Your Guide to the Garden State’s Fall Festivals – New Jersey Monthly
October weekends: Enjoy live music, food trucks and hayrides every Saturday and Sunday at this South Jersey winery. Also offering apple and pumpkin picking.
Noon–5 pm. Free. 480 Mullica Hill Road, Mullica Hill.
October weekends: The season sees this produce farm turn into an autumn adventureland. The fun includes pumpkin picking, pony rides and live music—plus a wine-tasting room for adults. Fall-themed treats include pies, soups, chili, cider doughnuts and apple cider.
Sat & Sun, 10 am–5 pm. $8. 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton.
October 5: Experience all that is nature at the Forest Education Center in Jackson. The event features guided hikes and hayrides.
10 am–3 pm. Free. 495 Don Connor Boulevard, Jackson; 732-928-2360.
October 5: Hosted by the Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce, this street fair features two stages of live music as well as craft and food vendors. Test your appetite in a pie-eating contest while the kids paint pumpkins, make hats or enjoy the bounce houses.
11 am-8 pm (rain date: October 6). Free. Atlantic Avenue between Wildwood and Schellenger avenues, Wildwood; 609-729-4000.
October 5: Come out to the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo for an Oktoberfest celebration. Listen to live music, sample food-vendor offerings and enjoy seasonal beers. The event benefits the Essex County Parks Foundation.
6–9 pm. $60; $15 for designated drivers. Turtle Back Zoo, 560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange.
Photo by Jessica Orlowicz
October 5–6: A fall experience for those invested in the arts, featuring more than 150 artists and crafters. Family-friendly activities, live music, beer and wine gardens and more.
10 am–5 pm (rain or shine). $12 for adults, $11 for seniors (62+), $7 for students, children 5 & under are free. 1000 Village Drive, Millville.
October 5–6: A local tradition, Smithville’s Oktoberfest celebrates seasonal food, crafts and music. Shop in the historic village with more than 60 storefronts, or explore the wares of more than 100 vendors. Enjoy a ride in a paddle boat, carousel or train.
10 am–5 pm. Free. 615 E Moss Mill Road, Smithville; 609-652-7777.
October 5–6: A classic Jersey event with vendors and artists offering unique crafts. The family fun includes bounce houses for the kids and a craft-beer garden for adults—plus live music all weekend.
11 am–5 pm. Free. Farnsworth Avenue, Bordentown.
Photo courtesy of the Whippany Rail Museum.
October 6: All aboard for the train ride and pumpkin festival. Enjoy halloween-themed craft activities or come aboard one of the museum’s antique train cars.
12:30–5 pm. $16-$19; 12 and under, $11-$14. 1 Railroad Plaza, Whippany.
October 6: Blackwood’s annual pumpkin festival attracts more than 10,000 fall faces for live entertainment, food and shopping. Scarecrow making, face painting, hayrides and costume contests capture the essence of the season.
11 am–4 pm (rain date: October 13). Free. 27 South Black Horse Pike, Blackwood.
Volunteers unload truckloads of apples for pressing at Ralston Cider Mill. Photo by Matthew Wright
October 12: Get a taste of history at the Ralston Cider Mill Museum. Witness the annual apple pressing done with restored historic equipment. Bring your own jugs to take home the fresh-pressed juice.
1–4 pm. $10. 336 Mendham Road West, Mendham.
October 12: Explore a vast collection of art, books, hand-crafted items and more, all at bargain prices. Attendees can visit the Historic Village at Allaire, including the Pilsen Gourmet & Bakery food truck and the General Store.
8 am–3 pm (rain date: October 13). $2; under 12, free. The Historic Village at Allaire, Farmingdale.
October 12: This festival is dedicated to supporting local business and Hightstown heritage. A staple of the community for 17 years, the event will feature food trucks, special attractions and children’s entertainment.
10 am-4 pm. Free. 101 North Main Street, Hightstown.
West Milford Autumn Lights Festival
October 12: Discover more than 300 food and craft vendors at this annual street fair, celebrating West Milford’s first traffic light. Live music and children’s activities promise a day the whole family can enjoy.
10 am–5 pm. Free. Union Valley Road, West Milford.
Autumn in Moorestown
October 12: Festivities include performances by the bands Modern Mojo and Hot Dog Cannon, as well as two deejay booths. Visitors may spy a stilt walker as they sample the fare from multiple food trucks or stop by the car show, with 100 vehicles on display.
9 am–4 pm. Free. Along Main Street, Moorestown; 609-289-2893.
