NJIB’s Guide to 115+ New Jersey October Festivals and Events
October in New Jersey is a vibrant time of year, filled with a wide array of events and festivals that celebrate the best of the season. From harvest festivals and food fairs to arts showcases and cultural celebrations, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re a fan of live music, local vendors, seasonal eats, or family-friendly entertainment, the Garden State offers a packed calendar of festivities that capture the spirit of autumn. As the leaves turn and the weather cools, New Jersey comes alive with events that are perfect for making memories.
For more events throughout the year, check out our Event Guide. To submit your event, click here.
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Looking for more Halloween events? Here is our guide to Halloween Multi-Day Festivals and Events.
Looking for more Oktoberfests? Here is our guide to New Jersey Oktoberfests.
NJIB’s Guide to New Jersey October Festivals and Events:
Featured!!
Howl-O-Ween Family Fest
October 17, 12 pm – 5 pm
The event is the Marty’s Place Senior Dog Sanctuary’s largest annual fundraiser, bringing together animal lovers, families, and canine companions for a festive afternoon dedicated to supporting senior dogs. Highlights include:
– K9 Costume Contest: A main highlight of the afternoon, allowing attending pets to show off their festive outfits. Registration takes place on-site and closes at 2:15 PM, right before resident sanctuary dogs and alumni are introduced to kick off the contest.
– Pie-Eating Contest: Dogs (and their human companions) can compete in speed-eating challenges divided into size categories (Small, Medium, Large/XL).
– Mini Swim Sessions: Hosted in partnership with 4Paws Adrift, dogs can take a splash in the sanctuary pool. Proof of rabies vaccination is required to participate.
Attendees can sample offerings from local food trucks—including Nomad Pizza, Relish the Dog, The Sandwich Shop Mobile, and Swal Family Creamery. Adults aged 21 and older can visit the designated Beer Garden to enjoy beer and wine selections. A vendor fair featuring dozens of local artisans, pet care specialists, and craft makers will offer custom goods, pet treats, and handmade gifts throughout the afternoon.
118 Route 526, Allentown, NJ
Cost: $10, kids under 10 are free
Lunar Faire: Halloweekend at Sussex Fairgrounds
Saturday, October 24 | 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM
37 Plains Rd, Augusta, NJ 07822
Lunar Faire’s season-closing Halloweekend Faire is the ultimate Halloween event. This event features immersive witchy attractions, including group spellwork with the Lunar Queene, a potions lab, fire wire walking, and bubble magic by Meadow Perry. Attendees can also shop from offbeat craft vendors, sample local food, and experience Halloween-themed entertainment such as a levitating witch performance and “The MF Pumpkin of CHAOS.”
Multi-Day Events:
Jack O’Lantern Experience
September 25 – November 1
Experience one of New Jersey’s most unforgettable Halloween events — a glowing, immersive walk‑through at Skylands Stadium. Wander a sprawling trail lined with thousands of hand‑carved jack‑o’-lanterns, each illuminating spooky silhouettes, towering pumpkin sculptures, and flickering firelight. Every turn reveals a new Halloween scene, creating a family‑friendly fall adventure that’s become a must‑visit NJ tradition.
94 Championship Place, Augusta, NJ
Cost: $20 – $39
Mountain Creek Fall Festival
September 26 – October 25 (Sat & Sun)
The event offers scenic Sky Rides and an Adventure Package that includes unlimited access to Sky Rides and the Alpine Mountain Coaster. Additional attractions include bounce houses, a hay maze, a pumpkin patch, lawn games, and guided hikes. Live music performances are scheduled from 2 PM to 5 PM on select dates, featuring local bands. Guests can also enjoy food and drink offerings, with more details to be announced. Tickets must be purchased online, and all activities are subject to availability.
Mountain Creek, 200 Route 94, Vernon, NJ
Halloween Light Show at Demarest Farms
September 26 – November 1 (Select Dates)
See NJ’s largest light show on a guided drive-through tour of brilliant Halloween light displays. Stop by the farm to enjoy market goodies 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
Great Adventure’s Fright Fest/Kids Boo Fest
Boo Fest – Now – November 1
Fright Fest – Now – November 1 (Select Dates)
Six Flags Great Adventure offers two Halloween events: Fright Fest for older audiences and Kids Boo Fest for families. Fright Fest features haunted houses, scare zones, twisted shows, and devilish treats, while Kids Boo Fest offers kid-friendly attractions like a trick-or-treat trail, a hay maze, a costume contest, and a pumpkin patch. Both events run throughout the fall season.
Six Flags Great Adventure, 1 Six Flags Boulevard Jackson, NJ
Cost: Varies
Jacks and Lights
Now – November 1
Prepare yourselves for an extraordinary glowing spectacle like no other! Experience the jaw-dropping magic of thousands of carved jack o’lanterns lighting up the night sky. Brace yourself for a night filled with gourd-geous displays and pumpkin perfection that will leave you spellbound. Don’t miss out on this boo-tiful event!
Argos Farm, 1250 Lacey Rd, Forked River, NJ
Cost: Online $21.95-$29.95; Gate: $26.95-$33.99
Fintastic Pumpkin Glow @ Adventure Aquarium
Now – November 1
During the fall festivities, guests can discover a mesmerizing collection of glowing gourds in every shape, size, and species shining above the surface or illuminating the depths among sharks, stingrays, and other unique aquatic life. Meet Adventure Aquarium’s dive team and discover what keeps them moving through the exhibits during “Meet the Divers”! After the show, check out the divers as they show off their underwater pumpkin-carving skills!
1 Riverside Dr., Camden, N.J., 08103
Cost: Ticket prices vary by date
Memory Maker’s Trail of Magic
October 1 – 31
This October, Lambertville will once again be transformed by the whimsical, wonderfully strange world of artist Dolores Dragan as Memory Maker’s Trail of Magic returns October 1-31, 2026. Presented by the Lambertville Creative Arts Fund (LCAF), the month-long event brings Dolores’s iconic Halloween characters – known affectionately as the Dragans – to windows and businesses throughout Lambertville, creating a walkable trail of art, imagination and discovery. New this year, visitors can experience the Trail through a free audio tour, making it even easier to explore the installations while discovering the businesses and locations that bring the event to life.
Lambertville, NJ
Cost: Free
Addams Fest
October 1 – October 31
The town-wide celebration of Charles Addams, the creator of the Addams Family, is returning with old favorites and new surprises. The event includes art galleries, window displays, tours, an ale garden, a masquerade ball and so much more.
