Hello, October—we’re ready for you, with pumpkins, hayrides, and plenty of fall vibes all weekend long. Climb aboard a train to admire the changing leaves, pick out a pumpkin, and wear costumes on The Pumpkin Patch Train in Whippany, spend the day dodging zombies and other creatures at the annual Zombie Walk in Asbury Park, or hop on a hayride, paint a pumpkin, and learn to make applesauce at the NJ Botanical Garden Harvest Fest in Ringwood. And for more start-of-fall fun, find one of the festivals this month near you. (featured photo: @whippanyrailwaymuseumofnj)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
FEATURED
DiDonato’s Trick-or-Treat Train
September 27-October 26, select dates
Come to this fall festival and enjoy a different live band and food trucks each weekend, along with their beloved 10-acre corn maze, scenic hayrides, sunflower field (seasonal), beer tent, u-pick pumpkin patch, and Haunted hayrides starting this weekend. Have your tickets yet? The Trick-or-Treat Train officially leaves the station this September & October, and you won’t want to miss out on a spooktacular family tradition that gets bigger and better every year! Calling all little goblins, witches, and warlocks — climb aboard for a magical ride through our goblin-approved Halloween Town, where surprises and sweet treats await around every corner. Along the way, kids will collect candy at 5 trick-or-treat stops, explore our twisty-turny Halloween Corn Maze, and meet beloved characters like Count Splitz and our friendly local Witchy Pinzella! NEW for 2025: a chilling encounter with the mysterious Warlock!
Cost: Ticket prices
DiDonato Family Fun Center, 1151 South White Horse Pike, Hammonton, New Jersey 08037
Dinosaurs After Dark
October 3-4 at 7 PM
Explore a mysterious prehistoric world after dark, where you can dare to partake in the Dinosaur Seance, a thrill ride into the realm of dinosaur ghosts. There’s also a nighttime offering of a dinosaur sing-along at the campfire.
3 Overpeck Park Driveway, Leonia, NJ 07605
Haunted Wild West Fest
Daytime events start on October 3; the night events begin on October 4
Visit during the day or be brave enough to come at night for the Haunted Wild West Fest. Check out the live-action shows, explore museums in the town, view historical demonstrations, get a hole-in-one in miniature golf, and more. At night, things get scarier for ages 12 and up.
Cost: $24.50 and up for the daytime, $18 online, and $20 at the gate for nighttime
50 Lackawanna Drive, Stanhope, NJ 07874
Oktoberfest at Morey’s Piers
October 4-5
Get ready for four consecutive weekends of German-themed goodness with “Oktober das Oktopus,” live entertainment, kids’ activities, and more at the lively Oktoberfest on Morey’s Piers.
3501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260
Six Flags Great Adventure Oktoberfest Food Festival
October 4-5
Sample German cuisine from Bavarian pretzels to German Chocolate Cake, and wash it down with a Root Beer or a real one. The Gutentag One Man Band will keep the fun going.
1 Six Flags Boulevard, Jackson, NJ 08527
Snyder’s Farm Fall Festival
October 4-5
Step out this season to a corn maze, pumpkin picking, fire pits, comfort food, and more. Snyder’s has everything to put you in a fall mood.
Cost: $18, and under age two is free
586 South Middlebush Road, Somerset, NJ 08873
JC Harvest Fest
October 4 at 10 AM
There will be dance performances, arts and crafts, and food for the whole family to enjoy. And don’t miss the pumpkin painting station.
Cost: Free
Hamilton Park, Jersey City, NJ 07302
North Brunswick Heritage Day
October 4 at 3 PM
It’s the 43rd Annual North Brunswick Heritage Day at Community Park, with vendors, entertainment, and an art contest. After the evening band performance, there will be fireworks. The rain date is October 5.
Cost: Free
Community Park, 2051 Route 130, North Brunswick Township, NJ 08902
Hightstown Family Fair
October 4 at 10 AM
This annual festival in the cozy town of Hightstown is a fun way to spend time with the fam and take in all those fall feels. Everyone in your crew will have a blast with food trucks, live music, a dunk tank, The Duck Derby, and so much more.
Cost: Free
Memorial Park, North Main Street, Hightstown, NJ 08520
Edelweiss Passaic Oktoberfest
October 4 at 5:30 PM
Enjoy a Bavarian Oktoberfest buffet, live German music, dancing, and traditional Bavarian entertainment.
