Must-See 2026 Columbus Day Weekend Events in New Jersey

Updated: September 22, 2026

Columbus Day weekend 2026 in New Jersey brings a full slate of events and celebrations statewide.

As more towns and cities recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day alongside Columbus Day, the second Monday in October still delivers parades, festivals, and community gatherings across the Garden State

New Jersey's 2026 Columbus Day weekend events run October 9-12, with activities across North, Central, and South Jersey.
The guide includes parades, fall festivals, farm activities, historic tours, food events, and Halloween attractions.
Admission varies by event. Some listings are free, while others require tickets or charge for activities.
Check each event organizer's linked page for current schedules, prices, and event details.

2026 North Jersey Columbus Day Weekend Parades, Festivals & Events

Great Pumpkin Festival

October 9, 10, 11, 2026
Heaven Hill Farm, Vernon, NJ
Transforms the property into a festive fall attraction with pumpkin picking, hayrides, a sprawling corn maze, barnyard animals, live entertainment, and dozens of family activities. Visitors can expect a lively, carnival-style atmosphere with food vendors, photo spots, and rotating weekend themes.
Cost: Weekend & Holiday General Admission $26.98 (children 2 years & younger are free)

Jack O’Lantern Experience

October 10, 11, 2026
Skylands Stadium, 94 Championship Place, Augusta, NJ
A glowing autumn walk-through filled with thousands of hand carved pumpkins, whimsical displays, and larger than life themed scenes that transform Skylands Stadium into a nighttime Halloween wonderland. Guests stroll along an outdoor trail lined with illuminated jack-o'-lanterns, creative sculptures, and photo ready installations, with seasonal treats and stadium concessions available before or after the experience.
Recommended Ages: Ideal for all ages, especially families with children ages 3 and up.
Cost: $20- $45

Jersey City Columbus Day Parade

Saturday, October 10, 2026
Columbus Day parades are a must, and this one starts at 1 pm from Dickinson High School, 2 Palisade Ave, at 1PM
Cost: Free to attend

Mountain Creek Fall Fest

October 10, 11, 2026
Mountain Creek Resort, Vernon, NJ
Experience the vibrant colors and crisp mountain air at this family-friendly event. Features scenic sky rides, thrilling mountain coaster adventures, live music, local food vendors, and seasonal favorites like hay mazes, bounce houses, and pumpkin shopping.
Cost: $9.99 - $29.99 for selected activities.

Turkey Brook Park Oktoberfest

October 10, 11, 2026
Turkey Brook Park, 30 Flanders Rd., Flanders, NJ
This family-friendly outdoor celebration features live music, local food, beer, a hayride, bounce houses, games, pony rides, and contests. Bring chairs and blankets
Cost: $5 per person. Free Ages 17 & under

Nutley-Belleville Columbus Day Parade

Sunday, October 11, 2026
Parade steps off at 1:30 pm beginning at Belleville High School, continues along Joralemon St., turns on Franklin Ave., before ending on Chestnut St.
Cost: Free to attend

2026 Central Jersey Columbus Day Weekend Parades, Festivals & Events

Happy Day Farm Fall Festival

October 10, 11, 12, 2026
Manalapan Township, NJ
This family-friendly event is packed with over 35 activities, including hayrides, pony rides, pig races, sunflower mazes, a corn maze, petting zoo with farm animals, giant slides, and popular seasonal snacks.
Cost: Tickets are required for Adults and Children Ages 2 and Older. Mon, Wed & Thurs: $23. Sat & Sun Plus Monday, Columbus Day: $29

Holland Ridge Farms U-Pick Sunflowers: Fall Festival

October 9, 10, 11, 12, 2026
108 Rues Road, Cream Ridge, NJ
Stroll through acres of sunflowers and fall blooms, pick your own flowers, and visit the farm animals.
Cost: $17, $20, Infants 2 and under FREE.

