October in New Jersey means crisp air, PSL, and family-friendly festivals throughout the state celebrating all things autumnal. Visit the South Jersey Pumpkin Show for dozens of pumpkin-related activities in Woodstown, browse 250 craft and food vendors on the streets of a beachside Victorian town at the Ocean Grove Fall Harvest Festival Arts & Crafts Show, or celebrate the many rich heritages, live entertainment, and amusement rides at the Bloomfield Harvest Fest.
Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmomhq and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
Here are our top picks for family events in NJ this weekend:
1. South Jersey Pumpkin Show
October 7 – 9, 2016 | Friday 5:00PM – 9:00PM, Saturday 10:00AM – 8:00PM, Sunday 10:00AM – 5:00PM
“Giant Pumpkins on display, 100 + craftsmen, Giant Pumpkin Pyramid, Amusement Rides, Pony Rides, Food Galore, Fall Home & Garden Show, NJ Biggest Pumpkin Pie, Friendly Scarecrows, Wine Sampling, Spooky Hayrides, Painted & Decorated Pumpkins, Kids Craft Making, Sand Art, Face Painting, Kids Straw Games, Graveyard. Free Prizes for first 200 kids each day, free shopping bags for parents.”
Salem County Fairground
Route 40, Harding Highway, Woodstown, NJ 08098
Cost: $5 per car
2. Hudson County Fair
October 7 – 10, 2016 | Friday 5:00PM – 10:00PM, Saturday & Sunday 11AM – 10:00PM, Monday 12:00PM – 9:00PM
“Come on out for the fun, food, games and all of the exitement to this years Hudson County Fair at James J Braddock Park in North Bergen, NJ. Plenty of Rides, Games, Festival and Foods. Hourly 50/50 raffles plus 1 flat screen TV raffle every day of the event. Come on out for some family fun before the winter weather comes to town. See you at the fair.”
James J. Braddock Park
Bergenline Ave, North Bergen, NJ 07047
Cost: Free
3. 2nd Annual LBI FLY International Kite Festival
October 7 – 10 | Friday 6:30PM – 10:00PM, Saturday 9:00AM – 4:30PM, Sunday 9:00AM – 8:30PM, Monday 11:00AM – 4:00PM
“We invite you all to our 2nd Annual LBI FLY International Kite Festival – taking place from Friday evening, October 7 to Monday afternoon, October 10 (Columbus Day weekend). The kite festival is FREE and we will have fun for the entire family – appropriate for the little kiddos up to grandma and grandpa and everyone in between! Throughout the weekend, we will have events take place in Ship Bottom, Beach Haven, Barnegat Light and at Bayview Park in Long Beach Township on Long Beach Island.”
Long Beach Island
For a full schedule of events, please view the schedule on our website here: https://lbifly.com/schedule/
Cost: Free
4. Fall Flea Market
October 8, 2016 | 8:00AM – 3:00PM
“Join us for our fabulous flea markets! Hunt for hidden treasures amid furniture, books, art work, bottles, knick knacks, and so much more! The village, General Store, and Bakery are open as well. The rain date is October 18th.”
The Historic Village at Allaire
4263 Atlantic Ave, Farmingdale, NJ 07727
Cost: $1 Adults, Children and Members are free
5. Ocean Grove’s Fall Harvest Festival Arts & Crafts Show
October 8, 2016 | 10:00AM – 4:00PM
“The 2016 Ocean Grove Fall Harvest Festival is sponsored by the Ocean Grove Area Chamber of Commerce. There will be over 250 vendors exhibiting and selling their handmade creations as well as food vendors.”
Main Avenue between Central & New York Avenues, and Pilgrim Parkway, Ocean Grove, NJ 07756
Cost: Free
6. Princeton Natural Parenting Fair
October 8, 2016 | 11:00AM – 2:00PM
“This rain-or-shine event, hosted by the Waldorf School of Princeton, will bring together local vendors, speakers, and other resources in support of natural parenting choices, including childbirth, breastfeeding, babywearing, healthcare, nutrition, education, discipline, and sleep solutions. Fairgoers will also find activities for young children such as a craft and puppet show. Picnicking is encouraged on the school’s spacious grounds.”
Waldorf School of Princeton
1062 Cherry Hill Rd, Princeton, NJ 08540
Cost: Free
7. NJ’s Best Oktoberfest
October 8, 2016 | 11:00AM – 5:00PM
“German Beer, Food & Fun with Family and Friends! There’s something for everyone at Oktoberfest. The amazing Bavarian Brother’s Band will have you dancing and singing to all your favorite songs! The Festhalle will have all day entertainment, including Traditional German Dances, Cow Bell Ringing, and Alp Horn demonstrations too. Don’t miss the show in the Main Pavilion! Bring your appetite for Forest Lodge’s hearty menu of German-American foods. The menu is vast, so come and feast on all these delicious foods. Leave room for the scrumptious German cakes & strudels! Oktoberfest attracts many visitors just for the shopping opportunities at the Vendor Fair. Over 50 local vendors selling a wide range of products at the Vendor Fair at Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest is great fun for the children as well. Kids will keep busy with Amusement Rides, Carnival Booths, Inflatable’s and other activities.”
