Get ready for a thrilling weekend packed with excitement and fall spirit! From spooky parades to lively festivals, New Jersey offers a fantastic lineup of family-friendly activities this fall. Whether you’re an avid pumpkin picker, a fan of dressing up in costumes, or simply looking for a day of fun with loved ones, there’s something for everyone. Here are 10 fall events to attend this weekend!
Oktoberfest Food Truck Festival
85 Archertown Rd, New Egypt, NJ 08533
The Oktoberfest Food Truck Festival at Laurita Winery is happening on October 19 from 11 a.m to 9 p.m and October 20 from 11 a.m to 7 p.m. Mark your calendars for this unforgettable weekend of indulgence! With over 25 food trucks offering a range of flavors from empanadas to seafood, visitors will have no shortage of options to pair with Laurita’s flavorful wines. Beach Shack Food Truck and Cousins Maine Lobster are just a few names that will have your taste buds dancing. Guests can enjoy live music performances, from the retro sounds of 80’s Undercover to Sunday’s Strictly 60s. Fireworks on Saturday night will light up the sky. Tickets are $13 in advance or $15 at the gate, and kids under 21 get in free.
Haunted Harvest Food Truck & Music Festival
Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Rd., Augusta, NJ 07822
The Haunted Harvest Food Truck & Music Festival invites families to a Halloween-themed celebration at the Sussex County Fairgrounds. Scheduled for October 20 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the festival promises a day filled with delicious food from various trucks, live music, and a lively beer garden. Families can enjoy trick-or-treating, with the first 100 kids receiving free bags to decorate. Kids will also love the Halloween parade at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., where prizes await the most spirited participants. Attendees are encouraged to come in costume and participate in various activities, including face painting and sand art. The festival is dog-friendly, but pet owners should consider that the event can be overwhelming for their leashed pets. With a $5 admission fee (children under 36 inches free) and plenty of vendors to explore, this festival offers good music, good food, and good times for all!
Sea Isle City Harvest Classic
Excursion Park, Sea Isle City, NJ 08243
Mark your calendars for the Sea Isle City Harvest Classic, happening on Saturday, October 19, at Excursion Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. This fall festival features live music from Hickstown Road, a pie baking contest, and a vibrant vendor market. Families can enjoy pumpkin decorating, hayrides on the beach, and a fun-filled trunk-or-treat event at the 1st Bank of Sea Isle City from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Additionally, a surf contest will take place on the beach to add to the excitement. Attendees can participate in the Scarecrow Contest, voting for their favorite creations displayed at local businesses for a chance to win a prize. With a rain date set for October 20, this event promises a delightful day of autumn fun for everyone!
Hoboken Harvest Festival
Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Rd., Augusta, NJ 07822
Hoboken invites everyone to its annual Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.. This free event showcases the vibrant local community, featuring a variety of vendors, artists, and a new beer garden open to guests aged 21 and older. Families will delight in attractions like a trackless train, a pumpkin-decorating station, and bounce houses, along with an exciting appearance from the dinosaurs of Dinosaurs Arise. Live music will fill the air with performances by Demolition String Band, Finn Douglas and Friends, and Dallas Connors.
Rot-tober Fest Monster Market
Main Street Highland Park, 226 Raritan Ave., Highland Park, NJ
Get ready for Rot-tober Fest this Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., a thrilling celebration of all things spooky. This unique festival features an impressive lineup of vendors and artists, including a curated used book caravan, wearable puppets, and creative monster-themed art. Attendees can explore vintage horror memorabilia, enjoy live music from bands like Bruce Frankenstein and Atomic Bats, and witness astonishing performances, including sword swallowing and storytelling that will send chills down their spines. Rot-tober Fest promises a delightful mix of horror and festivity for all ages.
2024 Paw Dazzle Pet Parade & Costume Contest
Historic Smithville, 615 E Moss Mill Rd, Galloway, NJ 08205
Get ready for the 2024 Paw Dazzle Pet Parade & Costume Contest at Historic Smithville! On Saturday, October 19, pet owners and their furry companions can pop out at this festive event, which includes a parade around the Village Greene. Registration is $15 per pet. The parade will feature a variety of costume categories, with prizes awarded, including a $100 cash prize for the Best in Show. Bring your pets, your Halloween spirit, and enjoy an exciting day with your furry friends!
Washington’s Wicked 5K & Kids Fun Run
Gardner Field, Harrison Street, Township of Washington, NJ 07676
Join the Washington’s Wicked 5K & Kids Fun Run on Sunday, October 20 at 9 a.m.! This course winds through the picturesque, tree-lined streets of the Township of Washington, where Halloween-themed homes and decorations will set a festive backdrop. Family-friendly costumes are encouraged for participants of all ages! Awards will be given to the top three overall male and female finishers, as well as the top three in each age group. The Kids Fun Run is open to children aged 11 and under and will award every participant a finisher’s medal and a cotton t-shirt. Registration is open until October 5, with same-day registration available but without guaranteed shirts.
The Great Pumpkin Train
99 Elizabeth St. Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
Experience the magic of fall aboard The Great Pumpkin Train in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, throughout October! This scenic ride along the Delaware River offers breathtaking views during the most vibrant time of the year. Passengers can disembark at the Corn Maze/Sunquhanna Mine to spend two hours panning for gemstones or take on the exciting challenge of the corn maze. Enjoy the picturesque train ride that includes a stop at the Pumpkin Patch on the way home. Each child is invited to hop off the train to pick their very own pumpkin for free! The pumpkin patch is nestled in a lovely glade in front of the historic Carpentersville Lime Kilns, which are the oldest and largest of their kind still standing in New Jersey, dating back to before the Revolutionary War.
Boo at the Boardwalk
300 Ocean Ave N, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Join the fun at Boo at the Boardwalk, the annual fall event perfect for the whole family! This year’s festivities include limited kiddie rides, face painting, trick-or-treating, underwater pumpkin carving, and magic shows from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.. Don’t miss the Witch Sister Trio of Treats and other exciting activities! Special highlights include the Howl-O-Ween Canines & Cocktails Edition on October 19, featuring the Witch Sister Trio from 12 PM to 2 PM and shows at 2:30 PM and 3:30 PM. Enjoy magic shows on October 20 and more fun with animal shows on October 26 and 27. Additionally, attendees will receive half-price admission to Castaway Cove Mini Golf and the Funhouse. Weather permitting, come out for a spooky good time!
Terhune Orchards
330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
Experience a day of family fun at Terhune Orchards! Celebrate fall with Pick-Your-Own Pumpkins and Apples, perfect for crafting jack-o’-lanterns and decorations. Kids can enjoy pumpkin painting, pony rides, and pedal tractors while exploring the Corn Stalk Maze and Hay Bale Maze. There’s over 30 attractions, including a scavenger hunt, a pollinator sunflower trail, and a barnyard filled with animals. Enjoy farm-fresh delights at Pam’s Food Pavilion, featuring soup, chili, pork sandwiches, pies, and apple cider donuts. Don’t miss the Barn Door Cafe for cider slush and hand-scooped ice cream. Advance tickets are available for $18, with children under 3 admitted free. Join the fun and make lasting memories!
