There are certain places in New Jersey that just seem made for fall, and Historic Smithville is one of them. This weekend, the charming village in Galloway transforms into one of South Jersey’s biggest fall celebrations. Historic Smithville Oktoberfest returns Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
And while “Oktoberfest” might make you immediately think of beer and bratwurst, this one is really an entire fall festival. Shopping, food, music, kids’ activities and plenty of reasons to spend a few hours wandering around.
More Than 150 Crafters Take Over the Village
One of the biggest draws is the shopping.
More than 150 crafters and vendors will set up throughout the festival, offering handmade crafts, clothing, jewelry and other finds. That’s in addition to Historic Smithville’s year-round collection of over 50 specialty shops.
Fall festival season is a great opportunity to discover small businesses and independent makers you may never come across otherwise. If you’re already starting to think about holiday shopping, this might also be a good weekend to pick up a few gifts and put some of those holiday dollars directly into the hands of small businesses and local makers.
Come Hungry
Oktoberfest includes an international food court, along with the restaurants and eateries already located throughout Smithville. The village describes the weekend as a celebration of autumn food, beer and music, so this is the kind of outing where wandering, eating and wandering some more is encouraged.
Bring the Kids…and the Dog
Children’s activities include things like face painting, a giant jumping house and games, while Smithville itself offers its old-fashioned carousel, train rides and paddle boats on Lake Meone. Nonprofit organizations will also be scattered throughout the festival with information, raffles and items for sale. And yes, Historic Smithville says Oktoberfest is dog-friendly, too.
Make a Day of It
Historic Smithville began as a stagecoach stop and today feels like a little village removed from the modern world, with cobblestone walkways, footbridges, small shops and restaurants surrounding the grounds. Don’t feel like you need to race through the festival. Grab something to eat, browse the vendors, explore the permanent shops, take the kids on the carousel or simply find a spot to sit and enjoy a beautiful October afternoon.
Know Before You Go
Historic Smithville Oktoberfest takes place Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Historic Smithville in Galloway. Admission is free.
A free shuttle will operate from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. both days from Smithville Square at 45 S. New York Road, which can make dealing with festival parking a whole lot easier.
For festival details and updates, click here.
With the fall atmosphere, plenty to eat, more than 150 crafters to browse and an entire village to explore, Smithville’s Oktoberfest has all the makings of one of those easy, quintessential New Jersey fall days.
Antonietta LaVecchia has been a small business advocate for over two decades and has made it a mission to get communities to shop small and support local.