Clear your weekends because fall festival season is about to take over.
New Jersey is lining up pumpkin-filled celebrations, craft fairs, harvest events, live entertainment, and enough seasonal food to make staying home feel like a terrible idea.
One weekend might mean hayrides and farm stands.
The next could bring rows of vendors, music, and a crowd that showed up ready to make the most of sweater weather.
The tricky part is keeping track of what is happening when.
That is where this list comes in.
These upcoming fall festivals give you plenty of reasons to grab a jacket, call a friend, and turn an ordinary weekend into something a lot more fun.
Just do not blame us when your calendar suddenly has no empty Saturdays left.
1. Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival
Carnival lights flickering on against a September sky have a way of making the whole season feel official. The Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival runs from September 18 through 20, 2026, and it opens Friday evening with rides and food vendors already humming.
Saturday and Sunday are when things really widen out. From 10 AM to 5 PM both days, a vendor pop-up brings together more than 75 exhibitors selling arts, crafts, collectibles, and new goods.
Live music drifts across the grounds while 4-H and Master Gardener exhibits give curious visitors something hands-on to poke around. There’s a farmers market, a petting zoo, and face painting, which pretty much guarantees younger kids will not want to leave.
Admission and parking are both complimentary, a detail worth appreciating when you’re bringing a whole crew.
My advice is simple. Come Saturday morning before the vendor aisles fill up, then circle back to the carnival area later when the crowd energy peaks.
You’ll find it all at Overpeck County Park, 199 Challenger Rd, Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660, with plenty of open green space for wandering between attractions.
2. Fall Harvest Festival Weekend at Allaire State Park
Old brick buildings, the clang of a blacksmith’s hammer, and the sweet smell of apples pressing into cider make this one feel like a step backward in the best way. The Historic Village at Allaire hosts its Fall Harvest Festival Weekend on September 19 and 20, 2026.
More than 50 craft vendors set up across the marketplace, selling handmade goods you won’t find in a mall. Live music plays throughout, keeping the pace easy rather than rushed.
Historic demonstrations are the heart of the weekend, with blacksmithing, carpentry, and fiber arts all happening in front of you. Watching someone spin fiber by hand is oddly hypnotic.
Food trucks handle seasonal cravings, and families can settle in with glitter tattoos and games. Apple cider pressing draws a steady crowd, and the apple pie and pumpkin pie baking contests bring out serious competitors.
Poke your head into the historic buildings, the bakery with its apple treats, and the general store before you go.
Address for the day is Allaire State Park, 4265 Atlantic Ave, Wall Township, NJ 07727.
3. Essex County Fall Family Festival
Autumn officially arrives with the equinox, and this festival marks it with butterflies, canoes, and a whole lot of dirt under fingernails. Set for Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 11 AM to 3 PM, the Essex County Fall Family Festival leans into nature rather than carnival noise.
Hands-on games and crafts fill the grounds, and naturalist-led walks give visitors a closer look at the surrounding woods. Live butterflies and other animals are on display for kids who love getting eye level with small creatures.
Canoeing is part of the day too, along with lessons about Native American life, a pumpkin patch, and a petting zoo.
Running alongside it is the Essex County 4-H Fall Harvest Showcase and Gardeners Contest, where youth and adults enter fruits, vegetables, herbs, outdoor gardening projects, food and nutrition entries, and arts and crafts. It’s genuinely fun to see prize-winning produce lined up on tables.
Wear shoes you don’t mind getting muddy. Trails here aren’t paved everywhere.
Head to the Essex County Environmental Center, 621-B Eagle Rock Ave, Roseland, NJ 07068.
4. Longmeadow Farm Harvest Festival
Fifteen varieties of apples grow on this farm, which explains why the picking rows feel endless once you start wandering. The 13th Annual Harvest Festival at Longmeadow Farm lands on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 11 AM to 4 PM.
Live music carries across the fields while craft vendors set up their tables nearby. Apple and pumpkin picking happen right in the fields, so bring a bag and some patience for indecisive kids.
Hayrides bump along the property, giving you a look at the wider farm and its rolling backdrop. Food trucks park close by with seasonal treats, and face painting keeps the youngest visitors occupied.
Beyond apples, the farm also grows raspberries and blackberries and produces its own jams, jellies, and honey. A jar of something homemade makes a solid souvenir.
Go early if you want the best pick of pumpkins, since the good shapes vanish quickly.
The farm sits at 561 Blairstown Rd, Hope, NJ 07844, tucked into one of the prettier corners of the state.
5. Island Beach Fall Fest
Ocean breeze in October hits differently. Cooler, saltier, and somehow more relaxing than summer’s version, which is exactly why Island Beach Fall Fest works so well.
Scheduled for Sunday, October 4, 2026, from 10 AM to 4 PM, the event pairs coastal scenery with classic autumn fun. Craft vendors line the area with handmade goods, and live music keeps the mood loose.
Food trucks bring a good spread of options, so you’re not stuck eating the same thing twice.
The standout attraction is the pet costume parade and contest, where dogs in ridiculous outfits strut past a crowd of very willing spectators. Honestly, it’s worth attending for that alone.
