Spend the day at Van Saun Park and bask in seasonal fun like ice skating. Photo by Kaylen Chiarello Ebner
Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2024 in New Jersey: Light Shows, Tree Lightings, and Santa's Arrival
Step into a world of wonder at LuminoCity's 2024 holiday lights festival in Freehold. Photo courtesy of the festival
21 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in New Jersey for Kids
Turtle Back Zoo is all decked out for the holiday season, which means there are lots of great photo ops.
Turtle Back Zoo's Holiday Lights Spectacular Returns for 2024: What to Know Before You Go
The spectacular Winter WonderLights drive-thru boasts more than 1.5 million lights animated to favorite holiday tunes,
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Holiday and Thanksgiving volunteer opportunities abound in New Jersey.
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Spend a day running around at Johnson's Corner Farm this November. Photo courtesy of the farm
25 Things To Do in New Jersey During November's School Holidays
Join a magical trip on the Polar Express powered by the Morristown & Erie Railway. Photo courtesy of the railway
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Outhouse orchards corn maze
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The Funplex has two New Jersey locations for families to explore and enjoy.
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Visit the petting zoo at Alstede Farms for a chance to meet the animals. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
Best Farms with Family Entertainment in New Jersey
Get drawn into the art at the Morris Museum next time you're looking for indoor activities for kids in New Jersey. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
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Beyond the casinos, Atlantic City is an all-ages playground, with Island Waterpark, boardwalk amusements, beach access, and more fun.
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Hang out with the giant hippos at Camden's Adventure Aquarium. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
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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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The accessible playground at Watsessing Park works for children of all abilities. Photo by Margaret Hargrove
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Pet baby goats on a visit to Brookhollow's Barnyard in Boonton. Photo by Kaylynn Ebner
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Bounce, climb, and jump at BounceU in Paramus, one of our top indoor play spaces in northern New Jersey.
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At a Bach to Rock birthday party, kids can sing karaoke or record their own CD.
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Help your kids develop their creative side with art classes
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At Genius Gems in Millburn, kids under 2 get in free with an older sibling.
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Admission to the Cape May County Park & Zoo is completely free. Photo courtesy of the zoo
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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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Bounce, climb, and jump at BounceU in Paramus, one of our top indoor play spaces in northern New Jersey.
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New Jersey kids can find free fun climbing the pirate ship at the free Garden State Plaza Westfield mall. Photo by Mommy Poppins
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Hike the Appalachian Trail—72 miles are n New Jersey! Photo courtesy of Visit NJ
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Boonton's
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Cheesequake State Park in Middlesex County offers hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, and much more. Photo by Ali Chandra
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The Camden Children's Garden offers free admission for children under 2.
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Cruise in the Playmobil Fire Truck during your trip to Toys
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Hop aboard a stagecoach for a ride back in time at Wild West City, one of New Jersey's top attractions.
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Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
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Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
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Things To Do in NJ this Weekend: Fall Festivals, Zombie Walk, Sesame Street Live

Fall Festival Weekends are happening at Johnson's Corner Farm. Photo courtesy of the farm
Fall Festival Weekends are happening at Johnson's Corner Farm. Photo courtesy of the farm
10/1/19 - By Laurie Rein

While October has only just begun, Halloween fun kicks into high gear this weekend. Get in the Halloween spirit at celebrations like Six Flags Great Adventure Fright Fest, Asbury Park Zombie Walk, and Morris County Park Palooza.

Take your pick of pumpkin events this weekend, including Pumpkin Pawlooza, The Giant Pumpkin Carve & Pumpkin Pageant, and Blackwood Pumpkin Festival. And add a touch of magic to the weekend at Sesame Street Live! Make Your Magic.

Check out our Fall Fun Guide for NJ Kids for more options, including 25+ Free Halloween Events and Parades for NJ Kids. And look to our October GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

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Enjoy scare-free thrills during the day at Six Flags' Fright Fest. Photo by Laurie Rein
Enjoy scare-free thrills during the day at Six Flags' Fright Fest. Photo by Laurie Rein

Things To Do All Weekend

Six Flags Great Adventure's Fright Fest Extreme

Jackson
Six Flags Great Adventure’s Fright Fest goes extreme this year, presenting a world of nightmarish creatures inspired by legendary horror brands–including SAW and Stranger Things–brought to life. The themed experiences, scare zones, and harrowing creatures deliver extreme frights and surprises. 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

