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
Jack-o’-Lantern Experience, Augusta
📅: Thru Sunday, November 1
📍: Skylands Stadium
ℹ️: A 45-minute walk through an outdoor trail gives visitors a look at 6,000 hand-carved and illuminated jack-o’-lanterns.
💸: $20+; free for kids 36 inches and under
Great Pumpkin Festival, Vernon
📅: Thru Sunday, November 8
📍: Heaven Hill Farm
ℹ️: More than 35 family-friendly activities are on offer, including hayrides, a 250th-anniversary-of-America-themed corn maze, farm animals and carnival rides, plus food.
💸: $10.99+
Grand Harvest Wine Festival, Morristown
📅: Saturday, October 3-Sunday, October 4 (noon-5 pm)
📍: Fosterfields Living Historical Farm
ℹ️: Sample Jersey wines at the farm alongside food trucks, craft vendors, live music and more.
💸: $25+
JC Harvest Fest, Jersey City
📅: Saturday, October 3 (10 am-2 pm)
📍: Hamilton Park, Jersey City
ℹ️: This year, the Harvest Festival is being combined with the city’s Cultural Diversity Festival.
💸: Free
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Pumpkin Patch Train, Whippany
📅: Sunday, October 4; Saturday, October 10-Sunday, October 11
📍: Whippany Railway Museum
ℹ️: Families can take a fun round-trip train ride to pick pumpkins at a patch. Everyone on board receives a pumpkin-decorating kit. Wear your costume!
💸: $13+
Oktoberfest at Turkey Brook Park, Flanders
📅: Sunday, October 11 (noon-8 pm)
📍: Turkey Brook Park
ℹ️: This celebration features beer, food and music, plus hayrides and axe throwing.
💸: $5; free for ages 17 & under
Fall Festival at Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Summit
📅: Sunday, October 18 (11 am-3 pm)
📍: Reeves-Reed Arboretum
ℹ️: Immerse yourself in the vibrant colors of the property and let kids enjoy games, crafts, and goat meet-and-greets. Food from local market vendors is also on hand.
💸: $15 for non-members; free for members & children under 3
CENTRAL JERSEY
Downtown Freehold Oktoberfest, Freehold
📅: Sunday, October 4 (noon-5 pm)
📍: West Main Street
ℹ️: Vendors, beer, food, live music and more await.
💸: Free
Oktoberfest at Forest Lodge, Warren
📅: Saturday, October 10 (10 am-6 pm)
📍: Forest Lodge
ℹ️: Dance to a live German band while sampling craft beer and enjoying family-friendly fun.
💸: $12+; free for kids under 10
Dunellen HarvestFest, Dunellen
📅: Sunday, October 11 (11 am-4 pm)
📍: Washington Park
ℹ️: Activities include a pumpkin-decorating contest.
💸: Free
Middlesex College HarvestFest, Edison
📅: Thursday, October 15 (5-8 pm)
📍: Middlesex College
ℹ️: Enjoy hayrides, inflatables and more.
💸: Free
Hamilton’s Annual Oktoberfest, Hamilton
📅: Sunday, October 18 (11 am-5 pm)
📍: Veterans Park, Hamilton
ℹ️: Celebrate with food, a corn maze and more fun.
💸: Free
SOUTH JERSEY
Blackwood Pumpkin Festival, Blackwood
📅: Sunday, October 4 (11 am-4 pm)
📍: Mainstage Center for the Arts
ℹ️: Expect pumpkin painting, vendors and more.
💸: Free
Medford Apple Festival, Medford
📅: Saturday, October 10 (9 am-4 pm)
📍: Kirby’s Mill
ℹ️: Indulge in apple goodies.
💸: Free
Stafford Fall Harvest & Wine Fest, Manahawkin
📅: Saturday, October 10-Sunday, October 11 (noon-5 pm)
📍: Heritage Park
ℹ️: Sip from local wineries while taking in music.
💸: $20+
Chatsworth Cranberry Festival, Chatsworth
📅: Saturday, October 17-Sunday, October 18 (9 am-4 pm)
📍: White Horse Inn
ℹ️: Celebrate the harvest with music and more.
💸: Free
