For the families that need a little fun in October, while you enjoy the leaves falling check out some of these events scattered all through New Jersey!
1. Shop, Eat and Play at Family-Friendly SOCKTOBERFEST
Sunday, October 1, 2017 9:00AM – 6:00PM
Kick off the beginning of October with this first ever SOCTOBERFEST! Held at Standard Merchandising Co. in Pennsauken, there will be local food trucks, live music, face painting, pumpkin decorating and more. Attendees can shop from over 50,000 pairs of American made, finely crafted socks ranging from 1-3 dollars. In addition those who attend may also join the Standard Merchandising Co. in their efforts to help the victims of the recent Hurricanes. An event that truly gives the family an experience to help those in need, and save a little money.
Standard Merchandising Co.
7400 North Park Drive
Pennsauken, NJ
2. Art in the Park
Sunday, October 1, 2017 11:00AM – 6:00PM
Passaic County will be having its first Art in the Park Festival at Goffle Brook Park in Hawthorne, NJ! The festival is hoping to include local as well as professional artists, with crafts-people, vendors and more. Activities for all, live music and even expose yourself to all the immersive culture that these people have to offer. If you’re an artist interested in showcasing your work or even holding a workshop the festival has included a registration link (https://goo.gl/forms/PgN1bDRqsWwUTrnk1)
Goffle Brook Park
Hawthorne, NJ
3. Springfield Festival and Car Show
Sunday, October 1, 2017 11:00AM – 5:00PM
The 21st Annual Springfield Festival and Car Show is here! With live music, a carnival, and more to look forward to, the event has added a large Model RailRoad presentation/set up, Etsy vendors and a Robotics tent. With a petting zoo, pony rides, a race track with radio controlled stock cars, and more it’s fun for the entire family.
Springfield Township
100 Mountain Ave
Springfield, NJ
4. Watercolor Exhibit at the Environmental Education Center
Saturday, September 2, 2017 until Monday, October 2, 2017 9:00AM – 5:00PM
A collective titled “Drawn Together” will feature artists from the Hunterdon Watercolor Society, the Printmaking Center of New Jersey and the International Printing Society. A collaborative exhibition that will surely expose all minds to the variety of mediums the art world has to offer. As well as other programs at the Somerset County Park Commission Environmental Education Center, an educational day to teach and learn from the world around us.
Environmental Education Center
190 Lord Stirling Road
Basking Ridge, NJ
5. Farm to Table Market
Sunday, October 1, 2017 until Sunday, October 29, 2017 12:00PM – 5:00PM (occurs every Sunday)
Ever experience the feeling of having fresh market food prepared, and served straight from the farm. Fresh local fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, cheeses and more at Duke Farms Farm to Table Market. Every Sunday rain or shine a new dish is made inspired from market ingredients. If you catch the market on a special day you may even get a visit from the animals, crafts, music and other fun activities for the whole family.
Duke Farms Orientation Center
1112 Dukes Parkway West
Hillsborough, NJ
6. Hunterdon County World Music Day
Sunday, October 1, 2017 12:00PM – 6:00PM
Ready for a full day of live music, kid-friendly workshops, jam sessions and more!? Hunterdon County World Music Day is ready for their second year and they’re featuring all cultures through music, fun for all ages everyone is sure to find something they love! With all different opportunities to experience something new every family should take advantage of this inclusive day!
Deer Path Park
120 W. Woodschurch Rd.
Flemington, NJ
7. Apple ‘n Pumpkin Harvest Festival
Sunday, October 1, 2017 12:00PM – 5:00PM
With the fall season kicking off the Apple ‘n Pumpkin Festival is preparing for another year. With local vendors and searching for volunteers, and sponsors, there’s a place for everyone to be a part of this festival.
Clinton Downtown Farmers Market
1 New Street
Clinton, NJ
8. Morristown Movie Nights
Family movie nights are back and better than ever, enjoy these family friendly movies on a nice Wednesday night! Schedules and times are available through the Township of Morris website.
