Spend the day at Van Saun Park and bask in seasonal fun like ice skating. Photo by Kaylen Chiarello Ebner
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Step into a world of wonder at LuminoCity's 2024 holiday lights festival in Freehold. Photo courtesy of the festival
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Turtle Back Zoo is all decked out for the holiday season, which means there are lots of great photo ops.
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Holiday and Thanksgiving volunteer opportunities abound in New Jersey.
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Join a magical trip on the Polar Express powered by the Morristown & Erie Railway. Photo courtesy of the railway
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The Rainforest Cafe has two family-friendly restaurants in New Jersey. A meal out here is part adventure, part restaurant.
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Palmer Square is a great place to relax in the heart of Princeton. Photo courtesy of Palmer Square
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Nickelodeon Universe is one of the can't-miss destinations at American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo courtesy of the venue
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Things To Do in NJ this Weekend: Oktoberfest, Pumpkin Train, Dinosaurs

It's not just beer at Morey's Piers' Oktoberfest, which includes plenty of kid-friendly fun.
It's not just beer at Morey's Piers' Oktoberfest, which includes plenty of kid-friendly fun.
9/24/19 - By Laurie Rein

September comes to a close this weekend with a big batch of fall festivals. Celebrate the season at harvest festivals like the Hoboken Fall Arts & Music Festival, Harvest Home Festival, and the 15th Annual Fall Family Festival. For more fall fun, hop aboard The Great Pumpkin Train.

Add food into the mix at Smithville's Italian Festival, Wildwood's Olde Time Italian Festival, and Yogi Berra Stadium Food Truck Fest. And spend a spooky evening at Field Station: Dinosaurs with the return of Dinosaurs After Dark.

Check out our Fall Fun Guide for NJ Kids for more options for family fun, including Halloween and Fall Train Rides. And look to our September GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

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Take a ride on the Great Pumpkin Train this weekend in Phillipsburg. Photo courtesy of the Delaware River Railroad Excursions
Take a ride on the Great Pumpkin Train this weekend in Phillipsburg. Photo courtesy of the Delaware River Railroad Excursions

Things to Do All Weekend

Annual Oktoberfest Fun at Morey’s Piers

Wildwood
This fall, Oktoberfest takes over Morey’s Piers for four consecutive weekends of German-themed revelry, live entertainment, a kids activity area, and much more. READ MORE

The Great Pumpkin Train

Phillipsburg
Throughout the month of October, visitors can take the train to pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch while enjoying the beautiful scenery. Extend the fun with add-ons like the corn maze and gem mining for an additional fee. READ MORE

Fall Picking & Hayrides at Johnson's Corner Farm

Medford
Enjoy fall festivities at Johnson's Corner Farm every day from mid-September through October. Get in the seasonal spirit with apple and pumpkin picking, hayrides, live music, animals, a corn maze, and a food tent. READ MORE

Alstede Farms Corn Maze

Chester
It's the season to explore Alstede Farms' popular corn maze, which covers 10 acres of farmland. The theme of this year's maze is Apples.  READ MORE

Fall Festival at Ort Farms

Long Valley
While away a fall day at Ort Farms. In addition to traditional fall farm activities (hayrides, pumpkin picking, a corn maze, pony rides, etc), the farm store offers fresh baked goods, local produce, apples, and cider. Watch for special themed weekends throughout the harvest season! READ MORE
Fall favorite Dinosaurs After Dark returns this weekend! Photo courtesy of Field Station Dinosaurs
Fall favorite Dinosaurs After Dark returns this weekend! Photo courtesy of Field Station Dinosaurs

Things to Do on Saturday, September 28, 2019

Dinosaurs After Dark

Leonia
Field Station: Dinosaurs is set to reopen for another awesome autumn season.  After a fantastic summer filled with exciting dinosaur activities, families can enjoy eight more weekends of entertaining and educational programming at the Field Station, including the return of the hugely popular Dinosaurs After Dark experience. READ MORE

Italian Festival at Historic Smithville

Smithville – FREE
This festival features an Italian market with a spectacular variety of wares and food. The day is filled with live Italian music, bocce ball on the green, folk dancing, children's activities, and more. READ MORE

18th Annual Fall Family Festival

Roseland – FREE
Head over to the Essex County Environmental Center to celebrate the autumn equinox. There are fun-filled activities for the entire family, including hands-on nature games and crafts, canoeing, Native American life, pumpkin patch, petting zoo, food, and more. READ MORE

Yogi Berra Stadium Food Truck & Craft Beer Fest

Little Falls
Tap into the fun at this annual Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival presented by the New Jersey Jackals. The festival will feature over 25 food trucks with a variety of delicious fare, live music and a beer garden with over 100 different craft beers. READ MORE

Family Fall Festival

Basking Ridge
Face painting, slime making, a kids’ Cupcake Wars and pumpkin slinging will be the scene at Saint James School for the 5th annual Family Fall Festival. READ MORE

Edison Fall Family Spectacular

Edison – FREE
Tons of fun is on tap at this festive fall fair, featuring two stages of entertainment, pony rides, petting zoo, kiddie rides, sand art, food, and more. READ MORE

Olde Time Italian Festival

Wildwood – FREE
Celebrate Italian culture and heritage at Fox Park in Wildwood. Experience an 'Olde World' family festival including a procession, crafts, games, delicious Italian food favorites, and continuous free live entertainmen. READ MORE
Enjoy some good old-fashioned fun at the Harvest Home Festival at Longstreet Farm. Photo courtesy of the farm
Enjoy some good old-fashioned fun at the Harvest Home Festival at Longstreet Farm. Photo courtesy of the farm

Things to Do on Sunday, September 29, 2019

Harvest Home Festival at Historic Longstreet Farm

Holmdel – FREE
Harvest Home Festival is an old-fashioned country fair reminiscent of the 1890s. It takes visitors back in time to when neighbors gathered to help with the harvest, spent time socializing and enjoying each other's company.  READ MORE

Hoboken Fall Arts & Music Festival

Hoboken – FREE
This bustling Hoboken festival features the works of more than 200 artists and crafters. Enjoy live music on three stages and indulge in delicious food provided by local vendors. READ MORE

Family Fun Day

Branchburg – FREE
Branchburg Sports Complex will be hosting this Family Fun Day, where guests will enjoy field games and activities from some of the most popular child development classes, bounce houses, soft play equipment, crafts, prizes/giveaways and much more. READ MORE

Scarecrow Making for Kids

Wyckoff
Creative kids are encouraged to bring some old clothes to dress their own scarecrow. The farm will provide a pillowcase for the head, hay, and markers for drawing a face. READ MORE

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