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Garden State Circle
A Garden State Circle Roundup
This Weekend in New Jersey
Things worth leaving the house for.
Your Weekend Starts Here
By Tiffany Slowinski
Looking for something fun to do in New Jersey this weekend? I’ve got you.
I’m Tiffany Slowinski, the creator behind Tiffany Knows New Jersey and co-publisher of Garden State Circle. Every week, we sort through what’s happening across the state and pull together the events actually worth knowing about.
Pick your part of New Jersey. Make a plan.
Event details can change. Check the event website before heading out.
Tiffany’s Picks
Things worth leaving the house for.
Far Hills Sat., Oct. 17
The Hunt: 105th Far Hills Race Meeting
One of New Jersey’s biggest social events of the year, featuring steeplechase horse racing, elaborate tailgates and fall fashion.
Long Branch Sat., Oct. 17
Long Branch Fall Festival & Pooch Parade
A Pier Village celebration featuring costumed dogs, live music from The Nerds, Bavarian dancing, pumpkin activities, food and shopping.
Mount Holly Sat., Oct. 17
Witches Bazaar
Mill Race Village hosts a witchy evening featuring fire twirlers, stilt walkers, dancing witches, costumes and vendors.
Everything We Know About This Weekend
Thursday, Oct. 15
| Event | Town | Date | Time | Cost | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PayMore West Long Branch Grand Opening + PS5 Giveaway · @paymorewestlongbranchnj | West Long Branch | Thursday, Oct. 15 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m. | Not stated | An electronics resale store celebrates its grand opening with a ribbon cutting and PlayStation 5 giveaway. The winner will be selected that day but does not need to be present. |
| Clinton’s Creepy, Kooky, Mysterious & Spooky Celebration · @visitclintonnj | Clinton | Thursday, Oct. 15 | Not stated | Free | A free, all-ages Halloween celebration featuring a people and pet parade, costumes and prizes, celebrating the town and Haunted Red Mill’s 35th anniversary. |
Friday, Oct. 16
| Event | Town | Date | Time | Cost | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pink Witches Night Out · @pinkwitchesnightout | Denville | Friday, Oct. 16 | 5:30–10 p.m. | Free | Downtown Broadway turns pink for music, food, shopping and fundraising for women affected by cancer. |
| Haunted Red Mill: Lurking in the Shadows · @hauntedredmillclinton | Clinton | Friday, Oct. 16 + Saturday, Oct. 17 | Not stated | Not stated | A historic-mill haunt featuring a maze, terror trail, river hayride and vortex. |
| Scare Farm: The Final Ride · @norzhillfarm · @scarefarm_norzhillfarm | Hillsborough | Friday, Oct. 16–Sunday, Oct. 18 | Fri. and Sat. 7–10 p.m.; Sun. 7–9 p.m. | Not stated | Two haunted hayrides and two walking trails at Norz Hill Farm. |
| Farm of Horrors at Schaefer Farms · @schaefer_farms | Flemington | Friday, Oct. 16–Sunday, Oct. 18 | Evening hours | Not stated | Four haunted experiences, including the Hay Ride of Horror, Trail of Terror, Massacre Maze and Carnevil of Chaos. |
| Haunted Car Wash · @theteamcarwash | Westfield | Friday, Oct. 16 + Saturday, Oct. 17 | 6–9 p.m. | $25 per car; free for Unlimited Wash Club members | Costumed actors surprise customers during a Halloween-themed car wash. Visitors can choose a scary or silly experience. |
| Dodge Poetry Festival · @njpac | Newark | Thursday, Oct. 15–Saturday, Oct. 17 | Friday and Saturday sessions; Saturday’s outdoor Family Fun Day begins at 11 a.m. | Festival passes are paid; Saturday’s outdoor Family Fun Day is free | A major poetry festival featuring spoken word, hip-hop, performances, readings and special events across multiple stages. New Jersey-born music and poetry icon, Patti Smith will be performing her songs and stories at NJPAC’s Prudential Hall. |
