Leaves, spooky scenes, and lots of fall fun—it’s all happening at a bunch of festivals this month in NJ. Step out this season to a corn maze, pumpkin picking, fire pits, comfort food, and more at the Snyder’s Farm Fall Festivals in Somerset, spend the day dancing, watching karate demonstrations, and enjoying The Kids Zone at the Ridgefield Park Downtown Street Fair, or check out the 400 crafters, food vendors, music, and tons of fun with fireworks at the Fall Block Party and Fireworks Spectacular in Ocean City. And for more ideas on family fun this season, makes sure you read our guide to fall activities in NJ. (Featured photo credit: iStock/FatCamera)
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Lentini Farms Fall Festival
Weekends starting September 13 through October 27
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 (starts September 27th). They will be hosting two fireworks shows, opening weekend, Saturday, September 14th and Columbus Day weekend, Friday, October 11th at dusk.
Cost: Prices vary
Route 94 South, 251 High Street, Newton, NJ 07860
Haunted Wild West Fest
Daytime events start October 5; the night events start October 4
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. At night, things get scarier for ages 12 and up.
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 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
Snyder’s Farm Fall Festival
Weekends starting October 5 through October 27
Step out this season to a corn maze, pumpkin picking, fire pits, comfort food, and more. Snyder’s has everything to put you in a fall mood.
Cost: $18 and under age 2 is free
586 South Middlebush Road, Somerset, NJ 08873
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
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 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
Annual Wheaton Festival of Fine Craft
October 5-6
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. There will be live music, specialty food trucks, a beer garden, and the WheatonArts signature Glass Pumpkin Fundraiser.
Cost: $12 for adults, $11 for senior adults, $7 for students, and 5 and under are free
1000 Village Drive, Millville, NJ 08332
Annual Amazing Pumpkin Carve
October 9-13
See amazing carvings and Jack O’Lanterns at this 8th annual event, where 35 pumpkins weighing 125 pounds and up will be carved by local artists.
Cost: $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, $5 for kids under 18, and kids in strollers are free.
Woolsey Park, 221 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, Titusville, NJ 08560
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
South Jersey Pumpkin Show Fall Festival
October 11-13
This pumpkin show includes artists and artisans, rides, live entertainment, ponies and hayrides, a pumpkin pageant, and a Fall Home and Garden Show.
Cost: $20 per carload
Salem County Fairground, 760 Harding Hwy, Woodstown, NJ 08098
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
Harvest Fest
October 12 at 12 PM
Get a head start on your Halloween celebration with 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
Allentown Fall Festival
October 12-13 at 10 AM
This adorable town will be decorated for all things fall for this festival. There is something for everyone to enjoy, such as food trucks, live music, a kids’ zone, line dancing, a beer garden, and more.
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. From delicious food, live music, carnival games, and so much fun for the whole family, the day is packed full of ways to celebrate the fall season.
Cost: Free
Glenwood Avenue & Washington Street, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
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, an autumn Plant Sale, free garden tours, and many photo ops.
Cost: Free Admission
Morris Road, Ringwood, NJ 07456
2024 Autumn Exit Zero Jazz Festival
October 25-27
If you or your family loves jazz music, this event is for you. Enjoy fantastic music from international touring artists at the Festival Main Stage in Cape May Convention Hall and Cape May bars and restaurants.
Cost: Tickets start at $60
Cape May Convention Hall, 714 Beach Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204
New Jersey Oyster Festival
October 26 at 12 PM
Join local oyster purveyors and vote for your favorite bivalve for the People’s Choice Award. The festival will feature local food trucks, a shucking contest, vendors, and live music.
Cost: $30
2800 High Street, Port Norris, NJ 08349
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
27th Garfield Fall Family Street Fest
October 27 at 10 AM
It’s a giant block party with shopping, craft vendors, live entertainment, kiddie rides, games, food, and more. The “Kidz Traveling Shindig” will also have kiddie bounce rides, slides and interactive blow-ups, face painters, sand art, and games.
Cost: Free
500 Midland Avenue, Garfield, NJ 07026
NJ Angels Fall Festival
October 27 at 3 PM
Bring the whole family to join in children’s games, a trick-or-treat costume parade, a carved pumpkin contest, and a gift basket raffle pull.
Cost: Event admissions, Children’s activities, and pumpkin contests are free. Food, beverage, and gift basket raffles are charged separately.
Calgo Gardens, 462 Adelphia Road, Freehold, NJ 07728
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