We rounded up the best things to do in Bergen County and beyond on our weekend PLAYlist!
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What: The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze Event
Why: Snag tickets now and take the family on a night-time adventure through thousands of illuminated pumpkins arranged in outrageous designs. Dates sell out early so hurry! Bergen Mama readers click HERE to win a family 4 pack of VIP tickets!
When: Various dates through October & November beginning Friday, October 2, Adults/$20-$25, Kids 3-17/$16-$20, Advanced tickets required
Where: 525 South Riverside Ave., Croton-on-Hudson, NY
Events Not To Miss:
What: Saint Joseph School Family Fall Carnival
Why: Live music, face painting, ice cream eating contest, rides, food and more.
When: Friday, September 18 (5-10pm), Saturday, September 19 (2-10pm) & Sunday, September 20 (1-7pm)
Where: 105 Harrison St., New Milford
What: Fall Festival Street Fair
Why: A huge block party with kid rides, carnival foods, face painting and more.
When: Saturday, September 19, 10am-5pm
Where: Along Main Street from Cedar Street to Park Street, Ridgefield Park
What: Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival and Craft Fair
Why: Welcome autumn with live music, a carnival, a farmers market and much more at this family fun event.
When: Saturday, September 19 (12-10pm) & Sunday, September 20 (12-6pm), Fireworks Saturday night at 9pm
Where: The New Overpeck Park, Challenger Rd., Ridgefield Park
What: Little Skye Children’s Boutique Grand Opening Event
Why: Select items 20% off for your little fashionista, arts and crafts, and a FREE mini portrait session with photographer Christine Desavino (wearing an outfit from the store if you’d like– no purchase required).
When: Saturday, September 19, 10am-7pm
Where: 171 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood
What: Meet & Greet with Peppa Pig & Storytime with Elsa at The Big Playhouse
Why: Get up and close with these beloved characters.
When: Saturday, September 19, 10am-12pm & 2-4pm, $28 Pre-registration required
Where: 316 Kinderkamack Rd., Westwood
What: Mahwah Day
Why: A parade kicks off this fun day with rides, games, a dog show, food vendors, pony rides and more.
When: Saturday, September 19, Starts at noon, Fireworks at dusk
Where: Commodore Perry Field, Mahwah
What: Haworth Day
Why: A family day of fun with rides, food, vendors, and even a dunk tank!
When: Saturday, September 19, 1-6pm
Where: Terrace Street, Haworth
What: Music on the Rocks: Tom’s Dream
Why: Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy this outdoor Americanna concert- byob optional!
When: Saturday, September 19, 7-10pm, $5
Where: State Line Lookout, Alpine
What: Old Tappan Fireworks
Why: Grab a blanket and enjoy the show!
When: Saturday, September 19, 7:30pm
Where: The Golf Course, Old Tappan
What: Autumn Campfire & Night Hike at Tenafly Nature Center
Why: Gather ‘round the campfire to listen to stories and roast marshmallows for s’mores.
When: Saturday, September 19, Ages 5+, 6:30-8:30pm, $10
Where: Hudson Ave, Tenafly
What: Open House at Kaplen JCC on the Palisades
Why: Enjoy a FREE day at the J, with moon bounce, facepainters, balloon artists, games and an array of sample classes that will keep your tot enthralled.
When: Sunday, September 20, 1-4pm
Where: 411 East Clinton Ave., Tenafly
What: Cidering at Tenafly Nature Center
Why: Press and then taste your make-your-own cider!
When: Sunday, September 20, 12:30pm & 2pm, $10
Where: Hudson Ave, Tenafly
What: Edgewater Arts & Music Festival
Why: Celebrate the arts with over 80 vendors and 5 live bands.
When: Sunday, September 20, 11am-6pm
Where: River Rd. & Thompson Lane, Edgewater
What: Ridgewood Fall Crafts & Arts Street Fair
Why: Vendors, pony rides, a petting zoo, food, inflatables and more.
When: Sunday, September 20, 12-5pm
Where: Downtown Ridgewood
What: Hudson River Barn Dance
Why: No experience needed to get your yeehaw on at this dance.
When: Sunday, September 20, 2-4pm
Where: Alpine Pavilion, Alpine
What: Meet Author Emily Hughes at The Curious Reader
Why: Meet the beloved author-illustrator of Wild & The Little Gardener at this charming children’s bookshop.
When: Tuesday, September 22, 3:30pm
Where: 229 Rock Rd., Glen Rock
What: Milk & Honey Babies Grand Opening
Why: Give aways, prizes and entertainment at this new adorable luxe one-stop-shop for new parents.
When: Tuesday, September 22, 2-8pm, Kids activities from 3-6
Where: 11 Grand Ave., Englewood
What: BYOB Custom Wood Signs at Couture Craft Studios
Why: A crafty night out making a unique custom wood sign.
When: Tuesday, September 22, 7-9pm, $50, Pre-Registration required
Where: 10 Franklin Turnpike, Waldwick
What: First Day of Fall at Abma’s Farm
Why: Seasonal fun at the farm! Take a hayride or bring some old clothes and make a scarecrow.
When: Wednesday, September 23, 10am-3pm, Hayrides/$5, Scarecrow/$10
Where: 700 Lawlins Rd., Wyckoff
What: Cooking for Teens: Asian Dumplings
Why: Dumplings, crab puffs, and dipping sauce are on the menu.
