New Jersey Free Events October 2023

For more events throughout the year, check out our Event Guide.

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New Jersey Free Events October 2023:

Asbury Park Bazaar Fall Bazaar
September 30 & October 1
Asbury Park Bazaar Fall Bazaar is happening in two fabulous locations in Asbury Park: the Grand Arcade at historic Convention Hall on Saturday & Sunday, September 30 & October 1, 2023 and Asbury Lanes on Saturday, September 30th, from noon to 5 pm. Explore a curated market featuring artisans from the Jersey Shore and beyond, offering a wide array of gifts and goods. Plus photography, live music, kid activities and much more.
Asbury Park, NJ

Hoboken Fall Arts & Music Festival
October 1, 11 am – 6pm
This family event features 2 stages of live music, displays and sales by artists, crafters, food vendors and local businesses. Activities for children on 3rd St. in the Capital One Bank Parking Lot with rides, games, craft activities and more.
Washington St. bet. Observer Highway & 7th St., Hoboken, NJ

Harvestfest Crafts & Antique Corner Fair
October 1, 10 am – 5 pm
The Harvestfest Fair featuring arts & crafts, antiques & gifts will be held on Sunday, October 1, from 10 to 5. This is the perfect opportunity to plan a fun day out to begin your holiday shopping. The show features 120 exhibitors showcasing a great variety of gift-giving items for everyone in the family. At the art & craft area you can browse through stained glass, jewelry, fiber, wood yard signs, paintings, silk dyed clothing, watercolors, origami, macrame plant holders, place mats, Halloween, holiday items, linens, photography, florals, pottery, ceramics, pet & kid’s items, turned wood pens & bowls, egg art, charcuterie boards, framed writings, photography, tie dye and much more. Treasures can be found among the many items on display at the antique & collectible area featuring estate & costume jewelry, ephemera, bric a brac, silver, old toys, coins, pottery, glassware and more. Festival food, homemade pretzels, pickles and kettle korn will be available. Held rain or shine.
Veterans Memorial Park , Broadway & 3rd Ave, Westwood, NJ

Fall Fest at Lambertville Station Restaurant & Inn
October 1, 11:30 am – 4 pm
Experience two days full of fall fun along the banks of the Delaware River at the Lambertville Station Restaurant & Inn Fall Fest. Take in the brilliant foliage and breathtaking views as you browse through vendors featuring local artisans, crafts, games, family activities, food trucks, beer garden, and live music.
11 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ

Annual LBI FLY International Kite Festival
October 6 – 8
The event features a weekend with brilliant colorful artist design kites, fun flying giant inflatable kites and the amazing show of sport kiting to our beautiful island. Many of these fliers are invited guests in prestigious festivals around the world. This free and cross-generational event will yield even more spectacular and unusual kites this year – as well as displayed at local galleries prior to the festivalShip Bottom, Long Beach Island, NJ

Fall Block Party and Fireworks Spectacular
October 7, 9 am – 5 pm
This annual family event features over 400 crafters, food vendors, music, and more. In the evening, fireworks over the boardwalk from 6th Street – 14th Street.
6th – 14th Streets on Asbury Ave., Ocean City, NJ

West Milford Autumn Lights Festival
October 7, 10 am – 5 pm
The Autumn Lights Festival first started 20 years ago as a celebration to West Milford for getting its first traffic light! In the beginning it was just the town gathering on the lawn of Town Hall.
Today it has grown to a street fair that has over 300 vendors, live music, child activities, games and rides. With about 20,000 ‘ALFers’ that visit throughout the day.
Union Valley Rd, West Milford, NJ

Fall Food Truck and Craft Fair Festival
October 7, 11 am – 5 pm
Camden County Technical Schools will be sponsoring a Food Truck and Craft Fair Fall Festival on Saturday, October 7th from 11 am to 5 pm. The school is located in Gloucester Township at 343 Berlin Cross Keys Road, Sicklerville, NJ. Rain date for severe weather is October 8th. All are invited to attend this family friendly event. FREE admission and FREE parking. There will be 12 assorted food trucks plus a bake sale; 80 crafters & artisans; games and prizes for children; a scarecrow making station, pumpkins and mums for sale; pumpkin painting; sand art; live music, fall photo op stations, and much more.
343 Berlin Cross Keys Road, Sicklerville, NJ

Collingswood Book Festival
October 7, 10 am – 4 pm
The award-winning Collingswood Book Festival features over 50 presenting authors and an additional 250 authors and exhibitors. Known as the longest running literary event in the Delaware Valley, book lovers of all ages can find authors and book signings, new and used book sales, exhibitors, vendors, poetry, storytellers, rare book appraisals, Loompaland kids zone and more.
Haddon Avenue and Irvin Avenue, Collingswood, NJ

