Fall Events 2026

Running now · August 29 – November 29 · Ship Bottom

One of America's oldest surf fishing tournaments with $25,000+ in prizes.

Running now · September 12 – November 1 · Lacey Township

Pumpkin picking, corn maze, and fall activities at Shore area farm.

Running now · September 18 – November 1 · jackson

Six Flags’ Halloween season, select nights September 18 – November 1.

October 3–4 · Beach Haven

LBI's premier fall food festival — free Saturday Merchant Mart, ticketed Sunday chowder cook-off.

October 4 · Sandy Hook

Flat, scenic half marathon through Sandy Hook Gateway National Recreation Area.

October 9–12 · Cape May

Cape May's signature Victorian celebration with house tours, dinners, and themed events.

October 1–4 · Wildwood

Vintage cars and motorcycles drag race on Wildwood Beach—strictly pre-1953 machines.

October 3 · highlands

Bayfront Oktoberfest at Veterans Park with German food, oompah bands and free admission.

October 3–4 · smithville

Two-day Oktoberfest at Historic Smithville. Free admission.

October 3 · Asbury Park

Thousands of zombies walk the Asbury Park boardwalk on the first Saturday of October.

October 9–10 · Ship Bottom

International kite festival with giant kites and magical night fly.

October 9–11 · Seaside Heights

Three-day Italian street festival on Grant Avenue, Seaside Heights.

October 9–10 · Atlantic City

Two-night comedy festival at Boardwalk Hall.

October 10 · West Cape May

Farming-heritage festival in West Cape May built around the lima bean.

October 10 · Ocean City

Ocean City's largest street fair, across ten blocks of Asbury Avenue.

October 11 · Ship Bottom

53rd annual 18-mile race the length of Long Beach Island.

October 15–18 · Cape May

Four days of peak-migration birding field trips and talks in Cape May.

October 17–18 · Atlantic City

Nation's third-oldest marathon featuring 8 miles on the Atlantic City Boardwalk.

October 17–18 · Cape May Point

Two-day statewide lighthouse route; Cape May Lighthouse anchors the south.

October 23–25 · Cape May

The autumn edition of the Exit Zero Jazz Festival in Cape May.

October 29 · Ocean City

Costume parade down Asbury Avenue on the Thursday before Halloween.

October 31 · toms-river

Halloween-night parade through downtown Toms River. Free to watch.

October 2–3 · Wildwood

Free Italian heritage festival at Fox Park, Wildwood.

October 3–4 · Ship Bottom

Sea glass and coastal art festival on Long Beach Island.

October 3 · Ocean City

Autumn Jeep show along nine blocks of the Ocean City Boardwalk.

October 3 · Harvey Cedars

78th annual ASAC surf tournament out of the LBI Fishing Club in Harvey Cedars.

October 10 · Avalon

Fall seafood celebration with local restaurants competing for best dishes.

October 10 · red-bank

Downtown Red Bank Oktoberfest in Edmund Wilson Plaza. Free admission.

October 10–11 · smithville

Two-day Irish festival at Historic Smithville.

October 10 · Brigantine

Charity dog walk on Brigantine beach.

October 10 · Surf City

9th annual ASAC surf tournament out of the Surf City Fire Hall.

October 10–11 · manahawkin

Stafford’s harvest festival Saturday plus a two-day NJ wine festival at Heritage Park.

October 11 · Seaside Heights

Columbus Day parade on the Boulevard in Seaside Heights.

October 17 · toms-river

Juried fall art show on Washington Street in downtown Toms River.

October 17 · Lavallette

Soup tasting and craft festival in Lavallette.

October 17 · Ocean City

Porsche show on the Ocean City Boardwalk with tech sessions at the Music Pier.

October 17 · Sea Isle City

Autumn festival at Excursion Park with hayrides on the beach.

October 17 · Wildwood

Free autumn festival at Fox Park in Wildwood.

October 18 · smithville

Corvette show at Historic Smithville, free to watch.

October 22 · Atlantic City

Family pumpkin festival at the Absecon Lighthouse.

October 24 · toms-river

Evening Halloween street event in downtown Toms River.

October 24–25 · Ocean City

Dogs allowed on the Ocean City Boardwalk, with a costume parade Saturday.

October 24 · cape-may-court-house

Free Halloween event at the Cape May County Park & Zoo.

October 24 · Manasquan

Chamber artisan market on Main Street, late October.

October 29 · Point Pleasant Beach

Costumed Halloween stroll along Arnold Avenue.

October 9–23 · toms-river

Two weeks of decorated scarecrows through downtown Toms River.

October 24 · Ocean City

Statewide autumn beach cleanup, with sites up and down the Shore.

November 5–8 · Cape May

Four nights of prix-fixe menus across Cape May, November 5–8.

November 7 · Wildwood Crest

Fast, flat course through the Wildwoods—half marathon, 10K, and 5K options.

November 21 · Cape May

Dickens village transformation kicks off Cape May holiday season.

November 27 – December 31 · Cape May

Congress Hall’s holiday village on the lawn, Thanksgiving weekend through New Year’s Eve.

November 27–28 · Sea Isle City

Thanksgiving-weekend holiday village in Excursion Park with Friday’s tree lighting.

November 5–6 · Atlantic City

The state teachers’ convention — Atlantic City’s busiest November hotel weekend.

November 6–7 · Atlantic City

Chicago plays two nights at Hard Rock Live, November 6–7.

November 6–8 · Atlantic City

Disney On Ice at Boardwalk Hall, five shows November 6–8.

November 7 · Atlantic City

Steve Martin & Martin Short at Ovation Hall, November 7.

November 13 · Atlantic City

Sugarland at the Borgata Event Center, November 13.

November 17–19 · Atlantic City

The municipal officials’ conference — three midweek days that fill AC hotels before Thanksgiving.

November 20–22 · Sea Isle City

Deals and events at participating Sea Isle businesses, the weekend before Thanksgiving.

November 20 · Atlantic City

Gwen Stefani at the Borgata Event Center, November 20.

November 21 · Ocean City

Early-morning holiday shopping on Asbury Avenue, the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

November 21 · Manasquan

The 43rd five-mile Turkey Trot, the Saturday before Thanksgiving — sold out.

November 27 · Ocean City

Day-after-Thanksgiving holiday kickoff on Asbury Avenue with Santa at 5 PM.

November 27 · Point Pleasant Beach

Bay Avenue tree lighting with Santa by fire truck, the Friday after Thanksgiving.

November 27 · Avalon

Charity 5K and family walk from Avalon Community Hall, the Friday after Thanksgiving.

November 27 · Atlantic City

The Temptations and The Four Tops at Hard Rock Live, November 27.

November 28 · Wildwood

Small Business Saturday holiday market at Byrne Plaza.

November 28 · Spring Lake

Free model-train Christmas village in Duggan Hall, Wednesday–Sunday from November 28.