Westfield, NJ
Cost: Varies
Halloween House Freehold
October 2– November 1
Halloween House Freehold is a completely immersive, one-of-a-kind Halloween experience that transports you to an all-Halloween world. Each impeccably detailed, fully realized room features a different Halloween theme designed to make every Halloween lover’s experience unforgettable. Visit the #1 ranked Halloween attraction for all ages! If you love haunted-house decor but don’t want the stress of being touched and scared, Halloween House Freehold is for you. And if you do love haunted houses, you’ll love Halloween House Freehold too!
Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold, NJ
Cost: $34.99+
Day Time Spooky Wild West Fest & Haunted Train + Trail
October 2 – 31
Take part in a fun, spooky, interactive Western experience. Watch tales of the Wild West come to life through historical characters, live action dramatizations, and demonstrations by period craftsmen. Cowboys and cow-ghouls can participate in the Wild West Fest costume contest and help the Marshal hunt down the Headless Horseman Gang. After sunset, enjoy the Haunted Train and Trail.
50 Lackawanna Drive, Stanhope, NJ
Cost: Adults: $37/Children (Age 2-12): $32. Haunted Trail: $25
Brookdale Haunted Theater
October 9 – October 30 (Fri – Sun)
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 visitors on a walking tour through a maze of blood-chilling rooms. “Lights on, Scares Off” performances are available during the afternoon.
Brookdale Community College Performing Arts Center, 765 Newman Springs Rd, Lincroft, NJ
Cost: $10 – $20
Night of Frights + Ghost Tour
October 9 – 30 (Night of Frights Sat & Sun, Ghost Tours select Sundays)
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 paranormal tales and explore parts of the buildings not usually open to the public. The tour is challenging because of the 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
Scare Farm at Norz Hill (The Last Year)
October 2 to November 1 (Fri – Sun)
Scare Farm, located at Norz Hill Farm & Market in Hillsborough, New Jersey, is a premier seasonal haunt offering four distinct outdoor terror attractions for the 2026 Halloween season. The attraction features “The Slay Ride” haunted hayride alongside terrifying walk-through corn trails including Creepy Hollow, Paranoia, and Madderbaby Lane. Visitors navigate immersive storylines, disorienting mazes, and live scare actors across the dark farmland, with timed-entry tickets available online to secure entry to Central Jersey’s top fright destination.
Norz Hill Farm, 120 S. Branch Rd, Hillsborough, NJ
Cost: $45 – $85
Haunted Red Mill 2026: Lurking in the Shadows
October 2 – 24 (Friday & Saturday evenings)
Expect a high-intensity haunted walk-through with tight corridors, pitch-black sections, sudden jump scares, and atmospheric storytelling that leans into the mill’s authentic 19th-century eeriness. Guests move through multiple themed zones—both indoors and outdoors—where live actors, special effects, and the mill’s natural darkness work together to create a deeply unsettling, adrenaline-charged experience. Recommended Ages: 12+. Teens and adults will get the full impact of the attraction’s intensity.
Red Mill Museum, 56 Main St, Clinton, NJ
Cost: $42.38-$57.89
The Week of October 1 – 4:
The Fall NJ Gem Show
September 30 – October 4
This five-day interactive event will attract collectors, shop owners, gemologists, artists, miners, designers, and metaphysical practitioners from across the globe. With dozens of participating vendors, attendees can purchase and explore an extensive array of rare gems, fossils, minerals, and more! Additionally, The Fall NJ Gem Show will also feature a host of family-friendly interactive elements like a dino dig pit, metal detecting, geode cracking, gemstone sluicing, and panning for gemstones, as well as a rubber ducky hunt throughout the event grounds, which can be exchanged for special prizes.
NJ Convention Center, 97 Sunfield Ave, Edison, NJ
Cost: $10+
Submersion Festival
October 1-3
Submersion Festival is a boutique, independently-owned and operated music and arts festival based in Hammonton, New Jersey. Hosted by Aspire Higher and The Rust Music, the festival finds itself nestled within the sprawling Paradise Lakes campground amongst the Garden State’s lush Pine Barrens for a third consecutive year. Bringing together musical communities and vetted professionals from the combined Philadelphia and New York area, we strive to provide a tightly curated weekend of selective programming, expansive visual art, cutting-edge sound systems alongside a modest cast of friends and family.
Paradise Lakes Campground, 500 Paradise Dr, Hammonton, NJ
Cost: Varies
Seton Village Food Truck Festival
October 2, 5 pm – 9:30 pm
The Seton Village Food Truck Festival returns Friday, October 2 from 5–9:30 PM on Irvington Avenue with food trucks, craft beer & wine, music and plenty of fun!
Irvington Ave, South Orange, NJ
Cost: Free to attend
Collingswood Book Festival
October 3, 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
Cost: Free
JC Harvest Festival and Cultural Diversity Festival
October 3, 10 am – 2 pm
This family event features many fun fall festivities including pumpkin decorating, arts & crafts, music, food vendors, and more!
Hamilton Park, Jersey City, NJ
Cost: Free
Ridgefield Park Music Fest Street Fair
October 3, 10 am – 5 pm
Main Street will come alive as a giant town block party from Park Street to Cedar Street, presented by the Ridgefield Park Board of Commissioners. Open from 10 AM to 5 PM, rain or shine, the fair draws thousands of music lovers each fall. Live bands will perform on the Cedar Street stage while a DJ hosts games and activities near Park Street. Attendees can browse quality exhibitors, a dedicated arts & crafts section, local merchants, and civic organizations, and enjoy live entertainment, festival foods, gourmet food trucks, and kiddie rides. The Kids’ Zone features bounce rides, slides, face painting, sand art, and interactive games, making the event fun for the whole family.
234 Main Street, Ridgefield Park, NJ
Cost: Free Admission
Oktoberfest Fall Festival
October 3, 10 am – 5 pm
The Craft Show at DNC Fall Festival (Oktoberfest) features a high quality craft show with crafters bringing their handmade crafts in many medias. It’s a great place for holiday shopping, for gifts, or for items for your own use and enjoyment. There will be food, drinks, canoe rides, birdhouse building, square dancing, local crafters & farmers and much much more! While at the fair visit the Demarest Nature Center and environmental information tables. All proceeds go to benefit The Demarest Nature Center.
Demarest Nature Center Duck Pond, 38 Park St, Demarest, NJ
Cost: Free
Holistic Health & Healing Expo
October 3, 11 am to 5 pm
The Holistic Health & Healing Expo is the go-to resource for natural wellness and green living in South Jersey and Philadelphia. The HHH Expo empowers individuals to live healthier on a healthier planet, educates communities on the latest in natural health and sustainability, and inspires them to lead more balanced lives.
DoubleTree by Hilton Cherry Hill Philadelphia, 2349 Marlton Pike West, Cherry Hill, NJ
Cost: Free, VIP $5
25th Annual Highlands Oktoberfest
October 3, 12 pm – 7 pm, Rain Date: October 4
There is something for everyone at the Highlands Oktoberfest. The festival is family-friendly, with a wide variety of retail, specialty, and craft vendors. 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 music and 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 for 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.