Pittie Palooza Fall Festival
October 7, 11 am – 3 pm
The Pittie Palooza Fall Festival promises a delightful experience for attendees with its array of adoptable dogs, local vendors, engaging kids activities, and a lively musical backdrop courtesy of DJ the Kid.
Pine Belt Chevrolet, Rt 88 Lakewood, NJ

22nd Annual Oktoberfest
October 7, 12 pm – 7 pm
Authentic German food, live music, dancing, and other great entertainment will be part of the Highlands Business Partnership 22nd Annual Oktoberfest celebration taking place in Veterans Park on Bay & Shrewsbury Avenues on Saturday, October 7th from 12:00 – 7:00 PM. Rain Date – Sunday, October 8th 12-7PM, Admission and Parking is free. The park is festive with fall decorations, the food is great, and the varieties of German beers are even better. Authentic German food is a highlight of this famous festival. There will be live Oompah, and polka music performed by the Dance Hall Detour. Bahrs Landing Restaurant is preparing the menu with plenty of traditional German favorites hot off the grill such as bratwurst, knockwurst, kraut, potato pancakes, goulash, sauerbraten, and Bavarian noodles along with other tasty fare those less adventurous. Quench your thirst with a large variety of Oktoberfest Beers, both light and dark. Festivities will include a “Best-Dressed” Contest, and a “Beer Stein Holding” Contest with special prizes. There will also be 50/50 drawings with 50% of the proceeds going to the lucky winners. There is something for everyone at the Highlands Oktoberfest. The festival is family friendly with a wide variety of retail, specialty, and craft vendors.
Veterans Park, 51 Bay Ave., Highlands, NJ

North Brunswick Annual Heritage Day
October 7, 3PM – 10PM
Join North Brunswick Township and celebrate at one of their biggest events of the year. Heritage Day is held annually during the fall to celebrate North Brunswick’s rich history and diverse cultural heritage. Live cultural music all day, vendors, food and ending the night with a performance by Valerie & The Dimensions and Fireworks!
North Brunswick Community Park, 2051 Rt. 130 North Brunswick, NJ

North Brunswick Annual Heritage Day
October 7, 3PM – 10PM
Join North Brunswick Township and celebrate at one of their biggest events of the year. Heritage Day is held annually during the fall to celebrate North Brunswick’s rich history and diverse cultural heritage. Live cultural music all day, vendors, food and ending the night with a performance by Valerie & The Dimensions and Fireworks!
North Brunswick Community Park, 2051 Rt. 130 North Brunswick, NJ

Cranberry Fest
October 7 & 8, 11 am – 5 pm
This two-day event features over 150 crafters, artists, and vendors offering handmade, vintage, and upcycled items for the heart and home! One of the oldest and largest juried craft shows in NJ. “Craft” beer garden and food court, plus live music throughout both days
Farnsworth Ave, Bordentown, NJ

Dunellen Harvest Festival
October 8, 11 am – 4 pm
The  annual Dunellen HarvestFest features artists and crafters from around the Garden State, local nonprofits, activities for kids, foods, music, dancing, and more
Washington Park, Dunellen, NJ

Annual Diwali Mela – The Festival of Lights
October 8, 12 pm – 6 pm
Vendors will be selling clothing, jewelry, and gift items. Food vendors will be selling North & South Indian food. The day will be filled with lots of cultural program and Kids performances. Entry is free !
Buchmuller Park 150 Plaza Center Secaucus, NJ

Asbury Park Punk Rock Flea Market
October 8, 11 am – 5 pm
The APPRFM is back in it’s home of Asbury Park NJ!! This year they will take over Bradley Park with amazing and creative vendors selling records, vintage, artwork, jewelry and other creepy and music-related items.
Bradley Park (across from Convention Hall), Asbury Park NJ

The Wildwoods Food & Music Festival
October 8, 11 am – 7 pm
Formerly known as Wildwoods Seafood and Music Festival. The Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce presents a food and music street fair featuring a full day of fantastic food options, music, shopping and more. The festival will take place in Downtown Wildwood starting at Byrne Plaza along Pacific Avenue between Oak and Schellenger Avenues in Wildwood. The festival will include live music, delicious food, messy pie-eating contests, craft vendors and much more. The festival will provide fun for the kids with a “Kids Korner,” open from noon – 5 p.m., featuring games, pumpkin painting, and inflatable bounce houses. The festival is FREE to attend.
Byrne Plaza, 3400 Pacific Ave. Wildwood City, NJ

