Top Fall Festivals In South Jersey
If the falling leaves, blue skies and sweater weather of fall have you craving some festivities in honor of the season, South Jersey has you covered. This October, fete everything from pumpkins and cranberries to German brews and harvest wines as the Garden State celebrates autumn with festivals galore. - Chelsea Karnash
Oktoberfest in Historic Smithville
Historic Smithville and the Village Greene
www.historicsmithvillenj.com
Dates: Oct. 4-5, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Toast the season with a stein of beer at Historic Smithville's annual Oktoberfest celebration. The brews will be accompanied by German fare, live music and more than 100 vendors and crafters who will set up shop in this quaint South Jersey village.
23rd Annual Blackwood Pumpkin Festival
The Studio at Main Stage
27 Black Horse Pike
Blackwood, NJ
www.mainstage.org/pumpkin-festival
Date: Oct. 5, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Four stages and more than 200 vendors make this pumpkin fest one of the area's best. Grab the kids and celebrate fall with everything from pumpkin-painting and hayrides to a costume contest.
Fall Harvest & Wine Festival
Camden Children's Garden
3 Riverside Dr
Camden, NJ
www.camdenchildrensgarden.og
Date: Oct. 9, 6 – 9 p.m.
This adults-only event celebrates the season with more than 15 local wines from nearby Monroeville Vineyard & Winery. Music, crafts and seasonal hors d'oeuvres from area restaurants round out the vino-focused festivities.
11th Annual South Jersey Pumpkin Show
Salem County Fairgrounds
735 Harding Highway
Woodstown, NJ
www.sjpumpkinshow.com
Dates: Oct. 10-12, hours vary
Three days of fun centered on this orange beacon of fall descends on the Salem County fairgrounds at this year's annual Pumpkin Show. From contests like the Little Miss and Mister Pumpkin Pageant to a Cast Iron Toss and a live re-enactment of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," this jam-packed weekend is a fall tradition you don't want to miss.
Indian Summer Weekend
5th to 14th Streets on Asbury Ave
Ocean City, NJ
www.ocnj.us
Dates: Oct. 11-13, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Just because summer is over doesn't mean you can't take a trip down the shore! Kick off the weekend with a mile-long block party and "Fireworks Spectacular" accompanied by 400 food and craft vendors and live music in Ocean City. The festivities continue throughout the weekend with more music and vendors along the boardwalk as the warm days of Indian Summer fade and the crisp fall air sets in.
Chatsworth Cranberry Festival
Downtown Chatsworth, NJ
www.cranfest.org
Dates: Oct. 18-19, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Fun fact: New Jersey's cranberry harvest is the third largest in the U.S., and 2014 marks the 31st year the Cranberry Fest is taking place in this Burlington County community. In addition to tons of cranberry delicacies (cranberry ice cream, anyone?), the event features arts and crafts vendors, live music, antique cars and even wolves (!!!) from nearby Howling Woods Farm. Oh, and don't miss the daily breakfast served up at the local volunteer firehouse.
Goblins in the Garden Festival
Camden Children's Garden
3 Riverside Dr
Camden, NJ
www.camdenchildrensgarden.org
Dates: Oct. 25-26, 1 – 4 p.m.
Let the kids get a jump-start on Halloween at this spook-tacular celebration in South Jersey. From a haunted train ride and fortune tellers to a "Creepy Concession Stand" filled with ghoulish-ly good treats, this family-friendly festival won't leave the little ones (or their parents) disappointed.
Looking for fall festivals closer to Philadelphia? Check out our guide!
