Fall in New Jersey is festival season. Harvest celebrations, food trucks, craft fairs, live music, scarecrows, and small-town charm take over almost every weekend. From apple festivals and Oktoberfests to pumpkin blowouts and county fairs, there is always something happening somewhere in the Garden State.
This 2026 guide ranks the 20 best fall festivals in New Jersey worth planning around, based on size, uniqueness, family appeal, and long-standing local buzz.
Pro tip: Buy tickets early for the most popular festivals. Many sell out on peak weekends. Always double-check official websites for exact dates. Most events run September through November.
The 20 Best Fall Festivals in New Jersey
1) QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning. Readington
Massive hot air balloons, concerts, and family activities. It runs in July, but locals treat it as the unofficial kickoff to fall festival season.
QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning
2) Sussex County Farm and Horse Show / New Jersey State Fair. Augusta
Classic fair energy with rides, livestock shows, demolition derby nights, and deep-fried everything.
New Jersey State Fair
3) Chester Fall Craft Show and Harvest Celebration. Chester
One of the strongest artisan shows in the state, paired with live music and true small-town harvest vibes.
4) Well-Swept Morristown Fall Festival. Morristown
Food trucks, crafts, live music, and packed downtown streets. A Morris County staple.
Morristown
5) Red Bank Street Fair and Craft Show. Red Bank
One of New Jersey’s largest street fairs with hundreds of vendors, food, and live bands.
Red Bank
6) Cape May Harvest Brew Fest and Oktoberfest. Cape May
Craft beer, German food, and Victorian architecture make this a standout fall weekend.
Cape May
7) Collingswood Book Festival and Fall Fair. Collingswood
Authors, book talks, food trucks, and family activities in a walkable downtown.
Collingswood
8) Warren County Farmers’ Fair and Hot Air Balloon Festival. Phillipsburg
Balloons, fair rides, livestock shows, and demolition derby nights in one event.
Warren County Farmers’ Fair
9) Chowderfest. Long Beach Island
Chowder cook-offs, local merchants, and a perfect shoulder-season shore crowd.
Long Beach Island
10) Smithville Oktoberfest. Historic Smithville
German beer, food, music, and cobblestone village scenery.
Historic Smithville
11) Flemington Corn, Tomato, and Beer Festival. Flemington
Local produce meets craft beer and live music in downtown Flemington.
Flemington
12) Hackettstown Oktoberfest. Hackettstown
Family-friendly Oktoberfest with a beer garden, food vendors, and live entertainment.
Hackettstown
13) Montclair Jazz Festival Fall Block Party. Montclair
World-class jazz, food vendors, and street-party energy during the late summer to fall crossover.
Montclair Jazz Festival
14) Asbury Park Oysterfest. Asbury Park
Oysters, craft beer, live music, and boardwalk atmosphere.
Asbury Park
15) Allaire Scarecrow Festival. Farmingdale
Scarecrow contests, hayrides, and historic village fun. A favorite for families.
Allaire Village
16) Princeton Fall Festival and Craft Show. Princeton
Artisans, food, and refined college-town charm.
Princeton
17) Westfield Street Fair. Westfield
Strong vendor lineup, food trucks, and classic community street-fair energy.
Westfield
18) Ocean County Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival. Seaside Heights
Parade, Italian food, and boardwalk fun with a fall twist.
Seaside Heights
19) Lambertville fall festivals and river town events. Lambertville
Art shows, food, and seasonal celebrations throughout fall weekends.
Lambertville
20) Vineland Fall Festival and Craft Show. Vineland
South Jersey harvest celebration with vendors, food, and live music.
Vineland
Why These Fall Festivals Are Worth the Trip
New Jersey fall festivals celebrate harvest, community, and crisp-weather weekends better than most states give it credit for. Many events are free or low-cost and packed with food you cannot replicate anywhere else.
Local tips:
- Dress in layers. Warm afternoons turn cool fast.
- Bring cash for smaller vendors.
- Arrive early for parking and shorter lines.
Planning your fall calendar. Start with one close to home and road-trip to a few others.
What’s your must-visit New Jersey fall festival? Share it in the comments.
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