Ginny Field
50 Woodland Avenue
Morristown, NJ
9. 26th Annual Ocean County Columbus Parade and Italian Festival
Friday, October 6, 2017 (4:30PM – 6:45PM); Saturday, October 7, 2017 (11:30AM – 8:30PM); Sunday, October 8, 2017 (11:00AM – 6:00PM)
A full fledged festival with live music, food and fun for the entire family, the 26th Annual Ocean County Columbus Day Parade and Italian festival will be sure to entertain you all weekend long. A detailed list of scheduled entertainment is available on the Columbus NJ website
The Boulevard
Seaside Heights, NJ
10. Hometown Harvest Festival in Hightstown
Saturday, October 7, 2017 (10:00AM – 4:00PM) Rain or Shine
Back for their 15th year, the Hightstown Hometown Harvest Festival is a day filled with family fun, live music, great food and activities for the whole family. Experience the heritage and local businesses that Hightstown has to offer, explore the vendors, food trucks, and more!
101 Main Street
Hightstown NJ
11. Fall Fairs
Saturday, October 7, 2017 10:00AM – 4:00PM
For the fourth decade the Fall Fair comes back with pumpkin carving, puppet shows, kids activities and live music. Bring your children to experience organic food and check out the unique handcrafted gifts, toys and clothing. The event has a vendor application as well as parent volunteer forms if anyone is interested.
Green Meadow Waldorf School Campus
307 Hungry Hollow Road
Chesnut Ridge, NY
12. Oktoberfest
Saturday, October 7, 2017 – Sunday, October 8, 2017 10:00AM – 5:00PM
Over 100 juried crafters, an international food court, music, kids activities, non profit organizations and more is what you’ll find at the historic Smithville’s Oktoberfest. With 60 local store vendors, the festival brings in 100 more who set up in the parking lot, everything there is handmade crafts, clothing and jewelry.
615 E Moss Mill Road
Smithville, NJ
13. Asbury Park Zombie Walk
Saturday, October 7 2017 10:00AM
Ever wanted to be a part of a Zombie Walk? Well here’s your chance, the 10th Annual Asbury Park Zombie Walk is here and it’s free! Participants walk through different locations as if they were zombies, all ages are encouraged to participate and give their best zombie impersonation efforts.
Asbury Park Boardwalk,
Convention Hall
Asbury Park, NJ
14. Bloomfield HarvestFest
Saturday, October 7, 2017 11:00AM – 7:00PM
A mile long marketplace, food courts, amusement rides and something for the adults, the Bloomfield Harvestfest has something for the whole family. A set list of live entertainment is available on BloomfieldHarvest.org
Downtown on Broad Street, between Belleville and Bloomfield Aveues
15. Fall Forestry Festival
Saturday, October 7, 2017 10:00AM – 3:00PM
Celebrate fall with fun crafts, pumpkin painting, trail hikes and informational programs about forestry at the Forest Resource Education Center. Just in time for the leaves to change and the cool weather setting in!
495 Don Connor Boulevard
Jackson, NJ
16. Dunellen HarvestFest
Sunday, October 8, 2017 11:00AM – 4:30PM
The 5th Annual Dunellen HarvestFest is here, live music, crafters/vendors, a apple pie contest and more. The festival features artists and crafters from all over the Garden State, the more the merrier!
Washington Park
300 Washington Avenue
Dunellen, NJ
17. West Milford Autumn Lights Festival
Saturday, October 14, 2017 10:00AM – 5:00PM
After 20 years, the West Milford Lights Festival began as a celebration of West Milford getting their first traffic light. Now it has over 300 vendor participants, live music, child activities games and rides, something for the whole family.
Union Valley Road
West Milford, NJ
18. Harvest Fest
Saturday, October 14, 2017 – Sunday, October 15, 2017 10:00AM – 5:00PM
Hayrides, and pumpkin painting are just the beginning of this weekend long festival. With games, face painting, tours of the garden and plant sale there’s something for everyone!
NJ State Botanical Garden,
Ringwood State Park,
Morris Road
Ringwood, NJ
19. Family Fall Fest
Saturday, October 14, 2017 10:00AM – 12:00PM
Celebrate autumn with Mary Jacob’s Memorial Library’s 3rd Annual Family Fall Fest. With kids games, entertainment, crafts and refreshments everyone will find something they like, adult and child alike.