Forest Lodge
11 Reinman Rd, Warren, NJ 07059
Cost: $7, Children 10 and under are free
8. Seaside Off Road & Truck Show
October 8, 2016 | 11:00AM – 5:00PM
The 3rd annual Seaside Off Road & Truck Show returns this year to a new location, Seaside Heights! Enjoy a Power Wheels showdown, hot wings eating contest, stage contests, giveaways, monster truck rides, and food trucks. View over 400 trucks, and take advantage of the Italian Festival on Grant Avenue.
1000 Bay Blvd, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
Cost: Free, $30 to enter your truck!
9. “Truck”erton Food Truck & Cider Fest
October 8, 2016 | 11:00AM – 6:00PM
“Drive into the Tuckerton Seaport for “Truck”erton Food Truck & Cider Fest on Saturday, October 8 from 11am-6pm. The Seaport will host 12 gourmet food trucks from all over the East Coast, bringing a flavor blast to the Jersey Shore. Enjoy live music throughout the day and the craft beer garden with NJ’s favorites on tap, featuring local favorite Pinelands Brewing Co. The Garden State’s Laurita Winery will also be selling local wines by the bottle. Limited-edition official “Truck”erton T-Shirts will be available for purchase the day of the event but are expected to sell out quickly. You definitely do not want to miss this two-day event! Load the family in the car and set the GPS for the Tuckerton Seaport.”
The Tuckerton Seaport
120 W Main St, Ste 1, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
Cost: $8 adults, Free for Seaport members and children under 5
10. Brick Fest Live LEGO Fan Festival
October 8 – 9, 2016 | Saturday 9:00AM & 2:00PM, Sunday 10:00AM, 1:00PM, & 5:00PM
“Brick Fest Live LEGO Fan Festival provides a venue for LEGO lovers of all sizes to come celebrate their mutual affection, build new creations, and see some truly mind-blowing LEGO sculptures to help set the imagination free.” For tickets visit showclix.com.
Meadowlands Exposition Center
355 Plaza Dr, Secaucus, NJ 07094
Cost: $19 – $27
11. Bloomfield Harvest Fest
October 8 – 9, 2016 | Saturday & Sunday 11:00AM – 6:00PM
“The Bloomfield HarvestFest is a two-day event designed to celebrate the Bloomfield community and its multicultural heritages. The Harvest Fest is Bloomfield’s largest event featuring a marketplace of vendors, amusement rides and non-stop music. The Harvest Fest showcases the township’s history and diversity.”
Broad St. (Bloomfield Avenue and Belleville Ave)
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Cost: Free
12. 19th Annual Keyport Screamin’ Country Jamboree
October 8 – 9, 2016 | Saturday 11:00AM – 8:00PM, Sunday 11:00AM – 6:00PM
“Put on your cowboy (or cowgirl) boots and mosey on down to Keyport’s 19th Annual Screamin’ Country Jamboree—Monmouth County’s favorite country music and food festival! The two-day event on Waterfront Park features a fireworks bonanza, food, amusement rides, games, vendors and crafters aplenty. Enjoy a beer garden, live music and plenty of entertainment—including square dancing demos and lessons, screamin’ contests and strollin’ cowboys and cowgirls performing ol’ Western spectacles for your delight. Foodies from all over flock to our yearly Chili Cook-off and Tasting, where Keyport’s finest eateries compete for your culinary pleasure. Taste and vote for your favorite to be crowned Chili Champion of Keyport.”
Keyport Waterfront
1 American Legion Dr, Keyport, NJ 07735
Cost: Free
13. Oktoberfest in Belmar
October 9, 2016 | 11:00AM – 6:00PM
“Antiques and original crafts, performers, pumpkin decorating contest, food court featuring local establishments, children’s obstacle course & games, and professional pony rides.”
601 Main St, Belmar, NJ 07719
Cost: Free
14. Fall Family Fun Day
October 9, 2016 | 12:00PM – 4:00PM
“The Hoboken Museum’s free Fall Family Fun Day is October 9, from 12 – 4 pm. Filled with hands-on activities that stretch the imagination and encourage creativity, the afternoon offers hands-on crafts, games and a fun entertainer for the whole family to enjoy. This year’s entertainer is the interactive singer and humorist, Dave Jay, who performs at 1:00 and 1:45 pm. Craft and activity tables include a bean-bag toss game, or making lunch-bag owls, fall-themed wreaths, pipe-cleaner pumpkins, and popsicle-stick scarecrows.”
Hoboken Historical Museum
1301 Hudson St, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Cost: Free
15. Califon’s 4th Annual Street Fair
October 9, 2016 | 1:00PM – 5:00PM
“The Califon Street Fair has been growing in leaps and bounds each year. This year the Califon Fire Department will have a beer garden, and there are even more vendors and food options available. Musical highlights include the live bands the Woodford Brothers Band and Pepperville. Free games and entertainment will be offered by the Califon Recreation Committee, including pumpkin painting, face painting a bounce house and more.”
Downtown Califon
Main Street, Califon, NJ 07830
Cost: Free
Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmomhq and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
