Things to Do in NJ This Weekend

Are you looking for something to do this weekend in New Jersey? New Jersey Monthly has you covered! Below we highlight recommendations for events across the state, from festivals to concerts to family-friendly events and more.

Looking to make the most of the fall? Check out our 26 best fall day trips in New Jersey, go to a fall festival or get scared at one of these Halloween happenings.

Hungry? Check out this month’s best food events.

And don’t forget to peruse our list of the 52 things you must do in New Jersey all year, no matter the season!

Our editors’ picks for this week & weekend:

Looking for a plan? We’ve got you covered with our curated guide to the best events happening across New Jersey right now.

North Jersey Events

Jack-O’-Lantern Experience
🗓️: Through Sunday, 11/1
📍: Skylands Stadium, Augusta
ℹ️: This 45-minute walk-through spectacular features more than 6,000 jack-o’-lanterns.

The 37th Annual Jersey City Art and Studio Tour
🗓️: Thursday, 10/1-Sunday, 10/4
📍: Jersey City
ℹ️: A robust city-wide series presenting visual art, including more than 200 artist studios, with five signature exhibitions to showcase works of Jersey City artists working in fine art, and with performance, music, poetry and film.

Bottle Hill Day
🗓️: Saturday, 10/3
Madison’s annual festival has food, live music, kids’ activities and more. 

Rocktoberfest
🗓️: Saturday, 10/3
📍: Taylor Park, Millburn
ℹ️: This music and arts festival features four stages of live music, a kids’ zone, an inclusivity zone, food and more, and benefits the Millburn Education Foundation.

Hopatcong Monthly Market
🗓️: Sunday, 10/25
📍: Park & Ride/DPW Lot, Hopatcong
ℹ️: Shop food, craft and artisan vendors plus vintage dealers, secondhand goods and more.

Central Jersey Events

New Jersey Film Festival
🗓️: Through Saturday, 10/4
📍: Rutgers University, New Brunswick
ℹ️: The Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center’s biannual festival features indie film screenings and guest appearances by filmmakers and actors.

U-Pick Sunflower: Fall Festival
🗓️: Through Monday, 10/12
📍: Holland Ridge Farms, Cream Ridge
ℹ️: Wander through massive fields of golden blooms and vibrant wildflowers as you soak up everything fall.

Hub City Jazz Festival
🗓️: Thursday, 10/1-Sunday, 10/4 
📍: New Brunswick
ℹ️: This New Brunswick festival celebrates the varied stylings of jazz.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Barry Bostwick
🗓️: Saturday, 10/3 
📍: State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick
ℹ️: Join the original Brad Majors for a movie screening with a live shadow cast.

Shore Events

Phish
🗓️: Friday, 10/2-Sunday, 10/4 
📍: Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City.
ℹ️: The iconic jam band fronted by Princeton bred Trey Anastasio performs three shows. 

Culture Around the Corner Festival
🗓️: Friday, 10/2-Sunday, 10/4 
📍: Long Branch 
ℹ️: The three-day festival celebrates music, dance, food, and art from cultures around the world. 

TEDxCape May
🗓️: Sunday, 10/4 
📍: Cape May Convention Hall.
ℹ️: See presentations about the pursuit of well-being in ourselves, our communities and our world.

South Jersey Events

Fintastic Pumpkin Glow at Adventure Aquarium
🗓️: Through Sunday, 11/1
📍: Adventure Aquarium, Camden
ℹ️: Guests are invited to explore the glow deep below as they dive into an underwater realm filled with gorgeous glowing gourds of all shapes, sizes, and species during the annual family-friendly fall event with a unique underwater twist.

Collingswood Book Festival
🗓️: Saturday, 10/3
📍: Collingswood
ℹ️: Enjoy poetry readings, workshops and performers.

Oktoberfest in Historic Smithville Village
🗓️: Saturday, 10/3-Sunday, 10/4
📍: Smithville Village, Galloway
ℹ️: Food, beer, music, craft vendors, kids’ activities and more. 

Festival of Fine Craft
🗓️: Saturday, 10/3-Sunday, 10/4 
📍: Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, Millville
ℹ️: This event features the work of more than 150 juried artists, unique demonstrations, a beer & wine garden, family art activities, and the signature glass pumpkin fundraiser.