27 of the best things to do this weekend in NJ — Sept. 29 – Oct. 1
Looking for some fall fun this weekend? We’ve got you covered. Check out our complete list of great events and fun things do right here in the great Garden State!
Join Big Joe Henry as he broadcasts live from Oktoberfest in Seaside Heights on Saturday, September 30th from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Don’t miss the 2nd Annual Oktoberfest takes on Saturday, Sept. 30th from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Sunday, October 1st from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Join us on the Boulevard between Grant Ave and Dupont Ave. Oktoberfest kicks off on Saturday at 11AM with the Tapping of the Keg! The event also features seasonal craft beer tastings, great bands all weekend long, authentic German food, artisans and crafters, beer garden, food trucks, kids zone, and the Oktoberfest Muscle Car Showdown. For more information visit Exit82.com.
Date: September 30th, 2017
Location: Ocean Boulevard, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
ATLANTIC COUNTY
Come join the excitement! The Festival will feature an Italian Market offering a spectacular variety of wares and food. The day will be filled with live Italian music, bocce ball on the Greene, folk dancing, children activities, and more. Historic Smithville offers 60 shoppes, 7 eateries, carousel ride, train ride, paddleboats, and arcade, on site lodging at the Colonial Inn and over 26 free weekend events.
Date: September 30th, 2017
Location: Historic Smithville
615 E. Moss Mill Rd., Smithville, NJ 08205
Celebrate Oktoberfest with Tomfoolery Brewing! We will have several special beers on tap including a pumpkin stout and a true Oktoberfest lager, along with a Bock and others. A true fall harvest festival!
Date: September 30th, 2017
Location: 334 N. Washington St., Hammonton, NJ 08037
BERGEN COUNTY
Non-stop live music and entertainment along with family fun attractions. Over 150 exhibitors, kiddie rides & climbing wall, kids games, face painters, amusements, temp tattoos, & more. A special section with craft exhibitors & artists. Fabulous festival foods, everything from gyros, shishkabobs, kettle corn, pulled pork, sausage sandwiches to ice cream, zeppoles, funnel cakes, fresh squeezed lemonade and Italian ices. Come eat, shop & play! 10 am - 5 pm. Rain or Shine.
Date: October 1st, 2017
Location: Market St., Saddle Brook, NJ 07663
Picket-fence beer garden with Brix City and Alementary Craft Breweries. Mott's Artillery will be firing a cannon. Live music by Long Hill String Band. Major-General Baron von Steuben (aka Robert Gleason) visits his Jersey Estate. German Fare Food, as well as New Bridge donuts, pretzels and apple strudel. Free Pumpkin Picking - Family fun event. The Steuben House, Demarest House and Campbell-Christie House are open for tours. The three Jersey Dutch sandstone houses are located along the Hackensack River. Walk across the 1889 Swing Bridge, watch for American Egrets and Great Blue Herons. The Westervelt-Thomas Barn will be open, check out broom-making! Visit the out-kitchen cooks. Visit Bergen County's Premier Historic Site.
Selections of the BCHS museum collections are on exhibit.
Date: September 30th, 2017
Location: Historic New Bridge Landing
1201 Main St., River Edge, NJ 07661
BURLINGTON COUNTY
Trip departs at 8:30 am - 4 pm. This trip begins at Quaker Bridge on the Batsto River. You'll explore on water and land while learning about Pine Barrens habitats, history, plants and animals. Once on the river we'll make stops along the way to investigate unique Pine Barrens plants along the river's edge, learn about the role of fire in Pine Barrens ecology, and history of bog iron in the pines. This trip ends at Batsto Lake.
Date: October 1st, 2017
Location: Pinelands Adventures Center
1005 Atsion Rd., Shamong, NJ 08088
CAMDEN COUNTY
Join us for Friday Night Flights! A craft beer sampling and live MGK broadcast! Rock out with Ray and enjoy $6 flights that include a barrel aged beer. No tickets needed! The fun starts at 7 pm.
Date: September 29th, 2017
Location: Double Nickel Brewing Company
1585 Rt. 73, Pennsauken, NJ 08110
CAPE MAY COUNTY
Celebrate Italian culture and heritage at Fox Park on Ocean Avenue between Burk and Montgomery Avenues in Wildwood on Friday from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m.and on Saturday from noon until 11 p.m. Come experience an 'Olde World' family festival including a Procession of the Saints, delicious Italian food favorites, merchandise vendors, games, and continuous FREE live entertainment. A grape stomping contest and spaghetti eating contest will take place as well. Admission to the festival is FREE.
Date: September 29th, 2017 - September 30th, 2017
Location: Fox Park, Ocean Ave., Wildwood, NJ 08260
Featuring live music and delicious seafood, this bay-side festival honors Sea Isle City's fishing industry. The event has a variety of craft and specialty vendors, nautical displays, entertainment throughout the day and of course, all of the area's finest and freshest seafood and more. Marina Park from 11 am - 4 pm, rain or shine. Free admission and parking.
