It’s the first weekend in November, and fall is having its moment with tons of fun for the whole family across the state. Decorate sugar skulls at the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Festival in Princeton, take in the last of the Jack O’Lanterns at the Skylands Stadium Jack O’Lantern Experience in Augusta or soak up all that is the Renaissance era at the Renaissance Faire in Hillsborough. For more family fall fun, hit up one of the many fall festivals before the season ends. (Featured Photo Credit: @skylandsstadium)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
Lumino City Dino Safari
November 4-5
If you have a little one who loves dinosaurs, then you need to hurry to this event before it ends. With a field of around 50 life-sized animated dinosaurs, your child’s eyes will light up at the sight. When night falls, the dinosaurs glow, and the space is transformed into an animated field.
Cost: Tickets start at $23
Freehold Raceway Mall, 3710 US-9, Freehold, NJ 07728
November 4-5
Still wanting more Halloween? See over 6,000 Jack O’Lanterns take over Skylands Stadium during the last weekend of this annual event. Enjoy a 45-minute walk-through experience mixed with a family-friendly fall festival with rides, vendors, a petting zoo, and food.
Cost: $19 and up
94 Championship Place, Augusta, NJ 07822
Great Pumpkin Festival
November 4-5
Head to Heaven Hill Farm for a fall-themed festival featuring the Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show, hayrides, farm animals, pedal carts, a 40th anniversary-themed corn maze, gem mining, apple cannons, and more fall fun.
Cost: $14.99-$21.99 online & $19.99-$21.99 at the door
451 State Route 94, Vernon, NJ 07462
Cider Making at Howell Living History Farm
November 4 at 10 AM
This is the perfect time of year to enjoy a cup of fresh apple cider and your little ones can turn the crack of the cider press before having a taste. They can also peel an apple with a hand-crank apple peeler and stop by the farmhouse for lunch.
Cost: Free
Howell Living History Farm, 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Twp., NJ 08530
Hoboken Harvest Festival & Craft Market
November 4 at 11 AM
This festival is a great way to get outside and enjoy fun with the whole family. Choose from a hay maze, pony rides, petting zoo, pumpkin patch, and so much more. There is also an artisan craft market and live music happening.
Cost: Free
Pier A Park, 1st Street and Sinatra Drive, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Healthy HeARTS Festival & 5K
November 4 at 10 AM
This event is a wonderful way to spend time with the family and celebrate arts and wellness in the South Jersey community. There will be live music, crafters, food trucks, wellness demonstrations, and art activities to do together.
Cost: Free
Appel Farm, 457 Shirley Road, Elmer, NJ 08318
Meadowlands Fall Chili Cook-Off
November 4
Chili is a fall favorite and will keep you warm this weekend at the cook-off. There will be three categories, including homestyle, chili verde, and salsa. Head to the event and enjoy free samples for the People’s Choice vote or enter and cook your best chili recipe.
Cost: Admission fee
Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment, 1 Racetrack Drive, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
Sparta Special Olympics Fall 2023 Vendor & Craft Fair
November 4 at 10 AM
With over 60 craft vendors, food trucks, and music, there’s so much to do at this fair. While you’re there, meet the incredible athletes who will be participating in the 2023/2024 season.
Cost: Free; donations welcome
Sparta High School, 70 W. Mountain Rd, Sparta, NJ 07871
Art In The Park
November 4 at 11 AM
Nature and art come together at this lively outdoor event. From art, goat sketches, and a spin on the Homespun Merry-Go-Round, there is fun for everyone.
Cost: Free
Hanson Park Conservancy, 38 Springfield Avenue, Cranford, NJ 07016
Fall Festival
November 4 at 2 PM
Did someone say s’mores? Celebrate the beauty of the fall season with the family with carnival food and games, a hay ride, entertainment, and lots of fun.
Cost: Free
Cornerstone Church, 6550 Rt. 9 South, Howell, NJ 07731
Weehawken Diwali 2023
November 4 at 4 PM
If you’re looking for fun, food, and Bollywood dancing, then you are in for a real treat. This event celebrates the Festival of Lights in Weehawken with a night with the fam.
Cost: Free
53 Liberty Place, Weehawken, NJ 07086
Mount Olive Food Truck & Music Festival
November 4 at 11 AM
Who’s ready for some delicious food and live music? At this fun festival, you will also find art vendors, a beer, sangria, and a margarita garden for the 21+ crowd, and fun for the kids, including a bounce house, petting zoo, and more.
Cost: $5 per person
Turkey Brook Park, 30 Flanders Road, Budd Lake, NJ 07828
Fleming’s Pumpkin Run
November 4 at 8 AM
Bring the entire family and enjoy a day of vehicle races. The vehicles will range from antiques and classics to motorcycles and tractors.
Cost: Free
353 Zion Road, Egg Harbor Twp NJ 08234
8th Annual Pitman Food Truck Fest
November 4 at 4 PM
Head outside and enjoy fall fun with the fam at this annual event. Walk around and try delicious eats from as many food trucks as you can.
Cost: Free
Broadway Ave & Ballard Park, Pitman, NJ 08071
Fall Craft Fest
November 4 at 6 PM
Get a head start on your holiday shopping—there will be tons of crafters and goodies to choose from.
Cost: Free
NJ Transit Netcong Station, Main St & Rt 46, Netcong, NJ 07857
Hoofy’s Fall Festival
November 4 at 11 AM
Bring your crew out to Barnegat and spend the day enjoying food trucks, children’s inflatables, fire pits, and more before heading to the outdoor movie to end the day.
Cost: $10 per adult; children are free
14 Birdsall Street, Barnegat, NJ 08088
Building A Fairy Village
November 4 at 2:30 PM
Get out in nature with your little ones and enjoy a scavenger hunt with fairies before designing and constructing your own fairy house.
Cost: $3
Plainsboro Preserve, 80 Scotts Corner Road, Cranbury, NJ 08512
Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Festival
November 5 at 1 PM
This family-friendly outdoor event is the perfect way to celebrate this culturally rich holiday. There will be a mariachi band, sugar skull decorating, Mexican food and drinks, and face painting.
Cost: Free
102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
3rd Annual Fall Family Festival
November 5 at 12 PM
From live music and face painting to a bounce house and more, you’ll have a ball at this seasonal festival. Grab the family and enjoy the rest of the fall season outdoors.
Cost: Free
Core3Brewery, 609 North Delsea Drive, Clayton, NJ 08312
14th Annual Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Co. #1 Craft & Vendor Fair
November 5 at 10 AM
Come browse some beautiful crafts and items from all different vendors at this annual fair.
Cost: Free
113 N. New Prospect Road, Jackson, NJ 08527
Fall Family Fun Day
November 5 at 1 PM
If you’re looking for something fun to do with the whole fam, head to this day filled with hayrides, dodgeball, fall crafts, and more. There will be something for everyone.
Cost: $10 per person; kids 4 & under are free
601 Route 530, Whiting, NJ 08759
Family Fun Day
November 5 at 11 AM
It may be November, but the fall fun is still happening at events like this one. There will be inflatable rides, games, activities, food, and so much fun.
Cost: $10 per wristband, kids 2 & under are free
Temple Beth Shalom, 108 County Road 522, Manalapan, NJ 07726
Renaissance Faire
November 5 at 10 AM
From games and experiences to food and costumes, this is a day filled with so many fun and unique moments. There will be one-act plays throughout the entire day that are all set in the Renaissance.
Cost: Varies
Hillsborough High School, 466 Raider Boulevard, Hillsborough, NJ 08844
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