We rounded up the best things to do in Bergen County and beyond on our weekend PLAYlist!
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What: Zoo Boo 2018
Why: Zoo trick-or-treating, magic shows and the eerie express train at this hugely popular event.
When: Friday October 26, 6-9 pm-Saturday October 27 10 am-2 pm or 6-9 pm, tickets on sale now!, 9 am at the Bergen County Zoo, tickets sell out quickly, $6.
Where: Bergen County Zoo, 216 Forest Ave., Paramus
Events Not To Miss:
What: Circo Hermanos Vazquez
Why: Acrobats, clowns and a human canonball entertain the whole family.
When: Through Monday October 8, Saturdays and Sundays, 2 pm, 5 pm, 8 pm, Mondays-Fridays, 7:30 pm, kids/$20, adults/$40
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus
Why: Kick off the holiday weekend with a parade, live entertainment, rides and tons more fun.
When: Friday October 5, 5-11 pm, Saturday October 6, 11 am-10 pm, Sunday October 7, 12-7 pm
Where: Union and Park Avenues, East Rutherford
What: Farm Animals Day
Why: Create crafts and meet animals.
When: Friday October 5, 11 am-2 pm
Where: Bergen County Zoo, 261 Forest Ave., Paramus
Why: Make it a movie night plus a hay wagon ride and pumpkin picking.
When: Friday October 5, 5:30 pm, $16
Where: Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale
What: Dinosaurs After Dark
Why: Search for dino surprises after dark, then gather around the campfire for songs and s’mores.
When: Fridays and Saturdays through October 27, 7-9:30 pm, $24
Where: Field Station Dinosaurs, 40 Fort Lee Road, Leonia
What: Royal Tea Party
Why: Put on your royal best and join three Disney princesses for stories, games and small bites.
When: Saturday October 6, 11 am-12:30 pm, $15
Where: Gerry’s Place, 595 Broadway, Norwood
What: Annual Fall Festival
Why: Fall fun hits the farm with pumpkin painting, seasonal tastings and crafts.
When: Saturday October 6, 11 am-2 pm
Where: Fresh and Fancy Farms, 575 River Road, New Milford
Why: Rock and pumpkin decorating, crafts and more fun.
When: Saturday October 6, 10 am-2 pm, $5
Where: Christ Church, 05 Cottage Place, Ridgewood
What: Family Fall Festival
Why: Think food trucks, pony rides, face paint and a rockin band.
When: Saturday October 6, 11 am-4 pm
Where: Memorial Field at Pascack Road, Township of Washington
Why: Hop on a hayride to pick a perfect pumpkin and enjoy cider and donuts.
When: Saturdays through October 27, 10:30 am-4 pm, $5
Where: Abmas Farm, 700 Lawlins Road, Wyckoff
Why: Feed the animals, run through the corn maze or explore the haunted greenhouse.
When: Open weekends through Sunday October 28, 10 am-5 pm, $15 wristbands plus add-ons available
Where: Lupardi’s Nursery, 75 Blanch Ave., Closter
What: Taste of Leonia
Why: Visit a number of eateries for food and wine tastings, and live music.
When: Sunday October 7, 1-3 pm, students/$10, adults/$15
Where: Select businesses, Leonia
What: Open Call Auditions
Why: Ages 3.5 to adult can perform for industry pros and audition for talent agents.
When: Sunday October 7, 2 pm, $20 for JCC member, $25 public in advance; $25 JCC members, $30 public day of, contact Hagit at 201-408-1493 for details
Where: Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, 411 E Clinton Ave., Tenafly
What: Bats, Bats, Bats!
Why: Join NJ’s own Batman and learn about the importance of the night creature.
When: Sunday October 7, 2 pm, $5 non-members
Where: The Closter Nature Center, 154 Ruckman Rd., Closter
What: Hawks Over the Hudson
Why: Check out live birds and enjoy activities and exhibits.
When: Sunday October 7, 12-4 pm
Where: Teaneck Creek Conservancy, 20 Puffin Way, Teaneck
Why: Join fire departments from across Northern Valley, Pascack and Rockland and stay for music and food.
When: Sunday October 7, 11 am-2 pm
Where: T. Baldwin Demarest Parking Lot, 1 School Street, Old Tappan
What: Saddle Brook Street Fair
Why: An all-out block party with rides, crafts, games and shopping.
When: Sunday October 7, 10 am-5 pm
Where: 215 Market St., Saddle Brook
What: Apple Cider Making
Why: Press your own apple cider in this cider making 101.
When: Sundays through October 28, 12:30-1:30 pm, 2-3 pm, 3:30-4:30 pm, member/$5, non-member/$10
Where: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Avenue, Tenafly
Why: Kids make ghoulish crafts, spooky decorations and slime recipes.