Ocean County Columbus Day Parade & Italian Street Festival

October 9th, 10, 11th, 2026
Grant Ave, Seaside Heights, NJ
Three days of lively, old world charm filling the boardwalk area with Italian food vendors, live music, cultural displays, and family activities, creating a warm, celebratory atmosphere that leads into Sunday's colorful parade featuring floats, community groups, and traditional Italian pride.
Cost: Admission is free. Food, and other attractions are available for a fee

Scare Farm at Norz Hill, Hillsborough

October 9, 10, 11, 2026
Norz Hill Farm, 120 S. Branch Rd, Hillsborough, NJ
A high-intensity Halloween experience with four haunted attractions, including terrifying hayrides and haunted walking trails filled with creatures, eerie environments and psychological scares.
Recommended: 13 and older due to its very scary content.
Cost: $45 - $85

Allentown Fall Festival

October 10, 11, 2026
Main Street, Allentown
Features crafters, food trucks, kid zones, street music and a Beer & Wine Garden.
CostL Free to attend

Fall Festival Weekend at Von Thun’s

October 10, 11, 2026
Monmouth Junction, NJ
Von Thun offers a patchwork of seasonal fun designed for everyone, from toddlers toddling after baby goats to friends staging friendly corn maze races. Bring a camera—there are plenty of Instagram-worthy moments across the 20+ attractions, and every weekend introduces new reasons to return.
Cost: On-line September: $21.99, October: $24.99. Online ($25.99 In-Person) Tickets purchased on-site are $1 more. Kids 2 and under free

Fall Taste of Highlands

October 10, 2026: Rain or shine
Highlands, NJ
Features a Fall theme with 5 hours of delicious food samplings and cocktails from 18 restaurants and retailers. Tickets include a map of participating businesses, samplings of delicious food and cocktails, and access to the Seastreak Courtesy Shuttle to take you to and from each stop and free parking.
Cost: $50.00

Somerset County’s Journey Through the Past

October 10, 11, 2026
Multiple Somerset County locations
Explore up to 30 historic sites around Somerset County. Chat with costumed guides and join fun, hands-on activities.
Cost: Free

The Great Pumpkin Train

October 10, 11, 2026
Delaware River Railroad Excursions, Phillipsburg, NJ
Kids get a pumpkin after a scenic train ride to Snyder Farm. Enjoy picnic spots, corn mazes, and lovely river views.
Cost: Adult $20, Child $14. Additional cost for Mine Train $6 & Corn Maze $5

Long Branch Columbus Day Parade

Sunday, October 11, 2026
Long Branch
Starts at 1 pm from Middle School. The parade follows Bath Ave, Broadway, and Morris Ave, ending at the Morris Ave School.

New Brunswick’s Annual Oktoberfest

October 11, 2026; Noon - 6pm
Monument Square Park, 2 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, NJ
A fall celebration of music, food, and community held in New Brunswick's City Center. Enjoy a variety of local and traditional food, craft brews, and German beers.
Don't miss the Steinholding Contest 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!
Cost: Free to attend, food and beverages are available for purchase

2026 South Jersey Columbus Day Weekend Parades, Festivals & Events

Cape May's Annual Victorian Weekend

October 9, 10, 11, 12, 2026
Downtown, Cape May, NJ
This is the best time of year to visit Victorian Cape May and celebrate the unique heritage of America's first seashore resort. This celebration brings the town's historic district to life with elegant tours, costumed interpreters, vintage themed events, and charming autumn ambiance.
Downtown streets and landmark homes showcase Cape May's 19th century heritage through guided walks, lectures, living history programs, and festive gatherings
Cost: Varies depending on booked tours

Fintastic Pumpkin Glow at Adventure Aquarium

October 9, 10, 11, 12, 2026
Dive into autumn magic at the Fintastic Pumpkin Glow. This family-friendly fall event features glowing pumpkin sculptures floating above and submerged among sharks, stingrays, and sea turtles. Guests can explore aquatically themed gourd displays, enjoy hands-on activities like Paint-A-Pumpkin, and experience a non-spooky seasonal celebration perfect for all ages.
Cost: $$32.99 - $43.99. Seniors save $2 and Children save 15% off adult prices

Annual LBI FLY International Kite Festival

October 9, 10, 2026
Long Beach Island
Watch the skies fill with color as professionals show off their kites. The family event features brilliant colorful artist design kites, fun flying giant inflatable kites, and interactive events.
Cost: Free to Attend

Tri State Sunflower Festival

October 9, 10, 11, 12, 2026
Dalton Farms, Swedesboro, NJ
Guests get to enjoy strolling through fields of blooming sunflowers, participate in U-Pick Zinnias and sunflowers, and experience a variety of fun attractions and events for the whole family.
Cost: $16.95. All guests 3+ require a ticket