When: Thursday, September 24, 4pm, $35
Where: Chef Central, 240 Rt. 17 N, Paramus
If you’re heading out of Bergen…
What: Blauvelt Sons of Italy Italian Feast and Carnival
Why: Another town, another Italian festival full of fun.
When: Now thru Sunday, September 20, 5-8pm
Where: German Masonic Park, 89 Western Highway, Tappan, NY
What: Great Pumpkin Festival at Heaven Hill Farm
Why: U-Pick pumpkin patch, corn maze, farm animals, carnival rides, pig races and more.
When: Every Wednesday thru Sunday, starting this week thru November 8, 10am-6pm, 2+/$10
Where: 451 State Rt. 94, Vernon
What: Date Night at Urban Jungle Play
Why: Grab an early (child-free!) dinner and have the kids home by bedtime.
When: Friday, September 19, Ages 2+, 5-7pm, $30, Pre-Registration required
Where: 1140 Maxwell Lane, Hoboken
What: Puptoberfest
Why: Bring your pooch to this fun event with vendors, live music, kids game, food, dog activities and more.
When: Saturday, September 19, 11am-5pm
Where: Camp Bow Wow Morris, 73 East Hanover Ave., Morristown
What: Princeton Children’s Book Festival
Why: Join the 80 authors and illustrators and their readers at this book celebration.
When: Saturday, September 19, 11am-4pm, FREE
Where: 65 Witherspoon St., Princeton
What: Kite Festival at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Why: Watch your kite soar above the Manhattan skyline.
When: Saturday, September 19, 11am-3pm
Where: Squibb Park Bridge, Brooklyn
What: Brooklyn Book Festival Children’s Day
Why: Shop children’s books, meet writers and illustrators, and attend author book-signings.
When: Saturday, September 19, 10am-4pm
Where: 209 Joralemon St., Brooklyn, NYC
What: New York City Ballet Family Saturdays
Why: Snag tickets now for these exciting one-hour presentations designed to introduce the kids to the Ballet.
When: Saturdays during the 2015-2016 Season (October 17, February 13 & May 14) at 11am, Ages 5+, $22 per person
Where: David H. Koch Theater, West 63rd St. & Columbus Ave., NYC
What: Apple Fest at Delicious Orchards
Why: An antique car show, fun games, local vendors, farm animals, live music and of course- plenty of apple yumminess.
When: Saturday, September 19 & Sunday, September 20, 11am-4pm
Where: Rt. 34 South, Colts Neck
What: International Red Panda Day at Turtle Back Zoo
Why: Celebrate Asian animals from gibbons to muntjacs through games, stories, crafts and dance.
When: Saturday, September 19, 11am-4pm
Where: 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange
What: Piermont Multi-Festival Sunday
Why: A day of fun in Piermont with everything from a Lobster Fest to a Farmer’s Market on the schedule.
When: Sunday, September 20, 9:30am-6pm, FREE, Check the schedule for exact events and times.
Where: 50 Ash St., Piermont, NY
What: Fall Family Fun Day at the Hoboken Museum
Why: Hands-on activities for kids, games, refreshments, and performers.
When: Sunday, September 20, 12-4pm, FREE
Where: 1301 Hudson St., Hoboken
What: #MetKids Launch Party
Why: Celebrate the launch of the Met’s new digital feature, made for, with, and by kids! Attend a special screening, learn to animate in the pop-up lab and create works of art.
When: Sunday, September 20, 1-4pm, Admission is FREE for children under 12 with an adult.
Where: 1000 Fifth Ave., NYC
What: NJ Storytelling Festival at Grounds For Sculpture
Why: Celebrate the art of spoken word as wildly diverse stories are presented all afternoon on four different stages.
When: Sunday, September 20, 12-6pm, Included in admission
Where: 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton
What: San Gennaro Feast
Why: Fried oreos, zeppoles, sausage and peppers-fuggedaboutit!
When: Now thru Sunday, September 20
Where: Little Italy, NYC
What: Munchkin Monday with The Bossy Frog Band at The Palisades Center
Why: Let the littlest rockers have a blast at this fun concert.
When: Monday, September 21, 10am, FREE
Where: 1000 Palisades Center Ct., West Nyack, NY
What: Shriners Circus
Why: Clowns, pony rides, face painting and lots of circus fun.
When: Thursday, September 24 thru Sunday, September 27, Kids/$5, Adults/$9, Check website for show schedule
Where: German Masonic Park, 120 Western Highway, Tappan, NY
Upcoming:
What: St. Peter the Apostle Parish Carnival
Why: Because carnival season, we can’t quit you.
When: Thursday, September 24 thru Sunday, September 27, Thursday 6-9pm, Friday 6-11pm, Saturday 1-11pm & Sunday 1-8pm
Where: 445 Fifth Ave., River Edge
What: 50th Annual Country Fair
Why: An awesome family day with rides, vendors, games, foods and more.
When: Saturday, September 26, 10am-4:30pm
Where: Wyckoff Municipal Field, Wyckoff
What: Immaculate Heart Academy Tasting at the Heart
Why: An evening of fun as you taste a variety of wines and microbrews provided by Carlo Russo’s Wine & Spirit World of Hohokus.
When: Saturday, September 26, 7-10pm, $70
Where: 500 Van Emburgh Ave., Twp. of Washington
