October Events at the Jersey Shore
October features Victorian celebrations in Cape May, Oktoberfests, and spooky Halloween events.
43
Events
3
Major Festivals
27
Free Events
11
Categories
The busiest day in October: Saturday, October 17
9 events land on this one day. If you are choosing a weekend, this is the one with the most going on — and the one where parking, traffic and rooms are tightest. Book and arrive early.
- Atlantic City Marathon · Atlantic City
- Cape May Halloween Happenings · Cape May
- Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey · Cape May Point
- Downtown Toms River Harvest Arts Festival · Toms River
- Soups of the Shore & Craft Festival · Lavallette
- Porsche Boardwalk Reunion · Ocean City
- Sea Isle City Harvest Classic · Sea Isle City
- Wildwoods Fall Festival · Wildwood
- Downtown Toms River Scarecrow Walk · Toms River
Destination Events in October
Major festivals and events worth planning your trip around.
October 9-12, 2026
Various events throughout
Cape May's signature Victorian celebration with house tours, dinners, and themed events.
Highlights
October 4, 2026
8am start
Flat, scenic half marathon through Sandy Hook Gateway National Recreation Area.
Highlights
October 3-4, 2026
Saturday Merchant Mart, Sunday Chowder Cook-Off
LBI's premier fall food festival — free Saturday Merchant Mart, ticketed Sunday chowder cook-off.
Highlights
Major Events
International kite festival with giant kites and magical night fly.
LBI 18-Mile Run & 12K
Long Beach Island
53rd annual 18-mile race the length of Long Beach Island.
Vintage cars and motorcycles drag race on Wildwood Beach—strictly pre-1953 machines.
Nation's third-oldest marathon featuring 8 miles on the Atlantic City Boardwalk.
Month-long spooky celebration with ghost walks and Scarecrow Alley.
Boat-based striped bass tournament with weigh-in at Sea Shell Resort.
Fast, flat course through the Wildwoods—half marathon, 10K, and 5K options.
Highlands Oktoberfest
Highlands
Bayfront Oktoberfest at Veterans Park with German food, oompah bands and free admission.
Three-day Italian street festival on Grant Avenue, Seaside Heights.
Toms River Halloween Parade
Toms River
Halloween-night parade through downtown Toms River. Free to watch.
Oktoberfest at Historic Smithville
Smithville
Two-day Oktoberfest at Historic Smithville. Free admission.
Two-night comedy festival at Boardwalk Hall.
Four days of peak-migration birding field trips and talks in Cape May.
The autumn edition of the Exit Zero Jazz Festival in Cape May.
Two-day statewide lighthouse route; Cape May Lighthouse anchors the south.
Farming-heritage festival in West Cape May built around the lima bean.
Ocean City's largest street fair, across ten blocks of Asbury Avenue.
Costume parade down Asbury Avenue on the Thursday before Halloween.
Local Events & Celebrations
Red Bank Oktoberfest
Red Bank • October 10, 2026
Downtown Toms River Harvest Arts Festival
Toms River • October 17, 2026
Haunted Downtown Toms River
Toms River • October 24, 2026
Historic Smithville Irish Festival
Smithville • October 10-11, 2026
Historic Smithville Corvette Show
Smithville • October 18, 2026
Boo at the Zoo
Cape May Court House • October 24, 2026
Downtown Toms River Scarecrow Walk
Toms River • October 9-23, 2026
Events by Category
Events by County
Monmouth County
3
events
Ocean County
13
events
Atlantic County
7
events
Cape May County
20
events
💡 October Tips
Peak fall foliage makes this ideal for Cape May's Victorian events.
October Highlights
Frequently Asked Questions
What events happen at the Jersey Shore in October?
October features 43 events at the Jersey Shore including LBI Chowderfest, Jersey Shore Half Marathon, Victorian Weekend. October features Victorian celebrations in Cape May, Oktoberfests, and spooky Halloween events.
Are there free events at the Jersey Shore in October?
Yes, 27 of the 43 events in October are free to attend. Many towns host free concerts, parades, and community celebrations.
What should I know about visiting the Jersey Shore in October?
Peak fall foliage makes this ideal for Cape May's Victorian events.
Explore More
Town calendars with October events
Year-round event calendars for the towns running something this month.
- Atlantic City3 events
- Avalon1 event
- Barnegat Light2 events
- Beach Haven2 events
- Cape May5 events
- North Wildwood2 events
- Ocean City6 events
- Point Pleasant Beach1 event
- Sea Isle City1 event
- Seaside Heights2 events
- Ship Bottom4 events
- Historic Smithville3 events
- Toms River4 events
- Wildwood4 events
- Wildwood Crest2 events