NJIB’s Guide to 30+ New Jersey Events October 18 – 20, 2024
It’s feeling like Fall this weekend, and we are at the peak of Fall Festivals in New Jersey. Enjoy the beautiful weather while you can! Here’s your guide to New Jersey events this week until October 20th, 2024. Whether you’re into street fairs, food truck festivals, or free events, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. PLUS you can find NJIB at LSC After Dark on Thursday the 10th and Fall Bazaar at Reed’s Farm on October 19th.
Check out our Event Guide for more events throughout the year. To submit your event, click here.
For more New Jersey Events and Adventures, follow along on Instagram, @newjerseyisntboring, and Insta Stories! Don’t forget to tag your own NJ fun with #NJisntBoring.
For more events be sure to check out our list of All the Fall Things: NJIB’s Guide to 40+ New Jersey Fall Festivals/Halloween Multi-Day Events AND our guide to New Jersey Halloween Events & Festivals.
New Jersey Events October 15 – 20:
Featured Events!
Reed’s Farm Fall Bazaar
October 19, 9 am – 3 pm
The Reed’s Farm Fall Bazaar offers a diverse selection of vendors selling vintage, sustainable, and upcycled items, plants, art, tarot readings, crafts, handmade goods, fresh produce, and organic meats. Families can enjoy face painting, costume contests, pie eating contests, lawn games, photo opportunities, and DJ Lousy’s vinyl set inside the farm shop. In addition to the bazaar, Reed’s Farm features a bakery and kitchen serving delicious pastries and farm-to-table food, a coffee bar with creative coffee, tea, and farm-crafted sodas, a wide variety of farm-fresh produce, an indoor market with pre-made refrigerated food, cheeses, jams, spreads, organic tinctures, handmade candles, plant-dyed garments, and more, and adorable farm animals.
5075 Spruce Ave. Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Cost: Free
New Jersey Seafood Festival
October 19, 11 am – 7 pm
The New Jersey Seafood Festival is set to take place on October 19, 2024, at Bell Works in Holmdel, NJ. The event celebrates the best of the Jersey Shore’s seafood offerings, bringing together seafood lovers from across the state. Attendees can expect an array of fresh, local seafood dishes from various vendors, including oysters, lobster, crab cakes, and more. Along with the fantastic food, the festival will feature live music, entertainment, and local vendors offering unique crafts and products. Bell Works’ vibrant atmosphere provides the perfect setting for a day filled with great food, drinks, and fun.
Bell Works, Holmdel, NJ
Cost: $5, kids under 5 are free
LSC After Dark
Thursday, October 17
A great party, delicious bites and drinks, and a twist of science! Liberty Science Center presents LSC After Dark, exclusively for guests 18 and up, every Thursday from 6:00 – 10:00 pm. Each event features a fun theme with a menu to match, dance floor, live DJ, a full bar (for guests 21+) and planetarium and laser shows. And all of the museum’s exhibits are open, too! In October LSC After Dark will have a different Halloween theme! Event themes include Murder at the Museum and Freak Show. When you purchase LSC After Dark tickets, you help the nonprofit Liberty Science Center provide even more programs for our community and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, NJ
Cost: $25 at the door, save $3 buying online in advance
ProgStock Festival
October 17 – 20
ProgStock 2024 is the American Northeast’s only international progressive rock festival, a three-day event taking place on the weekend of October 18-20, 2024, in the Rivoli Theater of the Williams Center, located at 15 Sylvan Street.
Williams Center, 15 Sylvan St, Rutherford, NJ
Cost: Varies
Seton Village Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival
October 18, 5 pm – 10 pm
South Orange Downtown and Seton Village are excited to announce the Seton Village Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival, taking place on Friday, October 18th, from 5-10 PM. This lively event will feature some of the area’s best food trucks offering a variety of culinary delights, perfect for food enthusiasts and comfort food lovers alike. Beer lovers can enjoy the return of the Beer Garden, sponsored by Gaslight Brewery, which will serve a selection of craft beers. With live entertainment, delicious food, refreshing drinks, and a festive atmosphere, the event is a perfect opportunity to gather with family, friends, and neighbors.
Irvington Ave, South Orange, NJ
Cost: Free to attend
Gardens Aglow Presby Memorial Iris
October 18, 6 pm – 9 pm
View the gardens at dusk as they come to life with artfully carved jack-o-lanterns supplied by local high school art departments. Enjoy a glass of cider at sunset while watching the gardens glow! Activities, entertainment, a mad science show and refreshments will be on-going throughout the event.
474 Upper Mountain Ave., Upper Montclair, NJ
Cost: Free
Annual Ghoul Spring Village
October 18 & 19, 5:30 pm
This event is a family-friendly haunted walk-thru for young and old alike. Proceeds benefit HCSV Foundation, a non-profit living history museum. Join in as they pierce the veil between the world of the living and the world of the dead.
