Top Columbus Day Weekend Events in New Jersey

2021 Celebrations, Parades, and Popular Events

Discover what's happening during the 2022 Columbus Day weekend with celebrations of parades, events and festivals in New Jersey.

Columbus Day celebrates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus' arrival in the Americas, on October 12, 1492, or as some historians claim, that event set in motion the chain of events that led to the discovery of the United States as we know it today.

With a large immigration of Catholics during the mid-19th century and in response to discrimination from anti-immigrant activists, most notably the Ku Klux Klan, Catholics created organizations to combat discrimination and provide a means of survival for struggling immigrants.

The Knights of Columbus who chose that name in part because they viewed Christopher Columbus, a Catholic as the icon of the struggle of Catholic immigrants and their pursuit of citizenship.

Today many Italian-Americans and Italian-American organizations such as the Sons of Italy and the Italian-American Association observe Columbus Day as a celebration of their heritage.

The first known celebration of Columbus Day began in New York City, a city with a large Catholic population, occurred on October 12, 1866.

Columbus Day was first celebrated as a holiday in the United States as a result of the efforts of Angelo Noce, a first generation Italian, in Denver. In April 1934, as a result of lobbying by the Knights of Columbus, Congress and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt set aside October 12 as Columbus Day and a Federal holiday.

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Note: . Sometimes conditions require cancellations or changes of dates, times and location which are not reflected in the original schedule. Before planning a trip to visit one of the listed events, it is suggested that you call the event sponsor to confirm the event schedule or for additional information on the event.

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Stay tuned --- we will be updating this list as our sponsors confirm this year's events

2022 Northern Jersey Columbus Day Weekend Festivals, events, and Parades

Clark Unico's Annual Italian-American Feast
October 6, 7, 8, 9, 2022 6:00 pm to 2 9:00 pm
Clark Recreation
430 Westfield Ave
Clark, NJ
Webpage
rbernardo@ourclark.com
This annual event features a great selection of food, beer, wine, live bands, and entertainment each night, novelty vendors, games, rides, raffles, and much more.

Fall Harvest Hoedown
Saturday, & Sunday, October 8, 9, 2022
Jacobus Vanderveer House & Museum
3055 River Road
Bedminster, NJ
Website
info@jvanderveerhouse.org
(908) 396-6053
This annual fall family event features live music performances, family fun activities, House Tours, Mum Sale, Children's crafts, and a Scavenger Hunt.
Remember to bring your lawn chair or blanket!

West Milford Autumn Lights Festival
Saturday October 8, 2022; 10am - 5pm
Union Valley Rd
West Milford, NJ
Website
info@autumnlightsfestival.com
The Autumn Lights Festival first started 20 years ago as a celebration to West Milford for getting its first traffic light! In the beginning it was just the town gathering on the lawn of Town Hall.
Today it has grown to a street fair that has over 300 vendors, live music, child activities, games and rides. With about 20,000 'ALFers' that visit throughout the day.

Crystal Springs Music Fest
Sunday, October 9, 2022
Crystal Springs Resort
3 Wild Turkey Way
Hamburg, NJ
Website
888) 388-3472
Enjoy live music under the tent by local sensations plus talent from across the U.S. and Latin America. Your favorite drinks, tasty food choices and fun lawn games await in a casual outdoor setting surrounded by spectacular foliage. There will also be food trucks; a full premium bar with themed cocktails, wine and beer; bourbon tastings; and lawn games. street fair that has over 300 vendors, live music, child activities, games and rides. With about 20,000 'ALFers' that visit throughout the day.
This year's featured performers include: Hernan Romero, Elisa & Phil Girlando, Madison Pisano, Kelly & Kyle, Jordan McCants, The Andie Baldwin Band, & The Harrisons

2022  Central Jersey Columbus Day Weekend Festivals, events, and Parades

Ocean County Columbus Day Parade & Italian Street Festival
October 7th, 8th, 9th, 2022
On Grant Ave
Seaside Heights, N.J
Website
732-477-6507
Celebrating the Annual Columbus Day Parade and Italian Heritage Festival. A fun filled weekend of food, friends, and Italian Culture.
The Parade will be held on Sunday at 1 pm, on the Boulevard from J Street to Sampson Avenue.