Fall Into Fun Festival

Egg Harbor Township
Families visiting Storybook Land can climb aboard the Happy Hayride to pick a pumpkin. Then, decorate your pumpkin just in time for Halloween. In addition, guests can find their way through Elmer’s Hay-Mazin’ Maze, and ride the attractions. READ MORE

Pumpkin Pawlooza

Cherry Hill
Garden State Discovery Museum teams up with friends from Paws Discovery Farm and Kit Fit for the annual Pumpkin PAWlooza! Activities at Paws Discovery Farm include pony rides, pumpkin patch, hayride, an obstacle course, and a petting zoo. READ MORE

Diggerfest Fall Festival

West Berlin
Full-day admission to this annual seasonal celebration grants you access to all of the rides and attractions at Diggerland USA, plus additional fall festival and Halloween fun. 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

Sesame Street Live! Make Your Magic

Newark
Everyone’s invited to New Jersey Performing Arts Center for an amazing journey with Elmo to discover the “power of yet” in Sesame Street Live! Make Your Magic. This production features favorite Sesame Street pals Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie, Monster, Big Bird and more in a brand-new, magical adventure live on stage. READ MORE
Watch out for the T-Rex at Dinosaurs After Dark on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Field Station: Dinosaurs
Watch out for the T-Rex at Dinosaurs After Dark on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Field Station: Dinosaurs

Things To Do on Saturday, October 5

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

Morris County Park Palooza: A Spook-tacular Time

Morris Township
**EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED** Enjoy 20+ food trucks, a biergarten offering hand-crafted beers, wine and sangria, and live music featuring Jazmyn Adelle & Company, and Guy Smiley Band, Halloween activities for adults and kids, carnival games, face painting, and so much more. Wear your costume, too. Parking is free and admission allows for re-entry throughout the day. Beginning Sept. 4, purchase tickets online for a discounted rate. All proceeds benefit the Morris County Park Commission.   READ MORE

Asbury Park Zombie Walk

Asbury Park – FREE
Dress in your scariest garb and head on the boardwalk for a zombie take-over. Throughout the walk, the downtown and boardwalk are loaded with spooky festivities and music and will end with blood red fireworks along the ocean front.  READ MORE

The Giant Pumpkin Carve & Pumpkin Pageant

Woodstown
The 24th annual Giant Pumpkin Carve is a fun way to welcome the fall season. Local artists come together with high school and amateur artists to carve giant pumpkins to share with the community.  READ MORE

2019 Fall Forestry Festival

Jackson – FREE
It’s Fall Forestry Festival’s 25th Year, featuring Howling Woods Farm, Forest Fire Service Helicopter Water Drop, Sawmill Demonstration, The Buzz About Honey and much more. Nature hikes and live music add to the fun. READ MORE
Show off your costume at the Blackwood Pumpkin Festival on Sunday. Photo courtesy of the festival
Show off your costume at the Blackwood Pumpkin Festival on Sunday. Photo courtesy of the festival

Things To Do on Sunday, October 6

Blackwood Pumpkin Festival

Blackwood – FREE
The 30th Annual Blackwood Pumpkin Festival boasts food, games, music, shopping and  entertainment. Activities include pumpkin painting, a pet costume parade, crafts, hay rides and more.   READ MORE

Caldwell Street Fair

Caldwell – FREE
Great rides, entertainment, a beer garden, music, crafts, delicious ethnic and regional food, vendors and more are all part of the excitement at the first-Sunday-of-October fair. READ MORE

Scotch Plains Day

Scotch Plains – FREE
Scotch Plains hosts this annual downtown festival full of fall fun. Activities include inflatables, food trucks, entertainment and more. READ MORE

Pierfest 5th Annual Fall Festival

Long Branch – FREE
Pierfest 5th Annual Fall Festival is the Jersey Shore’s premier fall festival in Pier Village’s miles of beachfront, featuring family activities, vendors, music and food. READ MORE

Fall Family Fun Day

Hoboken – FREE
The Hoboken Historical Museum hosts an afternoon filled with hands-on activities that stretch the imagination and encourage creativity. The afternoon offers hands-on crafts, games, and live entertainment that the entire family will enjoy. READ MORE

19th Annual Pumpkin Festival

Whippany
Celebrate the Fall Harvest and the Season of the Witch at the Whippany Railway Museum's 19th Annual Pumpkin Festival. Walk among the pumpkins, corn shocks, and grinning scarecrows, and take a ride on the "Pumpkinliner" train. READ MORE

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