10th Annual Oktoberfest
October 2
Highlands
Done up à la Munich in traditional Oktoberfest-style, the festival emphasizes eating, drinking, and making merry. Enjoy live music, dancing, face painting, German food, a beer garden, and fireworks at 7:30 pm. 2 to 10 pm; free. Rain date October 3. Veterans Park, Bay and Shrewsbury avenues (highlandsnj.com/hbp).
Fall Harvest Weekends
October 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23-24
Pittstown
Pick your own apples and pumpkins at a 150-acre fruit and vegetable farm. Enjoy live music, food, hayrides, straw bale maze, face painting, and more. 9 am to 5:30 pm; free. Peaceful Valley Orchards, 150 Pittstown Road (908-730-7748; peacefulvalleyorchards.com).
8th Annual Garden State Garlic Gathering
October 2-3
Lafayette
Garden State garlic growers share their knowledge and answer questions at this festival where more than 60 varieties of garlic will be on sale, along with garlic vinegar, garlic honey, sauces, and spreads. 10 am to 4 pm; free. Olde Lafayette Village, routes 15 and 94 (973-209-4903; jerseygrown.com).
Harvest Fest
October 2-3
Ringwood
Kids can enjoy hayrides, pumpkin painting, face painting, storytellers, photo-ops, garden tours, and music and dancing. For adults, the festival features Oktoberfest food, beer-tasting, an Autumn plant sale, and 30 crafters selling homemade items. Free parking. 10 am to 5 pm; free. New Jersey Botanical Garden (njbg.org/events.html).
21st Annual Cranberry Festival
October 2-3
Bordentown
The festival features crafts, music, face painting, pony rides, rock climbs, a vintage car show on Saturday, and all types of cranberry food, along with burgers, pulled pork, and fish and chips. 11 am to 5 pm; free. Farnsworth Avenue (609-298-8066; downtownbordentown.com/events.htm).
Chowderfest Weekend
October 2-3
Beach Haven
The festival features live music, activities, and unlimited chowder-tasting. Each ticket-holder can vote for their favorite red and white chowder, leading up to Sunday’s Chowder Cook-Off. There’s also a Merchant Mart on Saturday. 11 am to 4 pm; $10-$50. 9th Street and Taylor Avenue (609-494-7211, ext 100, 800-292-6372, ext 100; chowderfest.com).
Grand Harvest Wine Festival
October 2-3
Stanhope
Bring picnic baskets, blankets, and chairs to enjoy a sampling of New Jersey wines, live music, food, and crafts. 11:30 am to 5 pm; $20. Waterloo Village (609-588-0085; newjerseywines.com/grand-harvest.html).
9th Annual Fall Festival
October 3
Salem
Scarecrow Hollow’s Fall Festival features a corn maze, scarecrow making, pumpkin picking, painting, and carving, sack races, hay rides, food, face painting, and kids’ crafts and games. Rain date Oct 10. Noon to 6 pm; $7.95-$9.95. 335 Quinton-Hancocks Bridge Road (856-935-3469; scarecrowhollow.org).
West Cape May Lima Bean Festival
October 9
West Cape May
Celebrate West Cape May’s farming heritage at a festival that will have you thinking of legumes in a whole new light. Listen to live music, browse crafts and antiques, and try lima bean soup and chili, as well as barbecued limas. Rain date Oct 10. 9 am to 5 pm; free. Wilbraham Park (609-884-9325; westcapemaytoday.com).
Wildwood Seafood and Music Festival
October 9
Wildwood
The Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce hosts this fest featuring live music, crafters, food, a pie-eating contest, chowder contest (featuring samples for festival-goers), Kidz Korner, and more. 11 am to 7 pm; free. Atlantic Avenue between Wildwood and Schellenger avenues (609-729-4000; gwcoc.com).
32nd Annual Apple Festival
October 9
Medford
Sponsored by the Medford Historical Society, the festival features more than 95 crafters, food, demonstrations, music, children’s activities, and everything apples. 9 am to 4 pm; free. Kirby’s Mill (discovermedford.com/events.html).
Cape May Wine Festival
October 9-10
Cape May
Festival-goers can sample award-winning New Jersey wines, listen to live music, browse crafts, and visit the Kids Zone. 11:30 am to 5 pm; $20. Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal (609-588-0085; newjerseywines.com/cape-may.html).
26th Annual Cranberry Festival
October 16-17
Chatsworth
The nation’s third-largest cranberry fest, this event pays tribute to Pine Barrens culture, featuring more than 160 craftspeople, live music, and bog tours. 11 am to 4 pm; free. Main Street/Route 563 (609-726-9237; cranfest.org).
4th Annual Garlic Festival
October 17
Hoboken
For a day of stinkin’ fun, enjoy free tastings of many garlic varieties, dips, pesto, salsa, and vinegar. Farm-fresh produce (garlic included) will be available from Catalpa Ridge Farm. 1 to 5 pm; free. Hoboken Historical Museum, 1301 Hudson Street (201-656-2240; jerseygrown.com).
KosherFest
October 26-27
Secaucus
The trade show features more than 300 exhibitors showcasing kosher food and beverages. On Wednesday, chefs will compete to create the best kosher appetizer. Tuesday, 10 am to 5 pm; Wednesday, 10 am to 4 pm; $30-$60. Meadowlands Exposition Center, 355 Plaza Drive (kosherfest.com).