When: Monday October 8, 10:30 am-12 and 12:45-2:15 pm, $35 half day, $60 full day
Where: Clay Paper Scissors Studio, 380 Kinderkamack Rd., Oradell
Why: Meet Dr. DeJarnett and members of the Admissions Team over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.
When: Tuesday October 9, 6:30-8 pm
Where: Steel Wheel Tavern, 51 N Broad St.,, Ridgewood
What: Indigo Girls
Why: The award-winning group performs their hits.
When: Tuesday October 9, 8 pm, $39-$99
Where: Bergen PAC, 30 N Van Brunt St., Englewood
Why: Tour the school, sample classes and meet the staff.
When: Lower School: Wednesdays October 10-October 17, November 7-December 5, 9-11 am
Where: Dwight-Englewood School, 315 E Palisade Ave., Englewood
What: Laurie Hernandez
Why: Meet the Olympic gymnast and author of children’s book, She’s Got This.
When: Wednesday October 10, 6 pm
Where: Bookends, 211 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood
What: Sally Field
Why: Meet the actress, director and author of her memoir In Pieces.
When: Thursday October 11, 7 pm
Where: Books and Greetings, 271G Livingston Street, Northvale
Why: Get Halloween-ready with pumpkin picking and enjoy fall treats at the market.
When: Weekdays 3-5 pm, Weekends 10 am-4 pm through October 31, $4 hayride
Where: Secor Farms, 85 Airmont Ave., Mahwah
What: Pick Your Own Pumpkins
Why: Get in the fall spirit with hay rides, a corn box and adventure playground.
When: Open through Monday November 5, Weekends 9 am-4:30 pm, Weekdays 3-4:30 pm, $7
Where: Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale
What: Pick Your Own Apples
Why: Take a hay wagon to the orchard and enjoy a petting zoo, crooked house village and more fall fun.
When: Open through Monday October 22, 9 am-4:30 pm, $7
Where: Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale
Why: Have a roaring good time with the dinos.
When: Open through Sunday November 11, 10 am-5 pm, $16.75
Where: Field Station Dinosaurs, 40 Fort Lee Road, Leonia
If you’re heading out of Bergen:
What: The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze
Why: Thousands of hand-carved jack o’lanterns on display, plus plenty of pumpkin-themed activities.
When: Thursday October 4-Wednesday October 31, Thursday November 1-4, 7-11, 15-17, 23-24, kids/$16 (Friday-Saturday, $20) adults/$22 (Friday-Saturday $27), check schedule to reserve time
Where: Van Cortlandt Manor, 525 S Riverside, Croton-on-Hudson
Why: Thousands of hand-carved jack o’lanterns on display, plus plenty of pumpkin-themed activities.
When: Thursday October 4-Wednesday October 31, Thursday November 1-4, 7-11, 15-17, 23-24, kids/$16 (Friday-Saturday, $20) adults/$22 (Friday-Saturday $27), check schedule to reserve time
Where: Van Cortlandt Manor, 525 S Riverside, Croton-on-Hudson
What: The Hudson County Fair
Why: Rides, entertainment and nighttime excitement.
When: Through Monday October 8, 5-10 pm
Where: James J. Braddock North Hudson Park, North Bergen
What: Harvest Moon Hayride
Why: Cider and s’mores by the campfire and a wagon ride to the corn maze by flashlight.
When: Fridays and Saturdays through October 27, 6-10 pm, $15.99
Where: Alstede Farms, 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester
Why: Journey inside the black hole at the center of the Milky Way, without leaving NJ.
When: Opens Saturday October 6, 9 am-5:30 pm
Where: Liberty Science Center, Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium, Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City
What: Fall for Arts Fest
Why: Live art, face painting, music, food trucks and more artsy activities.
When: Saturday October 6, 11 am
Where: Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms State Park, 1 FDR Four Freedoms Park, NYC
What: Wings & Wheels Expo 2018
Why: Check out cars and aircraft or take flight on a helicopter ride.
When: Saturday October 6-Sunday October 7, 9 am-5 pm, kids/$10, adults/$15
Where: Essex County Airport, 165 Passaic Ave., Fairfield
What: Bloomfield Harvestfest
Why: Beer garden, live music, food trucks, rides and animals.
When: Saturday October 6, 11 am-7 pm
Where: Broad Street between Belleville and Bloomfield Aves., Bloomfield
Why: The Doc is in! Kids step into the doctor’s role as they perform check-ups and groom toy pets.
When: Opens Saturday October 6, through Sunday January 27, free with admission
Where: Liberty Science Center, Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City
Why: Live music, food trucks, crafters and plenty of vino to go around.
When: Saturday October 6-Sunday October 7, 12-5 pm, Over 21/$25
Where: Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, Morristown
What: The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular
Why: Not-too-spooky Halloween shows, a festive parade and dance parties to get into the Halloween spirit.
