Fall is hitting its stride, and we’ve got lots of family-friendly ways to get the fall feels this weekend. Jam to live music at the Pine Barrens Jamboree in Waretown, see intricately carved pumpkins at the Skylands Stadium Jack O’Lantern Experience in Augusta or put on your lederhosen for New Brunswick’s 4th Annual Oktoberfest in New Brunswick. Want more to do this October? Our guide to fall activities in NJ will keep everyone busy all season. (featured photo taken at Skylands Stadium Jack O’Lantern Experience)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events)
Newark Arts Fest
October 6-9 10 AM
The Newark Arts Festival (“NAF”) will celebrate “Artful Healing” this Fall NAF to showcase Newark’s dynamic and diverse arts and culture sector. This year, they are partnering with The Newark Museum of Art, which will host an exciting group exhibition, “Artful Healing.”
NAF Headquarters, 33 Washington Street Newark, NJ 07102
Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten’s 7th Annual Oktoberfest
October 7-9
Dance to polka music at this lively spot where you’ll experience all the tastes and sounds of a traditional Oktoberfest atop their festive rooftop Biergarten.
527 Lake Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712
LBI Fly International Kite Fest
October 7-9
Soak up the last of the summer fun at this kite festival with colorful artist-designed kites, giant inflatables, and sport kiting all along the beach.
Cost: Free
Long Beach Island, NJ
Oktoberfest at Morey’s Piers
October 7-9
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
(609) 729-3700
Lima Bean Festival
October 8 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
Ocean City Fall Block Party
October 8 at 9 AM
Come out to Ocean City to see hundreds of crafters and vendors line Asbury Avenue from 5th Street to 14th street with products and entertainment. There will also be live music all day.
Cost: Free
Asbury Avenue from 5th Street to 14th Street, Ocean City, NJ 08226
Pine Barrens Jamboree
October 8 at 10 AM
Take a trip to the Pine Barrens for this lively festival featuring Music of the Pines, cultural demonstrations, nature and history programs, food, vendors, and fun for the whole family.
Cost: Free
905 Wells Mills Rd. (Rt 532) Waretown, NJ 08758
Sussex County’ Last Blast’ Food Truck and Music Festival
October 8 at 11 AM
It’s all about food trucks, arts, and live music at this last blast of an outdoor fun event. Bring your family and dog, and don’t forget your blankets and chairs.
Cost: $5
Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta, NJ 07822
Westfield Street Fair & Craft Show
October 8 at 11 AM
Come to Westfield to see artists, crafters, a live band, and vendors and sample different kinds of food.
Cost: Free
Westfield Downtown Westfield, NJ 07090
2022 World Diversity Day Children’s Festival
October 8 at 1 PM
Explore diverse ethnicities, abilities, and identities in a festival free and open to the public. There will be interactive programs and activities ideal for ages 5-10, plus opportunities for adults to connect with community resources.
Cost: Free
Lake Topanemus Park Pond Road Freehold, NJ 07728
Pack the Park
October 8 at 2 PM
Head to the park for an art show, car show, live music, and beer garden all in one place this October in Gloucester City.
Cost: Free
Proprietors Park, 225 S. King Street, Gloucester City, NJ 08030
West Milford Autumn Lights Fest
October 8
This is one of North Jersey’s largest street fairs with over 300 vendors, live music, children’s activities, games, and rides.
Cost: Free
1490 Union Valley Road, West Milford, NJ 07480
Forest Lodge Oktoberfest
October 8
Celebrate Oktoberfest in New Jersey by putting together your “Wies’n” feast with beers, wines, and mouth-watering German foods, like wurst. Don’t miss the authentic German entertainment and decor.
11 Reinman Road, Warren, NJ 07059
(908) 293-7975
The Craft Show at Oktoberfest
October 8
This Oktoberfest has enough fun for the whole family, and you can also get a head start on holiday shopping with over 75 makers and crafters offering handmade wares.
38 Park St., Demarest, NJ 07627
Turkey Brook Park Oktoberfest
October 8
A day-long family-friendly event where you can listen to live music, peruse vendors, watch German dancing, and grab a traditional lager from Jersey Girl Brewers. Kids will love the pony rides, sliding down the inflatables, and playing games.
Turkey Brook Park, 30 Flanders Road, Budd Lake, NJ 07828
South Jersey Pumpkin Show Fall Festival
October 8-9
This pumpkin show has it all—artists and craftsman, rides, live entertainment, ponies and hayrides, a pumpkin pageant, and a Fall Home and Garden Show.
