September is hitting its stride, and we’re feeling the fall vibes, especially with all the kid-friendly things to do this weekend. Celebrate the harvest and try your hand at apple cider pressing at Allaire Fall Harvest Festival in Wall, celebrate halfway to St. Patrick’s Day at The Wildwoods Irish Fall Festival with dancing, music, food, and crafts vendors in North Wildwood, or bring your crew for a themed corn maze and all things fall at the Great Pumpkin Festival in Vernon. And for more start-of-fall fun, find one of the festivals this month near you. (featured photo: NJMOM)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
Medford Oktoberfest and Music Festival
September 19-20
Put on your lederhosen and celebrate Oktoberfest with authentic German food, a stein-holding competition, multiple music stages, and Saturday kids’ activities.
Cost: Free admission
Freedom Park, 86 Union Street, Medford, NJ 08055
The Wildwoods Irish Fall Festival
September 19-21
Erin Go Bragh—everyone’s Irish at this fest with dancing, music, food, and craft vendors daily. Other festivities include a golf tournament, Irish dance lessons, a 5K run and 1-mile walk, a pipe exhibition, a food court, and a parade.
Cost: Free
Old New Jersey Avenue, North Wildwood, NJ 08260
Saint Nicholas Greek Fest
September 19-21
Go Greek at this festival, where your family can celebrate Hellenic culture with Greek music, homemade dishes, vendors, and fun for the whole family.
Cost: Free
467 Grandview Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ 07481
Roseland Greek Fest
September 19-21
Travel to Greece during this vibrant festival, which features live music, dancing, Greek specialty boutiques, and delicious Greek cuisine all in one spot.
Cost: Free
80 Laurel Avenue, Roseland, NJ 07068
Six Flags Great Adventure Boo and Fright Fest
September 19-21
During the day, Six Flags transforms into Kids Boo Fest, a cute and tame Halloween theme, but the scene changes to downright terrifying as the sun sets. The park features “scare zones,” and there is also heart-pounding live entertainment and haunted houses with unique stories and special effects. If the fast-paced rides aren’t enough to thrill you, having ghoulish creatures, mutants, and clowns pop out at you will give you the creeps.
1 Six Flags Boulevard, Jackson, NJ 08527
Wind and Sea Festival
September 20 at 11 AM
Celebrate all things water at this festival, where the whole family can enjoy a range of coastal activities, including kayaking, fishing, kite flying, crabbing, sandcastle building, seining, shelling, children’s crafts, naturalist-led activities, and food vendors.
Cost: Free
Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth, NJ 07758
Latino Festival of Monmouth County
September 20 at 12 PM
Bring your crew to honor Latino culture with dancing, live performances, food, and lots of fun during this cultural festival.
Cost: Free
1 East Main Street, Freehold, NJ 07728
Festival in the Borough
September 20 at 10 AM
All ages will have fun at this festival, with a free climbing wall, photo booth, family fun zone, and three stages of live music.
44 E. Washington Avenue (Route 57), Washington, NJ 07882
47th Annual Festival of the Sea
September 20 at 10 AM
Downtown Point Pleasant is the place to be for seafood lovers, with over 250 craft vendors and local restaurants offering local specialities. There will be live music, family activities, and a wine and beer garden.
Cost: Free
Downtown Point Pleasant Beach, 601 Arnold Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Hopewell Harvest Festival
September 20 at 10 AM
It’s the 37th annual fair with contests, entertainment, games, and a Kids Korner. The rain date is October 4.
Cost: Free
35 Princeton Avenue, Hopewell, NJ 08525
Allaire Fall Harvest Festival
September 20 at 11 AM
Join the villagers in celebrating the harvest and try your hand at apple cider pressing, enter an apple pie baking contest, interact with strolling villagers, witness historical demonstrations, play games, and have a lot of fall fun.
Cost: Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for ages 3-12
The Historic Village at Allaire, 4263 Atlantic Avenue, Wall Township, NJ 07727
Arts Fest
September 20 at 2 PM
Check out the artist marketplace, see emerging artists, watch urban and eclectic performances, and take part in interactive art. There will also be wearable art and gifts, culinary arts, art classes, and face painters.
Cost: Free
Irving Street from Central Avenue to Elizabeth Avenue, Rahway, NJ 07065
Wildwood Crest Seafarers’ Celebration
September 20 at 9 AM
This huge Bayfront street festival will kick off the new season with live music, craft vendors, food, family entertainment, children’s activities, and more. At dusk, fireworks will go off.
Cost: Free
Centennial Park & Sunset Lake, New Jersey Avenue between Rambler Road & Miami Avenue, Wildwood Crest, NJ 08260
Great Pumpkin Festival
September 20-21
Head to Heaven Hill Farm for this fall-themed festival featuring the Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show, hayrides, farm animals, pedal carts, a “Big Top” themed corn maze, gem mining, apple cannons, and more fall fun. This year, the corn maze will be an Alice in Wonderland theme.
Cost: $14.99-$21.99 online & $19.99-$21.99 at the door
451 State Route 94, Vernon, NJ 07462
Happy Day Farm Fall Festival
September 20-21
Weekends are full of autumnal fun at Happy Day, featuring activities like an animal zoo, a Lainey Wilson-themed corn maze, horse swings, pedal carts, and all the fall fun you can imagine in one place during their annual Fall Festival. Be sure to check out the Pumpkinvile House for photo ops.
Cost: $27 per person; tickets for weekends must be purchased online
106 Iron Ore Road, Manalapan, NJ 07726
VonThun Farms Fall Festival
September 20-21
Bring the family to the Fall Festival, featuring over 20 all-ages activities in two locations. Play fall-themed games, take a hayride, navigate the 6-acre interactive corn maze, see farm animals, pick pumpkins and apples, and don’t forget to take lots of photos.
Cost: Ticket prices vary. Free Parking
519 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852
438 Route 57 West, Washington Township, NJ 07882
Newark Puerto Rican Day Parade and Boricua Music Festival
September 21 at 12 PM
Don’t miss the 64th Puerto Rican Day Parade, featuring performances, entertainment, and more.
Cost: Free
Lower Broadway (Avenida Puerto Rico) via Bloomfield Avenue and run up to 1st Avenue, Newark, NJ 07105
Glen Rock Street Fair and Craft Show
September 21 at 11 AM
Bring your crew to this street festival, where you’ll find artists, crafters, a live band, vendors, food, games for kids, and lots of family fun.
Cost: Free
Downtown Glen Rock, NJ 07452
Family Fall Fest 2025
September 21 at 12 PM
Get ready for some fall fun at this festival that will have everything from food trucks and bounce houses to carnival games and inflatable mini golf. Make sure you bring your camera for special fall moments.
Cost: Free
MarketFair, 3535 US Highway 1, Princeton, NJ 08540
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