Historic Cold Spring Village, 720 US 9, Cape May, NJ
Cost: $5 for children and adults.
Brite Nites 2024 at Wagner Farm Arboretum
October 18 & 19, 6:30 pm – 9 pm
Brite Nites transforms the Arboretum into a mesmerizing Halloween experience, featuring a 0.25-mile path of hand-carved, LED-lit pumpkins along with themed attractions like pumpkin bowling, spooky games, and food trucks. This event offers affordable family fun while supporting vital community programs, such as The Giving Garden and the Children’s Garden. Brite Nites, a cornerstone of the Arboretum’s annual fundraising efforts, promises an unforgettable
experience for families and community members. This year’s event features new and exciting pumpkin
displays, adding even more magic to the already enchanting walk-through.
Wagner Farm Arboretum, 197 Mountain Ave, Warren, NJ
Cost: $15 adults, $10 kids (5-12), Free for kids 5 and under
Night of Frights + Ghost Tour
October 18 – 20 (Night of Frights Sat & Sun, Ghost Tours on Sun)
Allaire Village invites you to experience a spooky night where ghosts, ghouls, and monsters come to life. Explore the historic village grounds and buildings, enjoy glow-in-the-dark bubble shows, fire juggling, sword swallowing, scary displays, fortune telling, storytelling, blacksmith demonstrations, a special dinner scene, and more. New this year! Allaire Village offers a new, spooky walking tour that delves into the village’s ghostly history. Learn about tales of paranormal experiences and explore parts of the buildings not usually open to the public. The tour is challenging due to darkness and limited accessibility, and is recommended for ages 12 and up. Only 15 people are allowed per group, and there are 4 groups per 90-minute session.
Historic Village at Allaire, 4263 Atlantic Avenue, Wall Township, NJ
Cost: $20 adults, $15 kids. Ghost Tour $50
Brookdale Haunted Theater
October 18 – 20
Brookdale’s annual Haunted Theater – designed, built and run by current and former students – is a delightfully scary, tormented trip through evil creatures, ghouls and ghosts, bloody body parts, and more. The popular Haunted Theater redefines “stage fright” for its many visitors during the walking tour of a maze of blood-chilling rooms. “Scaredy Cat” performance are available during the afternoon. Special “Rocky Horror Picture Show” event on October 18
Brookdale Community College Performing Arts Center, 765 Newman Springs Rd, Lincroft, NJ
Cost: $20
Halloween Light Show at Demarest Farms
October 18 – 20
See the largest light show in NJ on a guided drive-through tour of brilliant Halloween light displays. Stop by the farm to enjoy goodies from the market and warm up by the fire pits with make-your-own s’mores and hot cocoa.
244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale, NJ
Cost: $35 per car
The Downbeach Film Festival/Atlantic City Cinefest
October 18 – 20
This event features screenings of new films, features, shorts and documentaries, cinema-related panels and retrospectives honoring filmmakers and actors. The event also provides a forum for novice and aspiring filmmakers, actors, and others interested in a career in the film business, the opportunity to meet and network with industry professionals in an atmosphere that is conducive to learning and mentoring
Ventnor Square Theatre, 5211 Ventnor Avenue, Ventnor, NJ & Fannie Lou Hamer Event Room, Stockton University, 3711 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ
Cost: Varies
Lambertville Halloween Film Festival
October 18 – 20
Welcome to the first annual Lambertville Halloween Film Festival! In addition to showcasing filmmakers and other talented artists, the goal of this year’s festival is to give you an unforgettable Halloween experience. This year’s festival spans 4 days of events, including a masquerade party, a selection of creepy thrillers and horror films, a demonstration of Hollywood monster makeup by SFX artist Bec Johnson, and a Ghost Tour. At the film festival, the best of the best will be awarded a Golden Pumpkin. As an audience member, you have the power to make sure your favorite receives the Audience Selection Award.
25 South Union St, Lambertville, NJ
JEKYLL & HYDE: The Musical
October 18 – 20
Start your Halloween off right as you step into the gripping tale of the ultimate conflict of good versus evil in this theatrical masterpiece based on the classic story by Robert Louis Stevenson. Explore the Gothic landscape where the boundaries of light and darkness blur, and the thin line between sanity and madness teeters.Thrill to the stunning score of pop-rock hits crafted by the multi-Grammy and To- ny-nominated Frank Wildhorn and Oscar and Grammy-winning Leslie Bricusse.
