NJIB’s Guide to 30+ New Jersey Events October 11 -13, 2024
Hello and happy October to those who celebrate! Here’s your guide to New Jersey events this week from now until October 13th, 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: Freak Show on Thursday the 10th and the Bark Bash Fall Festival on October 12th.
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 9 – 13:
Featured Event!
Sinner’s Oktoberfest
October 11 – 13
Sinner’s Steakhouse is hosting its annual Oktoberfest celebration from October 11 to 13, 2024. This family-friendly event will take place on their outdoor patio in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, featuring daily entertainment, contests, giveaways, and special food and drink offers throughout the weekend. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy traditional Oktoberfest festivities by the Jersey Shore, with fun activities for all ages. Keep an eye on their social media for updates on entertainment and event details as the date approaches
Sinner’s Steakhouse; 20 Inlet Drive Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
Cost: Free to attend
Bark Bash Fall Festival
October 12, 10 am – 5 pm
This family and pet-friendly event will feature a gift auction, local vendors, live music, food trucks, Tulip Tree Cafe, kids crafts and activities, adoptable pets, professional photos, family fun, fall flowers, and so much more. All proceeds will benefit the rescued animals and ongoing rescue efforts of the Associated Humane Societies and Popcorn Park Animal Refuge.
Calgo Gardens, Freehold, NJ
Cost: Free
Holland Ridge Farms Fall Flower Festival
Now – October 14, 9 am – 6 pm
Experience an array of vibrant flowers including sunflowers, gladiolus, calla lilies, and dahlias. Handpick your favorites at just $1 per stem, crafting exquisite bouquets to take home. Immerse yourself in interactive floral installations tailored for captivating photos. Don’t miss the centerpiece – Blooming Boulevard! Support local farmers and artisans at the weekend market, showcasing farm-fresh produce and unique creations. Groove to live music by talented local artists every Saturday and Sunday, embracing the harmonious atmosphere. A captivating experience for all ages awaits, including free hayrides, a hay maze, pony and horse rides, petting zoo, and a gift shop.
Holland Ridge Farms, 86 Rues Rd. Cream Ridge, NJ
Cost: $15+
Atlantic City Restaurant Week
Now – October 11
Restaurant Week is a 7-day celebration of the culinary scene in Atlantic City. During Restaurant Week, participating restaurants offer a multi-course meal for a fixed price.
Atlantic City, NJ
Flavor of Freehold
October 8 & 9, 5:30 pm – 8:30 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
Newark Arts Festival
October 9 – 13
The Newark Arts Festival 2024, themed “Radical Reimagining,” will be held from October 9 to 13 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
Cost: Free
Hopewell’s Annual Amazing Pumpkin Carve
October 9 – 13
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: $5 – $17
LSC After Dark
Thursdays, October 10
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
Greek Agora Food Festival
October 10 – 13
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
Annual LBI FLY International Kite Festival
October 11 & 12
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 festival.
Ship Bottom, Long Beach Island, NJ
Cost: Free
Brite Nites 2024 at Wagner Farm Arboretum
October 11 & 12, 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
Brookdale Haunted Theater
October 11 – 13
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
Night of Frights + Ghost Tour
October 11 – 13 (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
Halloween Light Show at Demarest Farms
October 11-13
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
SJ Pumpkins Show & Carve
October 11 – 13
Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of pumpkins, creativity, live music, and Halloween fun. At the SJ Pumpkin Show & Carve, you’ll witness incredible pumpkin carvings by talented artists who will transform ordinary pumpkins into extraordinary works of art. Marvel at the intricate designs and stunning craftsmanship as these artists bring pumpkins to life. But that’s not all! The event also offers a wide range of activities for all ages. Take a stroll through the pumpkin patch and pick your favorite pumpkin to take home. Enjoy delicious treats from food vendors, indulge in seasonal delights, and sip on warm apple cider. Whether you’re a pumpkin enthusiast or just looking for a fun-filled day, the SJ Pumpkin Show & Carve is the place to be. So mark your calendars and join us for an unforgettable Halloween experience!
