Oct. 21-23 events: The best things to do this weekend in NJ
Looking for something to do this weekend? Big Joe's got you covered. Check out our complete list of great events and fun things do right here in the great Garden State!
ATLANTIC COUNTY
Paw Dazzle will host the Annual Costume Pet Parade starting at 1 pm. Spectators can watch 100+ pets show off their unique Halloween costumes! To enter your pet you must be pre-registered by calling Paw Dazzle at 609-748-7110. Historic Smithville offers 60 shoppes, 7 eateries, carousel ride, train ride, paddleboats, on site lodging at the Colonial Inn and over 26 free weekend events.
Date: October 22nd, 2016
Location: Historic Smithville
615 E. Moss Mill Rd., Smithville, NJ 08205
CAMDEN COUNTY
The Festival will include a craft show in addition to the farm market. If you are interested in being a craft vendor, email runnemedefirecofarmersmarket@gmail.com or stop by the Market's information table.Applications will be available soon, but don't hesitate to reserve your spot now! The Fall Festival will be our grand finale for this year's Farmers' Market season. In addition to our normal vendors, we will be hosting a craft fair and fun activities for families and kids.
Date: October 23rd, 2016
Location: Runnemede Fire Station
26 E. 2nd Ave., Runnemede, NJ 08078
CAPE MAY COUNTY
Join NJ Audubon for our 70th annual fall festival, a 3-day event celebrating bird migration and Cape May. This year we're also celebrating the 40th anniversary of both the Cape May Bird Observatory,and the legendary Cape May Hawkwatch. There will be lots of special guests, including many former hawk counters, participating in Friday night's "Tales from the Platform" panel discussion. Saturday evening speaker is internationally known wildlife artist and author of many bird guides, David Sibley.. This festival will showcase our migration monitoring projects: Cape May Hawkwatch, Avalon Seawatch, Morning Flight Songbird count ... SO.MANY.BIRDS! The festival celebration spills over into Cape May Convention Hall, complete with vendors, crafters, binoculars and scopes, activities for kids, and The Raptor Project with Jonathan Wood (free admission!). Come for a day or the weekend -- there's something for everyone! Visit our website www.birdcapemay.org.
Date: October 21st, 2016 - October 23rd, 2016
Location: Cape May Convention Hall
714 Beach Ave., Cape May, NJ 08204
Sea Isle City's Halloween Parade is one of the resort's many long-standing traditions. The parade features a wide variety of eye-catching costumes, floats, musical entertainment and mascots. Those wishing to enter the Halloween Parade can do so by downloading an application on the website. A free Halloween Family Dance Party will take place immediately following this year's parade, at the Excursion Park Band Shell, JFK Blvd. & the Beach. Winning parade entrants will receive their awards at the start of the Dance Party. 7 pm.
Date: October 21st, 2016
Location: Landis Ave., 45th - 40th St.
Sea Isle City, NJ 08243
There will be hay rides on the beach, pie baking contest, moon bounces for the children, pumpkin painting, German music and lots of games and more. Fun for the whole family! 11 am - 3 pm.
Date: October 22nd, 2016
Location: Excursion Park
40th St. & Pleasure Ave., Sea Isle City, NJ 08243
Cape May’s annual Halloween Parade is scheduled for Sunday, October 23 beginning at 3 p.m. Prior to the parade, trick or treating on the Washington Street Mall will be held from Noon to 2 p.m., which is sponsored by the Washington Street Mall Business Improvement District. The Parade route begins at Perry Street and Carpenter Lane, proceeds down Carpenter Lane to Ocean Street, travels down Washington Street and ends at the Emlen Physick Estate located at 1048 Washington Street.
Date: October 23rd, 2016
Location: 714 Beach Ave., Cape May, NJ 08204
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
You're invited to a spectacular night of drinks, dancing, and design! 6 - 11 pm. Arrive in your most outrageous, glamorous, or elegant attire as Artist Daisy Greenwell guides you in creating a repousse-inspired mask. Live music and delicious hors d'oeuvres will be served. 2 drink tickets* per attendee for wine and beer. All attendees may compete in the "Best of Ball" contest. Votes for attendee voting can be purchased for $5 each. Winners will receive bragging rights, a WheatonArts make-your-own experience, and a one-of-a-kind glass artwork. To reserve your tickets of for additional information, contact us at ext.114 or email.
