Family Fun at Terhune Orchards
October Weekends
What better way to celebrate autumn than a day of family fun at this popular produce farm? The pumpkin patch is open for pick-your-own pumpkins, local talent provides live music, and a variety of seasonal treats will be available, including pies, soups, chili, cider doughnuts and apple cider. While the kids enjoy the Adventure Barn and the pony rides, adults can take part in the wine tasting.
10 am–5 pm. $8. 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton
26th Annual Bloomfield Harvestfest
October 6
Bloomfield Center is transformed into a mile-long outdoor marketplace filled with food vendors, amusement rides and live entertainment. Don’t miss the beer garden.
11 am–7 pm. (rain date: October 7). Free. 2 Broad Street, Bloomfield (201-653-2699)
17th Annual Witches Ball
October 6
In the historic Mill Race Village section of Mount Holly, adults 21 and over can join the fun by dressing in their best bewitching costumes. This gated event will feature music, a costume contest with more than $1,000 in prizes, a beer garden and a voodoo bar.
7 pm–midnight. Free. 11 Church Street, Mount Holly
West Cape May Lima Bean Festival
October 6
Celebrate West Cape May’s farming heritage and the lovable lima bean at this annual event. Arrive early to fully enjoy the recipes, products and crafts featuring the often-ignored legume.
9 am–5 pm. (rain date: October 7). Free. Wilbraham Park, Perry Street, West Cape May (609-886-0412)
Oktoberfest In Historic Smithville
October 6-7
Historic Smithville Village hosts this ambitious celebration of autumnal food, beer and traditional music. Explore the shops and boutiques along the cobblestone pathways, and browse more than 100 craft, clothing and jewelry vendors.
10 am–5 pm. Free. 1 North New York Road, Smithville
Indian Summer Weekend
October 6-8
Join in the family-friendly block party on Asbury Avenue in Ocean City. The seaside town’s fall extravaganza features more than 400 craft vendors, food, entertainment, a seafood festival and a sand-sculpting contest. Stick around for the fireworks over the boardwalk.
9 am–6 pm. Free. Moorlyn Terrace & Boardwalk, Ocean City (800-BEACH-NJ)
Lord Stirling 1770s Festival
October 7
Travel back in time as exhibitors, crafters and mock militias recreate 1770s colonial life on the site of Stirling Manor. Children of all ages will enjoy clay crafts, quill writing, stenciling and toy making. Visitors can try on colonial costumes or hop aboard the hay wagon for a ride around Lord Stirling’s apple orchard.
11:30 am–4:30 pm. $5 suggested donation. 190 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge (908-766-2489)
Whippany Railway Museum Pumpkin Festival
October 7
Celebrate the season in family-friendly style at this annual festival with pumpkins, grinning scarecrows, Halloween craft displays and antique train rides.
12:30–5 pm. $16-$19; 12 and under, $11-$14. 1 Railroad Plaza, Whippany
Dunellen Harvestfest
October 7
Everyone is invited to compete in the pumpkin-decorating contest or the apple-pie-baking contest. View work from artists and crafters from around the Garden State. Take carriage rides, sing along to live music, and indulge in harvest foods.
11 am–4 pm. Free. Washington Memorial Park, Dunellen
Delicious Orchards Pumpkin Fest
October 8
Pumpkins will be plentiful this Columbus Day at Delicious Orchards—plus attractions for the whole family, including crafts, games, live music, local food samples and an antique tractor display.
11 am–4 pm. Free. Route 34 South, Colts Neck
15th Annual South Jersey Pumpkin Show
October 12-14
This three-day festival includes pumpkin desserts, more than 100 artists and crafters, fun contests, Little Miss & Mister Pumpkin Pageant, give-a-ways, a pumpkin toss, live bands, wine sampling, amusement rides and hayrides around the fairgrounds.
Fri, 5–10 pm; Sat & Sun, 10 am–5 pm. Free admission; parking $5. Salem County Fairgrounds, 735 Harding Highway (Route 40), Woodstown (856-765-0118)
Medford Apple Festival
October 13
Apples are returning this October to Kirby’s Mill. Explore more than 100 craft booths; feast on apple and cider products; and enjoy music, demonstrations and children’s activities. All proceeds benefit the Historical Society and its ongoing restoration of the Kirby’s Mill Complex.