Veterans Park, 51 Bay Ave. Highlands, NJ
Cost: Free
Little Falls PBA #346’s Oktoberfest
October 3, 12 pm – 7 pm
The 10th Annual Oktoberfest brings a festive, family-friendly fall celebration complete with a lively beer garden and a competitive cornhole tournament. Attendees can enjoy live music and local food trucks, browse offerings from craft vendors and neighborhood businesses, and explore seasonal attractions like a pumpkin patch. With a wide array of entertainment and community activities, the milestone anniversary event delivers a vibrant Oktoberfest experience for guests of all ages.
65 Union Ave, Little Falls, NJ
Cost: Free to attend
Hackensacktoberfest
October 3, 1 pm – 8 pm
Get ready for the annual fall celebration of North Jersey breweries, local food trucks and Hackensack restaurants, music, and shopping! The event is FREE for everyone, but you must be 21+ to enter the beer garden and enjoy the incredible brews from local breweries.
Atlantic Street Park, Hackensack, NJ
Cost: Free to attend
Elktoberfest
October 3, 1 pm – 6 pm
The South Orange Elks Lodge invites the community to celebrate Elktoberfest, a family-friendly Oktoberfest-style festival featuring food, games, entertainment, and activities for all ages. Guests are encouraged to embrace the Oktoberfest spirit and enjoy a day of fun. The event will feature bounce house adventures, an ice cream truck, brats, pretzels and other festive food, the legendary Smash Tent, games for all ages, axe throwing, and plenty of additional surprises throughout the day. With activities and entertainment for both children and adults, Elktoberfest offers something for the entire family to enjoy.
South Orange Elks Lodge, 220 Prospect Street, South Orange, NJ
Cost: $20 suggested donation. Kids under 12 are free
Jamtoberfest ’26: The Ultimate Jam Band Concert & Festival
October 3, 1 pm – 9 pm
As summer fades and the crisp air of fall arrives, New Jersey music fans gather for one last outdoor celebration at the historic Swim & Sport Club. Inspired by the legendary sounds of the Allman Brothers, Grateful Dead, Phish, and the great jam bands that shaped the scene, Jamtoberfest ’26 captures the vintage Watkins Glen spirit under the open sky. The day begins with Animal Instincts, setting the tone with psychedelic jazz‑fusion grooves, and continues with nonstop performances that deliver the ultimate jam‑band energy. Festival‑goers can enjoy food trucks, a lively biergarten, and a variety of themed vendors offering tie‑dye apparel, jam‑band art, handmade jewelry, and festival gear. With space to stretch out on the grass, wander the grounds, and soak in the music, the event promises a vibrant atmosphere filled with unforgettable performances, tasty eats, and community vibes.
272 Emmans Rd, Flanders, NJ
Cost: $39 in advance / $49 at the gate
Belleville Food Truck and Music Fest
October 3, 2 pm – 9 pm
Food! Beer! Music! Fun! It’s a fun-filled family day. Over 20 Gourmet Food Trucks, music, pony rides, petting zoo, knockerball, hatchet tossing, inflatables, face painting, sand art, vendors & a beer, sangria & margarita garden. Bring your appetite, lawn chairs, pop ups and blankets.
Belleville High School, 100 Passaic Ave, Belleville, NJ
Cost: Free
Sayreville Diwali Festival of Lights
October 3, 3 pm – 9 pm. Rain Date: Oct 10
This festive event features live cultural performances, music, a Garba dance celebration (a traditional folk dance often performed during Diwali celebrations), international food vendors, arts and crafts, specialty vendors, and activities for all ages. The evening will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display.
John F. Kennedy Park, 807 Washington Road, Sayreville, NJ
Cost: Free to attend
North Brunswick Heritage Day
October 3, 3 pm – 10 pm
Heritage Day celebrates the people, cultures, and traditions that make North Brunswick a vibrant and diverse community. Each year, residents, local businesses, civic organizations, and visitors come together to enjoy live entertainment, great food, children’s activities, exhibits, community organizations, and plenty of Township pride.
2051 Route 130, North Brunswick, NJ
Cost: Free
Jersey City Y2K Night Market
October 3, 3 pm – 9 pm
It’s back! The newest edition to the JC foodie scene is a hyper-local, evening market that’s hosted at City Hall – City of Jersey City. Celebrate small business and all that is chill about Jersey City! Eat delicious and international bites, shop from our artists and artisans & vibe to some music.
City Hall Lot, 179 Montgomery Street Jersey City, NJ
Cost: Free
Glassboro Art Walk & Night Market
October 3, 4 pm – 9 pm
This inspiring festival will include dozens of local and area glassblowers, sculptors, painters, metalsmiths, and woodworkers, plus a multitude of other handcrafters that will offer their items for sale and be demonstrating their skills and craftsmanship right before your eyes! The night market offers visitors the chance to browse a variety of goods while basking in a festival atmosphere full of food and other alfresco fun in Downtown Glassboro. Families are invited to interact with artists, create, and see demonstrations that emphasize the way art keeps everyone connected to the past and improves the present, and why preserving art is important for the future.
1 High Street W, Glassboro, NJ
Cost: Free
Jersey City Cocktail Fest
October 3, 6 pm – 9:30 pm
Jersey City Cocktail Fest is your all-access pass to emerging and renowned whiskies and spirits from around the corner to across the globe. Guests will enjoy samples for the entire evening paired with live entertainment, food, and interactive games. With over 100 different samples to try, it’s a great place to discover new spirits and speak to representatives and master distillers. Beer, Wine, and Spirits Fest will also feature amazing local food vendors.
Harborside Atrium, Jersey City, NJ
Cost: Tickets
Beach Haven Chowder Cook-Off
October 3 & 4, 10 am – 4 pm
This annual culinary festival gathers chowder enthusiasts, local restaurants, and food lovers for a day of taste-testing, entertainment, and community fun in the Queen City. Enjoy live music, food, 100 vendors, and more. Sunday is the official Chowder Cook-Off!
Taylor Avenue, Behind Bay Village, Beach Haven, NJ
Cost: $35. Kids under 10 years old free
Festival of Fine Craft at WheatonArts
October 3 & 4, 10 am – 5 pm
Featuring 125+ juried artists mastering various mediums, crafting demos, family art activities, live music, gourmet food trucks, and a Beer & Wine Garden for those 21+, it’s a must-visit. Don’t miss the Glass Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser supporting WheatonArts’ education efforts. An award-winning annual showcase, promising a delightful experience for all attendees.
