It’s finally fall, y’all, and we’re celebrating with lots of family-friendly events all weekend long. Get all the fall feels with an adventure barn, live music, pony rides, pumpkin picking, duck races, and pick-your-own opportunities at Terhune Orchards Fall Family Fun Weekends in Princeton, enjoy food, live entertainment, refreshments, wine tasting, vendors, bocce, and a children’s area at the 12th Annual Smithville Italian Festival, or kick off the spooky season at Skylands Stadium Jack O’Lantern Experience in Augusta. 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.)
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 the 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 a twisty-turny Halloween Corn Maze, and meet beloved characters like Count Splitz, and 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
Lentini Farms Fall Festival
September 26-28
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.
Cost: Prices vary
Route 94 South, 251 High Street, Newton, NJ 07860
Six Flags Great Adventure Boo and Fright Fest
September 26-28
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
Skylands Stadium Jack O’ Lantern Experience
September 26-28
See over 6,000 Jack O’Lanterns take over Skylands Stadium for some Halloween fun. Enjoy a 45-minute walk-through experience mixed with a family-friendly fall festival with rides, vendors, and food.
Cost: $19 and up
94 Championship Place, Augusta, NJ 07822
Saint Barbara Greek Festival
September 26-28
Head to Toms River to savor authentic Greek cuisine and beverages, experience traditional Greek dancing, and enjoy live entertainment. There will also be outdoor rides for kids. This event is rain or shine.
Cost: $2 per person
2200 Church Road, Toms River, NJ 08753
Hackettstown Oktoberfest
September 26-28
Kick off fall with a town-wide Oktoberfest event featuring kids’ activities, contests, craft vendors, music, drinks, and food.
Cost: Free
Main St., Valentine Street, and Grand Avenue, Hackettstown, NJ 07840
Smithville Italian Festival
September 27 at 10 AM
It’s the 12th annual Italian Festival with food, live entertainment, refreshments, wine tasting, vendors, bocce, and a children’s area. The rain date is September 28.
Cost: Free
Historic Smithville, NJ 08205
2025 NJ Turnpike Five
September 27 at 6 AM
Want to get out and moving? This 5K race takes place on the NJ Turnpike, and runners have the chance to take on a thrilling course that is both unique and challenging. Proceeds from this event will help support the Special Olympics New Jersey.
Cost: Registration fee
Secaucus Junction, County Avenue, Secaucus, NJ 07094
Edison’s Fall Family Spectacular
September 27 at 1 PM
Bring the family to this festival, which features kiddie rides, games, face painting, sand art, a pro wrestling ring, a remote-controlled car track, food, crafts, exhibitors, a Wine and Beer Garden, and live music.
Cost: Free
1011 Amboy Avenue, Edison, NJ 08817
Shamrocks by the Sea Celtic Festival
September 27 at 10 AM
We’re halfway to St. Paddy’s Day, so it’s time to celebrate. Enjoy live Irish music, traditional Irish craft vendors, Irish fare and beverages, and your chance to win swag and prizes.
Cost: Free
101 J Street, Seaside Park, NJ 08752
Oktoberfest in Cape May
September 27 at 9 AM
Celebrate the famous Bavarian tradition as Cape May transforms into a German promenade with authentic music and food. There will also be a Beer Garden, Food Court, and artisans’ tables selling crafts, antiques, and collectibles. The rain date is September 28.
Cost: Free
Carpenter Lane between Ocean and Perry and Jackson Street, Cape May, NJ 08204
Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm Fall Extravaganza
September 27-28
Enjoy a jam-packed day full of family fun that will keep you entertained with live music, a delectable Farmhouse Grill, Food Trucks, and a wine-tasting experience with Tomasello Winery. Indulge in the quintessential fall activities, such as picking your own apples, pumpkins, and sunflowers, getting lost in the family-friendly corn maze, or hopping on a hayride tour of the 325-acre farm.
Cost: $8.00-$16.00 + fees
2691 Monmouth Road, Jobstown, NJ 08041
Diggerfest
September 27-28
Pumpkins are popping up all over Diggerland USA for this season’s annual Diggerfest. Enjoy hayrides, live music, carnival games, pumpkin decorating, fall parades, and more.
Cost: $45.99
100 Pineadge Drive, West Berlin, NJ 08091
Terhune Orchards Fall Family Fun Weekends
September 27-28
Get all the fall feels at Terhune with their adventure barn, live music, pony rides, pumpkin picking, duck races, and pick-your-own opportunities. Make sure you mark your calendars for the 50th Anniversary “Apple Day” Celebration on September 13 and 14.
Cost: A variety of packages are available
330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
Donaldson Farms Fall Harvest Weekends
September 27-28
Head to the farm for apple and pumpkin picking, hayrides, corn cannons, apple cider samples, and seasonal treats.
Cost: Free to enter
358 Allen Road, Hackettstown, NJ 07840
Great Pumpkin Festival
September 27-28
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 27-28
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 27-28
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
Margate Fall Funfest By the Bay
September 27-28
Visit over 125 booths and activities loaded with music, games, back-bay nature tours, live music, and educational exhibits. Check out crafts from over 65 juried artisans, a Cornhole Tournament, a dog show, parades, and more.
Cost: Free
Amherst Avenue from Washington Avenue to Coolidge Avenue, Margate, NJ 08402
Chester Oktoberfest
September 27-28 at 12 PM
Check out this family-friendly celebration featuring live music, authentic German food, entertainers, rides, games, and crafts for kids.
Cost: $7 and free for children under 12
Chubb Park on Route 24, Chester, NJ 07930
Asbury Park Fall Bazaar 2025
September 27-28 at 12 PM
Celebrate local makers, music, and art in Asbury Park. The Asbury Park Fall Bazaar will feature shopping from local artisans, live music & entertainment, delicious Fall food and beverages, an Oktoberfest celebration, kids’ activities, and more.
Cost: Free
Asbury Park Convention Hall, 1300 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
LEGO Fan Show
September 27-28
Have a little one who loves Legos? Head to this event where you will find hands-on building zone, live workshops, Lego exhibitions, Lego building competitions, and the chance to meet Manny Garcia who appeared in LEGO Master Season 1.
Cost: Free
Northlandz, 495 Route 202, Flemington, NJ 08822
Woodbridge Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day
September 28 at 1 PM
Enjoy Irish music, a tricky tray, games, and bring food for donation, all in celebration of the halfway mark to St. Pat’s Day.
Cost: Free
95 Port Reading Avenue, Woodbridge, NJ 07095
Hoboken Fall Arts and Music Festival
September 28 at 11 AM
Over 300 artists, crafters, makers, local businesses, and food vendors will gather on two performance stages for live entertainment from local musicians. The rain date is October 6.
Cost: Free
Washington Street between Observer Highway and 7th Avenue, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Harvest Home Festival
September 28 at 11 AM
It’s an old-fashioned fair reminiscent of the 1890s at the Historic Longstreet Farm. Visitors can enjoy games and live entertainment.
Cost: Free
44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
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