Fall is here in Essex County. Whether it’s the warm boots or the chunky sweaters, warm lattes, cozy blankets, or fall foliage, it’s hard to pick a favorite part of the season. One undeniably great part is there are always so many fun events + things to do in the North Jersey area — particularly fall festivals. From street fairs to pumpkin picking, beer gardens, local shopping, and harvest festivals, we’ve rounded up a list of local North Jersey fall festivals that are worth the visit, along with what you need to know about these events. Read on for a list of local fall festivals and fairs in the North Jersey area. 

Fall Festivals

Smorgasburg | Jersey City

Now through October 30th | 11AM to 6PM

Smorgasburg brings its incredible foodie expertise to Jersey City every Saturday until late October. With dozens of unique vendors and new fall-friendly cuisines to offer, it’s the perfect spot to go to with an empty stomach on a Saturday. It’s located at Harborside Place and Hudson Street next to the Smorgasbar beer garden.

Outdoor Fall Festival | Augusta

Now through November 6th

During this time, the Skylands Stadium, located at 94 Championship Place, Augusta, will be transformed like no other. With over 6k Jack-O-Lanterns, this event is going to be filled with amazing views, perfect for any Instagram grid. There will be a 45-minute Halloween walk, seasonal food + drinks, a carnival, and beer garden. Plus, there will also be a Ferris wheel so you could see the spectacular view from above.

Fall Festival Weekends at VonThun Farms | Washington

September 17th – October 30th

Celebrate fall all of October at Von Thun Farms, located at 438 NJ-57, Washington, NJ. There are over 20 activities to enjoy — plus, guests get access to the apple orchard and pumpkin fields. The festival will be held every Saturday and Sunday from 10AM-5PM.

Bound Brook Street Fair + Craft Show | Bound Brook

September 24th | 11AM to 5PM

This downtown Bound Brook fair will feature live music, a DJ, dancing, food, live entertainment, children’s rides, games, and more.

Read More: These NJ Pumpkin + Apple Farms are Dog Friendly 

Donaldson Farms Harvest Weekends | Hackettstown

Saturdays + Sundays, September 24th – October 30th (Plus October 10th) 

This family-friendly farm, located at 358 Allen Road in Hackettstown, holds special fall harvest weekends every weekend from now until the end of October. There’s no entry fee to go, as all activities and food are priced individually. Here, you’ll find pick-your-own pumpkins + apples, hayrides, an incredible 9-acre corn maze, pony visits, food, and so much more.

Garfield Fall Family Street Fest | Garfield

September 25th | 10AM to 5PM

This event will be held along Midland Avenue between Krakow + Elizabeth Streets. There will be outdoor shopping, arts + crafts, food trucks, live entertainment, games, and more.

Little Falls’ 9th Annual Fall Festival | Little Falls

September 25th | 1PM to 4PM

The 9th annual Fall Festival in Little Falls is happening this Sunday from 1PM to 4PM at Memorial Park, located at Wilmore Road. There will be live entertainment, activities for the whole family, pumpkin painting, balloon animals, food + drink, local businesses, and more.

Nutley’s Fall Festival in the Park | Nutley

September 25th | 11AM

This festival is taking place at Memorial Park, located at the corner of Vreeland Avenue and Passaic Avenue in Nutley. There will be shopping, fun activities, and family-friendly events — like face painting, live music, and arts + crafts.

New Jersey Botanical Garden Harvest Fest | Ringwood

October 1st | 10AM to 5PM

This family-fun day has activities for all ages from hayrides and applesauce making to autumn plant sales and dancing. Admission is free, though you have to pay $5 for parking. Plus, proceeds from the Harvest Fest activities benefit NJBG, the non-profit member support group for the New Jersey State Botanical Garden.

Haunted Wild West Fest | Stanhope

Starting October 1st for Day Events, October 7th for Night Events

This Haunted Wild West Fest is happening every Saturday and Sunday from 10:30AM to 4PM for day activities and 6:30PM to 10PM for night activities. Located at 50 Lackawanna Drive in Stanhope, the day events are intended for everyone of all ages and will include live action shows, museums/exhibits in town, barnyard visits, pony rides, and more. The evening activities are intended to be PG-13 and will include many scare factors along the Train Ride and the Frontiersman Trail.

Caldwell Street Fair | Caldwell

October 2nd | 12PM to 5PM

One of the biggest fall events in Essex County, this street fair will feature arts and crafts, kiddie rides, merchandise, and food. With so many vendors, this 6-block area will be filled with fun.

See More: Must-Visit Corn Mazes in New Jersey

Hoboken Fall Arts + Music Festival | Hoboken

October 2nd | 11AM to 6PM

The annual Hoboken Fall Arts + Music Festival will be happening on Sunday, October 2nd from 11AM to 6PM on Washington Street from Observer Highway to 7th Street. This free event will include over 300 artists, crafters, makers, local businesses, and food vendors. There will also be two performance stages where local musicians will perform.

Autumn Lights Festival | West Milford

October 8th 

This free event is actually one of North Jersey’s largest street fairs. There will be over 300 vendors, live music, children’s activities, games, and rides. It’s located at 1490 Union Valley Road in West Milford.

Cultural Diversity Festival + JC Harvest Festival

October 8th | 10AM to 2PM

This event, hosted by JCFamilies, is the 8th Annual Cultural Diversity Festival in Jersey City. This festival is happening alongside this year’s Harvest Festival and is meant to be a day celebrating diversity and the change of seasons. Located at Hamilton Park in Jersey, there will be an array of fun activities planned for the whole family, including pumpkin painting, arts & crafts, musical acts, dancers, and food.

Art Walk + Music Fest | Maplewood

October 9th | 11AM to 5PM

This event happens every fall in Maplewood. There will be art and music on the streets of Maplewood village.

Black Business Expo Fall Festival | Newark

October 29th | 4PM to 9PM

This indoor event will take place at 895 Frelinghuysen Avenue in Newark and will celebrate local Black business owners. This will be a night of fun, complete with live DJ music, free giveaways, prizes, and special guest live performances by Blockwryter.

Sussex County Harvest, Honey, + Garlic Festival | Augusta

October 29th | 10AM to 4PM

The 11th annual Sussex County Harvest, Honey, and Garlic Festival will be at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, located at 37 Plains Road, Augusta. The festival celebrates agriculture, ecotourism, and arts + heritage tourism. There will be a farmers’ market, beekeepers, a hayride, pumpkin paint, crafts, and more.