Now that September is almost officially in the books, it’s time to move on from our summer lovin’ and start crushing on fall, y’all. One of the best ways to usher in the new season is to get your polka on at Oktoberfest in Cape May or Seaside Heights. Or make your way over to Pier Fest at Pier Village where your fam can enjoy free activities, arts and crafts and live music. Our state’s capital will be rocking this weekend as it hosts River Fest, which features a cornucopia of tasty eats, hip food truck fare, craft beers, a pork roll-eating contest and live music from local artists. Order that pumpkin spice latte to go, and head over to some of the super fun and kid-friendly events taking place around the Garden State this weekend.
Here are 15+ Things To Do This Weekend in NJ:
Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmomhq and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
1. 2017 Feast of St. Michael
Thursday, September 28 – Sunday, October 1, 2017
Thursday 6:00PM to 9:00PM, Friday 6:00PM to 10:00PM
Saturday 3:00PM to 10:00PM, Sunday 1:00PM to 5:00PM
The Feast of St. Michael is back for its 13th year, and your family will not want to miss it. Dedicated to the patron saint of police officers and firefighters, this festival offers an array of food, live music, games, rides and so much more.
St. Michael’s School – Parking Lot
Holly & Alden Streets, Cranford, NJ 07016
Cost: Free
2. Monsters on the Beach: Wildwood NJ Monster Truck Show
Friday, September 29 – Sunday, October 1, 2017
Friday 7:00PM to 8:30PM
Saturday 1:00PM to 3:00PM & 7:00PM to 9:00PM
Sunday 1:00PM to 3:00PM
Get your family ready for a weekend of intense thrills as massive monster trucks race and fly around the beach. Friday night begins the festivities with an exciting and family-fun kick-off party. Saturday features two shows, one in the afternoon and one in the evening, with entertainment by Megasaurus during each show’s intermission. Sunday’s afternoon show is the last of the weekend and is also the deciding race, in which the winner of the 2017 Monster Truck Show will be named.
Beach at Spicer Avenue
Between Mariner’s Landing and Adventure Pier, Wildwood, NJ 08260
Cost: $15 Child, $25 Adult
3. Cape May Oktoberfest
Saturday, September 30, 2017 | 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Celebrate the famous Bavarian tradition at Oktoberfest in Cape May. The streets of Cape May will be transformed into a German promenade with authentic music and food. Don’t forget to visit the beer gardens and food courts and browse the artisan tables featuring crafts, antiques and collectibles.
Carpenter Lane – Between Decatur & Jackson
Continues down Jackson Street to Beach Ave, Cape May, NJ 08204
Cost: Free
4. Hay Day 2017
Saturday, September 30, 2017 | 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Hay Day 2017 is a fun fall festival for the entire family on the Readington River Buffalo Farm. Because the Annual Buffalo Watch in May experienced inclement weather, organizers decided to re-do the event this weekend. This year’s festival will feature vendors, food trucks, live entertainment, military displays, a corn maze and pumpkin picking. The Red River Saloon, an authentic Wild West Saloon recreated in an old barn, will be open and serving wine and beer to guests 21 and over.
Readington River Buffalo Farm
937 County Road 523, Flemington, NJ 08822
Cost: $5 Parking Only
5. LBI Sea Glass & Art Festival
Saturday, September 30 – Sunday, October 1, 2017 | 10:00AM to 4:00PM
Join the Long Beach Island community for its 9th-annual LBI Sea Glass & Art Festival, which supports local artists and the community. On Saturday, there will be a Conch Horn Blowing World Record Attempt, in hopes of reclaiming the record for most conch horns being blown together. On Sunday, there will be Wrack Line Sculpture Contest, where sculptors will create works of art made from beach finds.
Things A Drift
406 Long Beach Boulevard, Ship Bottom, NJ 08008
Cost: Free
6. 39th Annual Fall Festival & Auction
Saturday, September 30, 2017 | 10:00AM to 10:00PM
The 39th Annual Fall Festival & Auction will be a day of fun for the whole family. There will be live music performed by the Sonrise Mountain Revival bluegrass band, craft and car shows, children’s games, bounce houses, a children’s pedal tractor pull, silent and live auctions and yummy food for all attendees.
The Sussex County Fairgrounds
37 Plains Road, Augusta, NJ 07822
Cost: Free Admission and Parking
7. Fall Festival & Allaire Community Heritage Day
Saturday, September 30, 2017 | 11:00AM to 4:00PM
Celebrate the harvest at the Fall Festival & Allaire Community Heritage Day. Enjoy live music, delicious food, contests of strength and games. In addition, activities such as cider pressing, dancing, horse and wagon rides, blacksmith and militia demonstrations and house tours are sure to captivate attendees of all ages.
The Historic Village at Allaire
4263 Atlantic Avenue, Farmingdale, NJ 07727
Cost: $3 Child, $7 Adult, Tickets can be purchased here
8. Italian Festival
Saturday, September 30, 2017 | 11:00AM to 5:00PM (Rain Date: October 1)
Historic Smithville’s Italian Festival will feature an Italian market offering a spectacular variety of wares and food. The day will be filled with live Italian music, bocce ball, folk dancing, children’s activities and more.