Cost: Free admission, parking is $5
Salem County Fairground, 760 Harding Hwy, Woodstown, NJ 08098
Stafford Fall Festival
September 8-9
Celebrate the season with hayrides, food and craft vendors, scarecrow making, pumpkin picking, a wine festival, and even a Halloween parade at noon.
Cost: Free
Route 9 and Lakeshore Drive, Manahawkin, NJ 08050
Town of Newton 7th Annual Fall Festival and Car Show
October 9 at 11 AM
Check out the vintage cars, along with vendors, live music, and seasonal foods.
Spring Street Spring Street, Newton, NJ 07860
Wildwoods Food and Music Festival
October 9 at 11 AM
Formerly known as the Wildwoods Seafood and Music Festival. The Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce presents a Food and Music Street Fair with food, music, shopping, a pie-eating contest, and kids’ activities.
Downtown Wildwood at Byrne Plaza along Pacific Avenue between Oak and Schellenger Avenues
12th Annual Diwali Mela- Festival of Lights
October 9 at 12 PM
Bring the family to experience cultural performances, try Indian cuisine, and see live entertainment. There are activities for the kids too.
Buchmuller Park, 150 Plaza Center Secaucus, NJ 07094
Barrio Fest
October 9 at 12 PM
October is Filipino American History Month, and in partnership with the Filipino School of New York & New Jersey and Horizon, they will host the first annual Barrio Fest. There will be food, music, and performances.
Cost: Free, but donations are welcome.
Veterans Memorial Park New Bridge Road (Brey Lane) Bergenfield, NJ 07621
New Brunswick’s 4th Annual Oktoberfest
October 9 at 12 PM
Dress up in festive German attire and enjoy local and traditional food, music, games, activities, vendors, and drinks for the adults.
Monument Square Park, George St & Livingston Ave New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Ongoing Events
Skylands Stadium Jack O’ Lantern Experience
Now-November 6
It’s Halloween fun for all when you see over 6000 impressive and intricately carved Jack O’Lanterns take over Skylands Stadium. 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
Halloween Trick-or-Treat Train at DiDonato’s
Now-October 23
Take a train ride through a kid-friendly Halloween Town, try the Halloween corn maze, or pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch. Don’t miss the giant slide, inflatable obstacle course, photo ops, and more.
Cost: $15.95 per person or $17.95 at the door
1151 S White Horse Pike, Hammonton, NJ 08037
Holland Ridge Fall Flower Festival
Now-October 23
Come for fall flower picking, pumpkin picking, and photo ops galore. Special weekends include a Food Truck Weekend, Fall Craft & Live Music Festival, and a Family Fun weekend.
Cost: $13 per person ages 3 and up
86 Rues Road, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514
Ort Farms Fall Festival
Now-October 23
It’s opening weekend to pick your own apples, take the sunflower trail, wander through the corn maze, and don’t miss the apple cannon.
Cost: $10 per person; 2 and under are free
25 Bartley Rd, Long Valley, NJ 07853
Snyder’s Farm Fall Kickoff and Fall Festival
Now-October 23
Step out this season to a corn maze, pumpkin picking, fire pits, comfort food, and even a horror movie at night (for older kids and adults).
Cost: $15 for the movie night, $18 for the fall festival, and under age 2 is free
586 South Middlebush Road, Somerset, NJ 08873H
Zeppelin Hall Oktoberfest
Now-October 24
During this almost-a-full-month-long celebration, they’re serving Oktoberfest beer, Bavarian dishes, and pretzels – with kid-friendly options like burgers and mac and cheese. On weekends, your whole family can relax and enjoy the live German bands that play from 2 PM to 7 PM (on both days) on stage.
88 Liberty View Dr., Jersey City, NJ 07302
Terhune Orchards Fall Family Fun Weekends
Now-October 29-30
Get all the fall feels at Terhune with their adventure barn, live music, pony rides, pumpkin picking, duck races, and pick-your-own opportunities.
Cost: A variety of packages are available
330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
Argos Farm Festival
Now-October 30
Visit the pumpkin patch, Double Hay Slide, Bee Zip Line, Jumbo Jumper Air Pillow, Gauntlet Obstacle Course, Cow Train Rides, Peddle Carts, Ball Zone, Wall Ball, Checkers, Corn Hole, and so much more.
Cost: $13.95 and up during the week and $16.95 and up on weekends
1250 Lacey Rd, Forked River, NJ 08731
Happy Day Farm Fall Festival
Now-October 30
Spend the day at Happy Day going from giant checkers to an inflatable corn maze, horse swings to pedal carts, and all of the fall fun you can imagine in one place during their annual fall festival.
