It’s officially spooky szn, and we’re ready to celebrate with tons of FREE family fun this month. Everyone in your crew will have a blast with food trucks, live music, a dunk tank, The Duck Derby, and so much more at the Hightstown Harvest Fest, soak up the last of summer fun with colorful artist-designed kites, fun flying giant inflatable kites, and sport kiting all along the beach at the LBI International Kite Festival, or take part in all the Halloween festivities throughout the state. And for more seasonal things to do, check out everything fall on our bucket list. (Featured Photo Credit: iStock/Thomas De Wever)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events)
Tiny Tot Halloween Weekend
October 4-6
Have little ones who aren’t into Halloween scares? Bring your smallest ghouls for a fun time of treats, costumes, and celebrating Halloween.
Cost: Free
Sun Outdoors, 491 US Route 9 South, Cape May, NJ 08204
Jersey City Night Market
October 5 at 3 PM
Celebrate the last night market of the season with this event, where the vibe is full of energy. Eat delicious and international food, shop from local artists and artisans, and dance to DJ music. The best part? Bring your fur friends with you.
Cost: Free
179 Montgomery Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302
JC Harvest Fest
October 5 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
North Brunswick Heritage Day
October 5 at 3 PM
It’s the 40th 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 6.
Cost: Free
Community Park, 2051 Route 130, North Brunswick Township, NJ 08902
Ridgefield Park Downtown Street Fair
October 5 at 11 AM
Head to this lively fair with music, dancing, karate demonstrations, and The Kids Zone, a section dedicated to children with kiddie bounce rides, slides, interactive blow-ups, face painters, sand art, and kids’ games.
Cost: Free
234 Main Street, Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660
Hightstown Harvest Fair
October 5 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
Fall Festival
October 5 at 11 AM
If you’re looking for a place to celebrate all things fall, look no further. This fall festival will feature pumpkin carving, events and games, delicious food, face painting, and more.
Cost: Free
Bob’s Garden Center, 6610 East Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
Annual Cranberry Fest
October 5-6
It’s the 34th 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
Historic Smithville Oktoberfest
October 5-6
Get the whole family ready for a family-friendly Oktoberfest with over 100 juried crafters, an International food court, live music, kids’ activities, non-profit organizations, and more. The Village’s shops, train and carousel rides, paddle boats, eateries, and antique arcades will also be open.
Cost; Free
Route 9 and Moss Mill Road, Smithville, NJ 08205
LBI Fly International Kite Fest
October 11-12
Soak up the last of summer fun at this kite festival with colorful artist-designed kites, fun flying giant inflatable kites, and sport kiting all along the beach.
Cost: Free
Long Beach Island, NJ
2nd Annual Bark Bash
October 12 at 10 AM
Head to the 2nd annual event, which will benefit the Associated Humane Societies and Popcorn Park Animal Refuge. Vendors, kids’ crafts, live music, adoptable dogs, and more will be there.
Cost: Free
Calgo Gardens, 462 Adelphia-Farmingdale Road Howell, 462 Adelphia Rd, Freehold, NJ 07728
Lima Bean Festival
October 12 at 9 AM
West Cape May will celebrate the area’s farming heritage with the Annual Lima Bean Festival in the Borough’s Backyard Park. Learn about a vast array of recipes and crafts and purchase products.
Cost: Free
732 Broadway, West Cape May, NJ 08204
Fall Festival and Riverfront Car Show
October 12 at 1 PM
This October, head to the park in Gloucester City for an art show, car show, live music, and beer garden all in one place.
Cost: Free
Proprietors Park, 225 S. King Street, Gloucester City, NJ 08030
Fall Block Party and Fireworks Spectacular
October 12 at 9 AM
With over 400 crafters, food vendors, music, and tons of fun for the whole family, this is one event you won’t want to miss. At night, there will be fireworks over the boardwalk from 6th Street to 14th Street.
Cost: Free
Asbury Avenue, Ocean City, NJ 08226
GBBPA Berlin Boro Fall Fest
October 12 at 10 AM
Looking for something fun to do with the fam? Head to this 13th-annual event featuring vendors, crafters, food trucks, antique cars, and tons of fun. Don’t miss the Mutt Strut dog costume parade.
Cost: Free
Berlin Boro County Park, 43 S. Park Drive, Berlin, NJ 08009
Pack the Park
October 12 at 1 PM
Grab your crew and spend the day at the park for an art show, car show, live music, and beer garden all in one place.
Cost: Free
Proprietors Park, 225 S. King Street, Gloucester City, NJ 08030
Harvest Fest
October 12 at 12 PM
Get a head start on your Halloween celebration with a full day of family fun, including a corn maze and food trucks, apple cider, a petting zoo, and pumpkin painting.
Cost: Free
Bubbling Springs Park, 1468 Macopin Road, West Milford, NJ 07480
Somerset County’s Journey Through The Past
October 12-13
Learn about the history of Somerset County and find out what life was like 100 years ago by visiting sites and museums and entering to win great prizes from local stores. Download the activities guide to explore museums and events.
