In New Jersey, the shift from late summer to fall isn’t just a change in weather—it’s a full embrace of traditions, festivals, and seasonal adventures that make the Garden State one of the best places to enjoy autumn. From Oktoberfest celebrations and family-friendly harvest weekends to haunted houses and cultural events, the state transforms into a playground of color, flavor, and festivity.
Over the weekend, the new Collingswood Pocket Park, located at the intersection of Haddon and Woodlawn Avenues, officially debuted with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, September 6, 2025. The grand opening included live music from the surf-rock band Blue Wave Theory, giveaways, kids’ activities, and an opportunity for residents to connect. The project transformed a former gas station site and parking lot into a communal gathering space for performances and events. Situated in the heart of downtown Collingswood, the park is designed to encourage foot traffic for local businesses.
Park features The new park was designed with community and sustainability in mind, featuring New lighting, bike racks, and electrical hookups for events, A native habitat garden planted by volunteers, Public art installations, including an iconic new Collingswood sign and a future mural, Flexible seating and gathering space, Improved stormwater management to reduce runoff. This year, fall in New Jersey offers more options than ever, ensuring that whether you’re chasing pumpkins with the kids, exploring historic lighthouses, or looking for thrills after dark, there’s something for everyone.
Top Fall Activities in New Jersey: Birds, Beaches, Lighthouses, and Seasonal Fun
As the calendar flips to September and the crisp air of autumn settles across New Jersey, the state comes alive with unique seasonal experiences. From wildlife encounters to family festivals and historic landmarks, there’s no shortage of things to see and do as the leaves change color and temperatures drop.
Birding in Cape May
Each October, birders flock from across North America to Cape May, recognized by National Geographic as one of the world’s top ten bird-watching destinations. The skies over the Cape May Lighthouse come alive with thousands of hawks, falcons, eagles, swallows, and warblers making their fall migration. Enthusiasts can participate in the Cape May Hawkwatch or attend New Jersey Audubon’s Cape May Fall Festival, held October 16-19. The festival features guided excursions, expert talks, and immersive birding experiences, offering both novice and seasoned birders the chance to witness this awe-inspiring natural spectacle.
Whale Watching Off the Jersey Shore
Autumn also brings a chance to watch humpback whales migrating south to the Caribbean. These majestic creatures breach and tail-flap near the Jersey Shore as the waters cool, and whale-watch cruises run through November. Options include Jersey Shore Whale Watch out of Belmar and Cape May Whale Watcher, along with the Cape May Whale Watch & Research Center, giving families and nature lovers a rare opportunity to see marine life in action.
Family Fun at Storybook Land
Egg Harbor Township’s Storybook Land offers a nostalgic escape for families during its Fall Into Fun Festival. Visitors can enjoy hayrides, a pumpkin patch, and a corn maze, all included with one-price admission. Younger children can enjoy unlimited rides and storybook-themed attractions, making it a perfect weekend destination for families looking to celebrate the season.
Exploring Long Beach Island’s Southern Beaches
Long Beach Island’s pristine Holgate section opens on September 1 after the endangered bird nesting season concludes. Surfers, fishermen, and beachgoers can enjoy quiet stretches of sand with stunning views of Atlantic City to the south and the Rutgers University Marine Field Station across Little Egg Inlet. The area offers a serene, natural escape for those seeking autumn sunsets or wildlife spotting along the coast.
Doo Wop Revival in Wildwood
For music and nostalgia fans, Wildwood offers a lively Doo Wop experience. On October 17-18, the Wildwood Convention Center hosts concerts and dance parties celebrating the classic ’50s and ’60s era. Visitors can explore the Doo Wop Museum nearby and admire the region’s iconic space-age hotels and mid-century architecture.
Lighthouse Adventures
Autumn is an ideal time to visit New Jersey’s historic lighthouses. Abescon Lighthouse in Atlantic City is open Thursdays through Sundays, joining the restored Barnegat Lighthouse, Sandy Hook Lighthouse, and Sea Girt Lighthouse. The October 18-19 Lighthouse Challenge encourages participants to explore eleven lighthouses, four lifesaving stations, and a museum over two days, offering a unique way to combine history, scenery, and exercise.
The Asbury Park Zombie Walk
On October 4, thousands gather for the Asbury Park Zombie Walk, one of the country’s largest events of its kind. Participants in full zombie costume parade along the boardwalk, with makeup makeovers and a costume contest adding to the ghoulish fun. It’s a must-see for fans of Halloween and creative community events. The Asbury Park Zombie Walk on October 4, where thousands shuffle down the boardwalk, and the Skeleton Run 5K in Fort Monmouth on October 25, where participants race in skeleton suits.
Witch-Themed Weekends in Historic Smithville
Galloway’s Historic Smithville town hosts fall-themed weekends that cater to all interests. From Monster Bash and Oktoberfest to Witch’s Day Out, visitors can enjoy live music, shopping, dining, and festive activities amid the charming historic streets and quaint shops.
Oktoberfest at Bahrs Landing
For food enthusiasts, Bahrs Landing in Highlands delivers a classic Oktoberfest experience. Alongside its signature seafood, diners can savor potato pancakes, kielbasa, and schnitzel while watching boats sail across Sandy Hook Bay. The seasonal menu runs through mid-November, pairing local flavors with scenic views of the water.