Dune grass, quiet shoreline, and open sky make the setting feel calmer than a typical fair. Bring a light jacket, because wind off the water picks up in the afternoon.
Parking fills fast on nice weekends, so arriving near opening is smart.
Find it at Island Beach State Park, 2401 Central Ave, Seaside Park, NJ 08752, one of the last stretches of undeveloped barrier island around.
6. South Toms River Fall Harvest Festival
Waterfront views and a small-town crowd give this festival a friendly, unhurried rhythm. Hosted by the South Toms River Optimist Club, the Fall Harvest Festival takes place Sunday, October 4, 2026, from 10 AM to 6 PM.
Local vendors and food trucks stretch across the park, which means shopping and snacking happen in the same loop. Live music adds background energy without overwhelming conversation.
Kids get their own dedicated zone, a detail parents will quietly thank the organizers for.
Hayrides and a pumpkin patch cover the traditional autumn boxes, and a seasonal mum sale gives gardeners a reason to bring the car closer. Those mums travel better than you’d expect.
Since the festival runs a full eight hours, there’s no need to rush your arrival. Late afternoon brings softer light over the water and thinner crowds.
It’s a genuinely community-driven event, the kind where neighbors recognize each other across the aisles.
Mathis Plaza Park sits at 134 NJ-166, South Toms River, NJ 08757, right along the scenic waterfront that gives the day its backdrop.
7. Medford Apple Festival
Forty-seven years is a long run for any event, and the Medford Apple Festival has earned every one of them. Hosted by the Medford Historical Society, the 2026 edition happens Saturday, October 10 from 9 AM to 4 PM.
Over 120 crafters fill the grounds around a historic gristmill, selling handmade goods across a wide range of styles. Live music plays throughout the day while food options keep everyone fed.
Apples are obviously the main event here. Fresh cider, baked goods, the well-known apple butter, specialty apple ice cream, and cider donuts made fresh on-site all compete for your attention.
The donuts are the thing people line up for. Get there early and eat one while it’s still warm, because that’s the whole experience in a single bite.
Games and family activities round out the day, keeping kids busy between snack runs.
Kirby’s Mill itself is worth a look, a historic site that anchors the entire festival.
You’ll find everything at 275 Church Rd, Medford, NJ 08055.
8. Chatsworth Cranberry Festival
Deep in the Pinelands, a tiny village swells with visitors for one weekend each October, and the reason is cranberries. The Chatsworth Cranberry Festival runs Saturday and Sunday, October 17 and 18, 2026, from 9 AM to 4 PM both days.
Rain or shine, it happens. That’s the policy, so pack accordingly.
A juried craft show anchors the festival with as many as 150 vendors, meaning the quality of handmade goods stays high rather than scattershot. You could spend hours just moving through the rows.
Up to 15 food vendors handle the eating side, and live music keeps the streets lively from morning through early afternoon.
What makes the weekend memorable is the setting itself. Chatsworth is a genuine Pinelands village, and the festival celebrates New Jersey’s cranberry harvest alongside the culture that grew around it.
Traffic gets heavy, so leave earlier than feels necessary and be ready to walk a bit from parking.
The festival centers around 3980 Main St, Chatsworth, NJ 08019.
9. Cherry Hill Harvest Festival
Pony rides and a fire truck parked on the grass tend to settle any debate about what kids want from a fall afternoon. Croft Farm hosts the Cherry Hill Harvest Festival on Sunday, October 18, 2026, from 12 PM to 4 PM.
Held rain or shine, the event gathers more than 100 artists, crafters, businesses, and community organizations across the historic farm property.
Live music plays through the afternoon while seasonal treats keep everyone snacking. Pumpkin picking gives kids something to carry home, usually one size too large for their arms.
A petting zoo and pony rides handle the animal-loving crowd, and interactive activities with the Cherry Hill Police and Fire Departments give kids a chance to climb around vehicles they normally only see from a distance.
Student bands from School of Rock Cherry Hill perform live, which adds a nice local touch to the stage lineup.
Four hours goes quickly here, so arrive close to noon if you want to see everything.
Croft Farm is located at 100 Bortons Mill Rd, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034.
10. Autumn Lands Festival
Ending the season with something a little strange feels right, and the Autumn Lands Festival delivers exactly that. Set for Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 2 PM to 7 PM, the free event turns Historic Smithville Park into a seasonal wonderland.
The layout is built around individual themed lands, each designed with autumn and spooky elements. Wandering between them feels more like exploring than following a map.
Attractions include axe throwing, an apple cider press, a pop-up nature center, a ghost hunter quest, and tarot readers. It’s an odd mix, and that’s the appeal.
Live music, magicians, and shows from the Magic Lantern Theater fill out the entertainment schedule. Maker Land gathers local crafts and artisan goods for anyone shopping ahead of the holidays.
Food trucks from the area handle dinner as the light starts fading, which is honestly the best hour to be there.
Bring a flashlight for the walk back to your car.
Historic Smithville Park sits at 803 Smithville Rd, Eastampton, NJ 08060, closing out a strong autumn lineup across the state.
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