1000 Village Drive, Millville, NJ
Cost: $14 adults, $13 senior adults (62+), $8 students, and children five and under are free
Smithville’s Oktoberfest
October 3 & 4, 10 am – 5 pm
Historic Smithville’s famous Oktoberfest brings together over 100 juried crafters along with an international food court, live music, kids’ activities, non-profit organizations, and more — creating a festive, family-friendly celebration in a charming village setting. All of this takes place alongside the Village’s year-round attractions, including 60+ shoppes, a carousel ride, train ride, paddle boats, 7 eateries, and antique arcades, making it a full day of shopping, food, and fun for all ages.
Route 9 & Moss Mill Road, Smithville, NJ
Cost: Free
Oktoberfest at The Red Barn Farm
October 3 & 4, 10 am – 8 pm
Raise a stein of ice-cold local craft beer from Spellbound Brewing, sip cocktails from Blue Rascal Distillery, and dig into authentic German food as the whole farm transforms into a festive fall celebration. Live oompah keeps the biergarten moving all weekend: Doppelgänger takes the stage Saturday, and Polka Delphia brings the polka Sunday. Test your strength in our stein-holding showdowns, snap a photo in your best lederhosen, and toast with friends and family under the autumn sky. And because you’re at The Red Barn Farm, all the fall favorites are here too: the giant corn maze, sunflower walk & u-pick hayrides (pumpkin picking starts this very weekend), the giant bounce pillow, and our free, open fairgrounds.
391 Route 206, Hammonton, NJ
Cost: Free to attend
Deutscher Club of Clark Oktoberfest
October 3 & 4
The Deutscher Club of Clark’s Oktoberfest transforms its tree-shaded New Jersey grounds into an authentic Bavarian festival filled with live polka music, folk dancing, and communal beer garden seating. Guests in traditional lederhosen and dirndls gather to enjoy imported German draft beers alongside classic fare like grilled bratwurst, warm potato salad, soft pretzels, and homemade apple strudel.
787 Featherbed Ln, Clark, NJ
Cost: $10
Cranberry Fest
October 3 & 4, 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
Cost: Free
Grand Harvest Wine Festival
October 3 & 4, 12 pm – 5 pm
The Grand Harvest Wine Festival returns to Fosterfields Living Historical Farm for a weekend of fall fun, wine tasting, and artisan shopping. Sample wines from top New Jersey wineries, grab bites from gourmet food trucks, and browse unique hand-made goods from local artisans. It’s the perfect autumn outing for wine lovers and festival fans alike.
73 Kahdena Rd, Morristown, NJ 07960
Cost: $25 for Guests 21+ Ticket price goes up to $30 CASH ONLY at the door. All Spectators and Non-Samplers are $5 Guests under 21 are FREE
Harvest Fest Fair
October 4, 10 am – 5 pm
The Harvest Fest Fair in Veterans Park, Westwood, features 125 exhibitors showcasing arts, crafts, antiques, and collectibles. Shoppers can explore handmade items, vintage treasures, jewelry, pottery, folk art, florals, chainsaw animals, wind chimes, birdhouses, children’s items, seasonal décor, and more. Festival foods, homemade pickles, pretzels, desserts, and kettle corn will also be available, making it the perfect fall shopping outing.
Veterans Memorial Park, Broadway & 3rd Ave, Westwood, NJ
Cost: Free
Blackwood Pumpkin Show
October 4, 11 am – 4 pm
This family-friendly event, organized by the Mainstage Center for the Arts, is a beloved tradition that draws visitors from across the region to celebrate fall. The festival features a variety of activities, including pumpkin painting, hayrides, moon bounces, live music, food vendors, a petting zoo, face painting, scarecrow building, and even costume contests.
Black Horse Pike area at Harwan Park, Blackwood, NJ
Cost: Free
Atlantic Highlands Day and Touch a Truck
October 4, 11 am – 5 pm
Don’t miss this year’s Atlantic Highlands Day Music featuring TOUCH-A-TRUCK, 2 BANDS and 12 FOOD TRUCKS being held on SUNDAY, October 4th at the borough’s picturesque Marina Lawn. Featuring 12 food trucks with something for everyone!
Atlantic Highlands Marina Lawn, 10 Simon Way, Atlantic Highlands, NJ
Cost: Free
Cranford Street Fest
October 4, 11 am – 5 pm
Step into a world of vibrant crafts, tantalizing tastes, and endless entertainment! Join us as we transform the old Cranford Street Fair into a bustling playground of vendors and festivities at our NEW Cranford Street Fest! Get ready to stroll through a kaleidoscope of crafts, flavors, and rhythms, where every corner holds a new adventure. This is a street-fair style event featuring 100+ artisans and Cranford Businesses along North Union Ave and Alden St. Admission is free, family friendly, and open to the public.
N. Union Ave, Cranford, NJ
Cost: Free
The Caldwell Street Fair
October 4, 12 pm – 5 pm
Experience the magic of the Caldwell Street Fair, renowned as the finest in all of New Jersey! Each year, the fair attracts an impressive crowd of nearly 30,000 attendees, all eager to explore and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. The fair boasts more than 200 diverse vendors, offering a unique blend of arts and crafts, mouth-watering food, refreshing spirits, and an array of local businesses showcasing their gems. Don’t miss the rhythmic pulse of music at the Beergarden, presented by the esteemed Cloverleaf Tavern. From exhilarating carnival rides, inflatables, and mini golf, to imaginative face painting and riveting boardwalk games, there’s something for every child to enjoy.
395 Bloomfield Ave, Caldwell, NJ
Cost: Free
Freehold Octoberfest
October 4, 12 pm – 5 pm
DowntownFreehold.com is proud to present their 4rd Annual Oktoberfest, a street festival that transforms West Main Street into a lively celebration of music, food, beer, and community spirit. Raise a glass at this year’s expanded Beer Garden featuring local favorites: Twin Lights Brewing, Seven Sons Brewing, Birdsmouth Beer, and Tall Oaks Farm & Brewery. Enjoy nonstop entertainment with performances by: Swedish Meatballs, Pat Guadagno & Richard Blackwell. Explore a wide variety of vendors, delicious food options, crafters, games, and specialty items—all set up with plenty of seating so you can relax and enjoy the fall festivities.
West Main Street, Freehold, NJ
Cost: Free to attend
Tenafly’s Annual Fall Festival
October 4, 12 pm – 5 pm
Get ready for a festive day of fall fun! The Borough of Tenafly, in partnership with the Tenafly Chamber of Commerce, invites residents and visitors to gather at Huyler Park on Sunday, October 4th, for the fourth annual Tenafly Fall Festival—a free, family-friendly seasonal celebration packed with live entertainment, hands-on activities, rides, local shopping, and mouth-watering food. Kids will love the interactive activities, while adults can browse a curated artisan market featuring handcrafted treasures and locally made goods.
