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Indigenous Peoples Day Weekend in New Jersey: Best Things To Do with Kids

Check out a sky full of spectacular kites at the LBI Fly International Kite Festival. Photo by Wayne Herrschaft
Check out a sky full of spectacular kites at the LBI Fly International Kite Festival. Photo by Wayne Herrschaft
10/6/23 - By Laurie Rein

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this Indigenous Peoples Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this long weekend.

Indigenous Peoples Day on Monday, October 9, marks the holiday formerly known as Columbus Day for NJ school kids, and luckily our calendar is jam-packed with a long weekend of fall fun activities. Get immersed in the fall season at outdoor festivals, including LBI Fly International Kite Festival, Readington Hop Farms Oktoberfest, and local autumn festivals in Dunellen, Hightstown, and Matawan.  

Spooky season is upon us, so start making Halloween plans with our Top Free Halloween Events in New Jersey. Find other fantastic things to do this weekend in our Family Activity Calendar.

More Things To Do in New Jersey this Week with Kids:​

 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

More than 50 writers and illustrators will meet fans and sign books as part of the Morristown Festival of Books' Kidfest. Photo courtesy of the festival
More than 50 writers and illustrators will meet fans and sign books as part of the Morristown Festival of Books' Kidfest. Photo courtesy of the festival

Things To Do in New Jersey this Indigenous Peoples Day Weekend with Kids

LBI Fly International Kite Festival

Long Beach Island–FREE
Friday, October 6-Sunday, October 8
Don't miss a sky full of spectacular kites on Indigenous Peoples Day/Columbus Day weekend. This 9th annual festival features brilliant, colorful, artist-designed kites, fun flying giant inflatable kites, and the amazing show of sport kiting on the beautiful island. READ MORE

Spider-Man Into The Spider-Verse Live In Concert

Newark
Friday, October 6
With a soundtrack that blends symphonic orchestral music with hip-hop, Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse Live in Concert combines a screening of the Academy Award-winning animated film with live musicians and a DJ. READ MORE

Hayrides and Campfires

Mountainside
Fridays and Sundays, from Friday, October 6-Friday, October 20
Revel in the fall season at Union County's hayride and campfire events. Enjoy a hayride along with music, hot chocolate, and marshmallows to toast over a campfire. Tickets must be purchased online. READ MORE

South Jersey Pumpkin Show and Carve

Woodstown
Friday, October 6-Sunday, October 8
Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of pumpkins, creativity, live music, and Halloween fun. Spooktacular activities include pony rides, carriage rides, a kids' haunted house, a FunZone and more.  READ MORE

Ridgefield Park Downtown Street Fair

Ridgefield Park–FREE
Saturday, October 7
(new date due to weather) The 13th Annual Ridgefield Park Street Fair features quality exhibitors selling a selection of assorted items, a special arts & crafts section, live entertainment, kiddie rides and games, great festival foods and food trucks, and more.  READ MORE

Princeton Children's Book Festival

Princeton–FREE
Saturday, October 7
The annual Children's Book Festival welcomes children's book authors and illustrators to Hinds Plaza. Families can meet the people behind some of their favorite stories, get books signed and chat about literary inspiration.  READ MORE

Readington Hop Farms Oktoberfest

Neshanic Station
Saturday, October 7-Sunday, October 8
Readington Hop Farm hosts a weekend-long Oktoberfest. Readington Brewery offers specialty Oktoberfest beers while craft vendors provide treats on the farm. German music is presented both days by Silver Starlight Orchestra. READ MORE

Hightstown Harvest Fair & Tricentennial

Hightstown–FREE
Saturday, October 7
The Hightstown Harvest Fair promises a day filled with local artists and crafters, small businesses, live entertainment, great food, and children’s rides and activities. READ MORE

Ocean County YMCA Fall Festival

Toms River–FREE
Saturday, October 7
Pumpkin decorating, face painting, inflatables, health screenings and more are all part of the fall fun at Ocean County YMCA.  READ MORE

Oktoberfest

Galloway–FREE
Saturday, October 7-Sunday, October 8
Historic Smithville’s famous Oktoberfest has over 100 juried crafters, an international food court, music, kids’ activities, non-profit organizations and more. READ MORE

Sussex Last Blast

Augusta
Saturday, October 7
Bring the family and your appetite, and even your dog, to this festive food truck and music festival, featuring food trucks, adult beverages, live music, and more. READ MORE

Elktoberfest Lodgapalooza 2023

South Orange
Saturday, October 7
Delicious Oktoberfest food, live local bands, and hours of fun and games fill the afternoon at this lively event. READ MORE

North Brunswick's Annual Heritage Day

North Brunswick–FREE
Saturday, October 7
Join North Brunswick Township for one of its biggest events of the year. Heritage Day is held annually during the fall to celebrate North Brunswick's rich history and diverse cultural heritage. READ MORE

Morristown Festival of Books

Morristown–FREE
Saturday, October 7
The Morristown Festival of Books presents more than 100 award-winning and bestselling authors who speak and answer questions at five locales in historic Morristown. Kidfest features 50+ authors and illustrators who meet fans and sign books throughout the day. READ MORE

Pumpkin Plunge Halloween Party at Five Star Swim School - Cherry Hill

Cherry
Sunday, October 8
Join Five Star Swim School - Cherry Hill​ for the Annual Pumpkin Plunge Party, which is the perfect way to celebrate Halloween around the pool. Families can swim, play party games, eat snacks, and decorate a pumpkin. READ MORE

Matawan Day

Matawan–FREE
Sunday, October 8
(Postponed from Saturday due to rain) Head over to Matawan for an afternoon of music, food, vendors, kids' activities, and more. Plus, don't miss pumpkin-decorating, eating contests, balloon animals and a beer and wine garden. READ MORE

Fannywood Day Street Fair

Fanwood–FREE
Sunday, October 8
Fannywood Day features various vendors and activities, including a Kids Zone with a trackless train, a petting zoo, pony rides, and numerous rides. Plus, don't miss all the great contests, including a scavenger hunt, pizza eating, ice cream eating, bubble blowing, and a water balloon toss. READ MORE

Dunellen HarvestFest

Dunellen–FREE
Sunday, October 8
The 11th annual Dunellen HarvestFest features artists and crafters from around the Garden State, local nonprofits, activities for kids, food, music, dancing, and more. READ MORE

Florham Park P.B.A. Food Truck and Music Fest

Florham Park
Sunday, October 8
Enjoy 12+ food vendors, live music from Naughty Humphrey and Grand Theft Audio NJ, craft vendors, games, and activities. READ MORE

32nd Annual Ocean County Columbus Day Parade

Seaside Heights–FREE
Sunday, October 8
Head over to the Boulevard for the 32nd annual parade, featuring floats from local organizations, bands, antique cars, clowns and more. READ MORE

Nutley- Belleville Columbus Day Parade and Flag- Raising Ceremony

Belleville–FREE
Sunday, October 8
Marching bands, drill teams, antique automobiles, motorcycles, floats, flags, zeppole stands and local town organizations are all on tap for this 41st annual parade. Face painting, bounce houses and slides for the children add to the fun. READ MORE

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