Califon Borough’s Annual Fall Street Fair
October 8, 11 am – 5 pm
Sections of Main Street will be closed to automobile traffic and the historic downtown area will be transformed into a communal scene of fall fun, shopping, food, and entertainment. Attendees will be able to stroll through Califon’s picturesque downtown and enjoy exquisite artisans and crafters, a variety of tasty food trucks, vendors, and live music. Boutiques and family-owned businesses will be open for browsers to find one of a kind treasures and enjoy unique Street Fair specials. Area businesses, artisans, and other vendors will have tables set up along the street, and attractions will include the return of the pie eating contest, the kids zone, a pumpkin carving demonstration, and a beer garden hosted by Califon’s Station 44 Volunteer Fire Company—making it the perfect day out with friends and/or family.
53 Main Street, Califon, NJ

Annual Pumpkin Festival & Share the Harvest Food Drive
October 14, 10 am – 4 pm
This family event features pumpkin painting and games throughout the day. A variety of crafters will sell their wares along the Village’s shell-paved lanes. Vendors will be selling hot dogs, funnel cake, and other snacks. Visit a haunted house at the Village Barn and hop on a fall hayride through the farm. Don’t miss the Children’s Halloween Parade at 11 am.
Historic Cold Spring Village, 720 Route 9, South Cape May, NJ

Annual Pine Barrens Jamboree at Wells Mills Park
October 14, 10 am – 4:30 pm
This annual event features a fun filled day of music of the pines, cultural demonstrations, traditional crafts, nature and history programs. Attendees will sit under the big tent and enjoy a fun filled day of county, bluegrass and traditional music.
Wells Mills County Park, 905 Wells Mills Rd, Rt. 532, Waretown, NJ

Cherry Hill Harvest Festival
October 15, 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

Springfield’s Fall Festival
October 15, 11 am – 5 pm
Everyone is welcome to attend! Springfield’s Annual Fall Festival and Car Show October 16th 11am-5pm! Mountain Ave will be lined with food trucks, vendors, petting zoo, horse drawn carriage ride, live music – bands showcase, beer garden and an Inflatable Kid Zone ($5 unlimited jumping) for all ages to enjoy the day!! Show Small Town Spirit and Enjoy the Festivities!
100 Mountain Ave, Springfield, NJ

Full Moon Trunk-or-Treat
October 20, 6 pm
This free event is open to the public for all ages, share a spook-tacular night with your friends as you go trunk-to-trunk trick-or-treating! This will be a devilishly good time filled with games, activities, arts and crafts, and of course, candy! So get dressed up in your scariest or cutest costume and have some Halloween fun with 4-H.
Ted Blum 4-H Center 310 Milltown Road Bridgewater Township, NJ

Cranford’s Great Pumpkin Carve Out
October 21
Drop off your pumpkins from 10 am – 3 pm. Everyone is invited to come to Hanson Park from 6 pm-9 pm to stroll along the pumpkin-lit garden paths and see the carved pumpkins wonderfully displayed. Cash awards will be given for the funniest, scariest, and most original carved pumpkin grouped by ages; 4-8, 9-16 and 17 and up. This year will feature a family category so families can submit a group effort. Additionally, a big-screen outdoor showing of a surprise favorite movie will start at dark. Bring your blankets! The movie, stroll, and contest are all free. Hot cider and cookies will be available for purchase.
Hanson Park, 38 Springfield Avenue in Cranford, NJ

Queen City Fall Fest
October 21, 12 pm – 5 pm
Enjoy live music, a vendor village (with local shops and crafters), a kids zone (complete with an inflatable obstacle course) and so much more.
Veteran’s Bicentennial Park, Beach Haven, NJ

Annual Sussex County Harvest Honey and Garlic Festival
October 21, 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

Annual Chatsworth Cranberry Festival
October 21 & 22
This family event features a juried craft show with over 150 vendors, 15 food vendors, and live music.​
Downtown Chatsworth, NJ

Movern Museum and Garden’s Harvest Festival
October 28, 12 pm – 3 pm
This festive program will feature ensembles and musicians performing music of Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, and Early American eras. Experience historic music celebrating the autumn harvest with performances scheduled throughout the day. Attendees can visit Morven’s gardens to help harvest vegetables and take part in hands-on activities including “spooky season” crafts, and an instrument “Petting Zoo” with the Guild for Early Music. Dress in your Halloween costume to enter to win special prizes.
Movern Museum, 55 Stockton St, Princeton, NJ

The Bazaar Fall Festival
October 29, 12 pm – 5 pm
The annual Long Branch Fall Bazaar will take place at Whitechapel Projects, a beautiful arts, food and cultural venue in Long Branch, NJ. There is plenty of outdoor space to social distance and enjoy shopping from local vendors and makers, a kids costume parade, trick or treating, kids workshops, costume contest for pets and adults, and fun Fall and Halloween-themed activities for families, friends and all ages.
Whitechapel Projects, 15 Second Ave, Long Branch, NJ