Date: September 30th, 2017
Location: Marina Park
347 42nd Pl., Sea Isle City, NJ 08243
Celebrate the fall season with your family at the beautiful Emlen Physick Estate. Crafters and collectibles dealers from throughout the region display and sell their wares on the lawn. Festival includes hands-on activities and games for children. 10 am - 4 pm. Free admission and parking with a charge for some activities. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC).
Date: September 30th, 2017
Location: Emlen Physick Estate
1048 Washington St., Cape May, NJ 08204
A Pet Parade! What better way to spend a day taking your cat, dog, snake, or gerbil to the Cape May Kiwanis Pet Parade. Registration is FREE. 9:15 am, parade starts at 10 am. Call or visit the website for additional information.
Date: September 30th, 2017
Location: Kiwanis Park
Madison Ave., Cape May, NJ 08204
ESSEX
The Rotary/Kiwanis Caldwell Street Fair is the BIGGEST single-day event in the West Essex Northern, NJ area. From Noon - 5 pm, you and an estimated 30,000 other guests can enjoy over 200 Food, New Merchandise, and Arts & Crafts vendors, food trucks, rides that include a Ferris Wheel and Tilt a' Whirl, slide and jr. rides. Live music, fun shopping, beer garden (21 and over). It's an incredible family and friends day with plenty of parking off of Bloomfield Avenue. Visit our website for more information and to see our sponsors. The Rotary/Kiwanis Caldwell Street Fair has been a joint project of The Rotary Club of the Caldwells and The Kiwanis Club of Caldwell–West Essex since 1991.
Date: October 1st, 2017
Location: 370 Bloomfield Ave., Caldwell, NJ 07006
Open Streets celebrate that streets are for everyone. Taking back the public space through the construction of parklets and open public spaces. Live music, food and merriment! Join the fun from 10 am - 3 pm.
Date: October 1st, 2017
Location: Midland Ave., Montclair, NJ 07042
HUDSON COUNTY
Another year of more excitement, more fun, and more Indian culture and traditions, featuring colorful costumes, joyful dance and thrilling live music. Family-fun, live performances, vendors, raffles, food, henna, face painter, and more. FREE, rain or shine. Indian, Masala Bhangra, Salsa.
Date: October 1st, 2017
Location: Exchange Place
Montgomery & Greene St., Jersey City, NJ 07302
HUNTERDON COUNTY
The 3rd annual Apple 'n Pumpkin Harvest Festival is a fun time for the whole family. This year's festival runs noon to 5 pm. The outdoor street fair features kid's activities, bluegrass bands, farmers' market vendors, craft vendors, artists, farm animals, various food trucks, a beer/wine garden for the adults and so much more! This event is free and open to the public.
Date: October 1st, 2017
Location: Clinton Fire Department and Surrounding Streets
1 New St., Clinton, NJ 08809
Hunterdon County World Music Day returns for its second year of global fun! This FREE event has something for all ages, including live performances, kid-friendly music workshops, jam sessions (for musicians and listeners alike), and food trucks....so come hungry! All of World Music Day's activities will be held at the beautiful 104 acre Deer Path Park in Flemington. We are very excited to announce that the headliner for this year will be RED BARAAT - a riveting octet that NPR has dubbed "The best party band in years. Other special performances on the main stage include Hub Hollow, Groove Merchant Drum and Dance Ensemble, Daniel Johnson and Craig Ebner, Justin Nawn and Bronwyn Bird, and SiriOm Singh and Dror Gliksman. World Music Day will also have kid-friendly music workshops run by World Music aficionado Andy Wasserman. There will also be Bluegrass and Jazz jam sessions. For full event info including artist bios and schedule, please visit website.
Date: October 1st, 2017
Location: Deer Path Park
120 W. Woodschurch Rd., Flemington, NJ 08822
MIDDLESEX COUNTY
Canine Companions DogFest Walk 'n Roll Is a fun filled day for the whole family and their dogs. This park setting provides many activities including, agility courses, costume contests, photos with your dog, food, doggie dancing and our walk. All in an effort to raise money to provide highly-trained service dogs to people with disabilities.
Date: October 1st, 2017
Location: Roosevelt Park
151 Parsonage Rd., Edison, NJ 08837
MONMOUTH COUNTY
Stop by for a day on the waterfront! Beer and wine garden, cigar bar, wine tastings, sip and paint classes, art walk, children's activities, food, music, vendors, crafters, and more!
Date: September 30th, 2017
Location: Atlantic Highlands Marina
2 Simon Lake Dr., Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07016
MORRIS COUNTY
Join us for our second ever open house! Come check out live glass blowing in the studio, see the gallery, the different classes we offer, and meet our staff! Food and beverages will be served as well. Please email to RSVP.
