Best New Jersey Fall Activities, Festivals, and Events

Your Guide to New Jersey's Top Fall Activities, Festivals, and Events

This is an exciting time of the year to experience the many fall activities, attractions, and festivals.

It's also an ideal time of the year to get out and see the beautiful fall foliage and the many harvest end of the growing season celebrations that occur throughout the State of NJ.

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.

Northern NJ Fall Activities

The Corn Maze Train
Trips run from Trips run from Trips run late August to October 27th, 2021
The Delaware River Railroad Excursions
99 Elizabeth St.
Phillipsburg, NJ
877-872-4674
Website
Ride the train to the beautiful century old Snyder farm. At the farm the fun begins! There are two games we can play in the maze. While visiting the farm, feel free to use our beautiful picnic grove and return on any train during the day!
IMPORTANT COVID-19 INFORMATION ---- They will operate according to CDC best practices available at the time of the trip. They will be selling only 25% of their capacity to increase social distancing.

Great Pumpkin Festival
Saturday Sept 11th through Sunday, November 7th, 2021. Wednesday through Friday during October, including Columbus Day
Heaven Hill Farm.
Rt. 94N
Vernon, NJ
973-764-5144
Website/Tickets
Entry to Great Pumpkin Festival is only guaranteed with the purchase of an advanced ticket.
Enjpy more than 40 fun filled activities. Their Pumpkin Land Fall Festival features a variety of country-style family entertainment for all ages. Enjoy Pumpkin Picking, Indian Corn & Gourds, Farm Animals, Boo Barn, an old-fashioned hayride, Corn Maze, Hay Maze, Pig Races, Carnival Rides, Gem Mining, Pony Rides, Face Painting, Sand Art, and more.

Ralston Cider Mill Museun Tours
2021 dates: September Sundays 1-5 & (last 2 weeks) October Sat & Sun 1-5
336 Mendham Road West
Mendham, NJ
Website
Admission: $10.00 per person ($20 minimum) Children 7 & under FREE
The Ralston Cider Mill will open this fall for small group tours by appointment only. Tours will be given to one individual/group at a time. Visit their Contact Page to arrange your tour.
This is the only operational cider mill in New Jersey functioning as a privately funded museum and educational experience for students of all ages. Built in 1848 with massive stone walls anda heavy timber structure, visitors can discover the hidden still that allowed this distillery to operate through prohibition.

The Pumpkin Patch Trains
Excursion Train Rides: Sept 12th- Grandparents Day, Sept 19th, Oct 3rd, Oct 10th, & Oct 17th, 2021
Whippany Railway Museum
1 Railroad plaza
Whippany, NJ 07981
Website/Tickets
Cost: Lackawanna 2454 Club Car: $22.; "Jersey Coast" Club Car: $20.; Cabooses: $15.; Infants (1 year & under): Free (*NOTE: Train Fare includes admission to Museum Building & grounds & pumpkins for the children at the Pumpkin Patch)
Celebrate the Fall Harvest and the Season on the "The Pumpkin Patch Train." The 10-mile, 45-minute round trip from Whippany to Roseland and return is the perfect way to spend a Fall afternoon with the family. Your ticket entitles you to pick your own pumpkin after the ride at our Pumpkin Patch and enjoy the seasonal fun. Ticket also includes a pumpkin decorating kit. Children of all ages are encouraged to come dressed in their Halloween costumes, where they can mingle with our zombies and ghosts, helping to make the train a spooky sight!

Jack O' Lantern Eperience
October 1st thru November 7th, 2021
Skylands Stadium
94 Championship Place
Augusta, NJ 07822
Website/Tickets
Cost: $19-$24, or $36 for VIP Access
For 6 weeks of Pure Halloween Madness, Skylands Stadium will be decorated with over 6,000+ Jack-O-Lanterns throughout the stadium, on a 45-minute walk. The property and surrounding corn fields will be set ablaze with some of the most spectacular visuals you'll ever see. Perfect for families of all ages, date nights, and all lovers of Halloween Spirit.