Huyler Park, Tenafly, NJ
Cost: Free
Point Pleasant Beach Book & Literacy Festival
October 4, 12 pm – 4 pm
The Little Point Bookshop, in collaboration with Doug Vitale and the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign, will host the annual Point Pleasant Beach Book & Literacy Festival. Enjoy author talks, signings, local vendors, and live music from Decoy Band as we celebrate literacy, wellness, and community.
Bandshell Corner of Arnold Ave and Baltimore Ave, Point Pleasant, NJ
Cost: Free to attend
Denville Food Truck Festival
October 4, 12 pm – 6 pm
Bring your appetite and enjoy a wide variety of food trucks serving up everything from savory bites to sweet treats. Groove to live music, shop unique finds from local vendors, sip on cold beer, and let the kids enjoy fun activities made just for them. There’s something for everyone at this community favorite! Proceeds benefit Denville PAL (youth sports) and American Legion Post #390.
Gardner Field, 2 Savage Rd, Denville, NJ
Cost: $10, kids under 5 are free
Woodlands Wildlife Refuge Community Day
October 4, 1 pm – 5 pm
Woodlands will host its annual Community Day, offering a rare chance for the public to explore one of New Jersey’s leading wildlife rehabilitation centers. Normally closed except for patient admissions and educational programs, Woodlands will open its doors for self-guided tours, wildlife-focused activities for kids, and expert discussions on wildlife topics. Visitors can meet resident animals like the Sulcata tortoise, Eastern box turtle, and corn snake, and enjoy live animal presentations by Eyes of The Wild. Admission donations include tours, presentations, food, and select children’s activities.
676 County Road 513, Pittstown, NJ
Cost: $25, kids under 12 are free
A Celebration of Pets
October 4, 1 pm – 4 pm
The event will feature a variety of pet-oriented businesses, including animal shelters, fostering groups, pet sitters, and artisans who create products for and about pets. Attendees can enjoy music, food, and activities for kids, as well as a PET PARADE at 2:30 p.m., with prizes in several categories. Pets may also receive a blessing for those who wish. The event is free, rain or shine, and all are welcome, with or without a pet.
Verona Town Hall Center, 600 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona, NJ
Cost: Free
Pumpkin Patch Trains
October 4, 10, & 11
Join in the Halloween fun at the Whippany Railway Museum onboard the “Pumpkin Patch Train” ! The 10-mile, 45-minute round trip from Whippany to Roseland and return is the perfect way to spend a Fall afternoon with the family. After each ride, children with valid train tickets can go to the Pumpkin Patch and pick out a free kid-sized pumpkin and receive a pumpkin decorating kit while supplies last. Children of all ages are encouraged to come dressed in their Halloween costumes, helping to make the train a spooky sight!
Whippany Railway Museum, Whippany, NJ
Cost: $13+
The Week of October 5 – 11:
Newark Arts Festival
October 7 – 11
The Newark Arts Festival will be held in various locations throughout Newark, NJ. The festival invites attendees to envision a world where art, culture, and interconnectedness are foundational to systems and beliefs. It encourages participants to deconstruct and rebuild societal norms to promote equity and justice through creativity and cultural strategy. By reimagining life and embracing collaborative problem-solving, the event aims to create enriching communities, honor past triumphs, and inspire future generations.
Newark Museum of Art, 49 Washington St, Newark, NJ, and several locations within Newark, NJ
Hopewell’s Annual Amazing Pumpkin Carve
October 8 – 11
This event is an old-time festival with expanded activities – including live music, fire pits with storytelling, games, face painting…and of course, the outrageously carved giant pumpkins.
Woosley Park, 221 Washington Crossing-Pennington Rd, Hopewell Township, NJ
Cost: $6 – $20
Greek Agora Food Festival
October 8 – 11
The largest Wine & Food Festival in the Delaware Valley! Since 1974, the Greek Agora signature event kicks off with all-day festivals of food, wine, music, dance, and song. The four-day-long festival is an annual initiative of the Saint Thomas Greek Orthodox Church in Cherry Hill, NJ, which, every October, stages a number of events that represent the Greek way of life.
615 Mercer Street, Cherry Hill, NJ
Cost: Free to Attend
ProgStock Festival
October 8 – 10
ProgStock is the American Northeast’s only international progressive rock festival, a three-day event taking place on the weekend in the Rivoli Theater of the Williams Center, located at 15 Sylvan Street.
Williams Center, 15 Sylvan St, Rutherford, NJ
Cost: Varies
Annual LBI FLY International Kite Festival
October 9 & 10
The event features a weekend with brilliant, colorful artist-designed kites, fun flying giant inflatable kites, and the amazing show of sport kiting on our beautiful island. Many of these fliers are invited guests at prestigious festivals worldwide. This free, cross-generational event will feature even more spectacular and unusual kites this year, and they’ll be on display at local galleries before the festival.
Ship Bottom, Long Beach Island, NJ
Cost: Free
Atlantic City Comedy Festival
October 9 & 10
The Atlantic City Comedy Festival features two days of hilarious entertainment. There are a total of 2 shows, with one show each day. Each show typically features 5, and sometimes more, comedians each day.
Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, 2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ
Ocean County Columbus Day Parade & Italian Street Festival
October 9 – 11
Celebrating the Annual Columbus Day Parade and Italian Heritage Festival. A fun-filled weekend of food, friends, and Italian Culture. The Parade will be held on Sunday at 1 pm, on the Boulevard from J Street to Sampson Avenue.
Grant Ave, Seaside Heights, NJ
Cost: Free
East Rutherford’s Annual Fall Festival
October 9 – 11
This year there are over 40 food and merchandise vendors, live music at TWO stages all weekend, 4 outdoor bars, pet adoptions, LIVE dinosaurs (Saturday and Sunday), mechanical bull, axe throwing bay, pumpkin patch, and so much more.
Park Ave, East Rutherford, NJ
Cost: Free
Cape May’s Annual Victorian Weekend
October 9 – 12
This is the best time of year to visit Victorian Cape May and celebrate the unique heritage of America’s first seashore resort. Enjoy a weekend of exciting and entertaining activities focused on history and Victorian Cape May culture.
Downtown, Cape May, NJ
Cost: Varies depending on booked tours
Lima Bean Festival
October 10, 9 am – 4 pm
The lowly legume takes center stage delighting locals and visitors alike with her vast array of recipes, crafts and products available. Come out and celebrate West Cape May’s farming heritage with lima bean soup, tacos, salad, jewelry, T-shirts and more! Enjoy great food, quality vendors, antiques, crafts, entertainment and fun.
