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. For extended memory-making, check out our full guide to fall day trips.
NORTH JERSEY
Fall Festival at Wightman Farms
Weekends through fall
Wightman Farms hosts fun-filled fall festivities on weekends throughout the season. The $25 ticket price includes hayrides, a giant corn maze, apple picking (does not include apples), a pumpkin, games like corn hole and parking.
$25 (children 3 and under FREE). Chubb Park, Chester
Chester Lions Club Oktoberfest Weekend
September 23, 12-9 pm; September 24, 12-6 pm
Enjoy music, German food and more fun in the charming town of Chester.
$7 (kids under 12 FREE). Chubb Park, Chester
Hackettstown Oktoberfest
September 29, 5 pm; September 30-October 1, 12-6 pm
The Hackettstown BID, Czig Meister Brewing Company, Man Skirt Brewing and Grand Avenue Tavern are hosting a plethora of events for this street festival-style celebration. Expect lots of drinks, food, family-friendly activities, vendors and more.
FREE. Main Street, Valentine Street and Grand Avenue, Hackettstown
Whippany Railway Museum Pumpkin Patch Train
October 1, 8 & 15
All aboard the Whippany Railway Museum’s Pumpkin Patch Train this autumn! Photo: Courtesy of Whippany Railway Museum
Costumed children of all ages are welcome to board this 45-minute train ride to a pumpkin patch, where they will pick a free, kid-sized pumpkin and get a decorating kit.
1-4 pm; $13-$26. 1 Railroad Plaza, Whippany
Oasis Oktoberfest
October 14
This celebration features German food, beer, live music, raffles, games and contests. Proceeds benefit Oasis, a Paterson-based nonprofit supporting women and children.
7-11 pm; $150. McBride Field, Franklin Lakes
Lodi Fall Festival
October 14
Highlights of the day include a veterans’ car show, food trucks, vendors, live music, games and a beer garden. End the evening with a dazzling display of fireworks.
Starting at 1 pm; FREE. 1 Memorial Drive, Lodi
Blairstown Fall Festival & Bed Races
October 14
Join the fun with a full day of vendors, food trucks, live music, activities and a beer garden. Don’t miss out on the annual iconic bed races, where a four-person team pushes a fifth person in a wheeled bed to victory across the finish line.
11 am-4 pm; FREE. Footbridge Park, Blairstown
CENTRAL JERSEY
Mountain Creek Oktoberfest Celebration
September 16-17
Mountain Creek Resort’s festival features fun for the whole family, including live music, German cuisine, lawn games, petting zoos, bounce houses and face painting. Sky rides on the Mountain Creek lift are included with ticket price, and Mountain Coaster rides are an additional $15.
$25 for general admission or $200 for VIP; Mountain Creek Resort, 200 NJ-94, Vernon Township
Fall Family Fun Weekends at Terhune Orchards
Kids will love the hay bale maze at Terhune Orchards. Photo courtesy of Terhune Orchards/Catherine Stroud
Weekends, September 16-October 29
A spectacular variety of farm activities for the whole family, include pony rides, scavenger hunts, pumpkin painting and wine tastings.
10 am-5 pm; $15 for general admission, with additional packages available. 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton
Asbury Park Oktoberfest
October 6-8
Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten celebrates its eighth annual weekend-long Oktoberfest celebration with authentic German snacks, a live polka band and plenty of beer to go around.
527 Lake Avenue, Asbury Park
Highlands Oktoberfest
October 7 (rain date: October 8)
This family-friendly, traditional Oktoberfest celebration features authentic German food, plenty of oompah and polka music, and even best-dressed and beer-stein holding contests.
12-7 pm; FREE. Veterans Park, Highlands
Dunellen Harvest Fest
October 8
This festival features local artists and crafters from across the state, as well as food, pumpkin and scarecrow contests, activities for kids and live entertainment.
11 am-4 pm; FREE. Washington Park, Dunellen
Hamilton Township’s Annual Oktoberfest
October 15 (rain date: October 22)
Enjoy hay rides, a pumpkin patch, music, food, a corn maze and more.
11 am-5 pm; FREE. Veterans Park, Hamilton
SOUTH JERSEY
Oktoberfest in Wildwood
Enjoy German entertainment and food at Wildwood’s Oktoberfest. Photo courtesy of Wildwoods NJ
Weekends, September 15-October 8
Morey’s Piers and Water Park’s annual Oktoberfest hosts a grand selection of beers and German staples, such as Bavarian pretzels and schnitzel, at an outdoor Biergarten. There is live music every night.
FREE. 3501 Boardwalk, Wildwood
Pick of the Batch Fall Festival
October 7
Cape May Brewing Co. hosts this day with live music, new seasonal brews, events like a keg and steinholding relay race, and family-friendly activities.
12-6 pm; $10-$20. Cape May Brewing Co., 1250 Hornet Road, Rio Grande
Elmer Harvest Day Festival
October 7
Elmer’s annual autumn fair offers live entertainment and children’s activities, as well as special deals from local crafters and restaurants. Also on tap is the annual car show.
10 am-4 pm; FREE. Centennial Park, Elmer
Woodbury Fall Festival Parade
October 7
This year’s annual fall festival and parade, called Boo at the Woo, is Halloween-themed and costumes are part of the fun. In addition there will be food, crafts and musical performances.
6 pm; FREE. Colonial Avenue and North Broad Street, Woodbury
CCTS Food Truck & Craft Fall Festival
October 7
This fifth annual fest includs art vendors, music and games, sponsored by the Camden County Technical Schools
11 am-5 pm; FREE. 343 Cross Keys Road Sickerville
Allentown Fall Festival
October 14-15
Allentown’s annual fall festival has plenty of family fun to offer, with handmade crafts, food, wine tastings, a craft beer garden, live music, activities for kids including a petting zoo, and classic cars. Free parking and a shuttle are available.
10 am-5 pm; FREE. Main Street, Allentown
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