Cost: $24 per person
106 Iron Ore Road, Manalapan, NJ 07726
Fall Festival Weekends at Von Thun Farms
Now-October 30
Two locations are full of fall fun for the whole family, with pumpkin picking, corn mazes, hayrides, corn cannons, and apple blasters. Events may vary by location.
Cost: $16.99-$17.99 and up, depending on location and package
505 Ridge Road, Dayton, NJ 08810
438 Route 57 West, Washington, NJ 07882
Sunflower September & Fall Festivals at Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm
Now-October 30
Sunflowers and fall fun will fill the weekends at Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm until the end of October.
Cost: $12.95
2691 Monmouth Road, Jobstown, NJ 08041
Donaldson Farms Fall Harvest Weekends
Now-October 30 and October 10
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
20th Anniversary Fall Festival
Now-October 30
It’s the 20th Anniversary, and it’s time to celebrate at the 10 Acre corn maze at Lentini Farms. There will be live bands and food trucks every weekend. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for Saturday, October 8, for a fireworks show at 9 PM.
Cost: $3-$4 online or $4-$5 at the gate
251 High Street, Newton, NJ 07860
Haunted Wild West Fest
Now-October 30
Come during the day or dare 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.
Cost: $24.50 and up for the daytime and $18 online, and $20 at the gate for nighttime
50 Lackawanna Drive, Stanhope, NJ 07874
Diggerfest Fall Festival
Weekends in September-October
Pumpkins are starting to pop up all over Diggerland, USA. Enjoy hayrides, live music, carnival games, pumpkin decorating, fall parades, and more.
Cost: $45.95
100 Pineadge Drive, West Berlin, NJ 08091
Fright Fest at Six Flags Great Adventure
Now-October 31
Haunted Houses, Scare Zones, and Rides in the Dark can only mean one thing—Fright Fest is back. This spooky event will keep older kids and adults on their toes (recommended for ages 13 and over). Enter if you dare!
Cost: Starting at $34.99
1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson, NJ 08527
Haunt O’Ween at Bell Works
Now-October 31, dates and times vary
Explore over 200,000 square feet at this interactive Halloween playground. Go trick-or-treating in the Town of Haunt O’ Ween, walk through thousands of pumpkins, play games, hop on rides, get your face painted, and enjoy food and drinks.
Cost: Tickets start at $40
101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
Great Pumpkin Festival
Now-November 6
Head to Heaven Hill Farm for this 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-$22.99
451 State Route 94, Vernon, NJ 07462
RWJBarnabas Health Events
My First Cooking Class in Hannah’s Kitchen
October 8 at 9:30 AM
Join us in-person or virtually for this hands-on cooking class for ages 4-7 with a parent/guardian/loved one present. Even the pickiest of eaters will learn to love their veggies in this fun and interactive class.
Cost: Free
Online or Rev. Dr. Ronald B. Christian Community Health and Wellness Center at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, 208 Lyons Ave., Newark, NJ 07112
Taste Testers in Hannah’s Kitchen
October 8 at 11 AM
Join us in-person or virtually for this mommy and me style healthy cooking class for ages 2-4
with a parent/grandparent/loved one.
Cost: Free
Virtual or Rev. Dr. Ronald B. Christian Community Health and Wellness Center at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, 208 Lyons Ave., Newark, NJ 07112
2022 Walk N’ Roll
October 9 at 10 AM
Gather the kids, lace up your kicks, and team up for the 16th Annual Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation Walk n’ Roll. Support children facing unique health challenges at this fun-filled event with a new location at Colonial Park in Somerset this year. Register as a virtual walker too.
Registration Fee: There is no registration fee, but with each fundraising milestone, you are eligible to receive incentive prizes for that level
Colonial Park, 156 Mettlers Road, Somerset, NJ 08873
Healthy Kids in Hannah’s Kitchen
October 11 at 4:30 PM
Come in person or join virtually for this hands-on cooking for ages 8-12. Your child will learn how to cook with nutritious ingredients, how to read a recipe, kitchen safety tips, measuring techniques, and learn knife skills.
Cost: Free
Online or Rev. Dr. Ronald B. Christian Community Health and Wellness Center at Newark Beth Israel
Medical Center, 208 Lyons Ave., Newark, NJ 07112
Teen Takeover Cook-along: Pumpkin Spice Lattes (in-person)
October 12 at 6:30 PM
Join Ms. Jenn for a hands-on cooking class in the WEforum Demonstration kitchen, where we’ll have fun recreating a healthy pumpkin spice latte!
Cost: Free
LiveWell Center, 200 Wyckoff Rd. Suite 1200, Eatontown, NJ 07724
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