Autumn in New Jersey: Check out these 10 fun fall festivals
By now you must have noticed that summer is over, thanks to a very chilly start to fall and the pumpkin spice added to almost everything edible on every menu.
Sigh!
But, don't worry, sit back, light that pumpkin spice-scented candle and check out these fun things to do now that fall is here.
At the top of the list is leaf peeping in New Jersey, as its beautiful colors are ushered in by the cooler weather and shorter days. Maybe you'd prefer to quench your thirst with beer at the many breweries or apple cider at the many farms or farm-like settings with their corn mazes and pumpkin patches. If you're looking for something a bit more exciting, here's a list of fall and Halloween festivals in the area.
Great Pumpkin Festival, Vernon
If you're looking for an all-day fall activity that is family-friendly, take a drive to Heaven Hill Farm in Vernon. The Great Pumpkin Festival offers lots of traditional fall activities including corn and hay mazes, a hay crawl, bee hives, ball arcade, duck race game, gem mining at an additional cost, pig races offered on the weekends, pedal carts, food stands during weekend hours, and sweet fall treats.
This festival is open from Sept. 17. to Nov. 6. Admission is ticketed, but children 2 years old and younger get in for free. Some attractions are not included in the ticket price. Buy tickets online and save at https://heavenhillfarm.ticketspice.com/great-pumpkin-festival!
Go: Heaven Hill Farm, 451 State Route 94, Vernon. (973) 764-5144
Morey's Piers Oktoberfest, Wildwood
Enjoy a German-themed weekend full of live entertainment, beer, and food. Morey's Piers Oktoberfest will take place two more weekends: Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 and Oct. 7 to Oct. 9. The last two events will be filled with dazzling music and bands. This fest is also child friendly and will feature a "Rootbier Garten." To buy tickets online and see the weekend line up visit the website at https://moreyspiers.ltibooking.com/categories/oktoberfest.
Go: 3501 Boardwalk, Wildwood
Garden State Food Truck and Music Festival, Paramus
Kick off the fall season with some exciting activities like hatchet toss and bungee trampoline, a professional wrestling match, craft beer, and live entertainment. Aside from that, there will be more than 15 food vendors at this festival. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children ages 4 to 13 at the door; children 3 and younger are free. If you book online, adult tickets come to $7.30 (less) while the price of admission for children is $5.20 (more). Tickets a re available online at: https://mega-bite-events.ticketleap.com/garden-state-plaza-fall-food-truck--music-fest/dates/Oct-02-2022_at_1100AM.
Go: Garden State Plaza, 1 Garden State Plaza, Paramus on Oct. 2. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Cape May Fall Festival
The 76th annual Cape May Festival is hosted by the New Jersey Audubon Society and will be all about birds. This festival takes place from Oct. 13 to Oct. 16 at the Cape May Convention Hall and is filled with nature-themed vendors, tour companies, environmental experts, and field trips around the festival to gain knowledge on birds. The all-day event is free of cost and all ages are welcome.
Go: 714 Beach Ave., Cape May
JC Harvest Festival, Jersey City
This family-friendly event is just the thing to get you into the mood for fall. Stop by Hamilton Park for a day filled with dance performances, arts and crafts, music, and food. Activities include Hand Crafts by Luna de Papel where she'll be offering DIY classes and workshops for all ages. There will be a pumpkin painting station that is open to all ages. This event is free of cost and more information can be found at, https://jcfamilies.com/event/harvest-festival-in-jersey-city/
Go: Hamilton Park on Oct. 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Pumpkin Patch Trains, Whippany
All aboard for this 45-minute round-trip train ride from Whippany to Roseland. It's the perfect way to spend a cool autumn afternoon. At the end of the ride, those who have train tickets will also have access to the pumpkin patch where they can pick out a kid-sized pumpkin and receive a decorating kit. This event is available on Oct. 2., Oct. 9., and Oct. 16., at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. Select your train ride time online and have the ability to purchase tickets up to an hour before the train departs at http://www.whippanyrailwaymuseum.net/. Don't forget to wear your Halloween costumes for the ride!
Go: Whippany Railroad Museum, 1 Railroad Plaza
West Milford Autumn Lights Festival
In West Milford, residents first gathered on the lawn of Town Hall to celebrate the town's first traffic light. The celebration has grown, along with the number of traffic lights. The Autumn Lights Festival has shifted from a lawn to a street filled with lights, more than 300 vendors, games, rides, children's activities, and games. This festival will take place on Oct. 8. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Union Valley Road. For more information, visit autumlightsfestival.com.
Go: Union Valley Road.
Great Jack O' Lantern, Croton-on-Hudson
Gaze at thousands of intricately-carved pumpkins at the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze in Croton-on-Hudson, or walk a haunted trail as you hear the tale of the Headless Horseman and the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Whichever you choose, get your tickets soon — they sell out fast. Info: hudsonvalley.org
Go: 525 S Riverside Ave, Croton-On-Hudson, New York
Fall Fest, Lodi
If you're into a bit of creepy and scary, the Lodi festival is for you. Lodi will hold its Fall Fest on Oct. 15. Stop by Memorial Drive for a day filled with live performances, fireworks, beer, food trucks, and vendors. Fireworks begin at 7 p.m. and live performances are scheduled for 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Go: Memorial Drive, Lodi
Paws in the Park Fall Festival, Hawthorne
If animals are your thing, then check out the sixth annual Paws in Park Fall Festival on Oct. 8. (Rain date is Oct. 9.)
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. you'll be treated to all the things that make for a great fall festival, like food trucks, contests, vendors and activities, but with an extra side of cuteness. There will be demonstrations by the Sheriff’s K-9 Unit, the Mounted Patrol, a blessing of the animals, pet adoptions, pet contests, and vendors for pets. This wouldn't be a fall fest without beer, and luckily, the event will also feature a beer garden.
Go: Goffle Brook Park at Goffle Road and Diamond Bridge Avenue.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Fall festivals and activities in NJ to get in the seasonal mood
