The Farm at Glenwood Mountain in Sussex County, NJ: Video
The Farm at Glenwood Mountain in in northern Sussex County serves farm-to-table fare on Aug. 16, 2025.
- Throughout the fall season, North Jersey is full of seasonal events for you to enjoy.
- From apple cider making, beer and wine festivals, corn mazes and street fairs, here are more than 15 activities to add to your 2025 fall bucket list.
It’s finally time to trade in your swimsuits for sweaters, flip flops for Uggs and lemonade for a pumpkin spice latte: Fall is officially upon us. And we may be biased, but there’s no better place to spend it than in North Jersey.
From apple cider making and pumpkin picking to corn mazes and festivals, there’s an endless list of ways you can spend your fall in the Garden State. And if you’re looking to get in as much fun as possible, it’s time to start planning out your time to make this season unforgettable.
Here’s a list of more than 15 signature fall activities in North Jersey that we think you should add to your 2025 fall bucket list:
Sparta Renaissance Festival
The Sparta Renaissance Festival is returning for it’s eighth year, running on Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 6 to Sept. 21. This annual event will feature all things medieval and fantasy, including musical performances, a knights tournament, theatrical acts, more than 50 artisan vendors, comedy shows, kids activities and more. Go: 844 White Lake Road, Sparta; 908-917-7120, spartanjrenfaire.com.
Boonton Brewfest
More than 30 local craft breweries — including North Jersey favorites like Seven Tribesmen Brewery, Diamond Spring Brewing Company and Glen Brook Brewery — will come together at Canal Side Park on Sept. 6 for the annual Boonton Brewfest. The event will also feature a wine sampling tent, live music from local bands, various adult games, food trucks, craft vendors and more. Go: Canal Side Park, Upper Plane Street, Boonton; 973-257-9107, boontonmainstreet.org/events/boonton-brewfest.
Apple cider making at Tenafly Nature Center
Make your own fresh and crisp apple cider this fall at the Tenafly Nature Center, which will be offering several one-hour sessions every Sunday from Sept. 7 to Oct. 19. During each session, visitors will learn about the history of apple cultivation and cider making, and learn how to make their own with the help of a guide. Apples and an apple press will be provided, but you can feel free to bring your own apples. Go: 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly; 201-568-6093, tncnj.org/widget/calendar.
Great Pumpkin Festival at Heaven Hill Farm
From Sept. 13 to Nov. 2, Heaven Hill Farm in Vernon will be packed with more than 35 family-friendly fall activities as part of its annual Great Pumpkin Festival. There will be hayrides to the farm’s pumpkin patch, a “Alice in Wonderland” themed corn maze, farm animals, pig races, a giant slingshot, carnival rides, an apple cannon, a paintball range, food vendors and more. Go: 451 Route 94, Vernon Township; 973-764-5144, heavenhillfarm.com/our-events/great-pumpkin-festival.
Dairy Corn Maze at Stony Hill Farms in Chester
New Jersey’s largest corn maze will return for the fall at Stony Hill Farms in Chester. The theme for this year’s 10-acre maze is Dairy Corn Maze, an ode to the property’s former life as a dairy farm. It will feature winding paths, bridges and activity stations with historical farm facts. After conquering the maze, you can take a hayride around the farm, explore the pumpkin patch, participate in rides and games, or enjoy delicious farm treats. Go: 15 North Road, Chester; 908-879-2908, stonyhillfarms.com.
Ridgewood Fall Craft & Art Street Fair
The Ridgewood Fall Craft & Art Street Fair will take over East Ridgewood Avenue in downtown Ridgewood on Sept. 14. There will be 200 exhibitors showcasing their art, crafts and photography, as well as a selection of classic festival foods at Van Neste Memorial Park, live music and kid-friendly activities. Go: East Ridgewood Avenue between North Broad Street and North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood; 201-666-1340, pjspromotions.com/events-2.
Oktoberfest at Mountain Creek
Oktoberfest at Mountain Creek is one of North Jersey’s signature Oktoberfest celebrations each year. The 41st annual event takes place on Sept. 20 and Sept. 21, and will be filled with authentic German food, activities, games and an array of beer, cider, hard sodas and seltzers. There will also be Sky Rides, a petting zoo, inflatables, live music and more. Go: 200 Route 94, Vernon; 973-827-2000, mountaincreek.com/2025/05/27/oktoberfest-2025.
Jack-O’-Lantern Experience at Skylands Stadium
The Jack-O’-Lantern Experience at Skylands Stadium in Augusta will transform the venue into an eye-catching fall walk through that features more than 6,000 hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns arranged into various scenes. The event, which takes place on select days from Sept. 26 to Nov. 2, includes an approximately 45-minute self-guided walk to explore the sights, followed by live music, a beer garden, seasonal drinks, a s’mores fire pit and food vendors, Go: 94 Championship Place, Augusta; 973-383-7644, skylandsstadium.com/jackolantern.
Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival
Bergen County’s annual Fall Harvest Festival will run from Sept. 26 to Sept. 28 in Overpeck County Park, and is sure to get you in the fall spirit. It’s activities will include exhibits from 4-H and Rutgers Master Gardeners, carnival rides, a petting zoo, a farmer’s market, food trucks, a craft fair, live music and much more. Visitors are also encouraged to bring donations of non-perishable food items. Go: Overpeck County Park, 199 Challenger Road, Ridgefield Park; 201-336-6780, jcpromotions.info/product/bergen-county-fall-harvest-festival.
Pumpkin picking at Demarest Farms
Demarest Farms in Hillsdale is a go-to spot in North Jersey for pumpkin picking during the fall season. The experience includes a scenic hayride through the farm to the pumpkin patch, where you then can search through the field to find your perfect pumpkin. After, you can visit the farm’s petting zoo or pick up a delicious seasonal treat from the farm market. Go: 244 Werimus Road, Hillsdale; 201-666-0472, demarestfarms.com.
Fall Fest at the Montclair History Center & Montclair Community Farms
The third annual Fall Fest, a fundraiser hosted by the Montclair History Center and Montclair Community Farms, will take place on Sept. 27. At the event, visitors can enjoy delicious seasonal food and drinks from local vendors, handmade goods from local artisans, farm animal meet-and-greets, museum tours, cooking demonstrations, live music and an array of hands-on fall activities. Go: 110 Orange Road, Montclair; 973-744-1796, montclairhistory.org/all-events/2025fallfest.
Morristown Festival on the Green
Taking place since 1994, the Morristown Festival on the Green is a fall staple that will take over the historic downtown on Sept. 28. The event will be a packed day full of live performances across five different entertainment areas, carnival games, children’s amusements, a beer tent and more than 170 exhibitors from local businesses, restaurants and community groups. Go: 10 N. Park Place, Morristown; 973-455-1133, morristown-nj.org/event/morristown-festival-on-the-green-sunday-sept-28.
Grand Harvest Wine Festival in Morristown
As part of the Grand Harvest Wine Festival on Oct. 4 and Oct. 5, visitors can spend a day at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm in Morristown sampling a variety of tasty wine from 12 different New Jersey winemakers. The event will also feature food trucks, an array of craft vendors and live music. Go: 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown; info@gpsinc.net, newjerseywineevents.com/events/grand-harvest-wine-festival-morristown.
Horseback riding at Echo Lake Stables
Horseback riding is a unique way to explore North Jersey’s fall foliage, so plan a lake to Echo Lake Stables. The venue offers trail rides through stunning local trails, as well as special one-hour night rides that conclude with a Western-style barbecue, live entertainment and a hayride. Echo Lake Stables also offers lessons for riders, if you’re not quite comfortable hitting the trails yet. Go: 55 Blakely Lane, Newfoundland; 973-697-1257, echolakestables.com.
North Jersey Craft Beer and Wine Fest in Randolph
If you’re a fan of beer, wine or both, the North Jersey Craft Beer and Wine Fest on Oct. 11 is a must-visit. Described as “an exclusive outdoor tasting experience,” you can sip your way through a variety of drink selections from local craft breweries and independent winemakers. There will also be live music, artisan vendors and tasty food pairings. Check back on the event’s website to find the full beer and wine lineup once it’s posted. Go: 100 Calais Road, Randolph; 973-957-0957, randolphchamber.org/event/craft-beer-wine-fest.
Apple picking at Alstede Farms
Alstede Farms in Chester is a beloved North Jersey spot for apple picking during the fall, boasting more than 50 apple varieties — including Gala, Granny Smith, Winesap and McIntosh — for visitors to choose from. Before going, you should check the farm’s website or give them a call to check current picking conditions. Go: 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester; 908-879-7189, alstedefarms.com.
Hiking the Monument Trail at High Point State Park
If you’re looking for a hiking spot to get some of the best views of North Jersey’s fall foliage, then look no further than High Point State Park. If you’re a more seasoned hiker, you can explore the 3.5-mile Monument Trail Loop. This trail features views of the area’s mountain ridges, Cedar Swamp Natural Area and of surrounding state’s from New Jersey’s highest point of elevation. A list of other hiking trails here can be found at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s website. Go: 1480 Route 23, Sussex; 973-875-4800, nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/highpointstatepark.
Maddie McGay is the real estate reporter for NorthJersey.com and The Record, covering all things worth celebrating about living in North Jersey. Find her on Instagram @maddiemcgay, on X @maddiemcgayy, and sign up for her North Jersey Living newsletter. Do you have a tip, trend or terrific house she should know about? Email her at MMcGay@gannett.com.
