It’s fall, y’all, and with so many October festivals this month that savor the season, we’re all in for family fun. See over 6,000 Jack O’Lanterns take over Skylands Stadium for some Halloween fun at the Jack O’Lantern Experience in Augusta, enjoy vendors, entertainment, and an art contest during the day, followed by live music and fireworks after the sun goes down at the Heritage Day in North Brunswick, or spend the day with games, a kids’ costume contest and parade, crafts and entertainment at Boo At The Zoo in Cape May. And for fun without breaking the bank, make sure you check out our guide to free things to do this month, too. (featured photo credit: NJ Mom taken at Skylands Stadium)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
Happy Day Farm Fall Festival
Select days through October
Weekends are full of autumnal fun at Happy Day, with activities like an animal zoo, the U.S. Army’s 250th Anniversary-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 Pumpkinville House for photo ops.
Cost: $27 per person; purchase weekend tickets online.
106 Iron Ore Road, Manalapan, NJ 07726
Lentini Farms Fall Festival
October 2-25
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. They will be hosting two fireworks shows at dusk.
Cost: Prices vary
Route 94 South, 251 High Street, Newton, NJ 07860
Skylands Stadium Jack O’ Lantern Experience
October 2-31, select days
See over 6,000 Jack O’Lanterns take over Skylands Stadium for some Halloween fun. Enjoy a 45-minute walk-through experience, plus a family-friendly fall festival with rides, vendors, and food.
Cost: $19 and up
94 Championship Place, Augusta, NJ 07822
Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm Fall Extravaganza
Saturdays and Sundays, October 3-31
Enjoy a jam-packed day full of family fun with live music, a delectable Farmhouse Grill, Food Trucks, and a wine-tasting experience with Tomasello Winery. Indulge in 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
Weekends October 3-31
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
VonThun Farms Fall Festival
Weekends October 3-31
Bring the family to the Fall Festival for over 20 all-ages activities in two locations—play fall-themed games, go on a hayride, 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; parking is free.
519 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852
438 Route 57 West, Washington Township, NJ 07882
Donaldson Farms Fall Harvest Weekends
Weekends October 3-31
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
Spooky Wild West City
Daytime events start on October 3; the night events begin on October 2
Come during the day for a spooktacular, family-friendly good time with live-action dramatizations by historical characters and demonstrations from period artisans. Kids can dress up for the costume contest, trick-or-treating, and helping the Marshal track down the notorious Headless Horseman Gang. Beware— the Wicked Witch of the Wild West is coming. At night, things get scarier for ages 12 and up at the Haunted Wild West Fest.
Cost: $24.50 and up for the daytime, $18 online, and $20 at the gate for nighttime
50 Lackawanna Drive, Stanhope, NJ 07874
JC Harvest Fest
October 3 at 10 AM
Bring your crew to this lively fall fest, with 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
Snyder’s Farm Fall Festival
Weekends starting October 3 through October 25
Step out this season to a corn maze, pumpkin picking, fire pits, comfort food, and more. Snyder’s has everything you need to get in a fall mood.
Cost: $18, and under age two is free
586 South Middlebush Road, Somerset, NJ 08873
North Brunswick Heritage Day
October 3 at 3 PM
It’s the 44th Annual North Brunswick Heritage Day at Community Park, with vendors, entertainment, and an art contest. After the evening band performance, fireworks will follow.
Cost: Free
Community Park, 2051 Route 130, North Brunswick Township, NJ 08902
Ridgefield Park Music Fest & Street Fair
October 3 at 10 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
Atlantic Highlands Oktoberfest
October 3
At this Oktoberfest event, you can see Oompa Bands and dancers, try authentic German food, or participate in stein-holding or costume contests. The rain date is October 4.
Veterans Park, 51 Bay Ave., Highlands, NJ 07732
Edelweiss Passaic Oktoberfest
October 3
Get on your lederhosen and drindls at this Bavarian Oktoberfest buffet with a live German band, dancing, and Bavarian entertainment.
Cost: $47 per ticket
1 Perrin Avenue, Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442
The Craft Show at Oktoberfest
October 3
This Oktoberfest has enough fun for the whole family with tables of makers and crafters offering handmade wares. Don’t miss out on the live music, food, and canoe rides on the pond.
Cost: Free
Demarest Duck Pond, 24 Park Street, Demarest, NJ 07627
Annual Cranberry Fest
October 3-4
Spend time at the 36th 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
Annual Wheaton Festival of Fine Craft
October 3-4 at 10 AM
This two-day event will host a collection of 150 artists exhibiting and selling their handcrafted works of art. The whole family can experience crafting demonstrations or create hands-on family art activities. Live music, specialty food trucks, a beer garden, and the WheatonArts signature Glass Pumpkin Fundraiser will be on hand.
Cost: $12 for adults, $11 for senior adults, $7 for students, and 5 and under are free
1000 Village Drive, Millville, NJ 08332
Historic Smithville Oktoberfest
October 3-4 at 10 AM
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 Villages 60 Shoppes, train and carousel rides, paddle boats, 7 Eateries, and antique arcades will also be open.
Cost: Free
Route 9 and Moss Mill Road, Smithville, NJ 08205
Deutscher Club of Clark Oktoberfest
October 3-4
Prost! At this German club, one of the largest in North America, you’ll sample authentic German fare, including brats, spaetzle, and schnitzel, and enjoy German beers alongside traditional bands and festive games.
