October Events at the Jersey Shore
October features Victorian celebrations in Cape May, Oktoberfests, and spooky Halloween events.
49
Events
3
Major Festivals
32
Free Events
11
Categories
The busiest day in October: Saturday, October 10
13 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.
- Victorian Weekend · Cape May
- LBI FLY International Kite Festival · Ship Bottom
- Ocean County Columbus Day Italian Festival · Seaside Heights
- Atlantic City Comedy Festival · Atlantic City
- West Cape May Lima Bean Festival · West Cape May
- Ocean City Fall Block Party · Ocean City
- Avalon Arts & Seafood Festival · Avalon
- Red Bank Oktoberfest · Red Bank
- Historic Smithville Irish Festival · Smithville
- Pup Strut Beach Walk · Brigantine
- Jeff Bajek Memorial Surf Fishing Tournament · Surf City
- Stafford Fall Harvest & Wine Festival · Manahawkin
- Downtown Toms River Scarecrow Walk · Toms River
Destination Events in October
Major festivals and events worth planning your trip around.
October 3-4, 2026
Saturday Merchant Mart 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Sunday Cook-Off 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Running nowLBI's premier fall food festival — free Saturday Merchant Mart, ticketed Sunday chowder cook-off.
Highlights
October 4, 2026
8:00 AM start (new for 2026)
Running nowFlat, scenic half marathon through Sandy Hook Gateway National Recreation Area.
Highlights
October 9-12, 2026
Various events throughout
Cape May's signature Victorian celebration with house tours, dinners, and themed events.
Highlights
Major Events
Vintage cars and motorcycles drag race on Wildwood Beach—strictly pre-1953 machines.
Oktoberfest at Historic Smithville
Smithville
Two-day Oktoberfest at Historic Smithville. Free admission.
International kite festival with giant kites and magical night fly.
Three-day Italian street festival on Grant Avenue, Seaside Heights.
Two-night comedy festival at Boardwalk Hall.
Farming-heritage festival in West Cape May built around the lima bean.
Ocean City's largest street fair, across ten blocks of Asbury Avenue.
LBI 18-Mile Run & 12K
Long Beach Island
53rd annual 18-mile race the length of Long Beach Island.
Four days of peak-migration birding field trips and talks in Cape May.
Nation's third-oldest marathon featuring 8 miles on the Atlantic City Boardwalk.
Two-day statewide lighthouse route; Cape May Lighthouse anchors the south.
The autumn edition of the Exit Zero Jazz Festival in Cape May.
Costume parade down Asbury Avenue on the Thursday before Halloween.
Toms River Halloween Parade
Toms River
Halloween-night parade through downtown Toms River. Free to watch.
Month-long spooky celebration with ghost walks and Scarecrow Alley.
Boat-based striped bass tournament with weigh-in at Sea Shell Resort.
Local Events & Celebrations
Downtown Toms River Scarecrow Walk
Toms River • October 9-23, 2026
Red Bank Oktoberfest
Red Bank • October 10, 2026
Historic Smithville Irish Festival
Smithville • October 10-11, 2026
Stafford Fall Harvest & Wine Festival
Manahawkin • October 10-11, 2026
Downtown Toms River Harvest Arts Festival
Toms River • October 17, 2026
Historic Smithville Corvette Show
Smithville • October 18, 2026
Haunted Downtown Toms River
Toms River • October 24, 2026
Boo at the Zoo
Cape May Court House • October 24, 2026
Red Bank Halloween Parade
Red Bank • October 2026
Already happened this year — 5 events
Events by Category
Events by County
Monmouth County
7
events
Ocean County
16
events
Atlantic County
7
events
Cape May County
19
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 49 events at the Jersey Shore including Beach Haven Chowder Cook-Off (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, 32 of the 49 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.
- Asbury Park1 event
- Atlantic City3 events
- Avalon1 event
- Barnegat Light2 events
- Beach Haven2 events
- Bradley Beach1 event
- Cape May5 events
- Long Branch1 event
- Manasquan1 event
- North Wildwood1 event
- Ocean City6 events
- Ocean Grove1 event
- Point Pleasant Beach1 event
- Sea Isle City1 event
- Seaside Heights2 events
- Ship Bottom4 events
- Historic Smithville3 events
- Toms River4 events
- West Cape May1 event
- Wildwood3 events
- Wildwood Crest1 event