While it’s technically the last weekend of summer, all of the fun, fall festivals are already in full swing here in the Garden State. From pumpkin and apple picking to corn mazes, you don’t have to look too far to find a great outing for you and your gang. So the only question is, will you be soaking up the last days of summer at a food festival or outdoor movie, or are you ready to put on jeans and a sweater and jump headfirst into fall? The choice is yours!
ALL WEEKEND
Fall Family Fun Weekends at Terhune Orchards
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Saturday – Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm
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 the discovery barn, little tots farm store and junior mechanics shop.
Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival
Van Saun County Park, Paramus
Friday – Sunday, various times
Enjoy some family fun at the annual Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival, which features a craft fair and carnival rides. Parking and event admission is free.
Oktoberfest at Morey’s Piers
Mariner’s Pier, Wildwood
Friday – Sunday, various times
This fall, Oktoberfest returns and guests can enjoy four consecutive weekends of German-themed revelry, live entertainment, kids “Rootbier Garten” activity area and more. On Friday, September 17 at 5:45 pm, the festivities kick-off with a ceremonial keg tapping of Warsteiner beer and the Morey family clad in lederhosen.
The Downbeach Seafood Festival
Ski Beach, Ventnor
Saturday – Sunday 11 am – 7 pm
Once again, the team at Good Team Tricycle Productions will transform Ventnor’s Ski Beach into a seafood lover’s dream featuring approximately 25-30 different local and regional seafood restaurants and purveyors who will be serving up their favorite seafaring dishes.
FRIDAY
YPG Family Movie Night
Trenton Thunder Ballpark, Trenton
Friday, 5:30 – 9 pm
The Young Professionals Group (YPG) of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Hamilton Foundation is excited to announce this year’s YPG Family Movie Night featuring “Raya and The Last Dragon.” All attendees will enjoy vouchers for the concession stands, complimentary popcorn and a souvenir gift with the purchase of their ticket; additional food and beverages will be available for purchase.
Hispanic Heritage Celebration
Division St., Somerville
Friday, 6 – 9 pm
The Downtown Somerville Alliance is proud to continue their Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration on with cultural performances, live flamenco and live salsa. Come out and enjoy Downtown Somerville with the sounds and flavors characteristic of Hispanic culture and be sure to visit some of the Hispanic restaurants available downtown.
SOPAC Presents: Motor City Revue: The Ultimate Motown Tribute
South Orange Performing Arts Center, South Orange
Friday, 8 pm
Dance in your seat and sing along when this 11-piece Motown-inspired band performs tunes by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Supremes and more.
After Hours: Steam to Speed Guided Tour
Battleship New Jersey, Camden
Friday, 6-8 pm
Descend into the armored citadel of the ship for a 90-minute, family friendly, guided, walking tour of the most powerful engineering plant ever installed on a battleship. Learn how steam powered engines moved the massive ship at record-breaking speeds and see the spaces crew members worked in.
SATURDAY
Art Walk
Historic Smithville
Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm
Stop by the Village to see over 40 local artists display their work across the Greene. Sponsored by Underground, one of the 60 Shoppes at Historic Smithville. Historic Smithville also has seven eateries, a carousel ride, train ride, paddle boats, on site lodging at the Colonial Inn, and over 26 free weekend events. Rain date is the 19th.
MAM Fall Fest
Montclair Art Museum, Montclair
Saturday, 10 am
Gather on MAM’s grounds for a grand celebration of the Museum’s galleries reopening with all new exhibitions. Montclair Art Museum is hosting a Big Day of free admission, tours, family activities, demonstrations, performances, bilingual story time, yoga and more. Try your hand at painting, drawing, and collage at drop-in classes with Yard School Teaching Artists. MAM’s ceramics studio will be open for demonstrations and short, hands-on classes.
Community Day: Fiesta Latina
Washington Park, Newark
Saturday, 10 am – 5pm
Kick-off National Hispanic Heritage Month at a festive outdoor celebration, Featuring live music, dance, and a variety of hands-on activities, there’s fun for the whole family. Learn how to dance salsa, express yourself through metalwork, contribute to a Frida Kahlo-inspired community project, enjoy a traditional Ecuadorian folk dance performance and so much more.
Manasquan Bank Community Day
Squan Plaza, Manasquan
Saturday, 11 am – 4 pm
Join Manasquan Bank for some endless summer entertainment. The 2021 Community Day celebration will feature complimentary food and refreshments, carnival games and prizes and a live radio broadcast from 106.3 Thunder.
Arts Council of Princeton Fall Open House
Arts Council of Princeton, Princeton
Saturday, 1 – 3 pm
You’re invited for a fall afternoon of hands-on fun. The main event: the inaugural ACP Pottery Throwdown where you can watch as ceramic artists compete in various challenges on the ceramics wheel. Other activities include Studio Tours, ACP Swag Giveaways, and more.
