Must-Visit 2024 New Jersey Fall
Activities, Festivals, and Events

Ultimate guide to the  top 2024 New Jersey fall activities, festivals, and events; Our Picks for the best festive seasonal celebrations throughout NJ.

New Jersey in the Fall is an exciting time of the year to experience the many autumn seasonal 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 foliage 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.

2024 Northern NJ Fall Activities & Events

Enjoy the Bright leaves of Fall On Horseback
Watchung Stable
1160 Summit Ln
Mountainside, NJ
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
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.

Great Pumpkin Festival
September 14th until November 3rd, 2024
Heaven Hill Farm.
Rt. 94N
Vernon, NJ
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.

Jack O' Lantern Experience
September 20 until November 3, 2024
Skylands Stadium
94 Championship Place
Augusta, NJ 07822
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.

Autumn Lights Festival
September 27th, 28th & 29th, 2024
Jungle Habitat
109 Airport Rd
West Milford, NJ
Cost: Free Admission, Parking $15-$35
This huge festival features a carnival with the region's largest assortments of rides and games, over 300+ craft vendors, 30+ food trucks, two stages featuring live entertainment with over 20 regional and national acts, a Biergarten, and an ornamental lighting display illuminating the night sky.

Morristown Fall Festival on the Green
Sunday, September 29th, 2024: Noon to 5 pm (rain or shine)
Morristown Green
Morristown, NJ
Thid family friendly fun event features entertainment and activities for all ages including four stages with live music, kids place amusements, carnival games, a beer tent, and 150+ exhibitors.

South Orange Downtown Fall Festival
September 29, 2024; 11am until 1pm
Spiotta Park
20-32 Village Plaza
South Orange, NJ
Free Admission
This family event features fun fall crafts, pumpkin decorating, glam braids, games and more provided by South Orange downtown businesses, plus music by DJ Lou Smith! ?The South Orange Public Library will host story times every 30 minutes beginning at 11:30 am. There will also be creative stations and a pumpkin patch.

Mountain Creek Resort Fall Festival
Weekends, October 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20, 26 & 27, and November 2 & 3, 2023
Mountain Creek
200 Route 94
Vernon, NJ
This Fall famiy event features unlimited rides on the Mountain Coaster to view the Fall Foliage and catch a thrill.
Also includes live music, bounce houses, ahay maze, and lawn games.

JC Harvest Festival
Saturday, October 5, 2024; 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Hamilton Park
Jersey City, NJ
This family event features many fun fall festivities including pumpkin decorating, arts & crafts, music, food vendors and more!

The Pumpkin Patch Trains
Pumpkin Patch Train Rides: October 5th, 6th, 12th, and 13th, 2024
Whippany Railway Museum
1 Railroad plaza
Whippany, NJ
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!

Annual Sussex County Harvest Honey and Garlic Festival
October 19, 2024: 10am - 4pm
Sussex County Fairgrounds
37 Plains Road
Branchville, NJ
Free event
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.

Celebrate Fall Festival
Sunday, October 20th, 2024; 11am - 3pm
Reeves-Reed Arboretum
165 Hobart Ave
Summit, NJ
This family event features games, crafts, music, and of course goats...these are just a few of the activities that are part of this popular fall event. 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.

2024 Central NJ Fall Activities & Events

U-Pick Sunflowers: Fall Festival
September 13th through October 14th, 2024; 9am to 6pm, 7 days per week
Holland Ridge Farms
86 Rues Road
Cream Ridge, NJ
Cost: Weekdays: $15 per person, Weekends: $17 per person, Everyone aged 3 and up requires a ticket to enter.

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.

Happy Day Farm - Fall Festival
Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Columbus Day, September 14 through November 3, 2024: 10am - 5pm
Happy Day Farm
106 Iron Ore Rd
Manalapan Township, NJ
Cost: $27.50 Friday, Saturday, Sunday. $21.50 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday for Pumpkin Picking.
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 Apple Fest
Saturday, September 21st, 2024 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
The Historic Village at Allaire
4263 Atlantic Avenue
Wall Township, NJ
Cost: $5 - $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. Registration required to enter.

Brick's Fall Fest Concert & Fireworks
Saturday, Sunday, September 28th & 29th, 2024
Beachwood Community Center
25325 Fairmount Blvd.
Brick, NJ
Free Admission
A popular autumn tradition, this family friendly celebration features food trucks and vendors, a corn hole tournament, games, inflatables, fire pits and much more.
On Saturday, the feaured events include a concert at 7:30 p.m. followed by a fireworks display.
On Sunday, from noon to 5:00 p.m., the "Greatest Fall Festival on Earth, " circus-style theme will feature free carnival games, inflatables, a zip line, magic, illusions, a hypnotist, clowns, stilt walkers and more.

