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.

While foilage conditions vary from year to year, the season typically begins in Northern NJ around Columbus Day Weekend, with many of the ridges maintaining their golden shades into November. It appears further south with fall colors still in bloom in southern new jersey - Pine Barrens as late as late October into early November.

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

Enjoy the Bright leaves of Fall On Horseback
Watchung Stable
1160 Summit Ln
Mountainside, NJ
Website
908-527-4000
Located in the Watchung Reservation, enjoy the natural beauty of 26 miles of bridle paths that weave through the Reservation, a 2,000-acre forest preserve.
Guided hour-long trail rides are available by appointment.
Guides will teach you how to ride and share information about the stable, the trails, and the surrounding environment.
The Watchung Stable is state-of-the-art facility consisting of a main barn, housing nearly 100 County and privately owned horses, four riding rings, a show ring and an outside hunter course.

Ralston Cider Mill Museun Tours
336 Mendham Road West
Mendham, NJ
Website
Admission: General Admission:
$10.00 per person ($20 minimum)
Experience the last authentic vestige of the once thriving cider and applejack industry in New Jersey. 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.

Jack O' Lantern Experience
Selected dates, September 22nd until November 5tth, 2023
Skylands Stadium
94 Championship Place
Augusta, NJ 07822
Website/Tickets
Experience Pure Halloween Madness, Skylands Stadium will be transformed with over 6,000+ Jack-O-Lanterns, for an Original 45-minute Walk-Thru Spectacular. Sussex County's Family Entertainment Destination is set ablaze with spectacular visuals, and a thrilling Fall Festival. Perfect for families, date nights, and lovers of Halloween spirit.

Great Pumpkin Festival
September 16th – November 5th, 2023
Heaven Hill Farm.
Rt. 94N
Vernon, NJ
973-764-5144
Website/Tickets
This festival features 35+ family fun outdoor activities included! Hayrides, Alien Invasion themed corn maze, farm animals, live entertainment, and so many fun activities for the entire family. Plus, don’t miss the 100’s of photo opportunity spots along the way! They also have 12 carnival rides, Apple Cannon, Paintball Range, Gem Mining, Wine Tasting, Food Vendors, Kettle Corn, Our Famous Apple Cider Donuts, amazing selection of pumpkins, gourds, mums, the Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show followed by Pig Racing.

JC Harvest Festival
Saturday, September 30, 2023; 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Hamilton Park
Jersey City, NJ
Website
This family event features many fun fall festivities including pumpkin decorating, arts & crafts, music, food vendors and more!

Hoboken Fall Arts & Music Festival
Sunday, October 1, 2023: 11am to 6pm (rain or shine event)
Washington St. bet. Observer Highway & 7th St.
Hoboken, NJ
Free Admission
This family event features 2 stages of live music, displays and sales by artists, crafters, food vendors and local businesses. Activities for children on 3rd St. in the Capital One Bank Parking Lot with rides, games, craft activities and more.

The Pumpkin Patch Trains
Pumpkin Patch Train Rides: October 1,8,15, 2023: 1, 2, 3 & 4 pm
Whippany Railway Museum
1 Railroad plaza
Whippany, NJ 07981
Website/Tickets
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. After each ride, children with valid train tickets can go to the Pumpkin Patch and pick out a free kid-sized pumpkin and receive a pumpkin decorating kit while supplies last. Children of all ages are encouraged to come dressed in their Halloween costumes, helping to make the train a spooky sight!

West Milford Autumn Lights Festival
Saturday, October 7th, 2023; 10am - 5pm
1 Marshall Hill Rd
West Milford, NJ
Website
[email protected]
he Autumn Lights Festival first started 27 years ago as a celebration of West Milford 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 one of North Jersey's largest street fairs that have over 300 vendors, live music, child activities, games, and rides with about 30,000+ 'ALFers' that visit throughout the day!

