Fall has officially entered the chat, and so have a bunch of seasonal, kid-friendly things to do this weekend guaranteed to give you all the fall feels. Get ready for fall with hayrides, farm animals, pedal carts, a “Big Top” themed corn maze, and more at the Great Pumpkin Festival in Vernon, raise a stein for German-themed goodness with “Oktober das Oktopus,” live entertainment, kids’ activities, and more at the lively Oktoberfest on Morey’s Piers in Wildwood, or get the whole gang together for a day filled with a classic car show, helicopter landing, food trucks, a scavenger hunt, and so much more at Sussex County Day in Augusta. Want more fun and FREE activities? Check out our guide to everything FREE this month. (featured photo credit: istock/emholk)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
Fright Fest at Six Flags Great Adventure
Select nights starting September 13
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 $65
1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson, NJ 08527
Holland Ridge Fall Flower Festival
Starting September 13
Come for fall flower picking, pumpkin picking, and plenty of adorable photo ops. Special weekends include a Food Truck Weekend, a Fall Craft and Live Music Festival, and a Family Fun Weekend.
Cost: $15 per person ages 3 and up
86 Rues Road, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514
Boots at the Beach
September 13-14
It’s a music fest at the beach along Olde New Jersey Avenue, featuring live country music, merchandise vendors, dancing, crafts, and food.
Cost: Free
Old New Jersey Ave., North Wildwood, NJ 08260
Oktoberfest at Morey’s Piers
September 13-15
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
Township of Monroe Fall Arts & Crafts Festival
September 14 at 10 AM
With 80+ vendors, including food trucks, bounce houses, face painting, a petting zoo, and more, this is the place to be. Enjoy the beautiful September weather with the family and usher in fall at the festival.
Cost: Free
Pfeiffer Community Center, 301 Blue Bell Road, Williamstown, NJ 08094
Haddon Township Fall Festival
September 14 at 12 PM
Bring your crew to a fun-filled day of games, a wing-eating contest, live entertainment, food trucks, and more. Ready for fall? Come take part in the apple pie-baking contest. The street fair will be from 12 to 6 PM, and the jam fest will be at 1 PM.
Cost: Free
West Park Boulevard and Crystal Lake Avenue, Haddon Township, NJ 08108
Elmwood Park Community Day With Fireworks
September 14 at 11 AM
It’s always a good time for fireworks—spend the day playing games and having fun, then capping the night off with booms in the sky. From live music to free rides, vendors, and more, this is an event you won’t want to miss.
Cost: Free
Borough Park, Mola Boulevard, Elmwood Park, NJ 07407
Jersey City Latin Jazz Festival
September 14 at 1 PM
This one-day celebration is the perfect way to spend the day outside with the family. Live music, classic Latin Jazz, Salsa dancing, and food will be there.
Cost: Free
Exchange Place, 10 Exchange Place, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Wind and Sea Festival
September 14 at 11 AM
Come to celebrate all things water where the whole fam can enjoy coastal activities, including kayaking, fishing, kite flying, crabbing, sandcastle building, seining, shelling, children’s crafts, naturalist activities, and food vendors.
Cost: Free
Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth, NJ 07758
Morristown Jazz and Blues Festival
September 14 at 12 PM
See a variety of artists perform on the Morristown Green. Don’t forget your lawn chairs and blankets. This event is rain or shine.
Cost: Free
Morristown Green, Morristown, NJ 07960
Manasquan Bank Presents 10th Annual Community Day 2024
September 14 at 11 AM
This family-friendly festival will have carnival games, arts and crafts, amusements, and food and refreshments. The Manasquan Bank management team will be on the grills and serve hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, and more.
Cost: Free
Squan Plaza in downtown Manasquan, NJ 08736
Great Pumpkin Festival
Starting September 14
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. New this year is a Baseball Speed Throw.
Cost: $14.99-$21.99 online & $19.99-$21.99 at the door
451 State Route 94, Vernon, NJ 07462
VonThun Farms Fall Festival
Weekends starting September 14
Bring the family to the Fall Festival with over 20 all-ages activities in two locations—play fall-themed games, go on one of the hayrides, take a challenge through 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
Smithville Artwalk
September 14 at 10 AM
Introduce kids to art and artists by spending the day exploring art from 75 vendors while enjoying music, entertainment, contests, and special guests. The rain date is September 15.
Cost: Free
Historic Smithville Village, 615 E. Moss Mill Road, Galloway, NJ 08205
Happy Day Farm Fall Festival
Starting September 14
Weekends are full of autumnal fun at Happy Day with activities like an animal zoo, Snoopy corn maze, horse swings, pedal carts, and all of 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
106 Iron Ore Road, Manalapan, NJ 07726
Terhune Orchards Fall Family Fun Weekends
Starting September 14-15
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
Downbeach Seafood Festival
September 14-15
Have a fan of seafood in the family? Head to this festival, where you will find delicious food, vendors, live music, and more.
Cost: $10 per person in advance and $15 at the gate; kids under 12 are free
North Dorset Avenue & Burk Avenue, Ventnor City, NJ 08406
Newark Puerto Rican Day Parade and Boricua Music Festival
September 15 at 12 PM
Don’t miss the 63rd Puerto Rican Day parade with performances, entertainment, and much more.
Cost: Free
Lower Broadway (Avenida Puerto Rico) via Bloomfield Avenue and run up to 1st Avenue, Newark, NJ 07105
Sussex County Day
September 15 at 12 PM
Get the whole gang together for a day filled with a classic car show, helicopter landing, food trucks, a scavenger hunt, and so much more.
Cost: Free
Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Rd, Augusta, NJ 07822
Fanny Wood Day
September 15 at 10 AM
With plenty of kid activities, you can find fun for the day. Events include a bandstand, a kids’ stage featuring local bands, Rogue the Magician, a bubble gum contest, kiddie rides, and a scavenger hunt.
Cost: Free
Downtown Fanwood, NJ 07023
Ongoing Event
Swim Clinic at First Star Swim School – Eatontown
Fridays starting September 13 at 5:30 PM
Starting September 13, our program is designed to help swimmers focus on stroke technique, build endurance, and improve starts and turns. Learn about distance and stroke counting, and understand the rules and regulations for competitive swimming—all in a supportive team atmosphere. This is 8 weeks of swimming, and pre-registration is required to secure a spot in this program.
Cost: $259 per student
1 Corbett Way #2, Eatontown, NJ 07724
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