1200 Old Trenton Rd, West Windsor, NJ
Cost: Adults $26/Seniors, Students $24
Annual Montclair Film Festival
October 18 – 27
The annual Montclair Film Festival will entertain film lovers and professionals from across the region and country with ten days of compelling independent films, comedies, documentaries, panels, family events and work by emerging artists. The festival will provide a platform for talented filmmakers from around the world and give special recognition to New Jersey artists
486 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, NJ
Cost: Varies
Treo Foundation’s Walk from Obesity
October 19, 9 am
Join the Summit, NJ, Walk from Obesity on 10/19 from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM for a morning of walking, networking, and fun to support Treatment, Research, and Education to end Obesity. Hosted by the Weight Loss and Wellness Center, this “set your own pace” event welcomes all fitness levels, allowing participants to walk as much or as little as they like. Registration includes a shirt and bag (while supplies last). Early bird registration is $20 (until Sept. 29), with on-site registration available for $35. All proceeds benefit the TREO Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Briant Pkwy, Summit, NJ
Cost: $35
Bierman Autism Centers Annual Trunk-or-Treat
October 19, 10 am to 12 pm
The Bierman Autism Centers Annual Trunk-or-Treat will take place on Saturday, October 19, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Bierman Autism Centers, located at 746 Alexander Rd., Suite 100, Princeton, New Jersey 08540. This free event promises a magical morning with whimsically decorated trunks filled with sensory-friendly treats, engaging games, face painting, and creative crafts. Designed to be inclusive and enjoyable for all abilities, the event welcomes both familiar faces and new participants to create a memorable experience.
746 Alexander Rd., Suite 100, Princeton, NJ
Cost: Free
Annual Sussex County Harvest Honey and Garlic Festival
October 19, 10 am – 4 pm
This family festival is a celebration of agritourism, ecotourism and arts & heritage tourism. The Festival will include local artisans, crafters and vendors plus displays highlighting northern New Jersey’s great open spaces and natural history. For kids there’ll be a hay ride, pumpkin painting, face painting and crafts.
Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Branchville, NJ
Cost: Free
Haunted Hops & Ghoulish Grub Fest
October 19, 11:30 am – 5:30 pm
The Haunted Hops & Ghoulish Grub Fest is coming to Veterans Park in Bayville, NJ, on October 19, 2024, from 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM. This Halloween-themed event will feature craft beers from NJ breweries, delicious food trucks, live music, and artisan vendors. Admission options include the Spooky Souvenir Package for $10, which includes a general admission ticket and souvenir beer glass (21+), or the Boo Basic ticket for $7 (21+ only). Guests 21 and under are free. Craft beers will be available for $7 per 12 oz glass, and live music will be provided by Naughty Humphrey. In case of rain, the event will be rescheduled for October 20th.
Veterans Park, Bayville, NJ
Cost: $7, 21 and under are free. Spooky Souvenir Package: $10
Smithville Costume Pet Parade
October 19, 1 pm
Paw Dazzle will host the Annual Costume Pet Parade starting at 1:00 pm. This is by far Historic Smithville’s cutest event. Spectators can watch 100+ pets show off their unique Halloween costumes! To enter your pet, you must be pre-registered by calling Paw Dazzle at 609-748-7110.
615 East Moss Mill Rd, Smithville, NJ
Cost: Free
Highland’s Howl-O-Ween
October 19, 3 pm – 5 pm
On Saturday, October 19th, at 3 PM, Seafarer, located at 1 Atlantic St., Highlands, NJ, 07732, will host a free costume contest for dogs and their owners. Prizes will be awarded for the scariest, most original, and best human and dog pair or group costumes. Walk-up registration starts at 3 PM, with judging scheduled for 4 PM. Dog owners can enjoy discounted drinks and participate in trivia contests. Judging will commence promptly at 4 PM.
Seafarer, located at 1 Atlantic St., Highlands, NJ
Cost: Free
The New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge
October 19 & 20
The New Jersey Lighthouses and select museums happily announce that they are again hosting New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge weekend. Visitors can enjoy an opportunity to tour the state and visit each lighthouse over the weekend and help raise needed funds for the continued preservation of our treasured landmarks. The challenge is to visit 10 land-based lighthouses, 3 lifesaving stations, 1 museum, 1 virtual site, and the Lighthouse Society of NJ site over the two-day weekend. The challenge route covers the Atlantic Coast from Sandy Hook to Cape May and the Delaware Bay and River Coast from Cape May to Paulsboro. A small registration fee enables you to collect a souvenir from each site.
At Participating NJ Lighthouses
Storybook Land Trick or Treat Weekends
October 19 & 20
Dress up in your Halloween best and get ready to collect treats throughout the park. Littles will love hopping on the fun rides in their costumes and gathering goodies with special Trick or Treat bags (included with admission).
