The Central New Jersey October Events calendar for 2024 is packed with exciting things to do in NJ. It includes concerts, theatre, festivals, sports, and entertainment, that have appeal to people of all ages and interests.
The month of October is a great time of the year to take in many of the fall activities and a great time to plan a weekend getaway or late season vacation.
If you plan to get out an enjoy the beautiful fall foliage colors, especially in northwest New Jersey, the season is at it's peak from October 19th through 29th..
Ring in the New Year in style! Join us for the Ultimate New Year’s Eve celebration from 7PM to 1AM at iPlay America! Enjoy a night of rides, games, party favors, DJ, giveaways, and more!
Fall Flower Festival
September 13th through October 14th, 2024: 9am to 6pm, 7 days per week
Holland Ridge Farms
86 Rues Road
Cream Ridge, NJ
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.
NJ Hispanic Film Fest
Friday, October 4th until Sunday, October 6th, 2024
Basie Center Cinemas
36 White St
Red Bank, NJ
Features 15+ films with talkbacks, and panels.
Annual Oktoberfest in Highlands
Saturday, October 5th, 2024; 12pm - 7pm (rain date October 6th)
Veterans Park
Bay and Shrewsbury Ave
Highlands, NJ
Admission and Parking is free.
Modeled on the traditional Munich, Germany Oktoberfest with an emphasis on eating; drinking and being merry while providing something for everyone. Authentic German food is a highlight of this famous festival. There will be live Oompah, and polka music and performances throughout the day.
The Hightstown Family Fair
Saturday, October 5th, 2024: from 10:00am to 4:00pm. (Rain or Shine)
Bank Street next to Ely House
Downtown Hightstown, NJ
The family event features
a fun day filled with artisans and crafters, small businesses, live entertainment, great food, and children's activities.
North Brunswick Annual Heritage Day
Saturday, October 5, 2024: 3 pm. to 10 pm. (Rain date is Sunday, October 6th)
Community Park
2051 Route 130S
North Brunswick Township, NJ
Free admission
This event features a celebration of New Brunswisk's heritage with live music, food vendors, a beer garden, and a grand finale fireworks display at dusk.
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.
Asbury Park Zombie Walk and Undead Festival!
Saturday, October 5th, 2024; 1pm - 6pm
Asbury Park Boardwalk
Asbury Park, NJ
The New Jersey Zombie Walk is dedicated to all things horror and zombie.
A Zombie Walk is an organized gathering of people who dress up in zombie costumes and then converge quickly in a public area for surprise and fun. @4pm The Walk will begin moving up the Asbury Park Boardwalk, heading from Convention Hall down the boards towards the Casino where it will turn onto Cookman Ave. The Zombie Walk route ends outside of Johnny Macs House of Spirits on Main Street.
Zombies of all ages participate in this family-friendly event.
Ocean County Columbus Day Parade & Italian Street Festival
October 11th, 12th, 13th, 2024
On Grant Ave
Seaside Heights, N.J
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 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.
Pt Pleasant Boro Fall Fireworks Festival
Saturday, October 12th, 2024
River Front Park,
Pt Pleasant Boro, NJ
This family celebation features music. beer, wine, vendors, children's activities, and Fireworks at dusk
Somerset County's Journey Through The Past
October 12th, 13th, 2024; 12pm - 4pm
20 Grove Street
Somerville, NJ
Event Cost: Free
Make a vibrant connection to history at Somerset County's 18th annual Journey Through the Past! Bring the whole family as you explore the vast history of Somerset County and discover what life was like 50, 100, or even 200 years ago! 30 historic sites throughout Somerset County will be open free to the public.
Hopewell Valley Oktoberfest
Saturday, October 5, 2024: 4 - 10pm
Trenton Cyrus Lodge
131 Burd Street
Pennington, NJ
This celebration features
a live band, beer on tap, pig roast, cornhole, pumpkin carving, and more.
his family-friendly event is open to all. There will be a live band, corn hole games, pumpkin painting, door prizes, BBQ and pig roast, several beers on tap, wine, and soft drinks.
Night of Frights
October 11th, 12th, 2024
Historic Village at Allaire
Blacksmith Shop
4263 Atlantic Avenue
Wall Township, NJ
Cost: Adult $20, Child $15
Enjoy the village grounds and historic buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries...visit with our ghosts, ghouls, and monsters. Storytelling at the Chapel; a special night out at the Blacksmith Shop; the Manager's House with fortune-telling for your entertainment; Mr. Allaire's Macabre House; the Carriage House with legendary spirits; the towering four story shadows of the General Store stocked with seasonal goods; and don't forget treats at the Bakery plus our very own Haunted Food Truck! In the dark of the night, from woods to historic homes, the Historic Village at Allaire takes on a twist for the Halloween season. Costumed ghouls, Glow In The Dark Bubble Witch Show, & Fire Juggler. All with varied activities we welcome children, families, and adults of all ages.
Hub City Sounds: Corazon Latino Festival
Sunday, October 13th, 2024; Noon - 6pm
Joyce Kilmer Park
143 Joyce Kilmer Ave
New Brunswick, NJ
Event Cost: free
Hub City Sounds and Mercado Esperanza Team up for an exciting Latinx Heritage Month Festival. This family event will be a day filled with delicious food, DJs, live dance performances, music performances, art-making activities, face painting, and educational activities for the entire family!
Lambertville Halloween Film Festival
October
18th - 20th, 2024
25 South Union Street
Lambertville, NJ
Welcome to the first annual Lambertville Halloween Film Festival! In addition to showcasing filmmakers and other talented artists, the goal of this year's festival is to give you an unforgettable Halloween experience. They are accepting horror short films this season to make room for a weekend full of parties, horror guest speakers, special events, and cult classic film screenings. The short films will still be judged by a panel of star judges, of course!
Brick's Fall Fest
Saturday,
October 19, 2024; 1 pm - 7pm, (rain date 10/20)
Windward Beach Park
265 Princeton Avenue
Brick, NJ
Free Admission
A popular autumn tradition, Fall Fest features food trucks and vendors, a corn hole tournament, games, inflatables, fire pits and much more. The event concludes with an evening fireworks display.