735 Harding Highway, Woodstown, NJ 08098.
Cost: $20 carload
Ocean County Columbus Day Parade & Italian Street Festival
October 11 – 13
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
Fall Block Party and Fireworks Spectacular
October 12, 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
Lima Bean Festival
October 12, 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
Mary’s Place by the Sea 13th Annual Walk-A-Thon & 6th Annual 5K Run
October 12, 9 am – 1 pm
Join Mary’s Place by the Sea on Saturday, October 12th, 2024 in Ocean Grove, NJ for their Annual Walk/Run! This event supports the mission as they provide a place for women with cancer to heal: mind, body and soul.
Mary’s Place by the Sea, Ocean Grove, NJ
Cost: $40
Witches Paddle for a Cause
October 12, 10 am
The witches and warlocks are coming back to Spring Lake to paddle on October 12th at 10 am (rain date Oct 13th @ 10 am). Registration is $35 per paddler, a portion to be paid to this year’s recipient – Friends of the Monmouth County Child Advocacy Center which supports the facility designed to minimize the trauma child victims experience in a physically and psychologically safe environment.
1207 Third Ave Spring Lake, NJ
Cost: The cost is participate is $35. Free for spectators. Donations accepted!
15th Annual Oktoberfest At Forest Lodge
October 12, 11 am – 6 pm
On October 12, 2024, join the festivities at Forest Lodge for a fun-filled day of music, food, beer, entertainment, rides, local vendors, and more. With a $10 admission fee at the door (children under 10 are free), this exciting event offers live performances from a German band and DJ, a wide variety of food including German entrees, desserts, and American BBQ, along with German craft beer, domestic beer, wine, and more. The day promises family-friendly entertainment and amenities, plus over 20 local vendors to explore.
Forest Lodge, 11 Reinman Rd, Warren, NJ
Cost: $10 Children Under 10 Are Free
Berlin’s Annual Fall Festival
October 12, 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 12, 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
Twp of Washington Food Truck and Music Fest
October 12, 11 am – 7 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.
Washington Lake Park, 626 Hurfville -Crosskeys Road, Sewell, NJ
Cost: $5, kids under 5 are free
BarronFest 2024: Woodbridge’s 17th Annual Fine Arts & Crafts Festival
October 12, 12 pm to 4 pm
Parker Press Park in Woodbridge Township will be transformed into a fine arts and crafts gallery on Saturday, October 12, 2024. Now celebrating its 17th year in Woodbridge Township, BarronFest is a free-to-the-public arts and crafts festival sponsored by the Woodbridge Township Cultural Arts Commission and the Barron Arts Center and will feature over 40 talented local artisans. The festival will feature many original hand-made items and will have something appealing to everyone, including oils/acrylics, watercolor, photography, sculpture, graphics/drawings/pastels, mixed media and fine crafts including pottery, jewelry and other handcrafted items. Many exhibitors will also be doing live demonstrations.
400 Rahway Avenue, Woodbridge, NJ. Rain location: Acacia Youth Center, 95 Port Reading Avenue, Port Reading. NJ
Cost: Free
Fall Taste of Highlands
October 12, 12 pm – 5 pm
The Fall Taste of Highlands will feature a Fall theme with 5 hours of delicious food samplings and cocktails from 18 restaurants and retailers. The event will take place rain or shine. Tickets are $45.00, include a map of participating businesses and samplings of delicious food and cocktails.
Huddy Park, 329 Bay Ave. Highlands, NJ
Cost: $45
Smithville Irish Festival
October 12 & 13, 11 am – 5 pm
The annual Irish festival at Historic Smithville is a well-attended festival and for good reason! It is lots of fun. The music alone is worth the ride with two stages there is live music throughout the entire day. Irish market, children’s activities and a food court are also part of this amazing festival sponsored by Cape Atlantic Irish Association.