Allentown Fall Festival
Saturday & Sunday, October 12th & 13th, 2024
Main St
Allentown, NJ
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.

The Corn Maze Train
The month of October, 2024
The Delaware River Railroad Excursions
99 Elizabeth St.
Phillipsburg, NJ
During the month of 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.

Annual Amazing Pumpkin Carve
Wednesday, October 9th to Sunday, October 13th, 2024
Woosley Park
221 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road
Hopewell Township, NJ
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.

Beachwood Harvest Bonfire on the Beach
Saturday, October 19th, 2024; 6pm-9pm
Beachwood Beach
Beachwood, NJ
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.

Annual Toms River Halloween Parade
Thursday, October 31st, 2024; @ 7pm
Toms River Center
Main Street and Route 37
Reported to be the 2nd the largest Parade of it's type in the world by Guiness Book of World Records! It's a parade with plenty of floats and decorative Halloween themed attractions. Arrive early. It is recommended you arrive about 2 hours prior to the start of the parade. This allows time to get settled and comfortable so the parade can begin on time. In the past, people have put chairs out even earlier. Parade starts at 7:00 pm, from the Toms River Center located at Main Street and Route 37, proceeding South on Main Street, then east on Washington Street and concludes at Hooper Avenue. Most trophies will be distributed at 101 Hooper Avenue, Ocean County Administration Building.

Cider Making at The Howell Living History Farm
Saturday, November 2, 2024: 10:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Howell Living History Farm
70 Woodens Lane
Hopewell Twp., NJ
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!

2024 Southern NJ Fall Activities & Events

Fall Antique, Glass & Bottle Show
Saturday, September 22, 2024: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Batsto Village
31 Batsto Road
Hammonton, NJ
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. Bring the little ones!

Annual Woodstown Fall Festival
Saturday, September 28th, 2024; 10AM-4PM (Rain or shine)
downtown shopping district
Woodstown, NJ
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. This year there will be train rides by Woodstown Central Railroad!

Diggerfest Fall Festival
Selected dates: September 28th - October 20th, 2024
Diggerland USA
100 Pinedge Dr
West Berlin, NJ
Cost: $45.99
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!.

Annual Cranberry Fest - Bordentown
October 5th & 6th, 2024
Downtown Bordentown, Farnsworth Ave.
Bordentown, NJ
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.

South Jersey Pumpkin Show
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, October 11th, 12th, 13th, 2024
Salem County Fairgrounds
735 Harding Hwy
Woodstown, NJ
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, a kids haunted house, headless horsemen, scarecrows, free kids zone, pumpkin patch picking, and much more!

Annual Rotary Club Pumpkin Festival
Saturday, October 12, 2024; 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Historic Cold Spring Village
720 Route 9
South Cape May, NJ
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.

Berlin's Annual Fall Festival
Saturday, October 12th, 2024; 10 AM - 4 PM (rain date Oct 15th)
Berlin Boro County Park
43 S Park Drive
Berlin, NJ
Free event
This event features pumpkin painting, a car show, food merchants and, of course, the beer garden.

Lima Bean Festival
Saturday, October 12th, 2024, 9:00am - 4:00pm
Wilbraham Park
Perry Street
West Cape May, NJ
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.

Ocean City Fall Block Party and Fireworks Spectacular
Saturday, October 12, 2024: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
from 5th -14th Streets on Asbury Ave.
Ocean City, 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

Annual Pine Barrens Jamboree at Wells Mills Park
Saturday, October 12th, 2024; 10am - 4:30pm (rain or shine)
905 Wells Mills Rd,
Waretown, NJ
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.

Stafford Fall & Harvest Wine Festival
October 12, 13, 2024: Noon until 5pm
Heritage Park
193 E. Bay Ave.
Manahawkin, NJ
Cost: $20. Spectators and guests under 21 free
Located in a park at the foot of Long Beach Island. the festival will feature nine NJ wineries, live music, food trucks, and talented artisan crafters.

Cape May Fall Festival
October 17 - 20, 2024
The Nature Place at Cape May Convention Hall
714 Beach Ave
Cape May, NJ
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 19th, 20th, 2024
Downtown Chatsworth, NJ
This family event features a juried craft show with over 150 vendors, 15 food vendors, and live music.

Places to stay

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