SCLSNJ’s Mary Jacob’s Memorial Library Branch
64 Washington Street
Rocky Hill, NJ
20. Morristown Festival of Books
Saturday, October 14, 2017 10:00AM – 5:00PM
For the reader in the family this festival is sure to please. With an entire day of free sessions and feature more than 40 award-winning authors at venues within walking distance of each other.
Vail Mansion
110 South Street
Morristown, NJ
21. Pokemon Club: Halloween Party
Monday, October 16, 2017 6:30PM – 8:30PM
This is a fun event for anyone who loves Pokemon! With a viewing of The Rise of Darkrai while working on Pokemon paper lanterns, a scavenger hunt and costumes are heavily encouraged. (Registration is required for the event)
Warren County Library
Northeast Branch
40 US Highway 46 West
Hackettstown NJ
22. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Thursday, October 19, 2017 7:00PM – 8:00PM
A live action retelling of a classic story, audience members become volunteers onstage to join the Sleepy Hollow School Choir and explore the story of the (not-so-scary) Headless Horseman. Registration is required.
SCLSNJ’s Bridgewater Library Branch
1 Vogt Drive
Bridgewater NJ
23. Hoboken Harvest Festival
Saturday, October 21, 2017 11:00AM – 3:00PM
Free activities for families, live music and dance performances, pumpkin painting, pony rides and more. The whole family will get something out of this wonderful festival right on the water.
Pier A Park
100 Sinatra Drive
Hoboken, NJ
24. Bordentown Riverfest
Saturday, October 21, 2017 12:00PM – 10:00PM
Hope Hose Humane Co. No. 1 in partnership with Marcello’s Restaurant is throwing the biggest party in 250 years! Celebrate Riverfest with fun activities for parents and kids, a four acre beer garden, live music and a free kids area.
Bordentown City Beach
100 West Park Street
Bordentown, NJ
25. The Great Pumpkin Carve Out
Saturday, October 21, 2017 10:00AM – 8:00PM
A pumpkin-carving contest for all, children are grouped into age groups to ensure fairness. Carved pumpkins will be displayed and later in the night the 1954 camp classic “THEM!” will play, families are encouraged to bring blankets and watch. Registration is required to participate.
Hanson Park
38 Springfield Avenue
Cranford, NJ
26. Trick or Treat Street and Howl-O-Ween
Sunday, October 22, 2017 12:00PM – 5:00PM
Free admission, prizes, and fun for everyone. Parades for kids costumes and dogs everyone will find something on the boardwalk.
Seaside Heights Boardwalk
Seaside Heights, NJ
27. Marty’s Place Howl-O-Ween Family Fest
Sunday, October 22, 2017 11:00AM – 4:00PM
An afternoon of family friendly fun, even for your dog. With hayrides, dog swim mini sessions, a Canine Costume Contest, photo sessions and more, you’ll spoil your pup with a day just for them!
Marty’s Place Senior Dog Sanctuary
118 Route 526
Upper Freehold Township, NJ
28. Trunk or Treat
Wednesday, October 25, 2017 7:00PM
An alternative to the traditional Halloween where kids explore different trunks to get Halloween treats! Prizes for the best costumes so come all out!
Gloucester County Community Church
359 Chapel Heights Road
Sewell, NJ
29. Scream on the Green Halloween
Friday, October 27, 2017 6:00PM – 9:00PM
A movie on the green to make you scream, and before the feature it’s the Monster Mash!? No one should miss this ghouly opportunity to spend a nice family night together during the Halloween season! Movie will be announced in early October.
356 Broad Street
Summit, NJ
30. Halloween Spooktacular
Saturday, October 28, 2017 10:00AM – 3:00PM
Ever wanted to get spooky with science, well here’s your chance at the New Jersey State Museum! With hands on activities, a costume contest, and laser halloween in the planetarium all for free who wouldn’t try and make it!
New Jersey State Museum
205 West State Street
Trenton, NJ