Celebrate Fall
Sunday, October 15, 2023; 11am - 3pm
Reeves-Reed Arboretum
165 Hobart Ave
Summit, NJ 07901
Website
908-273-8787
This family event features games, crafts, music, and of course goats...these are just a few of the activities that are part of our eagerly anticipated Celebrate Fall Festival! With Halloween right around the corner, families can explore the Spooky Trail and enjoy the golden, autumn colors of our gardens, crisp weather, and some yummy treats from market vendors.

Annual Sussex County Harvest Honey and Garlic Festival
October 21, 2023: 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.

Central NJ Fall Activities

The Corn Maze Train
Trips run from late August to October 29th, 2023
The Delaware River Railroad Excursions
99 Elizabeth St.
Phillipsburg, NJ
877-872-4674
Website
In October, every train is the Great Pumpkin Train. Free Pumpkins for every child! 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. They have two beautiful picnic groves. The largest is in Phillipsburg at their station with views of the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers. The most beautiful picnic grove is located at the stop for the Ol'Susquehanna Mine called "Snyders". There are about 20 picnic tables under beautiful sprawling pine trees. Also located at this stop are both the Ol' Susquehanna Mine and the Corn Maze ( in season). If you opt to use the picnic grove at the mine location you can take the next train north ( 1 1/2 hours later) to return back.

Happy Day Farm - Fall Festival
Weekends September 9th - October 29th, 2023: 10am - 5pm
Happy Day Farm
106 Iron Ore Rd
Manalapan Township, NJ
Website/Tickets
Cost: Tickets are required to enter all areas of the farm, Fri - Sun ($27 per person, includes NJ sales tax).
This popular fall event features over 35 family activities including tractor rides, a sunflower maze, pig races, a kid-friendly feeding zoo, a fun slide for thrill-seekers, and more!

Fall Flower Festival
September 15th through October 15th, 2023: 9am to 6pm, 7 days per week
Holland Ridge Farms
86 Rues Road
Cream Ridge, New Jersey 08514
Website/Tickets
Cost: $20 per person aged 3 and up
In the fall, the fields come alive again for the Fall Flower Festival. Guests can wander through the towering rows of flower fields bursting with colorful blooms including cheerful sunflowers, majestic gladiolus, elegant calla lilies, dazzling dahlias, and more. Pick your own for just $1 per stem and create the most beautiful bouquets to take home with you.. 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.

Fall Apple Fest
Saturday, September 23, 2023 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
The Historic Village at Allaire
4263 Atlantic Avenue
Wall Township, NJ
Website/Tickets
Cost: $4 - $10
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! 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.
They will also be having an Apple Pie Contest this day. To enter your Pie, Click here to register.

Annual Amazing Pumpkin Carve
Wednesday, October 11 to Sunday, October 15, 2023
Woosley Park
221 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road
Hopewell Township, New Jersey
(609) 281-5887
[email protected]
Website
This event is an old-time festival with expanded activities – including live music, fire pits with storytelling, games, face painting…and of course, the outrageously carved giant pumpkins.

Allentown Fall Festival
Saturday & Sunday, October 14h & 15th, 2023
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.

Beachwood Harvest Bonfire on the Beach
Saturday, October 21st, 2023; 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.

1830s All Hallow's Eve Celebration
Saturday, October 28, 2023; 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
The Historic Village at Allaire
4263 Atlantic Avenue
Wall Township, NJ
Tickets
Cost: $10 Adults, $4 Children (age 4-12)
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 at The Howell Living History Farm
Saturday, November 4, 2023: 10:0 - 4:00 p.m.
Howell Living History Farm
70 Woodens Lane
Hopewell Twp., NJ
609-737-3299
Website
This family event features a demonstration of fresh apple cider making. 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. Peel an apple with a hand-crank apple peeler and stop by the farmhouse for lunch and homemade apple pie!

Southern NJ Fall Activities

Annual Woodstown Fall Festival
Saturday, September 23rd, 2023; 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.