615 East Moss Mill Rd, Smithville, NJ
Cost: Free
Annual Pumpkin Patch Train
October 12 & 13
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. Your ticket entitles you to pick your own pumpkin after the ride at our Pumpkin Patch and enjoy the seasonal fun. Ticket also includes a pumpkin decorating kit. Children of all ages are encouraged to come dressed in their Halloween costumes, where they can mingle with zombies and ghosts, helping to make the train a spooky sight!
Whippany Railway Museum, 1 Railroad Plaza, Whippany, NJ
Cost: $13 – $26
Atlantic City Comedy Festival
October 12 & 13
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
Somerset County’s Journey Through The Past
October 12 & 13
Make a vibrant connection to history at Somerset County’s annual Journey Through the Past! Bring the whole family as you explore the vast history of Somerset County and discover what life was like 50, 100, or even 200 years ago! 30 historic sites throughout Somerset County will be open free to the public.
Somerset County, NJ
Cost: Free
Stafford Fall & Harvest Wine Festival
Saturday, October 12, 12 pm – 5 pm and Sunday, October 13, 12 pm – 5 pm
Celebrate the joys of autumn at The Stafford Fall Harvest & Wine Festival at Heritage Park in Manahawkin, NJ, on October 12 and 13 from 12 PM to 5 PM. This seasonal event features nine New Jersey wineries, live music each day, four diverse food trucks, and talented artisan crafters. Enjoy wine tastings from top local vineyards, savor BBQ, burrito bowls, pretzels, and waffles, and shop unique crafts from various vendors. With live performances by Blue Abyss and 99 Reasons, it’s a must-attend event to sip, savor, and soak up the fall ambiance.
193 E. Bay Ave., Manahawkin, NJ
Cost: $20 for Guests 21+ Ticket price goes up to $25 CASH ONLY at the door. All Spectators and guests under 21 are FREE
Fanwood Vendor Pop-Up Fall Festival
October 13, 10 am – 4 pm
The south side Fanwood Train Station Parking Lot will host an impressive array of top-notch exhibitors, showcasing unique items, arts and crafts, and collectibles. Hand-picked for their quality and creativity, these exhibitors contribute to a posh marketplace experience. The event, hosted by the Borough of Fanwood, NJ, runs from 10 AM to 4 PM and includes gourmet food trucks, live music, and over 75 exhibitors. Children can enjoy a free craft table, and parking is available at the North side train station with directions to 238 North Avenue, Fanwood, NJ.
256 South Avenue, Fanwood, NJ
Cost: Free Admission
Califon Street Fair 2024
October 13, 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, beer garden, pie eating contest and live music.
Downtown Califon, 53 Main Street, Califon, NJ
Cost: Free
The Jersey City Oddities Market: The Living Dead Market
October 13, 12 pm – 5 pm
The Jersey City Oddities Market returns on October 13th, transforming the Historic Harsimus Cemetery into a captivating spectacle of the strange and peculiar. Known for its quirky vibe and eclectic mix of oddities, the event features unique vendors offering everything from handcrafted ghost sculptures and taxidermy to bone art and vintage curios. Set against the historic backdrop of the nearly 200-year-old cemetery, live performers will add to the eerie atmosphere, while food trucks and Ma Xuxu Mexican bakery will serve up delicious fare like homemade tortilla and pan de muerto.
Harsimus Cemetery
435 Newark Ave Jersey City NJ
Cost: $8, 11 and under are free
Barefoot Grape Stomping at Four Sisters Winery
October 13 4 pm to 7 pm
Join Four Sisters Winery for an exciting and unique experience—Barefoot Grape Stomping! Immerse yourself in the fun of stomping grapes in a classic wooden barrel. Comes with a guided wine tasting, farmers salad, chicken parmigiana dinner and dessert! It’s an evening of hands-on enjoyment and great company. Reserve your spot today by calling 908-475-3671.
783 North Bridgeville Road, Belvidere NJ
Cost: $51.58 plus tax
