NJ Festivals for Families 2025:
Your Local Guide to Family Fun
A Guide to NJ Festivals for Families: What to Know
New Jersey shines with family fun year-round. You get sandy beaches, boardwalk arcades, small-town charm, and plenty of snacks in a single day. Kids sprint from skee-ball to soft serve, while parents enjoy those nostalgic boardwalk smells, hello funnel cake.When rain shows up, shift indoors to hands-on exhibits at Liberty Science Center or plan a full day under one roof at American Dream with indoor skiing and wild attractions. If you are searching for new jersey family festivals near you, short drives make it easy to fill the calendar with nj family events and nj kids activities across the state.
Every weekend brings something new. Street fairs, cultural celebrations, art shows, food festivals, and live music fill the schedule. Expect bounce houses, parades, fireworks, scavenger hunts, and inclusive options for kids. From trails and farms to pumpkin patches and holiday lights, you will find plenty of nj kids events near me to keep everyone smiling.
Northern NJ Festivals and Family Events
Ongoing North Jersey Festivals
Jack O’ Lantern Experience
September 26 to November 2, 2025, Skylands Stadium, Augusta
Walk through a glowing trail with more than 6,000 jack-o-lanterns and creative displays. The 45-minute route is a fall favorite for families and friends.
Great Pumpkin Festival at Heaven Hill Farm
September 13 to November 2, 2025, Vernon
Find over 35 family activities, hayrides, a themed corn maze, rides, shows, food, cider donuts, and farm animals.
Mountain Creek Resort Fall Festival
Weekends, September 27 to November 2, 2025, Vernon
Enjoy mountain views on the coaster, live music, bounce houses, hay mazes, and classic lawn games with a fall twist.
October 2025 North Jersey Festivals
JC Harvest Festival
Saturday, October 4, 10 am to 2 pm, Hamilton Park, Jersey City
Pumpkin decorating, music, crafts, food trucks, and easygoing fall fun.
PuchiCon NJ 2025
October 4 to 5, 2025, DoubleTree by Hilton, Fort Lee
Anime, manga, comics, and gaming come together with cosplay, artists, and voice actors. Friendly vibes for all ages.
Pumpkin Patch Trains
October 5, 11, and 12, 2025, Whippany Railway Museum
Ride the train for 45 minutes, then kids pick a pumpkin and a decorating kit. Costumes welcome.
Oktoberfest at Turkey Brook Park
October 11 to 12, 2025, Flanders
German food and beer for adults, plus kid zones with inflatables, pony rides, and yard games.
Brite Nites at Wagner Farm Arboretum
Fridays and Saturdays, October 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 2025, Warren Township
Stroll past hand-carved pumpkins and glowing displays. A laid-back evening walk for the whole family.
Queen City Film Festival
October 16 to 19, 2025, Cinemark Watchung
Watch films from new and underrepresented voices. The schedule includes youth programs and panels for budding filmmakers.
November 2025 North Jersey Festivals
Jersey City: Day of the Dead Bar Crawl
November 1, 2025, Jersey City
A grown-up night out that blends tradition with lively stops across decorated bars. Join the route at any venue and set your own pace. Book early, it fills fast.
Great Pumpkin Festival
Now through November 2, 2025, Heaven Hill Farm, Vernon
Over 35 outdoor activities with hayrides, an Alien Invasion corn maze, animals, entertainment, and tons of photo ops. Look for carnival rides, Apple Cannon, Paintball Range, Gem Mining, wine tasting, vendors, kettle corn, apple cider donuts, pumpkins, mums, and shows like Canine Stars and pig races.
Central NJ Festivals and Family Events
Ongoing Central Jersey Festivals
U-Pick Sunflowers: Fall Festival
September 12 to October 13, 2025, Cream Ridge
Wander bright fields, cut your own stems, visit barn animals, and check out interactive barns.
LuminoCity’s Dino Safari
September 18 to October 25, 2025, Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold
Walk among large animatronic dinosaurs, light sculptures, and hands-on dino activities.
Magic of Lights at PNC Bank Arts Center
November 21, 2025 to January 3, 2026, Holmdel
A drive-through holiday light show with LED displays and animated scenes. Enjoy it from your car, one carload, one price.
October 2025 Central Jersey Festivals
Lambertville Porchfest
Saturday, October 4, 2025, Lambertville
Musicians perform free shows on porches across town. A community-made event set against a picturesque backdrop.
