As we quickly slide into fall, many of the comforting things we all know and love return: apple and pumpkin picking, cool nights, hot lattes, heated outdoor dining, and sweater weather, among other things. And while fall mom life with kids brings sports games and hectic schedules, it also brings the joy of fall festivals, when barnyard animals, corn mazes and hayrides abound. So carve out your pumpkins and some time in your weekend schedule for these a-amaze-ing fall festivals in Bergen County, NJ and beyond.
In Bergen County...
St. John's Academy, Hillsdale The local Catholic school welcomes familes from Bergen County to enjoy its annual Fall Festival. Family fun includes crafts, games and prizes, music, pumpkin picking and train rides, among other activities. Saturday October 1, 11 am-3 pm, rain or shine
Van Saun County Park, Paramus You'll be free fall-ing at The Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival, which brings three days of family fun for all ages. Crafts, live music, rides, delicious eats and the open air in Bergen's biggest park make this a must-do for ringing in the new season. Friday September 16, 6-9 pm; Saturday September 17, 10 am-10 pm, Sunday September 18, 10 am-8 pm
Secor Farms, Mahwah Oh haaaaaaay-rides! Fall activities at Secor include a hayride to the pumpkin patch and corn maze, plus fun photo ops for the whole fam, fall decorations, a petting zoo, and classic fall treats including candy apples and apple cider donuts. Starts Saturday September 17 through October, Monday-Friday 3-4:50 pm, Saturday-Sunday 10 am-4 pm
Abma's Farm, Wyckoff Abma's fall hayrides and pumpkin activities, perfect for younger kids, brings families on a hayride around the farm, with a small pumpkin and admission to their barnyard area where kids can visit and feed goats, cows, bunnies and more. Don't forget a stop at their market for fresh donuts, pumpkin cheesecake and other fall goodies. Every Saturday in October, 9 am-4 pm, Weekdays from October 3-October 28, 1-4 pm
Demarest Farms, Hillsdale Hop on a weekend hayride to a field covered in pumpkins of all sizes, with plenty of space for kids to run around and pick their perfect pumpkin. With a petting zoo, playground and fresh farm market to wander, there's plenty of fall fun to spend an afternoon on the farm. Pumpkin Patch opens Saturday September 24 through October, 8 am-5 pm
Flat Rock Brook, Englewood Flat Rock Brook's annual Great Fall Festival offers an afternoon of outdoor excitement with activities for all ages. Enjoy live music, finger-licking good BBQ, games and crafts, nature walks, fun photos and more in the great outdoors. Sunday October 16, 1-4 pm
Lupardi's Nursery, Closter Lupardi's Fall Fun is back for 2022, with the return of their long list of fun on the farm. Take a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch, feed animals from cows to sheep, get lost in the corn maze, explore the greenhouse and get your thrills on the 30-foot slide. Weekends starting Saturday September 17-Sunday October 30, 10 am-5 pm
Oktoberfest, Ridgewood Ridgewood's Oktoberfest offers activities for the whole family, so all ages can get in on the fall festivities. Grab a hayride to The Heights, where families can take in the beautiful views of NYC. Pumpkin painting, scarecrow-making, games, sidewalk chalk artwork, treats and so much more make this an outing for all. Saturday October 8-Sunday October 9, 12-5 pm
...And Beyond
Oktoberfest at Skylands Stadium, Augusta This huge festival for the over 21 set brings more than 25 brews, plus food specials, games and live music. Get a sitter and enjoy a kid-free afternoon of beers and cheers, because you deserve a day off. Saturday September 17, 12-6 pm
Delaware River Railroad Excursions, Phillipsburg Take your fall festival to go with Delaware River Railroad Excursion's Corn Maze Train. Start off with a scenic train ride down the Delaware River, which is half the fun, then enjoy maze games (think: scavenger hunt and monster mystery), pumpkin picnic and mining for real gemstones. Weekends starting Saturday October 1-Sunday October 30, rides between 11 am-3:30 pm
Alstede Farms, Chester Alstede's Harvest Moon Hayride shows a different side of the farm, as the sunset begins to set and the farm's outdoors offer adventure for the whole family. Take a harvest moon hayride around the farm, explore the corn maze under the stars, pick a pumpkin, and indulge in fresh treats while listening to live music. Fridays and Saturdays starting September 30, through November 4, 6 pm.
Donaldson Farms, Hackettstown Cooling temps make Donaldson Farms' Fall Harvest Weekends the perfect time to visit the farm and sip on some cider. Go on a drive to enjoy apples and pumpkins, an extensive corn maze and hayrides, plus delicious food options and new vendors to shop each week. Weekends starting September 24-October 30, 11 am-4 pm
Heaven Hill Farm, Vernon The uber popular annual Great Pumpkin Festival at Heaven Hill welcomes families near and far for this all-in-one good time. There is truly something for everyone, with carnival rides, live performances, farm animals, a corn maze, hayrides, pumpkins, donuts, and even pig races. Saturday September 17-Sunday November 6, 10 am-6 pm
Ort Farms, Long Valley Ort Farms just may be the place to be this fall, with the Fall Festival, PYO Pumpkin Picking, Monster Truck Rides and so much more keeping families busy all day. The fall festival combines hayrides, corn maze admission, cow train, ponies and more, with PYO pumpkins and their infamous monster truck rides available for an additional cost. Saturday September 17-Monday October 31, 9:30 am-6 pm weekends, 11 am-6 pm weekdays, Monster Truck rides open weekends 10 am-5pm
Fishkill Farms, Hopewell Junction Fall Harvest Festivals at Fishkill not only bring festivities on the farm, but scenic views and a peaceful atmosphere. Wagon rides, a corn maze, apple picking, a pumpkin patch, drinks and treats provide hours of entertainment, plus live music on the weekends from 12-4 pm. Enjoy food from the grill, cider from the bar, and plenty of smiles from the kids. Weekends through October, 9 am-4:15 pm
Happy Day Farm, Manalapan Happy Day's Fall Festival is overflowing with entertainment including – but certainly not limited to – pumpkinville, tractor rides, pig races, barnyard animals, corn mazes and tunnels, a spider web, rubber duck racing and so much more. Plan for the full day, as you'll spend as much time getting kids to leave as you will having your own fun. Open weekends in September; Fridays-Sundays in October, 10 am-5 pm