Apple Picking with a View at Battleview Orchards
In Freehold, Battleview Orchards offers a perfect autumn outing. Visitors can pick from over a dozen varieties of apples or purchase freshly pressed cider from the orchard’s store. Nearby Monmouth Battlefield State Park provides a picturesque backdrop with vibrant fall foliage, combining history, nature, and harvest activities in one memorable excursion.
Seasonal Festivals and Celebrations
The fall calendar is anchored by some of the state’s most beloved annual events.
In Hammonton, Witch-Craft NJ returns on October 10 at Paradise Lakes Campground, blending Halloween vibes with live entertainment and a “haunted backdrop” that’s both eerie and fun. Medford’s Oktoberfest fills Freedom Park on September 19 with craft beer, food trucks, and live music, while North Wildwood’s Irish Fall Festival from September 19–21 brings parades, Irish dancing, and plenty of cultural pride.
Blackwood welcomes thousands on October 5 for the Annual Blackwood Pumpkin Festival, where Main Street becomes a lively fairground with food, vendors, and games. Wine lovers can’t miss WineFestNJ on September 20 at Valenzano Winery in Shamong, which pairs live music with local vintages.
Harvest Adventures on the Farm
No New Jersey autumn is complete without a trip to the farm. Families flock to Johnson’s Corner Farm in Medford for hayrides and pumpkin picking during their Fall Festival Weekends. In Pennington, Needle Creek Farm Brewery combines seasonal activities with locally brewed craft beer. Princeton’s Terhune Orchards has long been a favorite with its Fall Family Fun Weekends, which feature pick-your-own apples, barnyard animals, and music.
Up north, Sussex’s Green Valley Farms Fall Harvest Festival kicks off October 11 with hayrides, pumpkins, and homemade ice cream. Whitesbog Village even offers Cranberry Tours in early October, giving visitors the chance to see the bogs up close and sample treats made from the fruit that helped put New Jersey agriculture on the map.
Thrills, Chills, and Halloween Fun
For those who prefer their fall with a side of fright, New Jersey has no shortage of haunted attractions. Passaic’s Brighton Asylum reopens September 26, widely regarded as one of the scariest haunted houses in the state. Jackson’s Six Flags Fright Fest runs September 12–November 2, with haunted mazes, scare zones, and special performances.
The Haunted Red Mill in Clinton offers haunted trails and ghostly tours beginning October 3, while the Skylands Stadium Jack O’Lantern Experience in Augusta immerses guests in thousands of hand-carved glowing pumpkins. For something theatrical, The Vampire Circus at NJPAC in Newark on October 23 blends circus arts, illusion, and dark fantasy.
Outdoor Adventures and Scenic Escapes
Fall is also the best time to get outside. Peak foliage hikes at Hacklebarney State Park (October 4) or along the Appalachian Trail in the Delaware Water Gap show off the Garden State’s natural beauty. Morey’s Piers Oktoberfest extends the season at the Wildwood boardwalk with food, rides, and German traditions from mid-September through mid-October.
Cape May, one of the crown jewels of New Jersey, is quieter in the fall but no less charming. Visitors can climb the lighthouse, explore Victorian homes, or join the Cape May Fall Festival from October 16–19, where birdwatchers gather to witness the migration of thousands of hawks, falcons, and songbirds. Offshore, whale-watching cruises give a front-row view of humpback whales making their journey south.
Unique and Specialized Festivals
Fall also brings niche celebrations that showcase the diversity of New Jersey’s communities. Stockton’s Saucetober Fest (September 27–28) highlights hot sauce makers and spicy food challenges, while Mays Landing’s Water Lantern Festival offers a peaceful evening of glowing lanterns set afloat. Seaside Heights will be alive with Italian food and music during the Ocean County Italian Street Festival from October 10–12.
Historic Smithville in Galloway adds seasonal charm with themed weekends like Monster Bash, Oktoberfest, and Witch’s Day Out, combining more than 50 shops and restaurants with festive programming. Meanwhile, music lovers can “Rock the Doo Wop Scene” in Wildwood on October 17–18, with concerts, dance parties, and vintage architecture tours.
Family-Friendly Attractions and Landmarks
For families with younger children, Storybook Land in Egg Harbor Township is a must-visit. Its Fall Into Fun Festival brings hayrides, mazes, and pumpkin patches alongside classic rides.
Apple picking at Battleview Orchards in Freehold pairs perfectly with a visit to Monmouth Battlefield State Park, where fall foliage adds a dramatic backdrop. Holland Ridge Farms and Dalton Farms, both in central New Jersey, offer expansive sunflower fields, pumpkin patches, and corn mazes, making them Instagram favorites each year.
Lighthouse lovers can join the New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge on October 18–19, which encourages participants to visit 11 lighthouses, four lifesaving stations, and one museum in a single weekend. Stops include Barnegat, Sandy Hook, Absecon, and Sea Girt—each offering a different perspective of the state’s maritime history.
A Season to Savor
From farm harvests and wine tastings to haunted houses and bird migrations, autumn in New Jersey is packed with events and experiences that highlight the state’s diversity. Whether you’re planning a family outing, a romantic weekend, or a night of scares with friends, the Garden State makes it easy to celebrate the season.
For even more seasonal ideas, concerts, and shows, visit New Jersey’s entertainment guide and discover why fall is one of the most exciting times of year to explore everything the state has to offer. From thrilling wildlife encounters to nostalgic festivals and scenic outdoor adventures, New Jersey in the fall offers an array of activities for families, adventurers, and culture seekers alike. For more information on seasonal events and cultural happenings, explore additional guides at Explore New Jersey Entertainment.