Wilbraham Park, Perry S, West Cape May, NJ
Cost: Free
The Charlotte Joy Touch A Truck Festival
October 10, 10 am – 4 pm, rain date October 11
Get ready to explore big trucks up close at the 5th Annual Charlotte Joy Touch-A-Truck Festival- the largest in the Northeast! 100% of the proceeds raised from this fundraiser go directly to The Ashley Lauren Foundation, a 501(c)(3) that assists children and families in NJ as they navigate childhood cancer. This year’s event is slated to be bigger and better than ever before, featuring an impressive lineup of over 100 emergency vehicles, trucks, utility vehicles, a helicopter, a hot air balloon, classic cars, and an array of exciting attractions for the whole family.
East Freehold Showgrounds, 1500 Kozloski Road in Freehold, NJ
Cost: Adults $20, Kids $12
OCNJ Fall Block Party
October 10, 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
Cost: Free to attend
Berlin’s Annual Fall Festival
October 10, 10 am – 4 pm
This event features a Mutt Strut dog costume parade, pumpkin painting, a car show, food merchants and a beer garden.
Berlin Boro County Park, 43 S Park Drive, Berlin, NJ
Cost: Free
Avalon Art & Seafood Festival
October 10, 10 am – 5 pm
Taste delectable treats from the sea at the Chamber’s Annual Seafood Festival. Featuring fresh seafood vendors, chowder contest, live music, vendors, and more. This year, the Avalon Arts & Seafood Festival will feature a focus on vendors with original artwork and photography, craft and artisan items, food, and island businesses.
30th Street and the Beach, Avalon, NJ
Cost: Free to attend
Red Bank Oktoberfest
October 10, 1 pm – 5 pm
RiverCenter is proud to team with Triumph Brewing, Fresh Markets, and The Two River Theater for the Annual Red Bank Oktoberfest from 1pm to 5pm in Edmund Wilson Plaza (between Triumph Brewing & The Two River Theater)! Admission is free for visitors of all ages! Tasters ages 21+ can purchase sampling packages.
Downtown Red Bank, NJ
Cost: Free, tasting packages available
Taste of Italy Italian Festival
October 10, 11 am – 7 pm
The event offers attendees a celebration of Italian culture and cuisine featuring an array of food vendors—such as pizza, made-to-order pasta, rice balls, and specialty items like “The Mozzarella God”—alongside an artisan marketplace, an adult beverage bar serving beer and Italian cocktails, live accordion and Sinatra-style musical performances, a classic Italian car display, and various family-friendly activities like crafts and face painting.
Mine Hill Firemans Field, 230 Route 46, Mine Hill, NJ
Cost: $5
BarronFest: Woodbridge’s Annual Fine Arts & Crafts Festival
October 10, 12 pm – 4 pm
Woodbridge’s annual fine arts and crafts festival is back, featuring pottery, paintings, glasswork, ceramics, photography, metalwork, handcrafted jewelry, fabric art, weaving, and more—featuring 40+ talented artists and crafters.
400 Rahway Ave, Woodbridge, NJ
Cost: Free
Annual Fall Taste of Highlands
October 10, 12 pm – 5 pm
The event features a fall theme and offers five hours of food samplings and cocktails from 18 local restaurants and retailers, rain or shine. Tickets are $50 and include a map of participating businesses, tastings, access to the Seastreak Courtesy Shuttle, and free parking. Attendees check in at Huddy Park to receive their map and bracelet, collect stamps at each stop, and can enter to win tickets to future events by visiting all stops and returning the completed map. Tickets are available at highlandsnj.com or on the day of the event.
Huddy Park Check in, 329 Bay Ave. Highlands, NJ
Cost: $50
Somerset County’s Journey Through The Past
October 10 & 11
Make a vibrant connection to history at Somerset County’s annual Journey Through the Past! Bring the whole family as you explore Somerset County’s rich history and discover what life was like 50, 100, or even 200 years ago! 30 historic sites throughout Somerset County will be open for free to the public.
Somerset County, NJ
Cost: Free
Oktoberfest at Turkey Brook Park
October 10 & 11
Turkey Brook Park invites guests to celebrate the autumn season with an afternoon filled with Oktoberfest traditions, family fun, and festive entertainment. This outdoor event showcases authentic German culture through live music and traditional dance performances, complemented by a selection of vendors, food, pretzels, and beer. Attendees of all ages can enjoy a wide array of activities, including axe throwing, flying chickens, inflatable rides, streaming football on a big screen, and a free hayride.
Turkey Brook Park, 30 Flanders Rd, Flanders, NJ
Cost: $5 per person ages 18+ / 17 & Under FREE
Stafford Fall & Harvest Wine Festival
October 10 & 11, 12 pm – 5 pm
The Stafford Fall Harvest & Wine Festival returns to Heritage Park in Manahawkin offering the perfect autumn celebration along the foot of Long Beach Island. Guests can sample and purchase wines from nine New Jersey wineries, including Tomasello, Valenzano, and Wagonhouse, while enjoying live music, local food trucks, and artisan crafters. With delicious bites ranging from BBQ to seafood and Cuban cuisine, plus handmade goods like candles, soaps, desserts, and cheeses, the festival combines seasonal flavors, shopping, and entertainment into one of the region’s most anticipated fall events.
49 West Bay Avenue, Manahawkin, NJ
Cost: $20 in advance $25 at the door. Free for non-samplers
Pork Roll Palooza
October 10, 10 am – 5 pm. Rain Date: Oct 11
Norwescap, in partnership with the Phillipsburg Downtown Association, is hosting the Annual Pork Roll Palooza. The event will take place at Shappell Park in the heart of downtown and offers a family-friendly day of live music, games, and delicious food. Vendors are invited to showcase and sell their gourmet creations, arts and crafts, products, and services to a crowd of more than 3,000 visitors from across the region.
Shappell Park, Phillipsburg, NJ
Cost: Free
Catsbury Park Cat Convention
October 10 & 11
Catsbury Park Cat Convention brings cat lovers, artists, advocates, rescue organizations, special guests and pet focused businesses together for a full weekend at Bell Works. Shop, meet adoptable animals, catch talks and entertainment in the theatre, take part in activities and spend the weekend celebrating all things cat.
Bell Works, Holmdel, NJ
Cost: $30 per day, $48 for weekend pass
Califon Street Fair
October 11, 11 am – 4 pm
All are welcome to attend this free event. 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 and vendors, a beer garden, a pie-eating contest, and live music.