1 Perrin Avenue, Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442
The Asbury Park Zombie Walk
October 4 at 11 AM
It’s the 17th year of spooky fun in Asbury Park, otherwise known as the official kick-off event of the Halloween season. Watch zombies and ghouls take over the streets of Asbury Park for a day of thrills, chills, and laughter for all ages during this family-friendly event.
Cost: Free
Boardwalk, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Annual Cranberry Fest
October 4-5
Head over to the 35th annual Maker Fest on Farnsworth, with over 100 crafters, artists, and vendors. Live music and children’s activities will be held on both days.
Cost: Free
Farnsworth Avenue, Bordentown City, NJ 08505
Annual Wheaton Festival of Fine Craft
October 4-5 at 10 AM
This two-day event will host a collection of 150 artists exhibiting and selling their handcrafted works of art. The whole family can enjoy crafting demonstrations or participate in hands-on family art activities. Live music, specialty food trucks, a beer garden, and the WheatonArts signature Glass Pumpkin Fundraiser will be on site.
Cost: $12 for adults, $11 for senior adults, $7 for students, and those 5 and under are free
1000 Village Drive, Millville, NJ 08332
Ridgefield Park Music Fest & Street Fair
October 5 at 10 AM
Head to this lively fair, featuring music, dancing, karate demonstrations, and The Kids Zone —a section dedicated to children, complete with kiddie bounce rides, slides, interactive blow-ups, face painters, sand art, and kids’ games.
Cost: Free
234 Main Street, Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660
New Jersey Botanical Garden Harvest Fest
October 5 at 10 AM
Hayrides and pumpkin painting are just part of the fun during this NJ fall festival. Enjoy games, face painting, applesauce making, booths, exhibits, free activities, food, all-day music and dancing, an autumn Plant Sale, free garden tours, and many photo ops. Rain date is October 15.
Cost: Free Admission
Morris Road, Ringwood, NJ 07456
Somerville Street Fair & Craft Show
October 5 at 11 AM
There is something for everyone here, with artists, vendors, food, rides, live music, and so much more. For the kids in the fam, enjoy the children’s rides and games.
Cost: Free
Downtown Somerville, W. Main Street and Bridge Street, Somerville, NJ 08876
Historic Smithville Oktoberfest
October 5 at 10 AM
Grab your crew for a family-friendly Oktoberfest with over 100 juried crafters, an International food court, live music, kids’ activities, non-profit organizations, and more. The Villages 60 Shoppes, train and carousel rides, paddle boats, 7 Eateries, and antique arcades will also be open.
Cost; Free
Route 9 and Moss Mill Road, Smithville, NJ 08205
More Than Pink Walk
October 5 at 7 AM
Get everyone in your family to lace up their sneakers to walk and help support all those who have been affected by breast cancer. Opening ceremonies begin at 8:30 AM, followed by the walk at 8:45 AM and a post-walk celebration at 10 AM.
Cost: Register and donate
Six Flags Great Adventure, 1 Six Flags Blvd, Jackson, NJ 08527
The Pumpkin Patch Train at Whippany Railway Museum
October 5, times vary
Climb aboard a train at the Whippany Railway Museum to admire the changing leaves. Littles can dress in Halloween costumes as you ride past the reds, yellows, and oranges and enjoy the chilly weather. After the ride, kids can visit the pumpkin patch, select the perfect-sized pumpkin, and receive a free decorating kit while supplies last.
Cost: $26 for adults and $25 for children 12 and under
1 Railroad Plaza, Whippany, NJ 07981
Caldwell Street Fair
October 5 at 12 PM
Kick off the first weekend in October at this street fair where you will find vendors, delicious food, and live music.
Cost: Free
348 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell, NJ 07006
Oradell Touch-A-Truck Event
October 5 at 2 PM
If you have a little one who loves trucks, then this is an event you won’t want to miss. There will be all kinds of trucks to explore. From 1 to 2, there will be a quiet hour for any children who prefer the event without noise.
Cost: Free
Memorial Field, Oradell, NJ 07649
Annual Fall Festival
October 5 at 11 AM
It’s the perfect time for a fall festival filled with food trucks, mums, inflatables, a kids’ corner, pumpkin decorating, and more.
Cost: Free
Fair Lawn High School, 14-00 Berdan Avenue, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
Freehold Oktoberfest
October 5 at 12 PM
Get ready for a fun-filled day of vendors, food, live music, games, and a beer garden for the adult crowd.
Cost: Free
Downtown Freehold, 20 Court Street, Freehold, NJ 07728
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