NJIB’s Guide to 55+ New Jersey Events October 2 – 4, 2026
It’s October, and while the weather is crisp, we are enjoying Halloween events, Fall Festivals, Oktoberfests, and more. New Jersey Isn’t Boring’s Guide to New Jersey Events October 2 – 4 is your go-to source for the best events across the Garden State! From fun festivals and food-filled weekends to family-friendly expos, live entertainment, and unique celebrations – there’s plenty to do this weekend!
As a reminder, NJIB has no control over the weather or whether (see what I did there) an event is canceled. Please make sure an event is still active before attending.
For more events throughout the year, check out our Event Guide.
To submit your event, click here.
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For a list of Halloween Festivals and Multi-Day Events, click here.
For all Halloween Events (1 day events), click here.
New Jersey Events September 30 – October 4th:
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
Cape May Halloween Events
October 1-31
Explore the spirits of historic Cape May during specially-themed tours and events that tell the many ghost tales of this seaside town, including Ghost Walk with Craig McManus, Haunted Tales of Cape Island, Voices from Beyond Tours, Murder Mystery Dinners, and more. Stroll the beautiful grounds of the Physick Estate and visit Scarecrow Alley, with funny and spooky scarecrows along the walkways, and vote for your favorite!
Cape May, NJ
Cost: Varies per event
Monsterville
October 1 – 31
Throughout October, Merchantville transforms into “Monsterville” with a variety of festive activities. Residents can participate in a home decorating contest, while creative minds can take part in a pumpkin carving project. Thrill-seekers will enjoy the haunted house and Monster Bash, while the town comes alive with a lively street fair. The spooky celebrations culminate with a town-wide trick-or-treat, ensuring fun for all ages.
Merchantville, NJ
Cost: Varies per activity
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
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
Boos & Brews & Witches’ Market
October 2, 5 pm – 9 pm
The sixth annual Boos & Brews // Witches’ Market fundraiser takes place on Friday, October 2nd, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, featuring food options from Red’s Rolling Restaurant, Dan’s Waffles, The Little Sicilian, The Pasta Truck, and Nifty Sips. Attendees can explore the Witches’ Market, which showcases witchy and occult-themed vendors, tarot readers, and local artisan creations. The event also highlights a costume contest starting with a parade across the main stage around 8:00 PM.
Rancocas Woods, 118 Creek Road, Mount Laurel, NJ
Cost: Free
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
Jacks and Lights
October 1 – 4
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
Middlesex County 4-H Haunted House and Hayride
October 2 & 3, 7 pm – 10:30 pm (Fridays and Saturdays)
The Middlesex County 4-H Youth Development Program invites families and friends to enjoy an enchanting evening at the Middlesex County 4-H Haunted House and Hayride. This annual family-friendly tradition will be held every Friday and Saturday in October at the Middlesex County 4-H Center in East Brunswick, from 7–10:30 pm. On Halloween, Saturday, October 31, the Haunted House will be open from 7–9 pm to celebrate the season’s final frights with themed activities and spooky surprises.
645 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, NJ
Cost: Admission is $8 per person for one activity or $15 per person for both activities. Discounts will be available for repeat customers. All proceeds will benefit 4-H community service projects.
Haunted Red Mill 2026: Lurking in the Shadows
October 2 & 3 (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
Great Adventure’s Fright Fest/Kids Boo Fest
October 2 – 4
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
Halloween Light Show at Demarest Farms
October 2 – 4
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
Jack O’Lantern Experience
October 2 – 4
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
Day Time Spooky Wild West Fest & Haunted Train + Trail
October 2 – 4
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
Scare Farm at Norz Hill (The Last Year)
October 2 – 4
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
Terror in the Junkyard
October 2 – 4
Terror in the Junkyard transforms a working junkyard into a gritty, high-intensity Halloween experience. Expect dark, industrial themed scare zones, tight corridors, loud effects, and actors who lean into jump scare energy.
Recommended Ages: Ages 13+. Best suited for teens and adults who enjoy intense scares, loud environments, and close up actor interaction.