Penelope the Powerful Parrot! An Interactive Experience for Children
Bridgewater Commons, Bridgewater
Saturday 1 – 3 pm
Hosted by the Somerset County Hope and Healing Program, with special guest EmPoWER Somerset, this experience delivers free, family-centered programming to help mitigate the emotional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Attendees can expect an interactive and creative use of storytelling, movement and song to deliver a message of hope and resilience. Children as young as three, and adults up to 83, have enjoyed Penelope’s story. Taking place in Community Hubon the Main Level near Verizon Wireless, registration is required.
Fall Farm Fun at Fosterfields
Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, Morristown
Saturdays, 1- 3:30 pm
Pick your own pumpkin in the brand-new pumpkin patch, take an open-air wagon ride around the farm, see corn grinding demos, butter churning, special artisan demonstrations and visit with all your favorite farm animals including the pigs, cows, sheep, goats and chickens. You might even see the newly-born Jersey calves. All activities are included with admission.
Big Bear Concert for Lambertville Relief – Mike Montrey Band Trio
Big Bear Gear, Lambertville
Saturday, 7 – 9 pm
Join Big Bear Gear for the final concert of the Quarry Summer Concerts. Mike Montrey Band is the sound where Americana, Folk and Rock ‘n Roll come together to be sung by a true singer songwriter, with blissful harmonies and soaring guitar work. Proceeds and donations will go to Fisherman’s Mark for Lambertville Relief. Donations will be collected throughout the concert.
Collingswood Food Tour
Downtown Collingswood
Saturday, 1 – 8 pm
Prepare your palate for delicious traditional and modern Indian Cuisine. You’ll also have an opportunity to eat fresh, chef prepared food from the newest “kid on the block,” Haddon Culinary. You’ll be whisked away, just several blocks down the road, to taste the flavors of Mexico in several authentic handcrafted dishes. Next, enjoy a unique tasting experience of international olive oils and vinegars. Stop by a modern patisserie for a bite and a bakery lesson from the pastry chef.
SUNDAY
15th Anniversary Walk n’ Roll
Virtual
Sunday, 8am – 12 pm
Don’t miss NJ’s best charity walk for kids! Walk n’ Rollvirtually to support local kids living with special healthcare needs. 100% of every dollar raised supports the life-changing care and cutting-edge research at Children’s Specialized Hospital that are transforming the lives of local children with special healthcare needs.
Color Fun Run & Walk
Woolsey Park, Titusville
Sunday, 11 am – 1 pm
Get colorful at the all-new Hopewell Valley Arts Council Color Fun Run & Walk. Everyone’s a winner on the all-ages two+ mile course where individuals, teams and families can walk, run, or anything in between. Watch whatever you wear turn into a technicolor masterpiece as you pass through five color stations along the route with volunteer color-blasters showering participants in food-grade dyed cornstarch.
Garwood STILL Rocks
Center St., Garwood
Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm
Garwood Rocks is back this year following last year’s cancelation due to the coronavirus pandemic. The exciting car show and live music outdoor festival features an all-day live stage, entertainment, vendors, festival foods and amusement rides in downtown Garwood.
Taste of Atlantic Highlands
First Ave., Atlantic Highlands
Sunday, 12 – 4 pm
Guests will have the opportunity to sample delicious cuisine, desserts and beverages from the eclectic restaurants, pubs, bars, breweries, coffee shops and bakeries and to meet and greet business owners from retail boutiques and other types of businesses. Many will have special sales & promotions.
Family Woodland Hike
New Jersey Botanical Gardens, Ringwood
Sunday, 1 pm
An easy, child-friendly hike in the New Jersey Botanical Garden’s woodlands, where you’ll learn a bit about the plants and animals around you in a hike designed to fit the group. Smaller children may need to be carried. Wear sturdy shoes and meet at the Carriage House Visitor Center.
Woodlands’ 9th Annual Community Day
Woodlands Wildlife Refuge, Pittstown
Sunday, 1 – 5 pm
Tucked into a corner of Hunterdon County, Woodlands Wildlife Refuge has been caring for and releasing thousands of orphaned and injured native wild animals since 1986. The annual Community Day offers the public a rare opportunity to visit one of New Jersey’s foremost wildlife rehabilitation facilities.
Harvest Homecoming at Historic New Bridge Landing
New Bridge Landing, River Edge
Sunday, 1 – 4:30 pm
Some 250 years ago, the Bergen Dutch, as the local settlers were known, engaged in autumn activities that will be recreated at Historic New Bridge Landing. All three 18th century houses, as well as the 19th century barn, will be open for tours. See demonstrations of corn shelling and broom making in the 1889 barn as well as blacksmithing and cooking seasonal foods at the authentic Jersey-Dutch out-kitchen.