NJBG Fall Harvest Fest
October 2, 2021; 10:00 am – 5:00 pm , Rain date: October 3rd
Skylands Manor, NJBG
5 Morris Rd
Ringwood, NJ
Website
Free Admission. Parking $5
This day full of family fun features activities for all ages, including hay rides, craft fair, pumpkin painting, applesauce making, free children’s games, an autumn plant sale, and a fairway full of booths and exhibits. A Craft Fair, all day music and dancing, and lots of tasty things to eat will ensure a good time for all. Take one of the free tours, or wander through the Gardens on your own self-guided tour. And don’t forget to bring your camera – always plenty of fine photo ops.

JC Harvest Festival
October 2, 2021; 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
City Hall Plaza
280 Grove Street
Jersey City, NJ
Website
This family event features many fun fall festivities including pumpkin decorating, arts & crafts, music, food vendors and more!

The Lord Stirling 1770s Festival
October 3, 2021; 11:30 am - 4pm. (rain or shine)
Somerset County Park
96 Lord Stirling Road
Basking Ridge, NJ
Website
908-722-1200
Suggested donation: $5
This event features a taste of Colonial life with many era activites and demonstrations including: a working cider press demo, a hay wagon tour of the apple orchard to get a taste of Colonial life. Actors in 1770s period attire—including a blacksmith, tinsmith and broom maker—demonstrate trades and crafts of the time.

Annual Sussex County Harvest Honey and Garlic Festival
October 9, 2021 10am - 4pm
Sussex County Fairgrounds
37 Plains Road
Branchville, NJ
Free event
Website
This family festival is a celebration of agritourism, ecotourism and arts & heritage tourism.
The Festival will include local artisans, crafters and vendors plus displays highlighting northern New Jersey's great open spaces and natural history. For kids there'll be a hay ride, pumpkin painting, face painting and crafts.

West Milford Autumn Lights Festival
Saturday October 9, 2021; 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.

Central NJ Fall Activities

Autumn in The Garden
Grounds For Sculpture
80 Scuptors Way
Hamilton, NJ
Website
609.586.0616
The Grounds for Sculpture is a 42-acre sculpture park and museum. Visit the life-size sculptures and lush gardens with fall foliage.

As summer cools and the crisp air of autumn arrives, excitement builds for this season's unveiling of the inaugural exhibition Night Forms: dreamloop by Klip Collective, an after-hours, multi-sensory experience of light and sound. All indoor galleries are open. Visit the Van Gogh Café,

Apple & Fall Festival
Saturday, September 18, 2021 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Historic Allaire Village
4263 Atlantic Avenue
Farmingdale, NJ
732-919-3500
Website/Tickets
Admission: On-line, Adults: $8 each Children: $4 each (ages 3 -12 years), 2 Years & Under FREE. No PARKING FEES.
The Harvest has been gathered and now it is time for the families of the Howell Iron Works to relax. Please join the villagers in celebrating the harvest and try your hand at apple cider pressing, apple pie baking contest, strolling villagers, historic demonstrations, games and so much more! Come and listen to the the band Kickin' Nash and learn line dancing from Dancemaur! There will also be demonstrations of blacksmithing, carpentry, fiber arts, tinsmithings & weaving throughout the day. Our Historic Buildings, Pilsen Gourmet Food Truck, Bakery, and General Store will be open for you to visit.

Sunflower Festival
Late September through end of October 2021: 9am to 6pm, 7 days per week
Holland Ridge Farms
86 Rues Road
Cream Ridge, New Jersey 08514
Website/Tickets
Cost: $12.80 per person aged 3 and up
In the fall, the fields come alive again for the Sunflower Festival. Guests can wander through the towering rows of Sunflower and enjoy the warmth and happiness they inspire. While you are at the farm take the time to stroll through our barns, visit the animals and enjoy some of the charm of Holland in the Good 'ole Days museum and Holland Shop. Learn about Holland in the Hollandwood Theatre and get all your questions about flowers, including how they get their color, from their Pollinator. The Pollinator helps to create the rainbow of color in our fields.
State guidelines for COVID-19 will be enforced.