Date: September 30th, 2017
Location: Morris County School Of Glass
89 Whippany Rd., Morristown, NJ 07960
OCEAN COUNTY
Oktoberfest kicks off on Saturday at 11 am with the Tapping of the Keg! The event also features seasonal craft beer tastings, great bands all weekend long, authentic German food, artisan and crafters, beer garden, food trucks, and kids zone. Patrons are limited one tasting session per day. Tasting session options are Noon - 2:30 pm and 3:30 - 6 pm each day.
Date: September 30th, 2017 - October 1st, 2017
Location: Boulevard, between Webster & Dupont Ave., Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
Fishin' in Seaside Heights promises fun for all ages! Event registration begins at 9 am at the Carteret Ave. Stage on the Boardwalk and the tournament takes place from 10 am - 2 pm on the North beach between Hiering & Hancock Aves. Ages 12 and under and 13 - 16 years old are welcome to participate. FREE T-shirts to the first 200 participants. Sponsored by the Seaside Heights Fishing Club.
Date: October 1st, 2017
Location: North Beach
Hiering Ave. - Hancock Ave., Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
The LBI Sea Glass & Art Festival showcases the talents of local artists and artisans, and brings together beachcombers and their finds from around the world. Shard ID and contests, fossil ID and contests, wrack line sculpture contest, and the Conch Blowing World Record attempt. Same weekend as Chowderfest. 10 am - 4 pm. Like us on Facebook.
Date: September 30th, 2017 - October 1st, 2017
Location: Things A Drift
406 Long Beach Blvd., Ship Bottom, NJ 08008
This family fun festival features live music, activities and unlimited Chowder tasting with the opportunity for each ticket holder to vote for their favorite red and white chowder. It has become a tradition for family and friends to gather together to say good bye to summer and welcome in the fall. Always the weekend before Columbus Day Weekend, this year join us for the fabulous Merchant Mart (free admission) where local vendors offer the best deals of the season and Sunday for the Chowder Cook Off Classic. Enjoy unlimited chowder tasting! Live music, children's entertainment, and a food court are all part of the event, which is held rain or shine.
Date: September 30th, 2017 - October 1st, 2017
Location: Little League Field
9th St. & Taylor Ave., Beach Haven, NJ 08008
SUSSEX COUNTY
Please join us on and support the American Cancer Fund®. We are holding our fall fundraiser "FunFest" in Sussex County. This event includes a USATF 5K Grand Prix sanctioned race as well as a Family Friendly Walk at the Sussex County Fair Grounds. This is much more than the usual 5K and 1mile Family Support Walk. Bring the family and enjoy the totally family friendly event with Live Music featuring the number one Bruce Springsteen tribute band, The BStreet Band, a Kid's fun area, Vendors, Craft Beer Tasting, and great Food Trucks for all to enjoy. And of course remember that 89 cents of every dollar raised goes into our cancer programs. For more information, you can always visit our websites www.run2health.com or www.AmericanCancerFund.org Hope you can join us for a great time and please tell all your friends.
Date: October 1st, 2017
Location: Sussex County Fair Grounds
37 Plains Rd., Augusta, NJ 07822
UNION COUNTY
Plainfield Public Library is happy to announce the 2017 Tri-County History Fair for Middlesex, Somerset, and Union counties. Join fellow history lovers for a fun day of historical discovery, resource sharing, raffles, and more. A variety of libraries and archives, local authors, historical societies, and museums will be represented. A free raffle ticket will be given to each visitor upon initial entry. The raffle grand prize is an AncestryDNA testing kit. Confirmed speakers include Maxine Lurie, Seton Hall professor, author, and historian; and Eugene Armstead, NJ Chapter President of the Afro American Historical & Genealogical Society. Additional activities to be announced. 11 am - 3 pm on the lower level of Plainfield Public Library. All activities will be indoors and are FREE to the public. ADA-accessible facility. Ample parking available.
Date: September 30th, 2017
Location: Plainfield Public Library
800 Park Ave., Plainfield, NJ 07060
We are holding our 21st Annual Town Festival, Classic Car Show, Carnival and Street Fair. This year we are adding Best Buy's 45ft Interactive Entertainment including a 100 in inflatable screen along with presentation from the Model Railroad Club in Union. We will also have festival food, rides, interactive-robotics tent. We are offering a Free Breakfast for Veterans with ID. 11 am - 5 pm. Visit our website for details. Rain Date: October15. NJ Veterans Network is holding a 5K run to support PTSD programs. Run starts at 9am - Registration online or on race day at our registration tent.
Date: October 1st, 2017
Location: Town Hall
100 Mountain Ave., Springfield, NJ 07081
WARREN COUNTY
Join us as we celebrate Oktoberfest! Czig Meister Brewing Co., Homebrew University and Man Skirt Brewing will host activities, contests, music, drinks and food at their Platz through regular operating hours. This Oktoberfest is a family friendly event; there's a kids' costume contest category and other non-alcohol related activities. (The Stein Carry Race is with water; grain bag toss, etc. Other drinks will be available as well.)
Date: October 1st, 2017
Location: 219 Main St., Hackettstown, NJ 07840
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