9 am–4 pm. Free. 275 Church Road, Medford
9th Annual Harvest, Honey & Garlic Festival
October 13
Honey and garlic go perfectly together at Sussex County’s annual showcase of local agritourism. The Sussex County Beekeeper’s Association provides an array of honey products, while the Garden State Garlic Growers bring on the garlic. Pumpkin painting, hay rides and face painting add to the fun.
10 am–4 pm. Free. 37 Plains Road, Augusta
Ralston Cider Mill Apple Pressing
October 13
Experience an authentic vestige of the once-thriving cider and applejack industry in New Jersey. This is your chance to witness the Mill’s annual apple pressing on restored historic equipment. Bring your own jugs to take home the fresh cider.
1–4 pm. $10. 336 Mendham Road West, Mendham
Farmingdale Fall Flea Market
October 13
The market features a treasure trove of furniture, books, artwork, bottles, knickknacks and much more. The village, general store and bakery will be open for business.
8 am–3 pm. $1; under 12, free. The Historic Village at Allaire, Farmingdale
West Milford Autumn Lights Festival
October 13
Spend a fun family day surrounded by the Bearfort Mountain range of the Highlands area. Wander among more than 250 craft, art, antiques and food vendors. The festival also features children’s amusements, live entertainment and a car show.
10 am–5 pm. Free. 714 Ridge Road, West Milford
Autumn In Moorestown Festival
October 13
Downtown Moorestown welcomes the fall with a classic car show, live music, arts and crafts, scarecrows and pumpkin painting, seasonal food and other activities for the entire family.
9 am–4 pm. Free. Main Street, Downtown Moorestown
Popcorn Nation Harvest Festival
October 13
Support local nonprofits and agricultural groups at this seasonal celebration—complete with a corn maze, hayrides, a wine demonstration, food trucks, a kid zone, and live music performances by CC Coletti, Seattle Sound Machine and the Craig Sailor Project Band.
Noon–6 pm. $10; 12 and under, free. Edgewood Farm, Flemington
35th Annual Harvest Celebration
October 13-14
Spend a day in historic downtown Chester delighting in antique apple pressing and blacksmith demonstrations, clowns, a Ford V-8 antique car show, pumpkin painting and carving, face painting and live music.
11 am–5 pm. Free. Downtown Chester
Hoboken Harvest Festival
October 20
This urban fest offers fun activities for the whole family, including horse-and-carriage rides, a hay maze, a trackless train and a petting zoo. The riverfront event also features live music, dancing and food for purchase.
11 am–3 pm. Free. Pier A Park, Hoboken (201-420-2207)
35th Annual Chatsworth Cranberry Festival
October 20-21
Head to Chatsworth and enjoy delicious food, live entertainment, a wine tent and an antique car show in celebration of New Jersey’s cranberry harvest. There will be plenty of crafters on hand demonstrating and displaying their work. Be prepared to spend the whole day browsing, shopping and eating.
9 am–4 pm. Free. 3980 Main Street, Chatsworth
Harvest Food Truck & Wine Festival
October 20-21
Experience the fall foliage at the Alba Vineyard estate and savor the cuisine from award-winning food trucks. The event will feature live music by the VooDUDES and wine tastings (additional cost).
Noon–5 pm. $10; youths 13-20, $5; 12 and under, free. 269 Riegelsville Warren Glen Road, Milford
Trick or Treat Street Howl-O-Ween
October 21
Do your Halloween thing on the boardwalk at Seaside Heights and enjoy seasonal activities, including pumpkin decorating and a pumpkin chunkin’ competition. Children can participate in the kids’-costume and dog parades.
Noon–5 pm. Free. Boardwalk, Seaside Heights
Mischief Madness Night
October 26
Come dressed in your spookiest costume and play miniature golf with the ghouls. Enjoy free cider and donuts, moonlight hay rides, spooky tales from the witch’s cauldron and a Park Ranger guided night hike. You’ll also get a free goodie bag.
4–9 pm (rain date: October 27). $10 per family; $8 for a putting pair. Colonial Park Putting Course, 156 Mettlers Road, Somerset
Haunted Hops & Ghoulish Grub Fest
October 27
West Deptford celebrates the season with lots of spooky festivities. Enjoy live music, arts and crafts, kids’ activities and a costume contest, plus seasonal food and beer sampling.
11 am–6 pm. $5 in advance; $7 at the gate; under 10, free. 1000 RiverWinds Drive, West Deptford
Beachwood Harvest Bonfire
October 27
Curl up by the fire for a night of music, games and fun on the Toms River waterfront. Food and craft vendors will also be on hand.
6-9 pm. Free. Beachwood Beach, Beachwood