Somerset County’s 16th annual Journey through the Past
October 9th and 10th, 2021
20 Grove Street
Somerville, New Jersey
Web Site
Contact: Robert Meyer, Phone: 908-231-7021, Email: rmeyer@co.somerset.nj.us
Event Cost: Free
Make a vibrant connection to history at Somerset County’s annual Journey through the Past! If it is permissible and safe to do so, several Somerset County historic sites will be open free to the public. Explore Somerset County virtually or independently. You can safely visit many of these hidden gems all month long. Submit your photos for a chance to be featured on County social media:
For a virtual virtual experience, Please visit Virtual Journey through the Past as you plan your trip and before you travel for the most up to date information and to access virtual material.

Trails4Tails Fest
October 16th, 2021
Washington Crossing Park
355 Washington Crossing Pennington Rd.
Titusville, NJ
609-610-5280
Website/Run registration
This fest is a family friendly event for both 2 and 4 legged family members! While this fest features a 1 Mile Fun Run, 5K, 5K with Dogs, 15K, 50K Ultra, this is also a great opportunity to meet the adoptable dogs, relax in the beer & wine garden, shop from the variety of vendors, enjoy the food trucks, have their pup run the dog agility course and, new to 2021, have some fun Hatchet Throwing!
Net proceeds benefit It's a Ruff Life Rescue.

Beachwood Harvest Bonfire on the Beach
October 23rd, 2021; 6pm-9pm
Beachwood Beach
Beachwood, NJ
Website
This family event features food, music, games and all kinds of fun. Come relax by the fire and enjoy a great night on the beautiful beach.

Bradley Beach Fall Festival
October 23, 2021: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Riley Park
615 Main Street
Bradley Beach, NJ
Website
This event features Crafters and vendors, Live music with BB's own Andy and DeeDee, kids craft kids to take and make, Scarecrow building area and more!

1830s All Hallow's Eve Celebration
Saturday, October 30, 2021; 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
The Historic Village at Allaire
4263 Atlantic Avenue
Wall Township, NJ
Tickets
Step back in time and celebrate Halloween with our villagers as they would have in the 19th century! Learn about Halloween's long rich history and the origin of the traditions we know of today!
Participate in the "Allaire Scare Pumpkin Dare" - a carved pumpkin contest! Contestants need to have a pre-purchased ticket for All Hallow's Eve and bring a carved pumpkin to the Event (Day Of) where it will be entered into a "scare" category and judged! Winner gets a trophy and a gift bag.

Cider Making
Saturday, November 6, 2021; 10:00–4:00 p.m
Howell Living History Farm
70 Woodens Lane
Hopewell Twp., NJ
609-737-3299
Website
Fresh apple cider awaits those who help make it! To earn a taste, all you have to do is turn the crank of the cider press...and then help re-fill the hopper with the Macs, Cortlands and Red Delicious apples that make for a perfect blend. In the farmhouse kitchen, apple pie is in the oven and applesauce is on the stove.

Southern NJ Fall Activities

Margate Fall Fun Fest by the Bay
Saturday & Sunday, September 25, 26, 2021
Throughout the city of Margate, focusing on business areas.
Margate, NJ
Website
This family event features food, music (on two stages), crafters, kid's activities, character parade, and more.
With over 125 booths and activities; a true celebration of the season, the beautiful bayfront, and the friendly spirit of the people of Margate! Fall Funfest is FREE and loaded with new entertainment and activities including music, games, back-bay nature tours and educational exhibits. New this year is a Saturday, Cornhole Tournament, open to everyone .
There will be classic Fall Funfest decor throughout the city of Margate, focusing on business areas. Strolling acoustic musicians, characters for kids, entertainers, and virtual contests such as a Pumpkin Photo Contest and Receipts are All the Rage. In person activities include a treasure hunt, The Pet Salon Pics with Pets with professional photos by PhotoGraphics Photography and Congo Falls Margate is open for family fun mini golf!

