Just because the summer’s coming to a close doesn’t mean festival season is over. As the seasons change, we’ll be going from flashy, neon one pieces and high-fashion heels to cozy sweaters and boots that were made for none other than walking, per the Nancy Sinatra classic (another Jersey native, FYI).
You won’t need to travel too far for festivals this fall, so we made a list of our local favorites. Whether you’re looking for farm-fresh jams or DJ jams, you can find them both at these NJ fall festivals.
Farm Festivals
Food Truck & Apple Festival – Sewell, NJ
This Saturday, September 9, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Duffield’s Farm is hosting their annual Food Truck & Apple Festival. The generations-old farm will have 15 food truck vendors, Mister Softee, and Kona Ice. The flyer also advertises apple picking hay rides, live music, pony rides, and face painting. The event is free to attend, but tickets must be bought for apple picking. Buy your tickets in advance here.
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Fall Festival at Argos Farm – Forked River, NJ
Argos Farm’s Fall Festival is just one week away! From Saturday, September 16 to Sunday, October 29, the farm will grant visitors access to a variety of attractions like the Corn Maze, the Wagon Ride, the Cow Train Ride, and more. Festival hours and additional information can be found on the website’s homepage. Entry tickets are over 35 percent off until 11:59 p.m. tomorrow (Friday, September 8) and can be bought here.
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Fall Flower Festival – Cream Ridge, NJ
Famous for their massive tulip fields that rival those found in the Netherlands, Holland Ridge Farms is going all out with their Fall Flower Festival from Friday, September 15 to Sunday, October 15. This year, the festival will feature up to 20 food trucks, floral photo-ops, live music, horse and carriage rides, and a farmers and makers market. View weekend-exclusive attractions and event hours here. Parking and rideshare drop-offs are free, and entry tickets can be purchased here.
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Harvest Fest – Pemberton, NJ
Contrary to the name, Dancing Horse Farm will be showing off their alpacas at this year’s Harvest Fest on Saturday, September 30. Visitors can feed and walk the alpacas, and there’s even a photo booth with them. Take home genuine alpaca fur products from The Queen’s Cottage farm store. Admission to this event is free. An additional fee applies to ride a historical 19th century horse carriage.
Music Festivals
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Sea Hear Now – Asbury Park, NJ
From Friday, September 16 to Saturday, September 17, Sea Hear Now will be making its fifth return to the shore. Headliners include The Killers, Greta Van Fleet, Foo Fighters, and Weezer. The festival will have three stages along the water. And you can’t miss the surf contest from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tickets are sold out, but verified resale can still be bought here.
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XPoNential Music Festival – Camden, NJ
For three days from Friday, September 22 to Sunday, September 24, the XPoNential Music Festival is back at Camden’s very own Wiggins Park, presented by WXPN, the Camden County Board of Commissioners, and Subaru. Artists come from a wide array of genres like folk, pop, indie, and R&B to name a few. Headliners include Old Crow Medicine Show, Margo Price, Tegan and Sara, and Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers. Buy tickets here and give WXPN’s playlist a listen.
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Atlantic City Jazz Fest – Atlantic City, NJ
In the mood for something more artsy? Look no further than the Atlantic City Jazz Fest happening Saturday, September 16. Cruise down to Ovation Hall at the Ocean Casino Resort to listen to Boney James, Will Downing, and Jeanette Harris. Purchase tickets to this classy indoor function here.
For the jazz aficionados out there, you might even want to double up on jazz festivals these next two weekends, starting with Montclair’s this Saturday.
Plan on attending any of these NJ fall festivals? Did we miss your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!
About the Author/s
Alex Kenney is a third-year Journalism and Media Studies student at Rutgers University - New Brunswick. Having lived in Bergen, Essex, and briefly Hudson County, she calls anything north of Newark home. She is a big fan of NJ Transit and knows most major highways in her area like the back of her hand, even though she doesn’t drive.