Allentown Fall Festival
Saturday & Sunday, October 8th & 9th, 2022
Main St
Allentown, NJ
Website
This annual family friendly Fall Festival features live music, a craft beer garden, wine tasting, food trucks, classic cars, civil war encampment, craft vendors, and a host of activities for kids.
They will be Showcasing 100% handmade local crafters and artisans. Its also a great time to visit their local specialty shops eateries offering Fall Festival specials.

Central Jersey Beer Festival
Saturday, October 8, 2022; from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM* (Rain or Shine, Tents will be used in case of inclement weather!)
Mercer County Park Festival Grounds. 
1665 Mercerville-Edinburg Rd
West Windsor, NJ
Website & Tickets
VIP Entry & Tasting beginning at 12PM Food trucks and music until 6PM
This event features over 175 beers, live music, food, and 4 hours of Beer Tasting. Bring a picnic blanket or chairs and friends

Annual Dunellen HarvestFest
Sunday, October 9, 2022 • 11am-4pm (RAIN OR SHINE)
Washington Park
N. Washington Ave., between Dunellen Ave. & First St.,
Dunellen, NJ 08812
Website
The annual Dunellen HarvestFest features artists and crafters from around the Garden State, local nonprofits, activities for kids, foods, music, dancing, and more!

New Brunswick's 4th Annual Oktoberfest
Sunay, October 9, 2022; 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Monument Square Park
George St & Livingston Ave
New Brunswick, NJ
732-545-4849
Email: citymarket@newbrunswick.com
Website
Free Admission
This Oktoberfest event features a fall celebration of music, food, and community. Enjoy a variety of local and traditional food, craft brews, German beers, and vendors that will keep your interest. Bring your friends and family to enjoy an afternoon of music, games, activities, and so much more! Plus take part in our Stein holding competitions as competitors hold a full one-liter beer stein out in front of their bodies with a straight arm, parallel to the ground, and the last person holding with good form is the winner! Partygoers are encouraged to get into the Oktoberfest spirit by wearing their best dirndl or lederhosen. The music line-up includes a combination of performances of a broad mix for all age groups, including Traditional German music!

2021 Southern Jersey Columbus Day Weekend Festivals, events, and Parades

Annual LBI FLY International Kite Festival
October 6, 7, 8, 9, 2022
Ship Bottom
Long Beach Island, NJ 08008
609-361-3395
Website
The event features a weekend with brilliant colorful artist design kites, fun flying giant inflatable kites and the amazing show of sport kiting to our beautiful island. Many of these fliers are invited guests in prestigious festivals around the world. This free and cross-generational event will yield even more spectacular and unusual kites this year – as well as displayed at local galleries prior to the festival.

Submersion Festival
October 6, 7, 8, 2022
Paradise Lakes Campground
500 Paradise Dr.
Hammonton, NJ
Website/Tickets
Cost: Must be 21+. Admission - Early Entry: $50 - 2 Day GA Festival Pass: $150 - Car Camping: $60 - RV $600 (Each RV pass includes four (4) Early Entry passes)
This 2-day (with a pre-party on Thursday) camping music festival in the Pine Barrens features two unique stages offering sounds of all tempos, flavors and styles with a little something for everyone regardless of where you land on the electronic music spectrum. The music runs on both stages from 6:45PM - 4:00AM. Music begins as early as 12:30 PM on Friday & Saturday and runs until Sunrise.

