Experience the Best of New Jersey:
October Events and Festivals

New Jersey October 2024
 Festivals and Themed Events

Northern New Jersey October 2024 Festivals and Themed Events

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

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!

Mountain Creek Resort Fall Festival
Weekends, October 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20, 26 & 27, and November 2 & 3, 2024
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 in aition to live music, bounce houses, ahay maze, and lawn games

Oktoberfest at Turkey Brook Park
Saturday, Sunday, October 5, 6, 2024
Turkey Brook Park
30 Flanders Road
Flanders, NJ
Cost: $5 per person ages 18+. 17 & Under FREE
This family event features live music, food & Brew. Budd Lake First Aid & Rescue will be selling beer as a fundraiser. For kids there will be Inflatable Slide & Obstacle, Pony Rides, Connect 4, Flying Chickens, Corn Hole, Yatzee, Jenga & Axe Throwing for the Adults
Edelweiss-Passiac Dancers will be performing throughout the day.
Attendees are urged to bring Chairs, blankets & a smile! There will be seating under the pavillion An ATM will be onsite under the pavillion.

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!

Wagner Farm Arboretum's Brite Nites
Fridays & Saturdays only: October 11-12, 18-19, and 25-26, 2024
Wagner Farm Arboretum
197 Mountain Ave.
Warren Twp, NJ 07059.
Halloween-themed "Brite Nites" event features a spectacular display of intricately and creatively hand-carved and LED-lit pumpkin scenes.

Annual Montclair Film Festival
October 18th - 27th, 2024
486 Bloomfield Ave
Montclair, NJ
The annual Montclair Film Festival will entertain film lovers and professionals from across the region and country with ten days of compelling independent films, comedies, documentaries, panels, family events and work by emerging artists. The festival will provide a platform for talented filmmakers from around the world and give special recognition to New Jersey artists.

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

Dia De Los Muertos: Day of the Dead Celebration (Washington)
Thursday, October 24, 2024; 5:30pm until 8:30pm (rain or shine)
Veterans Park
44 E. Washington Ave
Washington, NJ
Event Cost: Free & Free parking
This event features a Day of the Dead Celebration with a traditional Mariachi Band, free sugar skull face painting, artisan and local vendors, sending a message to your deceased loved ones in the fire pit and more! 

Central New Jersey October 2024 Festivals and Themed Events

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.

Southern New Jersey October 2024 Festivals and Themed Events

Diggerfest Fall Festival
September 28th - October 20th, 2024
Diggerland USA
100 Pinedge Dr
West Berlin, NJ
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!

Fintastic Fall Days
Now - November 3, 2024
Adventure Aquarium
1 Riverside Drive
Camden, NJ
Cost: $18.99 - $47.99
Discover a glowing new adventure as glowing gourds in the shapes aquatic animals take over the aquarium, ready to delight with daytime fun! Explore among glowing sea creatures, discover underwater pumpkin carvers, and embark on a search for illuminating surprises waiting around every corner.

Submersion Festival
October 4th, 5th, 2024
Paradise Lakes Campground
500 Paradise Dr.
Hammonton, NJ
This 2-day (with a pre-party on Thursday, Oct 3rd) camping music festival in the Pine Barrens features two unique stages offering sounds of all tempos, flavors and styles with a little something for everyone regardless of where you land on the electronic music spectrum. The music runs on both stages and on Friday & Saturday begins as early as 12:30 PM and runs until Sunrise.

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.

Festival of Fine Craft
October 5th. 6th, 2024; 10am - 5pm (Rain or Shine)
WheatonArts
1000 Village Drive
Millville, NJ
Cost: $12.00 Adults $11.00 Senior Adults (62+) $7.00 Students Children 5 & under are free.
This even features two-days with 25+ 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.

Atlantic City Restaurant Week
Sunday, October 6 - Friday, October 11, 2024
Atlantic City Restaurant Week is a 6-day celebration of the culinary scene in Atlantic City. During Restaurant Week, participating restaurants offer a multi-course meal for a fixed price (not including beverage, tax and gratuity).

South Jersey Pumpkin Show and Carve
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, Headless Horseman & Talent show. rides, hay rides, food vendors, crafters, free kids PG haunted house, free kids zone, pumpkin patch picking, and much more!

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.

Atlantic City Comedy Festival
Saturday, Sunday, October 12th, 13th, 2024
Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall
2301 Boardwalk
Atlantic City, NJ
The Atlantic City Comedy Festival features two days of hilarious entertainment. There are a total of 2 shows, with one show each day.
Each show typically features 5, and sometimes more, comedians each day.

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 to 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.

Smithville Irish Festival
Saturday & Sunday, October 12 & 13, 2024
Historic Smithville
1 North New York Rd
Smithville, NJ
This annual family event features live Irish entertainment, Irish crafters, Irish food vendors, and a kiddie area with face painting, sand art, pony rides and more. Bring a chair, sit and joy the music and great food.

Annual LBI FLY International Kite Festival
Monday, October 14, 2024
Ship Bottom
Long Beach Island, NJ
The event features a day with brilliant colorful artist design kites, fun flying giant inflatable kites and the amazing show of sport kiting to our beautiful island. Many of these fliers are invited guests in prestigious festivals around the world. This free and cross-generational event will yield even more spectacular and unusual kites this year as well as displayed at local galleries prior to the festival.

The Downbeach Film Festival/Atlantic City Cinefest
October 18th - 20th, 2024
Screening Locations:
Ventnor Square Theatre, 5211 Ventnor Avenue, Ventnor Fannie Lou Hamer Event Room,
Stockton University, 3711 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City
Tickets can be purchased at the door!
This event features screenings of new films, features, shorts and documentaries, cinema-related panels and retrospectives honoring filmmakers and actors. The event also provides a forum for novice and aspiring filmmakers, actors, and others interested in a career in the film business, the opportunity to meet and network with industry professionals in an atmosphere that is conducive to learning and mentoring

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.

18th Century Field Day
Sunday, October 20, 2024, 10 am to 4 pm (Rain Date: Sunday, October 27th, 2024)
Red Bank Battlefield Park
100 Hessian Avenue
National Park, NJ
Cost: Free Admission
Enjoy living history demonstrations, artillery drills, cannon demonstrations, and meet Revolutionary War soldiers! Learn about the Battle of Red Bank and why New Jersey is called "The Crossroads of the American Revolution." Tour the battlefield and enjoy vendors, food, and fun! Cheer on the Jonas Cattell participants at the finish line. Fun, food, and activities for everyone!

Ocean City Halloween Parade
Thursday, October 24, 2024, 7:15 PM - 8:15 PM
Asbury Ave. from 6th - 11th Street
Ocean City, NJ
This Ocean City night-time tradition remains one of longest running Halloween parades in the tri-state area. The parade will march along Asbury Avenue from 6th to 11th Streets.

Cape May Restaurant Weekend
Thursday, October 31 – Sunday, November 3, 2024
Enjoy an appetizer, entree, and dessert for a fixed price at Cape May's best resta