| The Haunting on High Street · @thehauntingonhighstreet | Mount Holly | Friday, Oct. 16 + Saturday, Oct. 17 | 7–10 p.m. | $31 for the prison walkthrough and hangout; $13 for the hangout only | An immersive haunted walkthrough inside the historic Burlington County Prison Museum, followed by a Halloween hangout with music, games, face painting, tarot readings and food vendors. |
| Quilts in the Mill Show | Stockton | Friday, Oct. 16 + Saturday, Oct. 17 | 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. | $12 | The Courthouse Quilters Guild presents a two-day quilt show at historic Prallsville Mills. |
| Circus Vazquez Opening Weekend · @circusvazquez | Woodbridge | Friday, Oct. 16–Sunday, Oct. 18 | Fri. 7 p.m.; Sat. 1, 4 and 7 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m., 2 and 5 p.m. | Not stated | An international big-top circus featuring highwire acts, aerial performers, a live band and comedy. |
| Montclair Film Festival: Opening Weekend · @montclairfilm | Montclair | Friday, Oct. 16–Sunday, Oct. 25 | Not stated | Not stated | The 15th annual festival features film screenings, celebrity Q&As and special appearances across several Montclair venues. |
Saturday, Oct. 17
| Event | Town | Date | Time | Cost | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Hunt: 105th Far Hills Race Meeting · @farhillsrace | Far Hills | Saturday, Oct. 17 | Gates open at 8 a.m. | General admission $110 plus a $20 processing fee per order; parking extra; children 13 and under free with an adult | Steeplechase horse racing, elaborate tailgates and fall fashion at Moorland Farm. |
| Edison’s Fall Family Spectacular Street Fair & Food Truck Fest · @edisontownshipgovernment | Edison | Saturday, Oct. 17 | 1–9 p.m. | Not stated | An eight-block street fair featuring food trucks, two live music stages, a beer and wine garden, BMX demonstrations and professional wrestling. |
| Cranford Carve-Out & Parade of Pumpkins · @cranfordjaycees | Cranford | Saturday, Oct. 17 | 5–8:30 p.m.; display closes at 9 p.m. | Free | Walk illuminated Hanson Park garden paths filled with carved pumpkins. |
| Witches Bazaar · @witches_bazaar_mt_holly | Mount Holly | Saturday, Oct. 17 | 4–10 p.m. | Not stated | Mill Race Village hosts a witchy evening featuring fire twirlers, stilt walkers, dancing witches, costumes and vendors. |
| The Witchery · @thewitcherynj | Denville | Saturday, Oct. 17 | 4–9 p.m. | Ticketed | An evening at Ayres Knuth Farm featuring folklore, mystical artisans, crystals, live painting and performances. |
| Long Branch Fall Festival & Pooch Parade · @piervillagelongbranch | Long Branch | Saturday, Oct. 17 | Noon–4 p.m.; pup parade at 12:30 p.m. | Free entry; dog parade registration is $5 | A Pier Village celebration featuring costumed dogs, live music from The Nerds, Bavarian dancing, pumpkin activities, food and shopping. |
| Sussex County Harvest, Honey & Garlic Festival · @harvesthoneygarlicfestival | Augusta | Saturday, Oct. 17 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | Free | A fairgrounds celebration of honey, garlic, cheese, maple syrup, food trucks and live music. |
| Chatsworth Cranberry Festival · @chatsworthcranberryfestival | Chatsworth | Saturday, Oct. 17 + Sunday, Oct. 18 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. both days | Not stated | A Pine Barrens cranberry tradition featuring up to 150 juried vendors, food, music and a Sunday car show. |
| Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey · @capemaymac | Jersey Shore and statewide coastal locations | Saturday, Oct. 17 + Sunday, Oct. 18 | Not stated | $10 registration, plus some tower and museum fees | A road-trip challenge visiting lighthouses and lifesaving stations to collect souvenirs. |
| Light Up Diwali · @aapinewjersey | Montclair | Saturday, Oct. 17 (rain date Oct. 18) | 2–6 p.m. | $7 individual; $25 family of up to five; children under 5 free | A Festival of Lights celebration at Montclair Art Museum featuring dance, music, food and cultural activities. |
| Monsters on the Beach: Renegade Monster Trucks · @wildwoodsnj | Wildwood | Saturday, Oct. 17 + Sunday, Oct. 18 | Sat. 12:30 and 7 p.m.; Sun. 12:30 p.m. | Ticketed | Monster trucks race and perform stunts on the sand. |
| Boo-tiful Pumpkin Walk & Craft Fest · @morrisparksnj | Morristown | Saturday, Oct. 17 (rain date Oct. 18) | 6–8 p.m. | Not stated | Glowing jack-o’-lanterns illuminate Frelinghuysen Arboretum’s rose garden, with crafts, hot beverages and snacks. |
| The Underground’s 2-Year Anniversary Party · @undergroundvbc | Somerville | Saturday, Oct. 17 | 8 p.m.–2 a.m. Sunday | Free; RSVP through the venue’s ticket hub | A free anniversary party headlined by Jersey Club artist UNIIQU3, with DJ Jayhood, Refilled, Angie Rey and Griffin Moonstone. |
| South Brunswick Public Library Grand Opening + Family Carnival · @sbpubliclibrary | Monmouth Junction | Saturday, Oct. 17 | Ribbon cutting at 10 a.m.; carnival 11 a.m.–2 p.m. | Not stated | Celebrate the renovated and expanded library with a ribbon cutting, family carnival, bouncy house, refreshments and musical entertainment. |
| New Jersey Hall of Fame Hispanic Heritage Celebration · @newjerseyhalloffame | East Rutherford | Saturday, Oct. 17 | Beginning at noon | $2 per person | An all-ages celebration featuring art, music, stories, interactive exhibits and cultural experiences at American Dream. |
Sunday, Oct. 18
| Event | Town | Date | Time | Cost | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art City Festival · @thecreativesidejc | New Brunswick | Sunday, Oct. 18 (rain date Oct. 25) | 11 a.m.–6 p.m. | Free; optional Taco & Mural Tours are $25 at noon, 2 and 4 p.m., with limited capacity | A downtown open-air arts festival featuring immersive installations, approximately 100 artists, performances and food. |
| JETTY Fish Fry Surf Gathering & Contest · @jettylongbranch | Long Branch | Sunday, Oct. 18 | 8 a.m.–4 p.m. | Free for spectators and the open surf session; check contest registration requirements | An alternative-board surf competition, open surf session, music and Shore vendors at Pier Village. |
| Ghostbusters in Concert · @ghostbusters · @mayopac | Morristown | Sunday, Oct. 18 | 7 p.m. | $45–$91 including fees | Watch the original Ghostbusters movie with a live orchestra performing the score. |
| Hamilton Township Oktoberfest · @hamiltontwpnj | Hamilton | Sunday, Oct. 18 (rain date Oct. 25) | 11 a.m.–5 p.m. | Not stated | A Veterans Park festival featuring live band Big Hix, food trucks, craft beer, a pumpkin patch and corn maze. |
| Celebrate Fall Festival at Reeves-Reed Arboretum · @reevesreedarboretum | Summit | Sunday, Oct. 18 | 11 a.m.–3 p.m. | $15 for nonmembers; free for members and children under 3; advance registration required | A garden festival featuring a mildly spooky trail, games, music, crafts, goats and food vendors. |
Have an event worth knowing about?
Send it our way! Tiffany’s always looking for great things to share across New Jersey.
About This List
This is what we know about across New Jersey this weekend, with the details as each organizer posted them. Things change — check their page before you go. If we’re missing one, tell us about it. Last updated Oct. 14, 2026.