Diggerfest Fall Festival
Selected dates: September 23rd - November 26th, 2023
Diggerland USA
100 Pinedge Dr
West Berlin, NJ
Website/Tickets
Cost: $42.95
This family event at a top south NJ construction-themed park features an opportintiy for kids to ride & operate all of the amazing construction machines. There will also be live music, specialty food, hay rides, fun and games, hay rides, a petting zoo, a corn maze, fire truck rides, and more!.

Fall Antique, Glass & Bottle Show
Saturday, September 24, 2023: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Batsto Village
31 Batsto Road
Hammonton, NJ 08037
609-561-0024
Website
Admission: Free
This event features bottles, glass items, antiques, and collectibles available from a variety of vendors. Food, and beverages. Parking close to vendor displays will be plentiful.
Wagon rides will also be available at this event. There is a charge for rides to help us offset the cost of bringing equipment, horse and support personnel to the site. Bring the little ones!

South Jersey Pumpkin Show and Carve
October 6, 7, 8, 2023
Salem County Fairgrounds
735 Harding Hwy
Woodstown, NJ
Web Site
In addition to the giant pumpkins for the pumpkin carve on Friday night, this family event features live music, rides, hay rides, food vendors, crafters, free kids PG haunted house, free kids zone, pumpkin patch picking, and much more!

Annual Cranberry Fest
October 7th & 8th, 2023
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.

Fall Block Party and Fireworks Spectacular
Saturday, October 7, 2023: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
from 5th - 14th Streets on Asbury Ave.
Ocean City, NJ
Website
information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ
This annual family event is blockbuster fall festival features over 400 crafters, food vendors, music, and more. In the evening, fireworks over the boardwalk from 6th Street - 14th Street.
This annual tradition is one of New Jersey's most popular fall events.

Annual WheatonArts Festival of Fine Craft
October 7, & 8, 2023: (rain or shine)
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 a diverse collection of 150 artists exhibiting and selling their handcrafted works of art. Experience unique crafting demonstrations, relax in the Beer & Wine Garden, and create with hands-on family art activities. Listen to live music in the food court with a selection of gourmet food vendors and specialty food trucks.
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.

Lima Bean Festival
Saturday, October 7, 2023, 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.

South Jersey Pumpkin Show
Saturday, Sunday, October 7, 8. 2023;
Salem County Fairgrounds
735 Harding Highway
Woodstown, NJ 08098
Web Site
856-765-0118, Email: [email protected]
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 Annual Fall Festival
Saturday, October 14th, 2023; 10 AM - 4 PM (rain date Oct 15th)
Berlin Boro County Park
43 S Park Drive,
Berlin, NJ
856-767-7777
Website
[email protected].
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 Pine Barrens Jamboree at Wells Mills Park
Saturday, October 14th, 2023; 10am - 4:30pm (rain or shine)
905 Wells Mills Rd,
Waretown, NJ
Website
Parking and admission FREE
This annual family event features a fun filled day of music of the pines, cultural demonstrations, traditional crafts, & Crafts, Kids Crafts and Games, nature and history programs. Attendees will sit under the big tent and enjoy a fun filled day of county, bluegrass and traditional music presented by the musicians from Albert Music Hall.

Annual Pumpkin Festival & Share the Harvest Food Drive
Saturday, October 14, 2023; 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.

Cape May Fall Festival
October 19 - 22, 2023
The Nature Place at Cape May Convention Hall
714 Beach Ave
Cape May, NJ
Website/registration
609-400-3844
Cost: Free event
All ages are welcome.
The annual Cape May Festival is hosted by the New Jersey Audubon Society and will be all about birds. and is filled with nature-themed vendors, tour companies, environmental experts, and field trips around the festival to gain knowledge on birds. The event is hosted by Animal Adventures with Nature Nick, who has live birds and other animals on display throughout the festival weekend, and three special shows each day.

Annual Chatsworth Cranberry Festival
October 21st & 22nd, 2023
Downtown Chatsworth, NJ
Website
This family event features a juried craft show with over 150 vendors, 15 food vendors, and live music.