Date: October 22nd, 2016
Location: WheatonArts
1501 Glasstown Rd., Millville, NJ 08332
ESSEX
Open Doors Citywide Arts Festival is New Jersey's largest multi-day celebration of the visual and performing arts, occurring over four days in the great city of Newark. Now in its 15th year, the festival draws thousands of visitors, as more than 40 venues join forces to showcase visual, performing, and literary art. All are invited to celebrate the arts during Open Doors, the Festival that furthers Newark's prominence as an artistic and cultural powerhouse.
Date: October 20th, 2016 - October 23rd, 2016
Location: Newark Arts
17 Academy St. #1104, Newark, NJ 07102
GLOUCESTER COUNTY
The Autumn Fest will cover over 50,000 sq. ft. and is billed as the largest indoor event in South Jersey's history. Five big events all take place over the weekend and visitors should plan on spending the most of the day. Everyone is invited to wear their favorite Halloween costume. Visitors will enjoy games, magic shows, Autumn Arts & Crafts Show, indoor carnival, South Jersey Fall Home Show Expo, Trick or Treat Stroll, House & Home Exhibitors, Stilt Walkers, The Monkey Man, Jugglers, Brainwash Game Show, Money Machine, Halloween Décor, delicious food. Children's Halloween Weekend Saturday 11 am - 9 pm, Sunday 11 am - 6 pm. This is Halloween fun exclusively for children under 12 years old and held indoors and outdoors.
Date: October 22nd, 2016 - October 23rd, 2016
Location: Total Turf Experience
614 Lambs Rd., Pitman, NJ 08071
Enjoy battle reenactments, colonial demonstrators, vendors, food, and fun! Learn about the Bat-tle of Red Bank and why New Jersey is called "The Crossroads of the American Revolution." Tour the Whitall House and visit with our hearth cookers preparing delicious fall-inspired food. Take in a spectacular sword fight and enjoy a colonial magic show. Fun, food, and activities for everyone!
Date: October 23rd, 2016
Location: Red Bank Battlefield and Whitall House
100 Hessian Ave., National Park, NJ 08063
HUNTERDON COUNTY
Join us for a night of Family Fun! Bring your painted, illuminated or carved pumpkins to enter Clinton's annual Pumpkin contest! Enjoy a night of magic with face painting, balloon artists, horse-drawn hay rides and more throughout downtown Clinton and at our community space at the Terrace of the Hunterdon Art Museum. 4:30 - 6:30 pm - Enter your pumpkin at one of three pumpkin locations downtown: Main Street around Alley's Way, East Main Street around Dicken's Lane, and Leigh Street around Le Salon Bleu. 7 pm - Pumpkin Judging 8 pm - Ribbons Awarded. 9 pm - Don't forget to pick up your pumpkins so they can decorate your home!
Date: October 21st, 2016
Location: Main St., Clinton, NJ 0880
RUN. WALK. TASTE. Grape Gallop is the outdoor social event that pairs exercise and wine tasting. 5K run or walk through picturesque Alba Vineyard. After the race, grab a glass and stimulate your taste buds by sampling Alba's award-winning wines. Participant benefits - Event T-Shirt, Grape Gallop Wine Glass, Tote Bag, and Wine Sampling.
Date: October 22nd, 2016
Location: Alba Vineyard
269 Riegelsville Warren Glen Rd., Milford, NJ 08848
MONMOUTH COUNTY
The feel-good spirit of Highland's Oktoberfest is modeled on the traditional Munich, Germany Oktoberfest with an emphasis on eating, drinking and being merry while providing something for everyone. Authentic German food, live music, dancing and entertainment from 12 - 7 pm. Festivities will include a "Best-Dressed" Contest, and a "Beer Stein Holding" Contest with special prizes. There will also be a Super 50/50 drawing with 50% of the proceeds going to the lucky winner. Admission and parking for the event is free.