Historic Smithville – The Village Greene
615 E. Moss Mill Road, Smithville, NJ 08205
Cost: Free
9. Seaside Heights Oktoberfest
Saturday, September 30 – Sunday, October 1, 2017 | Saturday 11:00AM to 7:00PM, Sunday 11:00AM to 6:00PM
The 2nd Annual Seaside Heights Oktoberfest will take place this weekend. This event features seasonal craft beer tastings, great bands, authentic German food, artisans and crafters, a beer garden, food trucks and a kids zone.
Boulevard between Webster Avenue and Dupont Avenue
Seaside Heights, NJ
Cost: Free for Kids 11 & Under, $5 General Admission
10. River Fest 2017
Saturday, September 30, 2017 | 12:00PM to 5:00PM
Celebrate the return of River Fest at Arm & Hammer Park this weekend, which features a long list of food trucks and Case’s Pork Roll menu items. A variety of seasonal craft beers are available to help cleanse your palate as you eat your way throughout the day. Plus, enjoy live music from local bands while you take part in the many fun games and activities throughout the park. The day ends with the 3rd Annual Trenton Thunder World-Famous Case’s Pork Roll Eating Championship, featuring Joey “Jaws” Chestnut.
Arm & Hammer Park
1 Thunder Road, Trenton, NJ 08611
Cost: $5 General Admission, $15 VIP Package
11. Harbor Fest 2017
Saturday, September 30, 2017 | 12:00PM to 7:00PM
Hold on to summer a little longer by attending the Harbor Fest located in Atlantic Highlands. This event features live music, a beer and wine garden, a Sip & Paint station and plenty of activities for the kids to enjoy.
Atlantic Highlands Municipal Harbor Marina – On The Waterfront Promenade
2 Simon Lake Drive, Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716
Cost: Free
12. Gloucester County Fall Fest and Pumpkin Chunkin’ Event
Saturday, September 30, 2017 | 4:00PM to 9:00PM
The best way to describe the Gloucester County 4-H Fall Festival is pure family fun. This jam-packed event boasts a haunted house, hayrides, a marshmallow roast, trick-or-treating, costume contests, games and activities, food, vendors, and of course, the DBU Adoptable Pups.
Gloucester County 4-H Fairgrounds
275 Bridgeton Pike, Mullica Hill, NJ 08062
Cost: $10 Parking Only. This will go toward the rehabilitation of the Gloucester County 4-H Nature Preserve.
13. Pier Fest 2017 in Pier Village
Sunday, October 1, 2017 | 12:00PM to 4:00PM
Visit Pier Village and spend the day outside at Pier Fest. There will be tons of kids activities, such as face painting, inflatables, a Fun Bus, exhibitors, vendors and crafters in the Festival Plaza, as well as live music from local performers, and great food and drinks at the Pier Village restaurants.
Pier Village
Long Branch, NJ 07740
Cost: Free
14. Chowderfest Cook Off Classic
Sunday, October 1, 2017 | 10:00AM to 5:00PM (Rain or Shine)
This family-fun festival features live music, activities and unlimited chowder tasting with the opportunity for each ticketholder to vote for their favorite red, white or creative chowder. The event is nestled in Beach Haven surrounded by beautiful views of the bay and plenty of year-end discounted shopping. It has become a tradition for family and friends to gather together to say good-bye to summer and welcome in fall.
Taylor Ave Bayfront
Beach Haven, NJ 08008
Cost: Free
15. Pumpkin Festival
Sunday, October 1, 2017 | 11:00AM to 4:00PM (Rain Date: October 8)
It’s time for pumpkins, cider doughnuts, leaves splashed in color—and the 26th Annual Blackwood Pumpkin Festival, which features food, games, music, shopping and four stages of entertainment. Activities include pumpkin painting, hayrides, amusement rides, scarecrow-making, bounce houses, a pumpkin-carving contest and much more. Free parking with a free shuttle bus service to the festival is available at Highland Regional High School (450 Erial Road, Blackwood, NJ 08012).
27 S Black Horse Pike
Blackwood, NJ 08012-2952
Cost: Free
MORE FUN THINGS TO DO IN NJ THIS WEEKEND:
- 20 Kid Friendly Fall Festivals in NJ
- 25 {Must Know} Kid-Friendly Landmarks in NJ
- Top Summer Day Camps in NJ
- Museums in North, Central, & South NJ
- Aquariums in NJ
- 20 Family Friendly Hiking Trails in NJ
- 52 #NJMOM Must-Do Adventures
- Plan ahead by checking NJ Mom’s 60+ Things to Do in New Jersey
- Free Museum Days in NJ (the first weekend of each month)
- 275 Parks & Playgrounds in NJ
- 50 Best Spas in NJ
- 10 Mommy & Me Classes in NJ
- Date Night Ideas for Mom + Dad
- Kids Eat Free Restaurants
- Kids Bowl Free in NJ
