Nothing says fall in New Jersey like a seasonal festival or fair. From classic Oktoberfest celebrations to family-friendly happenings at farms and orchards, the Garden State offers loads of fun events all autumn long.
NORTH JERSEY
The Lord Stirling 1770s Festival
Check out a working cider press and hop aboard the hay wagon to tour the apple orchard and get a taste of Colonial life. Actors in 1770s period attire—including a blacksmith, tinsmith and broom maker—demonstrate trades and crafts of the time.
October 3, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. FREE. Somerset County Park, Basking Ridge (somersethillshistoricalsociety.org; 908-722-1200).
Pumpkin Patch Trains
Come in costume for a 10-mile excursion on a vintage caboose that ventures through fall foliage, then stops at a pumpkin patch.
October 3, 10 & 17, 1-4 p.m. $15-$22, includes admission to museum and grounds. Whippany Railway Museum, 1 Railroad Plaza, Whippany (whippanyrailwaymuseum.net; 973-887-8177).
18th Annual Oktoberfest
This event features traditional German food, drinks, games and beer-related competitions plus an Oompah band. Proceeds benefit Oasis, a Paterson-based nonprofit that supports women and children.
October 22, 7-11 p.m. FREE. 813 Franklin Lake Rd., Franklin Lakes (oasisnj.org/events; 973-881-8307).
CENTRAL JERSEY
Family Fun at Terhune Orchards
This popular pick-your-own fruit and vegetables spot features a wine-tasting room and live music in the barn. Kids can pick and decorate pumpkins and enjoy pony- and tractor-wagon rides and a corn-stalk maze. Refreshments include fresh pies, cider doughnuts, sandwiches and barbecue chicken.
Weekends from September 14 to October 27, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $10. 330 Cold Soil Rd., Princeton (terhuneorchards.com; 609-924-2310).
20th Annual Oktoberfest in Highlands
Inspired by the traditional Munich Oktoberfest, this event is all about eating, drinking and being merry. There’s authentic German food, children’s activities, crafters, live music, dancing and entertainment.
October 2 (rain date October 3), 2-9 p.m. FREE. Veterans Park on Bay and Shrewsbury avenues, Highlands (highlandsnj.com; 732-291-4713).
6th Annual Asbury Park Oktoberfest
Check out this authentic German celebration with traditional Oktoberfest games dating to 1810, Bavarian pretzels, German fare and polka bands.
October 8-10, 4 p.m.-midnight. FREE. 527 Lake Ave., Asbury Park (asburybiergarten.com; 732-997-8767).
9th Annual Dunellen Harvest Fest
This festival features NJ artists and crafters, activities for kids, food, music and fitness demonstrations. Attendees can also sign up for a pumpkin-decorating contest.
October 10, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. FREE. Washington Park, Dunellen (tinyurl.com/dunellenharvestfest).
Hamilton Township’s Annual Oktoberfest
Enjoy fall fun including hay rides, craft vendors and kids’ activities.
October 17 (rain date October 24), 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Veterans Park, Hamilton (hamiltonnj.com/oktoberfest; 609-890-4028).
SOUTH JERSEY
Oktoberfest in Wildwood
Auf Wiedersehen! Head down to Wildwood’s Oktoberfest at Morey’s Piers for a grand selection of beers at an outdoor Biergarten or chow down on German classics like Bavarian pretzels, bratwurst, schnitzel and more.
October 1-3 and 8-10, 1-10:30 p.m. $29. 3501 Boardwalk, Wildwood (moreyspiers.com; 609-522-3900).
Elmer Harvest Day Festival
This daylong fest has live entertainment, special deals at participating restaurants and crafters. Join in the 1-mile fun walk or 5k race, or browse the Lew Zane Memorial Car show, showcasing tractors, trucks and motorcycles.
October 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. FREE. Broad Street, Elmer (elmerboroughnj.com; 856-358-6171).
Ocean City’s Fall Block Party
Stroll down the buzzing streets of Ocean City. Browse more than 400 local crafters, food vendors, music and a grand-finale fireworks spectacular.
October 9, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. FREE. 14th Street and Asbury Avenue (oceancityvacation.com; 609-399-6111).
Allentown Fall Festival
Main Street comes alive with this annual event featuring live bands, food trucks, a craft beer garden, local artisans, a Civil-War encampment and a classic-car show.
October 9, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. FREE. Main Street (allentownnj.com; 215-880-4065).
Woodbury Fall Parade and Festival
Woodbury precedes its fall parade with a festival complete with food, crafts, shop vendors and activities for little ones. After shopping, follow the floats as they travel from Broad Street to Red Bank.
October 9, 1 p.m. FREE. Lot 323 Between Russell and W. Centre streets, parade on Broad Street (woodbury.nj.us; 856-812-4311)
Berlin’s 10th Annual Fall Festival
Back by popular demand is the Mutt Strut dog costume parade, pumpkin painting, a car show, food merchants and, of course, the beer garden.
October 9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. FREE. Berlin Park, Berlin (Details on Facebook; 856-767-7777
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