Cost:$10
787 Featherbed Lane, Clark, NJ 07066
Annual Amazing Pumpkin Carve
October 8-11
See amazing carvings and Jack-O’-Lanterns at this 11th annual event, where local artists will carve pumpkins weighing over 150 pounds. The event will also feature live music, fire pits with storytellers, face and mini-pumpkin painting, food trucks, and a beer garden.
Cost: $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, $8 for kids under 18, and kids in strollers are free.
Needle Creek Brewery, 91 Titus Mill Road, Pennington, NJ 08534
LBI Fly International Kite Fest
October 9-10
Soak up the last of summer fun at this kite festival with colorful, artist-designed kites, giant inflatable kites, and sport kiting along the beach.
Cost: Free
Long Beach Island, NJ
Forest Lodge Oktoberfest
October 10
Celebrate Oktoberfest in New Jersey by putting together your “Wies’n” feast with beer, wine, and mouth-watering German foods like wurst. Don’t miss the authentic German entertainment and decor.
Cost: Tickets range from $12-$33 each.
11 Reinman Road, Warren, NJ 07059
Turkey Brook Park Oktoberfest
October 10-11
Bring your crew to this day-long, family-friendly event to listen to live music, browse vendors, and play plenty of games. Kids will love the hay rides and sliding down the inflatables.
Cost: $5 for adults; kids 17 and under are free.
Turkey Brook Park, 30 Flanders Road, Budd Lake, NJ 07828
Glen Rock Street Fair and Craft Show
October 11 at 11 AM
Bring your crew to this street festival, with artists, crafters, a live band, vendors, food, and fun.
Cost: Free
Downtown Glen Rock, NJ 07452
Gardens Aglow at Essex County Presby Memorial Iris Gardens
October 16 at 6 PM
Looking for something unique to do? Head to this event where you can view the gardens at dusk as they come to life with artfully jack-o-lanterns, grab a glass of cider at sunset, take part in activities, watch a mad science show, and more. Rain date is October 17.
Cost: Free
Presby Memorial Iris Gardens, 474 Upper Mountain Ave, Montclair, NJ 07043
Edison’s Fall Family Spectacular
October 17 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
Annual Sussex County Harvest, Honey, and Garlic Festival
October 17 at 10 AM
Celebrate the fall harvest at this event, where Garden State Garlic Growers and the Sussex County Beekeepers will host educational displays and materials, along with an array of honey and garlic products. Local artisans, crafters, hayrides, pumpkin painting, face painting, and crafts will also be available.
Cost: Free
Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta, NJ, 07822
New Jersey Oyster Festival
October 17 at 12 PM
Join local oyster purveyors and vote for your favorite bivalve for the People’s Choice Award. The festival will also feature local food trucks, a shucking contest, vendors, and live music.
Cost: $30
2800 High Street, Port Norris, NJ 08349
Halloween Book Fair & Market
October 17 at 12 PM
This market is such a fun way to get out and about to celebrate the fall season. There will be live music, tarot readings, kids’ activities, Halloween photo ops, and delicious food vendors.
Cost: Free admission
Calgo Gardens, 462 Adelphia Road, Freehold, NJ 07728
Long Branch Fall Festival and Pooch Parade
October 17 at 12 PM
Celebrate this beautiful season in our state with family fun, delicious fall flavors, and all the furry friends you could imagine. Some of the fun includes face painting, trick-or-treating, mini-golf, pumpkin-carving demonstrations, and the cutest pet parade.
Cost: Free
Pier Village, 50 Chelsea Ave. Long Branch, NJ 07740
Chatsworth Cranberry Festival
October 17-18 at 9 AM
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
Fall Festival
October 18 at 1:30 PM
This festival includes all kinds of family-friendly fun, such as crafts, a petting zoo, vendors, a garden tour, and more.
Cost: Free
John Patrick Sports Complex, Vine Street, Lakewood, NJ 08701
Hamilton Oktoberfest
October 18
Celebrate Oktoberfest with lots of fun activities for all ages, such as hayrides, crafters, a pumpkin patch, and more. There will also be character meet-and-greets for the kids. Rain date is October 25.
Cost: Free
Veterans Park South, Klockner Road, Hamilton, NJ 08690
Boo At The Zoo
October 24 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, Cape May Courthouse, Middle Township, NJ 08210
Fall Market at Horseshoe Lake Park
October 24 at 11 AM
Did someone say vendors, food trucks, music, and fall weather? You will find all of this and more at this event, which will include trick-or-treating, so come dressed in your best costume.
Cost: Free admission
Horseshoe Lake Recreation Complex, 72 Eyland Avenue, Roxbury Township, NJ 07876
Halloween Hullabaloo
October 24 at 5 PM
Get a head start on Halloween fun with a costume parade and contest, black light cartooning, bounce house, hayrides, food trucks, firepits, and trick-or-treat bags,
Cost: Free for residents
Poricy Park, 345 Oak Hill Road, Red Bank, NJ 07701
Paramus Halloween Trick or Treat Festival
October 25
Bring your appetites to this food truck festival, where you will find 21 gourmet trucks, music, mini golf, a rock wall, pony rides, and more.
Cost: $5 per person; kids under 5 are free
Paramus Park Mall, 700 Paramus Park, Paramus, NJ 07652
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