September is rolling into October and bringing with it all the fall things to do with the fam this weekend. Take a ride to see the pumpkins and spooky decorations on the Whippany Railway Museum Pumpkin Patch Train Rides, get lost in a corn maze, and pick your pumpkins for the season at the opening weekend of Snyder’s Farm Fall Festival in Somerset, or bring your lawn chair and enjoy beer, bourbon, bacon, axe throwing, and a hot air balloon ride at the Bacon, Bourbon, and Brews Festival in Medford. And for more family fall fun, hit up one of the many fall festivals this season. (Featured Photo Credit: iStock/SolStock)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
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Five Star Swim School Pumpkin Plunge 2023
Cherry Hill, October 8 at 1:30 PM
East Hanover, October 14 at 3:30 PM
Deptford, October 21 at 2:30 PM
Galloway, October 22 at 3:30 PM
Eatontown, October 27 at 5 PM
Princeton, November 5 at 3:30 PM
Since 2014, Five Star Swim School’s Pumpkin Plunge Party has been an event so many families enjoy. And it’s the perfect way to celebrate Halloween at the pool. There will be swimming with pumpkins, party games, snacks, and pumpkin decorating. Your little ones can bring their Halloween costume or Halloween pajamas to change into after swimming.
Cost: $20 per child
Five Star Swim School, dates and times vary by location. Register in advance.
Avalon Oktoberfest
September 29
It’s time to lift your stein for the Avalon Oktoberfest at ICONA resort. There will be live entertainment, drinks, food, dancing in the sand, and kiddos’ activities, including games like corn-hole, Jenga, and a kids’ craft activity.
The Sandbar Village, 125 79th Street, Avalon, NJ 08202
(609) 830-0128
Snyder’s Farm Fall Festival
Weekends starting September 30-October 29
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 2 is free
586 South Middlebush Road, Somerset, NJ 08873
Italian Festival
September 30 at 12 PM
Enjoy delicious Italian specialties at the Jersey Shore while listening to live music. Then, after you have sampled the fantastic things to eat, stroll downtown and stop into the shops for a day of fun.
Cost: Free
Downtown Business District, Third Avenue, Spring Lake, NJ 07762
Oktoberfest in Cape May
September 30 at 9 AM
Celebrate the famous Bavarian tradition as Cape May is transformed 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 October 1.
Cost: Free
Carpenter Lane between Ocean and Perry and Jackson Street, Cape May, NJ 08204
JC Harvest Fest
September 30 at 10 AM
There will be dance performances, arts and crafts, and food for the whole family. And don’t miss the pumpkin painting station.
Cost: Free
Hamilton Park, Jersey City, NJ 07302
LBI Chowderfest
September 30 at 10 AM
Take a trip to LBI to see vendors, live music, and, of course, indulge in lots of delicious chowders. There will be a Chowder Trail from September 3-30 to taste different chowders before the main event on October 1.
Cost; Free
Beach Haven, NJ 08008
Fair Lawn Food Truck & Music Festival
September 30 at 11 AM
Ready to enjoy food trucks, live music, vendors, and more? Then you will want to head to this festival where there is something for everyone to enjoy, even the little ones in the fam.
Cost: Free
Memorial Park, 2 Avenue of Heroes, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
3rd Annual Middlesex Borough Food Truck & Music Fest
September 30 at 11 AM
Kick off the new season with delectable food trucks, face painting, craft vendors, and live music. For the adults, there will be a selection of beer and wine to enjoy.
Cost: $6 for everyone aged 6 & up
Mountain View Park, 300 John F Kennedy Drive, Middlesex, NJ 08846
Bacon, Bourbon & Brews Festival
September 30 at 11 AM
Bring your lounge chair and enjoy live bands, bourbon, beer, wine tastings, food trucks, and axe throwing. There will even be tethered hot air balloon rides, weather permitting.
Cost: $20, kids 12 & under are free
Flying W Airport & Resort, 60 Fostertown Road, Medford, NJ 08055
Fall Fest with Classic Car Show
September 30 at 10 AM
Come with the kids to enjoy all things fall with food, music, vendors, entertainment for the little ones, and a classic car show.
Cost: Free
Joe Palaia Park, Deal and Whalepond Roads, Oakhurst, NJ 07755
2023 Diversity Day Children’s Festival
September 30 at 1 PM
This entertaining and inclusive outdoor event is perfect for children ages 5-10 and their families. Enjoy performances and hands-on activities, including dance groups, children’s choirs, readings from children’s books, pony rides, and more.