Allentown Fall Festival
Saturday and Sunday, October 11 and 12, 2025, Main Street, Allentown
Live music, craft beer garden, wine tasting, food trucks, classic cars, a Civil War encampment, craft vendors, and activities for kids.
Somerset County’s Journey Through The Past
October 11 and 12, 2025, noon to 4 pm, countywide sites, HQ at 20 Grove Street, Somerville
Free entry to 30 historic sites with living history and hands-on learning for families.
Long Branch Columbus Day Parade
Sunday, October 12, 2025, 1 pm, Long Branch
Parade route starts at the Middle School, then Bath Ave, right on Broadway, right on Morris Ave, ending at Morris Ave School.
Brick Township Fall Fest
Saturday, October 18, 2025, Windward Beach Park, Brick
Food trucks, vendors, cornhole, games, inflatables, fire pits, fireworks, and more.
Fall Foliage Hayrides and Baseball
Saturday, October 25, 2025, Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Township
Take a color-filled wagon ride around the farm, then watch an old-time baseball game.
Piscataway Fall Harvest Festival
October 24 to 26 and October 31 to November 1, 2025, East Jersey Old Town Village, Piscataway
Live music, living history, kids crafts, wagon rides, pumpkin picking, and treats like pies, cider donuts, pickles, salsa, and preserves.
Asbury Park Halloween Food Truck and Music Festival
Saturday, October 25, 2025, Bradley Park, Asbury Park
Twenty gourmet food trucks, three live bands, two costume contests, a vendor village, and an adult beverage garden.
November 2025 Central Jersey Festivals
Taco and Empanada Festival
Saturday, November 1, 2025, Memorial Park, South Bound Brook
Gourmet trucks, music, beer, margaritas, sangria, vendors, kids activities, pony rides, rock wall, petting zoo, face painting, sand art, inflatables, and a bungee trampoline. Bring chairs, blankets, and big appetites.
Thanks4Giving
Saturday, November 15, 2025, 4th Avenue boardwalk, Asbury Park
The Turkey Dash 5K runs along Asbury Park, Ocean Grove, and Bradley Beach. Then take the Turkey Splash to show you are Freezin’ for a Reason. Proceeds support Special Olympics New Jersey.
Southern NJ Festivals and Family Events
Ongoing South Jersey Festivals
Cape May Lighthouse Full Moon Climb
October 6 and November 5, 2025, Cape May Point
Climb under a full moon for a starlit view you will talk about for years.
Fintastic Pumpkin Glow at Adventure Aquarium
September 25 to November 2, 2025, Camden
Discover glowing pumpkin art above and below the surface among sharks and stingrays. Paint a pumpkin and take it home. A non-spooky option for all ages.
October 2025 South Jersey Festivals
Annual LBI FLY International Kite Festival
October 10 to 11, 2025, Ship Bottom, Long Beach Island
Watch giant inflatables and sport kites fill the sky. Many featured pilots appear at top festivals worldwide. Free, family friendly, and colorful.
Annual Pine Barrens Jamboree at Wells Mills Park
Saturday, October 11, 2025, Waretown
Music of the Pines, cultural demos, traditional crafts, kids crafts and games, plus nature and history programs under the big tent.
Ocean City Fall Block Party
Saturday, October 11, 2025, Asbury Ave from 5th to 14th Streets, Ocean City
Over 400 crafters, food vendors, live music, and a drone show at 8 pm.
18th Century Field Day
Sunday, October 19, 2025, 10 am to 4 pm, Red Bank Battlefield Park, National Park
Free admission. See living history demos, artillery drills, and cannon fire. Learn about the Battle of Red Bank, tour the grounds, and enjoy vendors and food.
Ocean City Halloween Parade
Thursday, October 30, 2025, Asbury Ave from 6th to 11th Streets, Ocean City
One of the longest running Halloween parades in the region, marching after dark through downtown.
November 2025 South Jersey Festivals
Max’s Family Fall Fest and Fishing Tournament
Sunday, November 2, 2025, noon to 6 pm, The Grove at Elks Lodge 2340, Manahawkin
Free entry for attendees. A fishing tournament with weigh-in on Saturday from 1 to 5 pm, plus live bands, food, vendors, face painting, a large bounce house, and family fun.
Last Minute Entertainment Tickets
Need a ticket at the last second? Check out schedules for concerts, shows, and big events—many venues still have seats.