Cost: Free
20 Grove Street, Somerville, NJ 08876
Allentown Fall Festival
October 12-13 at 10 AM
This adorable town will be decorated for all things fall for this festival. It will be packed with fun, including food trucks, live music, a kids zone, line dancing, a beer garden, and more, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Cost: Free
Historic Village of Allentown, Allentown, NJ 08501
Annual Sussex County Harvest, Honey, and Garlic Festival
October 19 at 10 AM
Celebrate the fall harvest at this event, where Garden State Garlic Growers and the Sussex County Beekeepers will have educational displays, materials, and an array of honey and garlic products. There will also be local artisans, crafters, hayrides, pumpkin painting, face painting, and crafts.
Cost: Free
Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta, NJ, 07822
Bloomfield Harvest Festival
October 19 at 11 AM
This exciting event is one you definitely won’t want to miss. You’ll find many ways to celebrate the season, including delicious food, live music, carnival games, and fun for the whole family.
Cost: Free
Glenwood Avenue & Washington Street, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Historic Smithville’s Costume Pet Parade
October 19
Have a furry member of your family that you love dressing up? Or maybe you want to match them this Halloween? Then this is the event for you. Bring your pet and dress them in their Halloween best, and check out all the cute costumes.
Cost: Free
Historic Smithville, Route 9 & Moss Mill Road, Smithville, NJ 08205
Chatsworth Cranberry Festival
October 19-20
Bring out the family to peruse a juried craft show, shop from over 150 vendors, taste cranberry foods, and enjoy live music.
Cost: Free
3980 Main Street, Chatsworth, NJ 08019
New Jersey Botanical Garden Harvest Fest
October 22 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, free garden tours, and many photo ops.
Cost: Free Admission
Morris Road, Ringwood, NJ 07456
Safe Kids Halloween Celebration
October 22 at 3:30 PM
Join the Safe Kids Coalition of Monmouth County at the LiveWell Center to decorate pumpkins and make spooky crafts as we teach our kids how to be safe and seen this Halloween! Children ages 3-10 are welcome to attend; dress up in your Halloween costume for some extra fun. Healthy, spooky snacks will be provided to attendees.
Cost: Free
LiveWell Center, 200 Wyckoff Rd. Suite 1200, Eatontown, NJ 07724
Sponsoring Facility: Monmouth Medical Center and Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus
Seacaucus Halloween Spooktacular
October 23 at 4:30 PM
Come dressed in your Halloween costume and take part in a fun trick or treat while taking a photo with all the Halloween decor, hear a spooky story, and decorate delicious cupcakes.
Cost: Free
Secaucus Public Library, 1379 Paterson Plank Rd, Secaucus, NJ 07094
Princeton’s Annual Hometown Halloween Parade
October 25 at 5:15 PM
Dress your little ones in their Halloween costumes and participate in this lively hometown parade. This tradition will start at Palmer Square Green with a Halloween-themed performance by kids’ favorite storyteller, Jeff, and will make its way to the YMCA with circus entertainment and free family fun.
Cost: Free
Palmer Square, 1 Palmer Square East, Princeton, NJ 08542
Outdoor Spooky Movie Night On The Square
October 25 at 6 PM
This family-friendly movie night features The Addams Family with some hot chocolate and popcorn. Feel free to bring your furry friends.
Cost: Free
Haddon Square, 51 Haddon Avenue, Haddon Township, NJ 08108
Spooky Dance Party
October 26 at 12:30 PM
Get in the Halloween spirit with a fun dance party with Wednesday Addams. Come dressed in your favorite costume and get ready for all the spooky vibes.
Cost: Free
Casino Pier Breakwater Beach, 800 Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
Bay Head Halloween Parade & Costume Contest
October 26 at 11 AM
Dress up in your Halloween costume and walk in the parade before entering the costume contest. Once the participants from each age group are seen, medals will be awarded for the best costumes. P.S. Dress up with your little one for a chance to win an award.
Cost: Free
Mount Street, Bay Head, NJ 08742
Boo At The Zoo
October 26 at 10 AM
Get those costumes ready—this Halloween celebration will include games, a kids’ costume contest and parade, a pirate ship, craft stations, and a performance by the Cape May Dancers.
Cost: Free
Cape May County Park & Zoo, 707 Route 9 North, Middle Township, NJ 08210
Halloween Parade
October 26 at 7 PM
Each year, hundreds of kids dress in their favorite Halloween costumes and parade down Main Street. The fun parade includes marching bands, cheerleaders, princesses, and firemen.
Cost: Free
St. Mary of the Lakes School, 196 NJ-70, Medford, NJ 08055
4th Annual Trunk-Or-Treat
October 26 at 10 AM
Come out for this annual event where your little ones can go car to car, taking in the decorations and filling their bags with candy. Dress up in costume to add to the fun.
Cost: Free
Prestige Family of Dealerships, 4271 Black Horse Pike, Washington Township, NJ 08012
27th Garfield Fall Family Street Fest
October 27 at 10 AM
It’s a giant block party with shopping, craft vendors, live entertainment, rides, games, food, and more. The “Kidz Traveling Shindig” will have kiddie bounce rides, slides and interactive blow-ups, face painters, sand art, and games.
Cost: Free
500 Midland Avenue, Garfield, NJ 07026
Toms River Halloween Parade
October 31 at 7 PM
The 85th year of this parade, started by the Toms River Fire Department in 1919 (with a few gaps over the years), is one for the books. Dress warm, line up to see the fantastic costumes that parade down the street, and take in all the Halloween celebrations.
Cost: Free
Main Street & Highland Parkway, Toms River, NJ 08753
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