Cost: Free
Lake Topanemus Park, Pond Road, Freehold, NJ 07728
Fall Art In The Garden
September 30 at 10 AM
This gathering of talented local artists and artisans is the perfect way to spend a fall day. These artists will have their work on display so you can walk around and take it all in. Whare there, stroll the beautiful grounds, enjoy the seasonal plants and flowers, listen to live music or grab a snack at The Tulip Tree Cafe.
Cost: Free
Calgo Gardens, 462 Adelphia Road, Freehold, NJ 07728
September to Remember Street Festival, Classic Car & Motorcycle Show
September 30 at 11 AM
Say goodbye to September at this fun family event. Bring your crew to enjoy vintage cars and motorcycles, live music, dance performances, a beer and wine tent, food trucks, and more.
Cost: Free
301 N. Wood Avenue, Linden, NJ 07036
Hackettstown Oktoberfest
September 30-October 1
Kick off the fall season with a town-wide event with kids’ activities, contests, craft vendors, music, drinks, and food. This Oktoberfest is a family-friendly event.
Main St., Valentine St., and Grand Ave., Hackettstown, NJ 07840
Deutscher Club of Clark Oktoberfest
September 30-October 1
Kick back in their spacious pavilion and enjoy the live music. You’ll sample authentic German fare like brats, spaetzle, and schnitzel and enjoy the beers and sounds of traditional bands at this German club, one of the largest in North America. There will be children’s entertainment available on Sunday.
787 Featherbed Ln., Clark, NJ 07066
(732) 574-8600
LBI Sea Glass & Art Festival
September 30-October 1 at 10 AM
If you or someone in your family is a fan of sea glass, then this is the event for you. Take in the gorgeous weather while enjoying the sea glass creations, contests, lectures about sea glass, a wrack-line sculpture contest, and so much more.
Cost: Free
Things A Drift, 406 Long Beach Blvd, Ship Bottom, NJ 08008
Kindle Oktoberfest
October 1
Grab a beer from local breweries on hand at this craft, food, and drink festival that gives back to Cape May County Chamber Education Foundation.
525 Stone Harbor Blvd., Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
(609) 465-5000
Hoboken Fall Arts and Music Festival
October 1 at 11 AM
Over 300 artists, crafters, makers, local businesses, and food vendors will come together with live entertainment from local musicians on two performance stages.
Cost: Free
Washington Street between Observer Highway and 7th Ave., Hoboken, NJ 07030
Monmouth Beach Food Truck Takeover
October 1 at 1 PM
Some of the best food trucks from the Jersey Shore will be at this event. There will also be a beer garden, bouncy slides, face painting, and more for the whole family. Dogs are welcome, too.
Cost: Free
29 Ocean Avenue, Monmouth Beach, NJ 07750
Mission Gratitude Touch-a-Truck
October 1 at 10 AM
From fire trucks and police cars to rescue vehicles and Army trucks, there will be tons of vehicles for your little ones to touch and look at. Enjoy face painting, food, music, and more—all free.
Cost: Free
390 NJ-10, Randolph, NJ 07869
Blackwood Pumpkin Festival
October 1 at 11 AM
The 30th Annual Pumpkin Festival kickoffs the celebration of all things fall. There will be over 200 vendors, crafts, pumpkin painting, scarecrow building, and fun for the whole family. The rain date is October 8.
Cost: Free
Mainstage Center For The Arts, 27 S Black Horse Pike, Blackwood, NJ 08012
Pumpkin Patch Train Ride
October 1
All aboard the Pumpkin Patch Train Rides with the Whippany Railway Museum. The trains are decked out in spooky season decor, and you will get a glimpse of the leaves as they begin to change before stopping at the pumpkin patch, where you will find pumpkins, photo ops, and more.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Whippany Railway Museum, 1 Railroad Plaza, Whippany, NJ 07981
Fall Apple Fest
October 1 at 11 AM
It’s time to join the villagers in celebrating the harvest and try your hand at apple cider pressing and entering the apple pie baking contest. There will also be live animals, music, a stilt walker, and a wood carver.
Cost: $8 for adults, $4 for kids 3-12, free for kids 2 & under
The Historic Village at Allaire, 4263 Atlantic Avenue, Wall Township, NJ 07727
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