17th Annual Woodstown Fall Festival
Saturday, September 25th, 2021; 10AM-4PM (Rain or shine)
downtown shopping district
Woodstown, NJ
Website
Woodstown's historic district comes alive; scarecrows by the dozens keep watch along the streets; historic houses are decorated in their fall best; and vendors, crafters and local shops line their food and wares along Main Street. Local South Jersey wineries and breweries bring out their best wines and beer for tasting in in the tent on Main St. There will also be a car show on North Main Street.

Annual WheatonArts Festival of Fine Craft
October 2 & 3, 2021
WheatonArts & Cultural Center
1501 Glasstown Road
Millville, NJ 08332
Website
Admission: $12.00 Adults $11.00 Senior Adults (62+) $7.00 Students Children 5 + under are free
This two day family event features an art and shopping experience for the entire family with over 150 artists and craftspeople that will present and sell traditional and contemporary works. A highlight is the WheatonArts Annual Glass Pumpkin Patch with over 7,000 Glass pumpkins of all shapes, sizes, and colors on display and available for purchase. Other things to experience include live music, a beer and wine garden, and children's activities
The WheatonArts Center, with a history dating back to 1888, began as a glass factory making pharmaceutical bottles, and later in 1970 as a glass museum when the first buildings at opened to the public. Today the complex of 18 buidings is spread over 45 acres. The Museum of American Glass houses over 22,000 objects, both historic and contemporary. The fully operational Glass Studio presents daily, interpretive demonstrations for the public with artists showing traditional and contemporary glassblowing techniques. In the Artist Studios, artists demonstrate the traditional southern New Jersey crafts of pottery and flameworking.

31st Annual Cranberry Fest
October 2nd and 3rd, 2021
Downtown Bordentown, Farnsworth Ave.
Bordentown, NJ
609-414-0828
Website
This family event features live music. a beer garden. "Family Friendly" Kids Zone, and over 175 artists and artisans, crafters and makers in offering one of a kind, handmade, vintage, and upcycled treats to nourish both the heart and the home.

Annual Blackwood Pumpkin Festival
Sunday, October 3, 2021; 11am - 4pm (raindate: Oct. 10th)
The Studio at Mainstage
27 South Black Horse Pike
Blackwood, NJ
Website
This annual festival features food, games, live music, and crafters, including four stages of entertainment, amusement rides, hayrides, pumpkin painting and carving, scarecrow making, a costume contest, and more.

Lima Bean Festival
Saturday, October 9, 2021; 9am-5pm (rain date Oct 10th)
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.

South Jersey Pumpkin Show
October 9, 10, 2021; Saturday 10am to 8pm and Sunday, 10am to 6pm.
Salem County Fairgrounds
735 Harding Highway
Woodstown, NJ 08098
Web Site
Contact: Kathryn Wright, Phone: 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.

Berlin’s 10th Annual Fall Festival
October 9, 2021; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Berlin Park,
43 S Park Drive,
Berlin, NJ
856-767-7777
Facebook page
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.

Annual Pumpkin Festival & Share the Harvest Food Drive
Saturday, October 16, 2021; 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Historic Cold Spring Village
720 Route 9
South Cape May, NJ 08204
Website
(609) 886-7880
Cost: Free Admission, please bring a non-perishable food item
This family event features pumpkin painting and games throughout the day. A variety of crafters will sell their wares along the Village's shell-paved lanes. Vendors will be selling hot dogs, funnel cake, and other snacks. Visit a haunted house at the Village Barn and hop on a fall hayride through the farm. Don't miss the Children's Halloween Parade at 11 am.

Annual Ghoul Spring Village
Friday & Saturday, October 22 & 23, 2021; 5:30pm-8:00pm
Historic Cold Spring Village
720 US 9
Cape May, NJ
609-898-2300
Website
Cost: $5.00 Adults $3.00 Children 12 & under. Advance tickets available online at hcsv.org or available at the gate at time of event.
Join in as they pierce the veil between the world of the living and the world of the dead.
This event is a a family-friendly haunted walk-thru for young and old alike.