Fleming’s Junkyard, 353 Zion Rd., Egg Harbor Twp. NJ
Cost: $ $10-$20. $2 discount for Military & First Responders
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+
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
Merchantville’s Harvest & Haunts Festival
October 3, 10 am – 4 pm
Kicking off the Monsterville season is the return of Merchantville’s Harvest & Haunts Festival on October 3 from 10am-4pm! A family-friendly celebration nestled in the heart of our beautiful Victorian downtown. You’ll be greeted local vendors offering handcrafted goods, unique treasures, and art. Check out downtown food and drink establishments for some seasonal delights. Children can enjoy a craft corner or enjoy classic spooky stories being told. Stop and Listen to music while enjoying a festive drink. Enter the Mr. and Mrs. Monsterville contest! And watch out for some surprise visitors as you enjoy the festivities.
E Chestnut Ave, Merchantville, 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
Asbury Park Zombie Walk
October 3, 11 am – 6 pm
The Asbury Park Zombie Walk is consistently one of the Garden State’s largest Halloween-season gatherings. Everyone is invited to join in for a day of thrills, chills and laughter throughout the community. Zombies of all ages participate in this family-friendly event. Best of all, the Zombie Walk is completely FREE!
Asbury Park Boardwalk, Asbury Park, NJ
Cost: Free
Metuchen PorchFest
October 3, rain date: October 4th
Metuchen PorchFest is back for another incredible year of music, community, and fun! This much-anticipated annual event transforms front porches and yards across Metuchen into lively stages where local musicians showcase their talents. Metuchen PorchFest is a free, family-friendly music festival where porches throughout the town become performance spaces. Stroll from house to house, enjoy music, and experience the unique charm of Metuchen’s artistic community.
Pitman Porchfest
October 3
Pitman Porchfest transforms the quiet residential streets of Pitman, New Jersey, into a vibrant, walkable celebration of local music and community spirit. Throughout the free, daylong event, local musicians and bands set up on front porches across town, turning historic neighborhoods into open-air concert venues for strolling attendees
Red Bank Porchfest
October 3, 12 pm – 6 pm
During the free afternoon event, local musicians and bands across a wide range of genres—from rock and jazz to pop, folk, and blues—take the stage on historic front porches, creating a walkable concert experience throughout the town. Attendees can stroll or bike from porch to porch to discover local talent, sample surrounding dining options, and experience the creative culture and community spirit that makes Red Bank a vibrant shore-area destination.
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 who will offer their items for sale and demonstrate their skills and craftsmanship right before your eyes! The night market gives visitors the chance to browse a variety of goods while enjoying 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 show how art keeps everyone connected to the past, improves the present, and why preserving art matters 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
All A Boo DiDonato’s Trick or Treat Train
October 3 & 4
Don’t miss out on the “ALL A BOO DiDonato’s Trick-or-Treat Train,” a Halloween outdoor train ride designed for goblin-friendly family fun. The admission includes a train ride through a Halloween Town, exploration of the Halloween Corn Maze, a pumpkin from the Pumpkin Patch, exhilarating experiences on the giant slide, a 40′ inflatable obstacle course, visits to 5 Trick-or-Treat spots, a Meet & Greet with the Local Witch, and a Toy Market at their Pop-up Snack & Toy Cottage. Plus, there’s endless play and enjoyment on a custom-made interactive train, with additional options like a game of Bowling and one shoe rental with socks for $7 per person at the door. It’s a spooky, delightful adventure for everyone!
1151 S. White Horse Pike, Hammonton, NJ
Cost: Varies
Diggerfest Fall Festival
October 3 & 4
It’s the time of year all of the pumpkins sprout up to drive, ride & operate all of the amazing machines at Diggerland USA. This is an exclusive fall festival where you can enjoy fire truck rides, hay rides, pumpkin decorating and plenty of family-fun and games. Come in costume and enjoy trick or treating.
100 Pineadge Drive, West Berlin, NJ
Cost: Price of admission
Mountain Creek Fall Festival
October 3 & 4
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
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
Woodbury Porchfest
October 4, 12 pm – 5 pm
Enjoy an afternoon of live music on porches throughout Woodbury, featuring talented local musicians and a guaranteed good time!
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
Central Jersey Jazz Fest
October 4, 12 pm – 6 pm, Rain or Shine
The Central Jersey Jazz Festival brings together an exceptional lineup of acclaimed musicians, celebrated performers, and rising talent for a day filled with the sounds, styles, and spirit of jazz. From timeless standards to contemporary interpretations, every performance offers something new to discover. In 2026, that incredible talent takes the stage in Downtown Plainfield — the Queen City. Come experience powerful live performances, unforgettable musicianship, and the energy that has made the Central Jersey Jazz Festival one of the region’s signature arts and cultural events.
BLM Plaza, 515 Watuchug Ave, 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+
