All Weekend

Skylands NJ Botanical Gardens Harvest Festival (Ringwood, NJ)
Until we visited here two weeks ago I didn't even realize that our state had its own botanical gardens!  My kids were completely in love with the grounds and  trails and I highly recommend this venue. Stop by for  FREE fun-filled family weekend complete with hayrides, pumpkin painting, face painting, storytellers, tasty food, music and dancing, and fun photo ops. There are also garden tours, a autumn plant sale and an artisan craft fair with many hand-made items. 10am-5pm.

Family Harvest Weekend (Belvidere, NJ)
FREE harvest family fun at a winery in beautiful northwestern New Jersey? I'm so there! At Four Sisters Winery every weekend now through October 28th you can enjoy their 250 acre farm with tractor drawn hayride journeys to pick your own pumpkin and apples. Or perhaps take a jaunt through "Cornelius Corn Maze" ($5 per person) if you dare. Vineyard and wine cellar tours, and free wine tastings. There will be BBQ foods for sale as well as home made pies and cookies. 12-5pm 908-475-3671.

International Steampunk City Festival (Morristown, NJ)
So now that I've googled "What is a Steampunk", I'm excited about this unique type of festival at Historic Speedwell from 12-5pm. You'll enjoy an event which is like a Renaissance Faire, only focused on a 19th-century world of mad science and madcap adventure. Witness the power of the 24-foot waterwheel, tour the Vail House with period antiques, take part in diverse discussions and workshops, and enjoy a variety of musicians, performers, and entertainers. A variety of unique crafters will be selling their wares. Feel free to come wearing your favorite Victorian Steampunk daywear. 12 adults, $10 seniors, $8 children (2 day pass) $8 adults, $7 seniors, $5 children (1 day pass).

Harvest Festival and Pet Parade (Chester, NJ)
For a fun spin on the typical Harvest Festival event, come on out to downtown Chester from 10am-5pm. At 12:30pm on Saturday the Pet Parade and costume contest kicks off at the Gazebo on Main Street. The rest of the day (and weekend) you'll enjoy their fife and drum Corp, games and pumpkin painting, scarecrow contest, performers, antique car show, antique apple press demonstrations, live music and of course, great food! FREE.

Italian Street Festival & Columbus Day Parade (Seaside Heights, NJ)
You can't beat a beautiful fall day at the Jersey Shore. This free Italian Festival has it all: delectable Italian specialties, fair food, street vendors, arts and crafts, entertainment, and a parade on Sunday at 1pm that is bound to delight young and old alike. Festival hours: 4pm to 10pm on Friday; 10am to 10pm on Saturday; 10am to 8pm on Sunday.

Saturday October 6th

WBGO KIDS JAZZ Fall Concert: Mauricio de Souza (Maplewood, NJ)
First stop in this FREE kids concert series is Clinton Elementary School from 12:30-1:30pm. This interactive, hour long concert gives kids the opportunity to learn about the distinct qualities of jazz and why it’s a reflection of our community, our nation, and our world. A Q&A session with the artists will follow the concert. Arrive early, as space is limited. This weekly Fall Concert series will be held on Saturdays through October 27th at various locations throughout Essex County. (973)746-5555.

Star Wars Reads Day (Various locations throughout the US and NJ)
Bring your little Jedis out to select locations throughout the state (check the website for local participating bookstores and libraries) to celebrate reading and Star Wars. This event includes games, trivia, giveaways, and a chance to win great Star Wars prizes. Select events will have authors and/or costumed characters on hand from the 501st Legion, the Rebel Legion, the Mandalorian Mercs and the R2 Builders Club.

Sunday Oct 7th

St Francis Fall Festival (Denville, NJ)
Come out to this small town fall festival on Pocono Road from 10am-5pm for a day of rides, music, food, pony rides, raffles, a tricky tray, crafters, antiques, a longest drive contest, German Beer & Music tent and more! FREE.

The Lord Stirling 1770s Festival (Basking Ridge, NJ)
Bring the whole family over to the Environmental Education center from 10:30am-4:30pm for this great event that promotes historical and environmental education by demonstrating the colonial heritage of New Jersey, and recreating a typical autumn afternoon in 1770.  Period re-enactors attired in replicas of 1770s clothing participate in the festival demonstrating their trades and crafts (no crafts are sold). Other trades and crafts include a blacksmith, tinsmith, wool spinning, decoy carving, and colonial herbs. Children of all ages will enjoy the hayrides, clay crafts using Stirling clay, stenciling, and toy making. Visitors may try on colonial costumes and have their photograph taken while restrained in the Somerset Gaoler's wooden stock. $4 per person suggested donation.

Jack Hanna into the Wild Live (New Brunswick, NJ)
It's going to be a wild ride at the State Theater for this fun and educational show that will feature many of Jack’s favorite animal friends, along with amazing stories and footage from his adventures around the world. 3pm. Tickets $20-50.

Monday October 8th

Rockin' Rocket Ride (Branchburg, NJ)
If a another day off with the kids makes you want travel far, far away this is the perfect adventure to embark on with your crew! Blast off on a journey past the Sun and planets, get to know Mr. Moon Rock, and learn what stars are visible in tonight's sky. A musical, astronomical adventure for space kids ages 3-8. $7 per person.  Advanced reservations are strongly recommended. Call 908-231-8805.

Afternoon Tea with My Doll and Me (Westfield, NJ)
Just Bead Yourself is hosting a delightful afternoon from 1:30-3:30pm for your child and their favorite doll or stuffed animal,  as your guest to Afternoon Tea. They will enjoy Tea & Cookies and create matching Jewelry for them and their doll! $35 per child will include the 2 hour tea party of iced tea, lemonade and treats and bead specialists to help with necklace designing and creating. Register in advance by calling 908 232-3411.

Don't forget: We have additional activity listings in our Event Calendar.  And if you are heading into NYC for the weekend make sure you visit the New York City Mommy Poppins events calendar  to get the latest on all the fun to be had NYC-style.

Planning an event? Submit it to our calendar.

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