West Cape May Lima Bean Festival
October 12: An annual tradition, this festival includes homemade goods and products derived from the humble bean. All proceeds benefit the West Cape May Shade Tree Commission.
9 am–5 pm. (rain date: October 13). Free. Wilbraham Park, Perry Street, West Cape May; 609-884-1005.
October 12: Come out for all things apple, including apple-cider doughnuts, apple cider, apple ice cream and more. The 41st annual festival will feature live music and more than 100 crafters.
9 am—4 pm. Free. 275 Church Road, Medford.
Photo by John Bessler
10th Annual Harvest, Honey & Garlic Festival
October 12: Where else can you pair your sweet-honey cravings with your love for the pungent taste of garlic? Supported by the Sussex County Beekeepers Association and their local honey products; the garlic portion of the festival is supported by the Garden State Garlic Growers.
10 am–4 pm. Free. Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta.
October 12: The fest in the historic downtown features more than 100 crafters offering seasonal items, decor, pottery, clothing, glassware and other handcrafted wares, displayed along Tanner Street. Scarecrow making will take place in Kings Court, which is where you’ll also find the farmers market. Additionally, carriage rides will be available.
10 am-5 pm. Free. Along Tanner Street, Haddonfield; 856-216-7253.
Oct 12-13: This two-day festival includes pumpkin desserts, more than 200 artists and crafters, a pumpkin weigh-off, costume contest, wine sampling, amusement rides and a live telling of the Headless Horseman story.
Sat, 10 am-8 pm; Sun, 10 am–5pm; free admission; parking $5. Salem County Fairgrounds, 735 Harding Highway (Route 40), Woodstown; 856-765-0118.
7th Annual Dunellen HarvestFest
October 13: This fall festival includes local vendors, live music, dancing, pumpkin decorating, pony rides and more.
11 am–4 pm (rain or shine). Free. Washington Park, 300 North Washington Avenue, Dunellen.
Oct 16-31: More than 70 not-your-average scarecrows made by residents, business owners, clubs, schools and organizations line the streets of Cranford. It’s time for the 12th Annual Scarecrow Stroll in Downtown Cranford. See the silly and spooky creations, then pop into a local shop or restaurant.
9th Annual October Fall Festival
October 19: A late-day event offering crafts and food from multiple vendors, plus kid-friendly rides.
4–10 pm. Free. 125 South Bell Road, Bellmawr.
October 19: Arrive in your best Halloween costume for the chance to win a prize. Join in the fun and create your own autumn-inspired craft or compete in spooky games. A donation of new school supplies or canned goods is required for admission.
12-2 pm. The arcade at Casino Pier, 800 Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights.
October 19: In addition to sampling bewitching brews from some 50 brewmasters and distilleries, guests can take part in a live séance, mixology demonstrations and horror-makeup seminars. Dance at the Silent Disco or look into the future with a fortune teller. At the end of the night, decide which brewer’s tent wins best dressed.
6–10 pm. $25-$60; under 21 not permitted. Lake Lenape Park East, Hamilton Township.
October 19: Delight in classic fall activities such as horse-and-carriage rides and a hay maze. Check out the trackless train and petting zoo before unleashing your imagination with pumpkin painting and spin-art demonstrations.
11 am–3 pm. Free. Pier A Park, Hoboken.
October 19-20: Get stepping with square dancing, adopt a furry friend, or learn a craft during pumpkin- and wood-carving demonstrations. Fascinated by the harvest? Meet NBC’s Produce Pete (an njmonthly.com correspondent) or investigate the offerings at Alstede Farms Farmers Market.
11 am–5 pm. Free. Downtown Chester.
36th Annual Chatsworth Cranberry Festival
October 19–20: Enjoy all types of cranberry treats, from ice cream to cookies, and browse among 100 craft vendors. Nonstop music will accompany the journey.
9 am–4 pm. Free. White Horse Inn, Chatsworth.
October 25: Come for a game of miniature golf and don your most ghoulish Halloween costume. Snack on free cider and doughnuts before enjoying a moonlit hay ride or a guided night hike with a park ranger. Listen to spooky tales from the witch’s cauldron and enjoy a free goodie bag.
4–8 pm (rain date: October 26). $10 per family; $8 for two. Colonial Park Putting Course, 156 Mettlers Road, Franklin Township.
October 26: Enjoy this bonfire on the beach, accompanied by live music and food vendors. Kids are encouraged to dress up for the costume contest.
6–9 pm. In the event of rain, bonfire will be cancelled. Free. Beachwood Beach, Beachwood.