Downtown Califon, 53 Main Street, Califon, NJ
Cost: Free
Sparta Food Truck and Music Fest
October 11, 11 am – 6:30 pm
The fall-themed event serves as a charitable benefit for the Sparta Benevolent Organization and features fifteen gourmet food trucks, a beer garden, and live musical performances from three bands throughout the day. Designed as a family-friendly community gathering, it also offers a variety of children’s entertainment, including pony rides, a petting zoo, bounce houses, face painting, and local vendor booths.
White Lake Park, White Lake Rd, Sparta, NJ
Cost: $5
New Brunswick Oktoberfest
October 11, 12 pm – 6 pm
This highly anticipated, must-see festival is FREE and action-packed with food & beverage vendors, retailers, interactive activities, a Steinholding contest, and live entertainment from the main stage. Enjoy a variety of local and traditional food, craft brews, and German beers. Bring your friends and family to enjoy an afternoon of music, games, activities, and so much more!. Partygoers are encouraged to get into the Oktoberfest spirit by wearing their best dirndl or lederhosen. The fun continues with a music line-up that will keep you entertained all afternoon and feature a combination of music for a broad mix for all age groups, including Traditional German music!
Monument Square Park, 2 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick, NJ
Cost: Free
Marlboro Restaurant Week
October 11 – 18
Explore Marlboro’s diverse restaurants, enjoy exclusive Restaurant Week specials, and support the local businesses that make our community thrive. Invite friends, make reservations, and savor every bite!
Marlboro, NJ
The Week of October 12 – 18:
Flavor of Freehold
October 13 & 14, 5:30 pm – 8 pm
A unique tour of Downtown Freehold’s venerable restaurants, bars, and shops held over two days. Participants walk from place to place with their “Passport” used as a guide of where to go. Everyone will receive signature samples from some of Freehold’s most loved establishments.
Downtown Freehold, 10 East Main Street, Freehold, NJ
Cost: $25
Queen City Film Festival
October 15 – 18
Watch films from new and underrepresented voices. The festival includes youth programs and panels for aspiring filmmakers.
Various Locations in Plainfield and Watchung, NJ
Cost: $0 – $85
Lunar Faire Night Market: Dark Carnival
October 16, 5 pm – 10 pm
Blending shopping, oddities, and moonlit entertainment, this spooky season-themed gathering features a variety of unique attractions, including a group spell ritual led by the Lunar Queene, a fire wire walker, a levitating witch, a drag show with Cookie Doe & Friends, and a tap-dancing medium. Attendees can explore local artisan vendors offering witchy items and potions, enjoy food trucks, and experience live variety acts and chaotic carnivalesque entertainment designed for an offbeat Friday night out.
Freehold Fairgrounds, 1500 Kozloski Rd, Freehold, NJ
Cost: $15 in advance, $25 day of
Gardens Aglow at Essex County Presby Memorial Iris Gardens
October 16, 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.
Presby Memorial Iris Gardens, Montclair, NJ
Cost: Free
Lambertville Halloween Film Festival
October 16 – 18
The curtain rises on an evening ripped from horror’s greatest eras, both old and new. Dust off your finest, round up your fellow fiends, and prepare your most spine-tingling ensemble for a party fit for the silver screen’s most legendary ghouls. Events include “Fright bites” by Tod the Mod’s Starving Artist Cafe, THE VINCENT PRICE COSTUME CONTEST plus prizes for Best Costume Overall, A silent auction and raffles of curiosities and treasures, THE DRACULA DANCE, performed with the Roxey Ballet as you witness the Count himself take the floor. A photo booth, Tarot Readings and other ghoulish surprises…
25 South Union St, Lambertville, NJ
Cost: $35/$55 VIP
Annual Ghoul Spring Village
October 16, 17, 23, 45, 5:30 pm
This event is a family-friendly haunted walk-through 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 $10 for adults.
New Jersey Restaurant Week
October 16 – 21
The New Jersey Restaurant Week is a statewide event hosted by the New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality Association in an effort to promote restaurants across the state.
State Wide
Annual Montclair Film Festival
October 16 – 25
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
Middlesex County Fall Harvest Festival
October 16 – 18, 23 – 25
Visitors will get to interact with living history interpreters, listen to live music by the Sawmill Run Old Time String Band, participate in children’s crafts, and enjoy food from Beastro. The festival will include your photo op, wagon rides to the farm fields, pick your pumpkins, with a variety of pies, cider donuts, pickles, salsa, and preserves.
East Jersey Old Town Village, 1050 River Rd, Piscataway, NJ
Cost: Free
Annual Sussex County Harvest Honey and Garlic Festival
October 17, 10 am – 4 pm
This family festival celebrates 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
New Jersey Seafood Festival
October 17, 11 am – 7 pm
The event celebrates the best of the Jersey Shore’s seafood offerings and brings 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
New Jersey Oyster Festival
October 17, 12 pm – 5 pm
Celebrate New Jersey’s oyster heritage along the Delaware Bay waterfront with local oysters, live music, food and drinks, festival activities, and more.
2800 High Street, Port Norris, NJ
Cost: $50 in advance, $60 per person at the door. Includes a commemorative wine or beer glass and a sampling of oysters
Haddon Township Annual Music Festival
October 17, 12 pm – 9 pm
Haddon Township will hold its Annual Music Festival on Haddon Ave. between Strawbridge Ave. and Cooper St. in the heart of downtown. The Haddon Township Music Festival is a perfect getaway for music aficionados who prefer to “experience” live music and interact with artists from across the Delaware Valley. The lineup features a diverse range of acts across many musical genres on two separate stages. The avenue will feature food trucks, local artisans, beer gardens, a kid zone, and a 70-foot Ferris wheel. The event is free and open to the public and approximately four blocks from the Westmont PATCO Speedline.
Haddon Ave. between Strawbridge Ave. and Cooper St., Haddon Twp., NJ
Cost: Free
Cranford Pumpkin Carve Out
October 17, 5 pm
Cranford’s Annual Pumpkin Carve-Out and Parade of Pumpkins returns to Hanson Park hosted by Jersey Central Art Studios with support from the Cranford Jaycees and Hanson Park Conservancy. This free, family-friendly tradition invites participants to drop off carved pumpkins between 9 AM and 2 PM, then return in the evening from 5 to 8:30 PM to stroll candlelit paths lined with pumpkins on display. Prizes will be awarded for the funniest, scariest, and most original carvings in age groups 4–8, 9–16, and 17+, with pumpkins available for pickup after 9 PM.
38 Springfield Ave, Cranford, NJ
Cost: Free
The New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge
October 17 & 18
The New Jersey Lighthouses and select museums happily announce that they are again hosting the New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge weekend. Visitors can tour the state, 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
Annual Chatsworth Cranberry Festival
October 17 & 18, 9 am – 4 pm
This family event features a juried craft show with over 150 vendors, 15 food vendors, and live music.