When: Weekends through Sunday October 28, Fridays 4-8 pm, Saturdays 10 am-8 pm, Sundays 10 am-6 pm, $70, online/$49
Where: Sesame Place, 100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, PA
Why: Not-too-spooky Halloween shows, a festive parade and dance parties to get into the Halloween spirit.
When: Weekends through Sunday October 28, Fridays 4-8 pm, Saturdays 10 am-8 pm, Sundays 10 am-6 pm, $70, online/$49
Where: Sesame Place, 100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, PA
What: Boo at the Zoo
Why: Get spooked with a haunted pirate hayride, animal graveyard and animal treats.
When: Weekends through Sunday October 28, kids/$26.95, adults/$36.95
Where: Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx
What: Pumpkin Trains
Why: Hop on a train to pick pumpkins, and enjoy a wagon ride, corn maze and more farm activities.
When: Weekends through Sunday October 28, 10 am, 12:30 pm, 3 pm, ages 3-11/$14, ages 12 and up/$19
Where: Black River & Western Railroad, Flemington Station, 80 Stangl Road, Flemington
What: Fall Harvest Weekends
Why: Apple and pumpkin picking, corn maze and pony rides on the farm.
When: Weekends through Sunday October 28, Activities available from 12-4 pm, price per activity, apples and pumpkins per pound
Where: Donaldson Farms, 358 Allen Road, Hackettstown
Why: Kids will love the bouncy houses and touch-a-truck, plus food and vendors.
When: Sunday October 7, 1-6 pm
Where: Verona High School, 151 Fairview Ave., Verona
What: Nyack Famous Street Fair
Why: Nyack streets lined with vendors, a big kidz zone and live music.
When: Sunday October 7, 10 am-5 pm
Where: Downtown Nyack
Why: Nyack streets lined with vendors, a big kidz zone and live music.
When: Sunday October 7, 10 am-5 pm
Where: Downtown Nyack
Why: Ages five to 10 spend the day learning about the movements of their fave animals.
When: Monday October 8, 9 am-4 pm
Where: Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange
What: The Great Pumpkin Train
Why: All aboard for a scenic ride to the pumpkin patch.
When: Through Sunday October 28, 11 am, 12:30 pm, 2 pm, 3:30 pm, kids/$12, adults/$18
Where: Delaware River Railroad Excursions, 99 Elizabeth Street, Phillipsburg
What: Spooky Pumpkin Garden
Why: Explore hundreds of scarecrows and pumpkins, watch pumpkin carving demos and visit with slithering creatures.
When: Open through Wednesday October 31, 10 am-6 pm, kids/$12, adults/$28
Where: New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx
Why: Swifties: Step inside the life of the hugely popular singer, who hand-picked personal photos, videos and lyrics for display.
When: Open daily through October 19, 11 am-6 pm, kids/$7, adults/$10
Where: GRAMMY Museum Experience, Prudential Center, 165 Mulberry Street, Newark
Why: This huge fall festival brings hayrides, pony rides, races and carnival rides.
When: Through Sunday November 4, 10 am-6 pm, $12
Where: Heaven Hill Farm, 451 State Route 94, Vernon
What: Corn Maze & Fun Park
Why: Huges mazes, hayrides and gemstone mining make the perfect fall day.
When: Open through Sunday November 11, 10 am-5 pm, $6.99-$16.99
Where: Stony Hill Farms, 15 North Road, Chester
Why: Explore the giant corn maze, take a wagon ride to the orchard and get down to live music.
When: Open through November 11, 9 am-5 pm, $12.99
Where: Alstede Farms, 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester
What: Candytopia
Why: Visit this sweeeeeet wonderland of tasty delights, brought to life through art installations.
When: Opens through Thursday November 15, 10 am-8:30 pm, kids/$26, adults/$34
Where: Candytopia @ Penn Plaza, 145 W 32nd Street, NYC
What: The Spider Maze
Why: Get lost in the webby maze filled with puzzles and spider facts.
When: Open through Wednesday October 31, 10 am-4 pm
Where: Liberty Science Center, Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City
Upcoming:
Why: Visit the slime table, take in a magic show or ride the train.
When: Saturday October 13, 12-4 pm, $15 wristbands or $25 for 25 tickets
Where: 700 Floyd Street, Englewood Cliffs
What: Haworth Day
Why: Support the community and have fun with rides, games and music.
When: Saturday October 13, 12-4 pm
Where: Terrace St., Haworth
What: Fall Family Festival
Why: Celebrate the season with pumpkin decorating, pony rides and food trucks.
When: Sunday October 14, 11 am-2 pm
Where: Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, 411 East Clinton Ave., Tenafly
