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Diggerfest, Diggerland's fall festival, is packed with plenty of smile-inducing fun for all ages. Photo courtesy of Diggerland
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9/24/25 - By Laurie Rein

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

The first official weekend of Fall is the perfect time to visit one of the Garden State's seasonal harvest festivals, including Bergen County's Fall Harvest Festival, with rides, food, animals, and music, and Historic Longstreet Farm's Harvest Home Festival, which boasts old-fashioned games and fun.

We're also getting an early preview of the Halloween holiday with the opening of the Jack-o’-Lantern Experience at Skylands Stadium and the Halloween Light Show at Demarest Farms.

More Things To Do in New Jersey this Week with Kids:

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Top Things To Do in NJ this Weekend with Kids

South Orange Downtown Fiesta en La Placita

South Orange – FREE
Friday, September 26
Fiesta en La Placita is a free, all-ages, outdoor celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, featuring a live mariachi performance by Mariachi Classico VIP, a salsa dance lesson with Christina Piedra, and music throughout the evening from DJ Mixxx. READ MORE

Jack-o’-Lantern Experience at Skylands Stadium

Augusta
Opens Friday, September 26
This 25-night event guarantees thrills and chills for the whole family. Enjoy seasonal food and drinks, outdoor games, pumpkin picking and painting, and a stroll through more than 6,000 hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns in the crisp fall air with family and friends. READ MORE

Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival

Ridgefield Park – FREE
Friday, September 26-Sunday, September 28
Enjoy some family fun at the annual Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival, featuring a craft fair, carnival rides, a farmers market, animals, live music, food trucks and much more.  READ MORE

Delaware River Festival

Camden – FREE
Saturday, September 27
This annual event brings people together and features a day of family-friendly fun, educational activities, and water-centered learning on the Camden and Philadelphia waterfronts. The Delaware River Festival offers something for the whole family: free ferry rides, museum visits, pedal boats, face painting, a scavenger hunt, crafts, and so much more! READ MORE

Italian Festival at Historic Smithville

Galloway – FREE
Saturday, September 27
Come join the excitement at this Italian Festival, featuring an Italian market with a spectacular variety of wares and food. The day is filled with live Italian music on three stages, bocce ball, folk dancing, kids’ activities, and more. READ MORE

Edison's Fall Family Spectacular Street Fair

Edison – FREE
Saturday, September 27
Bring the kids to this family event for kiddie rides, games, face painting, sand art, a pro wrestling ring, a remote-controlled car track, and much more. There is something for everyone to do in Edison at the Spectacular, with over eight blocks of food, crafts, exhibitors, and a wine and beer garden. READ MORE

Dunellen Street Fair & Craft Show

Dunellen – FREE
Saturday, September 27
Head to downtown Dunellen for a festival featuring interesting arts and crafts, shopping, live music, kids' games, and great food. READ MORE

Metuchen Pops: A Pop Art Festival

Metuchen – FREE
Saturday, September 27
Downtown Metuchen transforms into a vibrant hub of creativity and celebration as Metuchen Pops, the town’s annual pop-culture festival, returns. Enjoy artists, live mural demonstrations, canvas paintings, and graffiti art. READ MORE

Diggerfest Fall Festival

Jersey City – FREE
Opens Saturday, September 27
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

Halloween Light Show at Demarest Farms

Hillsdale
Opens Saturday, September 27
Take a drive through the largest Halloween light show in New Jersey at Demarest Farms. A guided tour passes through 32 acres of brilliant Halloween light displays. READ MORE

Asbury Park Fall Bazaar 2025

Asbury Park – FREE
Saturday, September 27-Sunday, September 28
Asbury Park Fall Bazaar features local vendors, kids’ activities, fall photo walls, music, workshops, delicious food, libations, an Oktoberfest celebration and entertainment. The event is family-friendly, pet-friendly, and free. READ MORE

Harvest Home Festival at Historic Longstreet Farm

Holmdel – FREE
Sunday, September 28
Harvest Home Festival is an old-fashioned country fair reminiscent of the 1890s. It takes visitors back in time to when neighbors gathered to help with the harvest, spent time socializing, and enjoyed each other's company.  READ MORE

Edelman Fossil Park & Museum Bioblitz

Mantua – FREE
Sunday, September 28
Head over to the Edelman Fossil Park & Museum Bioblitz, and discover the incredible biodiversity of the museum grounds. Join guided walks with our staff and local experts to explore birds, bugs, plants, and more, or wander the property on your own to record species sightings. Don't miss kids' activities like storytime and coloring. READ MORE

South Orange Downtown Fall Festival

South Orange – FREE
Sunday, September 28
Perfect for families and fall-lovers across the region, the South Orange Downtown Fall Festival returns to Spiotta Park, with free fall crafts, pumpkin decorating, games, live music from DJ Lou, and story time every 30 minutes. READ MORE

Saddle Brook Street Fair & Craft Show

Saddle Brook – FREE
Sunday, September 28
It's a day of family fun in Saddle Brook with original and interesting arts and crafts, shopping, live music, kids' games, and great food. READ MORE

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About the Author

Laurie Rein
Laurie Rein is passionate about finding fun (especially free!) activities for her twin daughters. Before joining Mommy Poppins New Jersey, Laurie worked in the television industry, with roles as an NBC page, copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show, and research manager for CBS.
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