6415 Black Horse Pike (Routes 40/322), Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Cost: Price of Admission
Boo at the Boardwalk
October 19 & 20, 12 pm – 4 pm
Join Jenkinson’s for Boo at the Boardwalk, a family-friendly Halloween event featuring kiddie rides, face painting, trick-or-treating, underwater pumpkin carving, magic shows, and more. Enjoy special packages and discounted admission to other attractions. Some activities may be subject to weather conditions.
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, 300 Ocean Ave, Point Pleasant, NJ
Cost: Varies per activity
Annual Chatsworth Cranberry Festival
October 19 & 20
This family event features a juried craft show with over 150 vendors, 15 food vendors, and live music.
Downtown Chatsworth, NJ
Cost: Free
Oktoberfest Food Truck Festival
October 19 & 20
Join in for a day of outdoor enjoyment and relaxation at the picturesque grounds of Laurita Winery. It’s the perfect destination to savor exceptional wines in the company of friends and family. Complement the exquisite wines with a diverse range of delectable food options from the assortment of onsite food trucks.
Laurita Winery; 85 Archertown Rd, New Egypt, NJ
Cost: $13
Rose Squared Art Show Fall Brookdale Park
October 19 & 20, 10 am – 5 pm. Rain or Shine
Rose Squared Art Shows presents more than 130 artisans at Brookdale Park, Bloomfield NJ, October 19-20, 2024. This event showcases both fine art and fine craft with works in apothecary, artisanal foods, ceramics, jewelry, wood, digital art, decorative and wearable fiber, furniture, glass, painting, 2D/3D mixed media and photography.
Brookdale Park, 473 Watchung Ave, Bloomfield, NJ
Cost: Free
Celebrate Fall
October 20, 11 am – 3 pm
This family event features games, crafts, music, and of course goats…these are just a few of the activities that are part of our eagerly anticipated Celebrate Fall Festival! With Halloween right around the corner, families can explore the Spooky Trail and enjoy the golden, autumn colors of our gardens, crisp weather, and some yummy treats from market vendors.
Reeves-Reed Arboretum, 165 Hobart Ave, Summit, NJ
Cost: $10, free for under 3
Hamilton Oktoberfest
October 20, 11 am – 5 pm
A family Oktoberfest celebration with many family-oriented activities. Note: Alcoholic beverages will not be served at, nor permitted at, this event. This family event features, Amusements, Pumpkin Patch, Hay Rides, Corn Maze, Crafters, fire pits, a Jack ‘O Lantern Carving Contest, and the grand finale fireworks at dusk.
Veterans Park, 2306 Kuser Rd, Hamilton Township, NJ
Cost: Free to Attend
18th Century Field Day and Fall Harvest Festival
October 20, 10 am to 4 pm
Join the Gloucester County Certified Gardeners for battle reenactments, colonial demonstrations, farm animals, kids games & crafts, magic show and more! The free event will be held on Sunday, October 20th from 10am-4pm at Red Bank Battlefield Park.
Red Bank Battlefield park, 100 Hession Avenue, National Park, NJ
Cost: Free
Wayne Valley H.S. Fall Craft Show
October 20, 10 am to 5 pm
The annual Wayne Valley Fall Craft Show will be held on Sunday, October 20, from 10 to 5 at Wayne Valley High School located at 551 Valley Road in Wayne. This is the perfect opportunity to start on your holiday shopping list at this exciting indoor event with booths highlighting an array of different mediums. Over one hundred exhibitors will be set up in one huge gym with arts and crafts. A breakfast and lunch menu will be available in the café and a bake table will be set up in the entrance way. Homemade pickles and kettle corn will be set up outside.
Wayne Valley High School, 551 Valley Road, Wayne, NJ
Cost: $3
Cherry Hill Harvest Festival
October 20, 12 pm – 4 pm
Cherry Hill Township is partnering with the police and fire departments for the township’s largest community event. The event includes pony rides, a petting zoo, craft fair, pumpkins, live music, food trucks, a beer garden by Forgotten Boardwalk Brewery, and more.
Croft Farms, 100 Bortons Mills Road, Cherry Hill, NJ
Cost: Free
Murder Mystery at Four Sisters Winery
October 20, 4 pm to 7 pm
Experience an unforgettable evening at Four Sisters Winery with our thrilling Murder Mystery event! On October 20th, 2024, from 4 PM to 7 PM, dive into an interactive mystery adventure as you work to unravel the clues and discover the culprit. Indulge in a guided wine tasting, savor a delicious farmers salad, chicken parmigiana dinner, and finish off with a delightful dessert. It’s a night of engaging entertainment and fantastic company. Don’t miss out—secure your spot now by calling 908-475-3671.
783 North Bridgeville Road, Belvidere NJ
Cost: $56.27 plus tax
