Things to Do in NJ This Weekend

Are you looking for something to do this weekend in New Jersey? New Jersey Monthly has you covered! Below we highlight recommendations for events across the state, from festivals to concerts to family-friendly events and more.

Looking to make the most of the fall? Check out our 26 best fall day trips in New Jersey, go to a fall festival or get scared at one of these Halloween happenings.

Hungry? Check out this month’s best food events.

And don’t forget to peruse our list of the 52 things you must do in New Jersey all year, no matter the season!

Our editors’ picks for this week & weekend:

Looking for a plan? We’ve got you covered with our curated guide to the best events happening across New Jersey right now.

North Jersey Events

ProgStock 
?️: Thursday, Oct 8-Sunday, 11
?: Williams Center, Rutherford
ℹ️: Live progressive- rock performances, artist meet-and-greets and more.  

Morristown Festival of Books
?️: Friday, Oct 9-Saturday, Oct 10
ℹ️: Attend author talks, Kids Fest and more, with Malcolm Gladwell headlining the festival.

Jack-O’-Lantern Experience
?️: Through Sunday, 11/1
?: Skylands Stadium, Augusta
ℹ️: This 45-minute walk-through spectacular features more than 6,000 jack-o’-lanterns.

Hopatcong Monthly Market
?️: Sunday, 10/25
?: Park & Ride/DPW Lot, Hopatcong
ℹ️: Shop food, craft and artisan vendors plus vintage dealers, secondhand goods and more.

Central Jersey Events

A Beat of Our Own
?️: Wednesday, Oct 7-Sunday, Oct 25
?: McCarter Theatre, Princeton 
ℹ️: From the Tony-winning producers of Hadestown comes a new musical comedy that pulls you into the world of competitive bhangra dance.  

The Unexpected 3^rd
?️: Tuesday, Oct 13-Sunday, Nov 1  
?: George Street Playhouse, New Brunswick
ℹ️: In this one-woman show, written by and starring Kathryn Grody, a 79-year-old woman copes with aging. 

Oktoberfest at Forest Lodge
?️: Saturday, October 10
?: Forest Lodge, Warren
ℹ️: Dance to a live German band while sampling craft beer and enjoying family-friendly fun.

Dunellen HarvestFest
?️: Sunday, October 11
?: Washington Park, Dunellen
ℹ️: Activities include a pumpkin-decorating contest. 

U-Pick Sunflower: Fall Festival
?️: Through Monday, 10/12
?: Holland Ridge Farms, Cream Ridge
ℹ️: Wander through massive fields of golden blooms and vibrant wildflowers as you soak up everything fall.

Shore Events

Atlantic City Comedy Festival
?️: Friday, Oct 9-Saturday, Oct 10  
?: Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City 
ℹ️: Catch a comedic lineup including Sheryl Underwood and Tommy Davidson. 

Victorian Weekend
?️: Friday, Oct 9-Monday, Oct 12
?: Cape May
ℹ️: Celebrate the city’s famous Victorian architecture and history with a weekend of tours, a vintage “base ball” game, a crafts and collectibles show, murder mystery dinner and more.

South Jersey Events

Fright Fest
?️: Thru Nov 1  
?: Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson Township 
ℹ️: Horrors lurk in foggy corners, and haunts await.

Fintastic Pumpkin Glow at Adventure Aquarium
?️: Through Sunday, 11/1
?: Adventure Aquarium, Camden
ℹ️: Guests are invited to explore the glow deep below as they dive into an underwater realm filled with gorgeous glowing gourds of all shapes, sizes, and species during the annual family-friendly fall event with a unique underwater twist.