Annual Pine Barrens Jamboree at Wells Mills Park
Saturday, October 8th, 2022; 10am - 4:30pm (rain or shine)
Wells Mills County Park
905 Wells Mills Rd, Rt. 532
Waretown, NJ
Website
609- 971-3085
Parking and admission FREE
This annual event features a fun filled day of music of the pines, cultural demonstrations, traditional crafts, nature and history programs. Attendees will sit under the big tent and enjoy a fun filled day of county, bluegrass and traditional music.

Atlantic City Comedy Festival
Saturday, Sunday, October 8 & 9, 2022
Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall
2301 Boardwalk
Atlantic City, NJ
The Atlantic City Comedy Festival features two days of hilarious entertainment. There are a total of 2 shows, with one show each day.
Each show typically features 5, and sometimes more, comedians each day.

Berlin’s Annual Fall Festival
Saturday, October 8, 2022; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Berlin Park,
43 S Park Drive,
Berlin, NJ
856-767-7777
Website
fallfestgbbpa@aol.com.
Free event
This event features a Mutt Strut dog costume parade, pumpkin painting, a car show, food merchants and, of course, the beer garden.

Fall Block Party and Fireworks Spectacular
Saturday, October 8, 2022: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
from 5th – 14th Streets on Asbury Ave.
Ocean City, NJ
Website
information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ
This annual family event features over 400 crafters, food vendors, music, and more. In the evening, fireworks over the boardwalk from 6th Street – 14th Street.

Lima Bean Festival
Saturday, October 8, 2022, 9:00am - 4:00pm
Wilbraham Park
Perry Street
West Cape May, NJ
609-884-9325
Website
The lowly legume takes center stage delighting locals and visitors alike with her vast array of recipes, crafts and products available. Come out and celebrate West Cape May's farming heritage with lima bean soup, tacos, salad, jewelry, T-shirts and more! Enjoy great food, quality vendors, antiques, crafts, entertainment and fun.

New Jersey Bacon Fest
Saturday and Sunday, October 8th and 9th, 2022
Flying W Airport
60 Fostertown Road
Medford, NJ
Website
This event features bacon, food trucks, beer, bourbon, wine, swine, and more. It includes all kinds of bacon purveyors — including some outstanding food trucks with an emphasis on bacon. In addition to the food trucks, Bacon Fest will have a bacon Bloody Mary bar, craft and local beers, a wine and bourbon bar, kid's activities, and live music on two big stages with local bands performing.

The South Jersey Celtic Festival
Saturday, Octobr 8, 2022: 10:30 am to 6:30 pm
Liberty Lake
1195 Florence Columbus Road
Bordentown, NJ
Website/Tickets
This family & dog friendly event features Highland Games, Live Irish and Celtic Music, Pipers and Dancers, Craft Beer, Mead, Wine, & Whiskey Tastings, Food Trucks, Merchants, Games & Fun.
The Whiskey Tastings at 1:30 pm and 4 pm @ $35 per person, is an enjoyable activity where attendees can learn the fine art of whiskey tasting and the differences between types of whiskeys.

South Jersey Pumpkin Show
October 8. 9, 2022; Saturday 10am to 8pm and Sunday, 10am to 5pm.
Salem County Fairgrounds
735 Harding Highway
Woodstown, NJ 08098
Web Site
856-765-0118, Email: sjpumpkinshow@aol.com
This festival features three- days of family fun with contests, artists, craftsmen, home products, a pumpkin pyramid, entertainment, food, wine, amusement rides, a Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off, headless horsemen, scarecrows, Little Miss & Mister Pageant, dog parade, Boo Barn and more.

The Wildwoods Food & Music Festival
Sunday, October 9, 2022; 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Atlantic Avenue
between Wildwood and Schellenger Avenues
Wildwood, NJ
609-729-4000 
 Website
Free Admission
This family festival will feature 2 stages of live music plus crafters, food vendors, games, a pie eating contest and much more! A “Kids Korner” with activities including pumpkin painting, crab hat making and inflatable bounce house.