAY
An Electric EVening with Sustainable Princeton
Princeton Shopping Center, Princeton
Join for An Electric EVening with Sustainable Princeton to test drive electric vehicles, like Tesla and other favorites, take an e-bike for a spin and learn the benefits of going electric. Enjoy dinner in the beautiful courtyard from one of the many dining options.
SATURDAY
Lake Hopatcong Block Party
Hopatcong State Park, Landing
The Lake Hopatcong Block Party offers a unique Main Street-style experience in a beautiful lakeside setting. Hosted by the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, this event brings visitors together with businesses, non-profit organizations, community groups, crafters, and food vendors for a community day like no other featuring activities, entertainment, raffles, a children’s scavenger hunt, and more.
Jersey City Harvest Festival
Hamilton Park, Jersey City
Take part in the fall festivities including pumpkin decorating, arts & crafts, music, food vendors and more. Activities include crafts by Luna de Papel and music by Elite Musicians.
Harvest Fest
New Jersey Botanical Gardens, Ringwood
Hayrides and pumpkin painting are just the start of this fun-filled family weekend. There’ll be games, face painting, applesauce making, booths, exhibits and many free activities for the youngsters. Enjoy the craft fair, tasty food, all-day music and dancing, an autumn plant sale, free garden tours, lots of great photo ops. Free admission. Parking: $5/car.
CCTS Food Truck and Craft Festival
Camden County Technical Schools, Sicklerville
Gloucester Township Campus of Camden County and Technical Schools will host the Second Annual Food Truck & Craft Festival. The public is invited to attend at no charge. The event runs from 11 am until 5 pm and about 15 various Food Trucks will be cooking up their specialties for you to enjoy for lunch or dinner. There will also be a children’s section with pumpkin painting, face painting, a dress up photo booth, sand art and more.
Oktobertruck Fest 2021
Our Lady of the Lake School, Verona
This year, in place of the annual Oktoberfest and Kinderfest under the big tents, there will be a Food Truck Festival. As in past years, there will also be a Beer Garden, games for the kids, live music, a 50/50 and a Tricky Tray. Event will take place from 12 – 5 pm in the Our Lady of the Lake’s parking lots on Montrose Avenue.
Come Together Ridgewood
East Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood
Ridgewood Arts Council invites you to meet up to celebrate the Beatles! Meet at the train station east side parking lot where E. Ridgewood Ave. & Broad Street connect (adjacent to Stella’s and Latours). Come Together and enjoy the music celebration. Dress as your favorite Beatles song/character and win a prize.
Highlands 20th Annual Oktoberfest
Veterans Park, Highlands
The feel-good spirit of the annual Oktoberfest is modeled after the traditional Munich, Germany Oktoberfest with an emphasis on eating, drinking and being merry while providing something for everyone. Authentic German food, live music, dancing and other great entertainment will be part of the Highlands Business Partnership’s Annual Oktoberfest celebration taking place in Veterans Park on Bay & Shrewsbury Avenues from 2 – 9 pm. Admission and parking are free.
Harrowing History
Former Divine Word Missionaries (Point Breeze Estate), Bordentown
Bordentown is full of dark deeds and a hidden, sometimes gruesome past. Harrowing History peels back the town’s charming exterior and takes a hard look at the City’s darker, tragic happening. Join for an evening of macabre entertainment! Six more of Bordentown’s most shocking 19th century true tales will be brought to life in an evening of theatrical storytelling, presented by the Bordentown Historical Society.
Asbury Park PorchFest
Springwood Park, Asbury Park
PorchFest was founded in Ithaca, NY and has grown with communities around the U.S. organizing PorchFests of all sizes. Asbury Park’s passionate connection to music, its beauty and camaraderie, and its beautiful porches make it an ideal town for PorchFest. This family-friendly, free event features musicians from a wide variety of genres. Afternoon entertainment will include dozens of performers on porches throughout the city. Attendees will stroll from porch to porch and relax on front lawns and sidewalks as they enjoy live, local talent.
SUNDAY
A Celebration of Pets
Verona Town Hall Square, Verona
From 1-4pm Church of the Holy Spirit Verona will host the 5th annual Celebration of Pets in the Verona Town Hall Square (600 Bloomfield Ave) with pet-orientated activities, rescue organizations, vendors, crafts-people, pet blessings and more. We will have activities for kids, music provided by DJ Emilio, food vendors and a Pet Parade at 2:30pm with prizes in several categories.
Saddle Brook Fun Family Street Fair
299 Market St., Saddle Brook
Meet at the Annual UNICO Street Fair held along Market Street between Mayhill Street and Westminster Place from 10AM – 5PM. The street will be closed to vehicle traffic and transformed into a giant town block party. There will be merchandise & craft vendors, kiddie rides, great food, local merchants and civic groups & music.
NJBG Skylands Manor Tour
New Jersey Botanical Gardens, Ringwood
NJBG volunteer docents lead visitors on a tour of the architecture and history of Skylands Manor. Fee: $7 adults; $5 seniors and students ages 13-18; $3 ages 6-12; free under 6.
Hoboken Arts and Music Festival
Washington St. bet. Observer Hwy & 7th St., Hoboken
Art, craft, music, food, local businesses and family fun activities on 3rd St. including: rides, games, craft activities, sand art and live performances by: Little RocknRollers, Music with Corey, Erin Lee and the Up Past Bedtime Band, Music Together, Garden Street School of the Performing Arts and School of Rock House Band.
Festival on the Green
10 North Place Park, Morristown
Each fall, Morristown hosts 60,000+ attendees in its historic downtown on a Sunday afternoon from 12 – 5 pm, rain or shine. Families & friends join us from throughout Northern New Jersey to enjoy non-stop entertainment for all ages on up to four different stages, beer tent, 150+ exhibitors showcasing our local businesses, restaurants and notable community groups.