Date: October 22nd, 2016
Location: Veteran's Park
23 Bay Ave., Highlands, NJ 07732
Giacomo Antonio Domenico Michele Secondo Maria Puccini (1858–1924) created memorable characters, poignant stories, and soaring melodies. Join us on a virtual backstage tour to see the many sources of inspiration for Italian opera's greatest composer. Location: North Dining Room Date: October 21 (Friday); 6:30 pm Cost: $43 per person; includes a multicourse Italian dinner and a multimedia lecture; limited seating, tickets required.
Date: October 21st, 2016
Location: Georgian Court University/North Dining Hall
900 Lakewood Ave., Lakewood, NJ 08701
OCEAN COUNTY
Come dressed in your best Halloween Costume! We will have a contest and choose winners! Pumpkin painting! Decorate your own pumpkin and bring it home to decorate your house! Fun games including Pumpkin Bowling, Limbo & Halloween Bingo! Of course our winners win prizes! Come join the fun and start your Halloween and Fall fun with us at Casino Pier!
Date: October 22nd, 2016
Location: Casino Pier
800 Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
It's a celebration of fall at the Jersey Shore! Sample dozens of wines from some of New Jersey's leading wineries, at the Stafford Fall Wine Festival. Listen to live music and enjoy the beautiful lake-front setting while sampling from dozens of wines, browsing crafters, vendors and having a bite to eat. Festival is rain or shine. $12 in advance (available online), $15 at the gate. Under 21 years of age and designated drivers are free.
Date: October 22nd, 2016 - October 23rd, 2016
Location: Manahawkin Lake Park
31 N. Main St., Manahawkin, NJ 08050
The two day festival kicks off with the Opening Ceremony and Tapping of the Keg on Saturday at 11 am. The festival offers seasonal craft beer tasting, great bands, authentic German food, artisans and crafters, beer garden, food trucks, and a Kids Zone. Admission to the festival is $5 for anyone 12 and older (cash only at the gate.) Kids 11 and under are FREE! Craft Beer Tasting Admission is $20 in advance and $25 at the door (cash only at the gate.) Patrons are limited to one tasting session per day. Tasting session options are 12-2:30 pm and 3:30 - 6 pm each day. Craft Beer Tasting Tickets can be purchased online.
Date: October 22nd, 2016 - October 23rd, 2016
Location: Seaside Heights Blvd., Dupont & Webster Ave., Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
FREE admission, prizes, fun for everyone including pumpkin decorating, dog parade and kids' costume parade, trick or treating, and pumpkin chunkin' competition. Activities Schedule: 10 am - Noon – Dog & Kids' Costume Parade Registration located at the Visitor Center on the Boardwalk at Blaine Ave. Noon - 5 pm – Pumpkin Decorating on the Boardwalk nearest Lucky Leo's Arcade, as well as, Vendors & Crafters along the Boardwalk by the Visitor Center at Blaine Ave. 1 pm – Dog & Kids' Costume Parade along the Boardwalk starting at Hancock Avenue with prizes awarded immediately following the parade at the Franklin Avenue Stage 1:00 PM – Pumpkin Chunkin' Team Registration begins at EJ's Tap House. 2 - 5 pm – Kids are welcome to Trick or Treat at participating businesses along the Boardwalk. 3 pm – Pumpkin Chunkin' Competition on Sheridan Ave. Beach.
Date: October 23rd, 2016
Location: Boardwalk, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
PASSAIC COUNTY
Bring your already pre-carved pumpkin and get a safe tea light. Your pumpkin will set the stage for the performer. 7: pm – Spooky Stories – Gordon Thomas Ward, singer-songwriter, will sing ballads of local history and ghosts. 6:30 pm. Rain or shine. Admission: $3 per family; $2 individual; $1 senior citizen over 65.
Date: October 21st, 2016
Location: Van Riper-Hopper House Museum
533 Berdan Ave., Wayne, NJ 07470
SOMERSET COUNTY
Spirits in the Night takes place on Friday, October 21st from 7-9 p.m. This walk-around tasting of New Jersey distilled spirits, craft beers, wines, and cider takes place throughout our galleries and art studios accompanied by delicious food and live music by vibraphonist Bill Ware and bassist Brad Jones!
Date: October 21st, 2016
Location: The Center for Contemporary Art
2020 Burnt Mills Rd., Bedminster, NJ 07921
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