Downtown Chatsworth, NJ
Cost: Free
Rose Squared Art Show Fall Brookdale Park
October 17 & 18, 10 am – 5 pm. Rain or Shine
Rose Squared Art Shows presents more than 130 artisans at Brookdale Park. 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
New Jersey African Restaurant Festival
October 17 & 18
Experience the rich cultural tapestry of the diaspora during the Newark, New Jersey African Restaurant Festival. This vibrant community celebration invites diners to explore an array of authentic flavors from across the continent and beyond, featuring everything from spicy West African jollof rice and grilled suya to fragrant Ethiopian injera platters and North African couscous.
Newark, NJ
Cost: Small bites ranging from $5 to $25. Special prix-fixe menus ranging from $10 to $30 for lunch and $25 to $50 for multi-course dinners.
Boo at the Boardwalk
October 17, 18, 24 & 25, 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
Storybook Land Trick or Treat Weekends
October 17, 18, 24, & 25
Dress up in your Halloween best and 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: $42.95
Art City Festival New Brunswick
October 18
Join coLAB Arts on Sunday, October 18 for Art City, when New Brunswick transforms into a bold, open-air festival of contemporary art, culture and community featuring visionary artists alongside immersive installations, live performance, and large-scale creative experiences. Rooted in the energy and diversity of New Brunswick, Art City is a modern cultural gathering space where people, and place collide.
Downtown New Brunswick, NJ
Cost: Free
Essex County Turtle Back Zoo Penguin Waddle
October 18
Get ready to waddle, run, or walk your way through a 3-mile course (or take the 1.3-mile Safari Shortcut) before crossing the finish line inside the Zoo for a one-of-a-kind celebration! Post-run Essex County Turtle Back Zoo admission is included with registration. Stick around after the run to explore and say hello to the animals. The first 300 participants to register will receive custom pom-pom beanie. This event is perfect for the whole family—whether you sprint like a cheetah, stroll like a tortoise, or waddle like a penguin, everyone’s invited to join the fun. Costumes, animal spirit, and family smiles are highly encouraged!
9 Cherry Lane, West Orange, NJ
Cost: $10 – $45
Bark for Life of Central Jersey
October 18, 9 am – 1 pm
Join participants for the Annual Bark For Life of Central NJ – a certified 5K Fun Walk and festival to honor canine caregivers and cancer survivors.
Bell Works, Holmdel, NJ
Cost: Register here
18th Century Field Day and Fall Harvest Festival
October 18, 10 am – 4 pm
Step back in time and bring history to life! Enjoy thrilling battle reenactments, hands-on colonial demonstrations, and meet friendly farm animals. Kids can dive into fun with games, crafts, and interactive activities, while the whole family will be entertained by a magical performance and other surprises throughout the day
Red Bank Battlefield, 100 Hessian Ave. National Park, NJ
Cost: Free
Celebrate Fall
October 18, 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: $15, free for under 3
Springfield’s Annual Fall Festival and Car Show
October 18, 11 am – 5 pm
The Springfield Fall Festival & Car Show returns to Mountain Avenue with free admission, food trucks, vendors, live music, a beer garden, and family fun including pony rides, a petting zoo, a trackless train, a $5 Inflatable Kids Zone, and a pumpkin patch. The car show will feature both exotic and classic vehicles, with registration available online or at the gate for $20.
100 Mountain Avenue, Springfield NJ
Cost: Free Admission
Hamilton Oktoberfest
October 18, 11 am – 5 pm
Oktoberfest is an annual event combining Fall activities and excitement into one fun-packed day! Family favorite activities include a pumpkin patch, hay rides, corn maze, amusements, crafters, and vendors.
Veterans Park, 2306 Kuser Rd, Hamilton Township, NJ
Cost: Free to Attend
Chester PTO’s Food Truck and Music Fest
October 18, 11 am – 6:30 pm
A community gathering to benefit the Chester PTO, featuring sixteen gourmet food trucks, live music performances, a selection of adult beverages, and a food drive accepting non-perishable donations. The dog- and family-friendly outdoor event also offers a variety of vendor booths, lawn space for blankets and chairs, and interactive activities for children.
Chubb Park, Chester, NJ
Cost: $5
Cherry Hill Harvest Festival
October 18, 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, a 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
Diwali in Norwood
October 18, 3 pm – 7 pm
“Diwali in Norwood-Curated by Kanika” is truly back by popular demand for the second year in a row and proudly focuses on being a family-friendly where parents can engage with their children at each culturally focused, interactive station. The event will showcase food, dance, music, arts & crafts, henna, and shopping from India. The event is open to all, and free to attend! Most activities are free of charge thanks to all that donated to the GoFundMe campaign though guests will have to pay for their own food and henna tattoos. Diwali in Norwood is the passion project of Kanika Chadha. Inspired by her then 5 year old son, who after attending Christmas tree lightings and menorah lightings, curiously asked his Mom why there wasn’t a Diwali Diya lighting, Kanika decided to create a family-friendly showcase of Indian culture.
Kennedy Field, Norwood NJ
Cost: Free
The Week of October 19 – 25:
East Brunswick Restaurant Week
October 19 – 25
Sample deals and special menus all week as area restaurants celebrate local flavors.
East Brunswick, NJ
Halloween Food Truck or Treat Festival
October 24, 11 am – 6 pm
Grab your little ghosts and goblins, put on your best costumes, and join us for a fang-tastic family day filled with treats, eats, music and plenty of Halloween surprises! Come dressed to impress—or scare! Cash prizes will be awarded for the best costumes, so get creative and bring your Halloween A-game!
Washington Lake Park, 626 Hurffville Crosskeys Rd, Sewell, NJ
Cost: $5
Halloween Food Truck or Treat Festival
October 24, 11 am – 6 pm
The festive holiday event combines a gourmet food truck festival with seasonal family activities, featuring a variety of food vendors, live music, craft vendors, and a beer and spirit garden. Attendees of all ages are encouraged to wear costumes, and children can participate in “truck-or-treating” directly at the food trucks alongside bounce houses, face painting, and other seasonal entertainment.
Paramus Park Mall, 700 Paramus Park, Paramus, NJ
Cost: $5
Asbury Park Halloween Food Truck and Music Festival
October 24 & 25, 11 am – 7 pm
Celebrate spooky season at the Asbury Park Halloween Food Truck and Music Festival, a two-day family-friendly event across from Convention Hall. Featuring 20 gourmet food trucks, live bands, costume contests for all ages, a vendor shopping village, and an adult beverage garden, this festive fall gathering blends delicious eats with seasonal entertainment in one of New Jersey’s most iconic shore towns.
Bradley Park, 101 5th Ave, Asbury Park, NJ
Cost: $5, Childen under 10, free