Diggerfest Fall Festival

October 10, 11, 12, 2026
Diggerland USA, West Berlin, NJ
Kids get a chance to operate machines in this family-friendly atmosphere, while the whole family enjoys music, food, hayrides, a corn maze, and a petting zoo with farm animals.
Cost: Valid for date selected. $47.98. Senior Citizen $24.98

Jacks & Lights

October 10, 11, 12, 2026
Argos Farm, 1250 Lacey Road, Forked River, NJ
Experience the jaw-dropping magic of thousands of carved jack o'lanterns lighting up the night sky. It's a family-friendly Halloween walk through filled with whimsical jack o'-lantern displays, themed light installations, and cozy fall atmosphere.
Cost: Online $19.95 - $24.95 | Gate $24.95 - $29.95

Laurita Winery Fall Food Truck Festival

October 10, 11, 2026
Laurita Winery, 85 Archertown Rd, New Egypt, NJ
This festival features food trucks, live music, fire pits, and face painting. Kids and adults enjoy the comfortable, open setting.
Cost: $15 online $20 at the door

Annual Pine Barrens Jamboree at Wells Mills Park

Saturday, October 10, 2026: 10am -4pm
Wells Mills County Park, Waretown
A day of live music, crafts, kids’ games, and nature walks. Enjoy bluegrass and traditional music under the tent, courtesy of Albert Music Hall.
Cost: Free

Berlin Fall Festival

October 10, 2026: 10am-4pm
Berlin Boro County Park
Classic cars, live music, food trucks, a beer garden, crafters, pumpkin painting for kids, and the infamous Mutt Strut (dog costume parade).
Cost: Free

Lima Bean Festival

October 10, 2026; 9am - 4pm
Wilbraham Park, West Cape May
Taste unique lima bean dishes, browse craft vendors, and celebrate local farming. The festival will have live music performed by Nolan Quinn and will feature a 45-minute magic act from The Great Loudini.
Cost: Free to attend

Ocean City Fall Block Party

October 10, 2026:9am-5pm
from 5th – 14th Streets on Asbury Ave.
Features over 400 crafters, food vendors, music and more
Cost: Free to attend

Stafford Fall Harvest & Wine Festival

October 10, 11, 2026: 12pm - 5pm
Heritage Park, Manahawkin, NJ
Festival brings a warm, easygoing autumn with seasonal charm. Guests can wander between local wineries, craft vendors, and food trucks while enjoying live music and family-friendly activities set against peak fall foliage. It's the kind of relaxed community weekend where you sip, stroll, and settle into the season.
Cost: $20 Advance | $25 Gate Price (cash only)

Terror in the Junkyard

October 10, 11, 12, 2026
Fleming's Junkyard, 353 Zion Rd., Egg Harbor Twp. NJ
Terror in the Junkyard transforms a working junkyard into a gritty, high intensity Halloween experience. Expect dark, industrial themed scare zones, tight corridors, loud effects, and actors who lean into jump scare energy.
Recommended Ages: Ages 13+. Best suited for teens and adults who enjoy intense scares, loud environments, and close up actor interaction.
Cost: $10-$20. $2 discount for Military & First Responders

Frequently Asked Questions About
2026 Columbus Day Weekend Events in New Jersey

When is Columbus Day weekend in New Jersey in 2026?

The events in this guide run from October 9 through October 12, 2026. Columbus Day falls on Monday, October 12, and individual events take place on different dates throughout the weekend.

What free events can visitors attend?

Free options listed include the Jersey City Columbus Day Parade, the Ocean City Fall Block Party, the Annual LBI FLY International Kite Festival, and Somerset County's Journey Through the Past. Some free events charge separately for food, drinks, or activities.

Where can I see a Columbus Day parade in New Jersey?

The guide lists parades in Jersey City, Nutley-Belleville, Long Branch, and Ocean County. Check the linked organizer pages for route details and the latest start times.

Which Columbus Day weekend events are family-friendly?

Family-friendly options include the Great Pumpkin Festival, Happy Day Farm Fall Festival, and Diggerfest Fall Festival. These listings include activities such as hayrides, corn mazes, farm animals, and rides or games. Check each event page for age guidance and admission details.