Fall Activities in Jersey City
This fall, Jersey City residents have plenty of activities to choose from to celebrate the season. With cooling temps and foliage beginning to change, it’s the perfect backdrop to get together with family and friends. Remember, summer months aren’t the only ones where you can enjoy the outdoors. Make some plans to get out of your routine this fall with these Jersey City and local events.
Food and Festivals
One of the best things about fall festivals is that you can be outside but comfy in a sweater. Whether it’s hot tea or a craft brew, the right goodies are waiting for you at these festivals.
Bergen Square Day – Where diversity, food and fun meet. Enjoy street performances, special treats for kids and a wide variety of delectable foods at Bergan Square. Culturally diverse arts and crafts will encourage supporting local businesses, too.
Smorgasburg – Dubbed “the Woodstock of Eating” by the New York Times, Smorgasburg is the largest open-air food festival that occurs in several cities. Jersey City residents are lucky to live in the home of one of these amazing festivals. Enjoy an eclectic variety of food every Saturday and Sunday 8 AM to 5 PM, rain or shine.
902 Brewing Fall Festival – This year on October 23 you can get into the Halloween spirit with the whole family at 902 Brewing. Besides some of the best beer around, enjoy live music, food trucks and pumpkin painting all day. Additionally, the kids will love the costume parade that begins at 3 PM.
Hoboken Coffee and Tea Festival – Enjoy local vendors as well as art and cultural traditions behind some of our favorite brewed beverages. This November 7 event will take place in the Hoboken Historical Museum’s walkway and tickets are $10 with pre-registration.
Jersey City Art Fair – Come support and enjoy the work of local artists from November 12-14, at the annual art fair. The annual fair showcases hundreds of artists from New Jersey, New York and around the world. The Juried Show specializes in New Jersey artists. This year’s show will be at The Glass Gallery at the Mana Contemporary.
The Harvest of the Season
So much of our fall events are centered around fruits of the harvest that bring us delicious treats and staples of our daily life. It pays to get outside and with nature to bring home some of these foods. Skip the grocery store and stroll through one of these local areas next time you have a chance.
Best Local Corn Mazes – Choose any of these fun corn mazes for a weekend outing with the kids or your loved one. They range from child-friendly to complex and challenging. What’s even better is visiting a farm site with your pumpkin spice coffee in hand or achieving a holiday-worthy photo of your kids in the process!
Demarest Farms – Take a day trip to this beloved farm with your whole family. Their fall festival of lights is well underway, plus they have tons of choices when it comes to delicious treats.
Ward’s Pumpkin Patch – Visiting the pumpkin patch is a must-do with family during the month of October. Whether you’re decorating the front stoop, the mantel or plan on having an epic carving event in your home, stop by Ward’s for all your gourd needs.
The Best Kid-Friendly Events this Fall
Halloween falls on a Sunday this year, but there’s plenty to do in the days and weekends leading up to it. Jersey City always has a variety of activities going on for kids of all ages, often with an educational twist.
Fall Fest at Liberty Science Center – This year’s fall festival is underway at our hometown science center. Choose from indoor or outdoor adventures that include a Spooky Pathway, a Creepy Crawler Corner and even a Monster Mash party. Get your tickets today and be sure to attend the Fall Fest Finale on October 30 and 31.
Halloween Family Blast – Come on over to the Grove PATH Plaza on the 31st for face painting, music, art and candy. It’ll be a great time for the little ones as well as their parents. Don’t forget to dress up in your best costume!
Spooktacular Halloween Events – My Gym has multiple Halloween parties available to kids from all ages this fall. Check their website for calendar and availability. The best part is that parents can enjoy an evening while the kids have a blast dressing up in costumes and enjoying fun and games.
Get Out, Stay Active
Finally we present an updated list of charity walks and running races for the next few weeks. Take your cardio to the next level by getting involved in your community. Finishing a 5k feels a lot more empowering when you’ve raised awareness or donations for a cause.
Glow Walk/Run – Epilepsy Services of New Jersey is sponsoring this Halloween-themed 5k walk/run for the whole family. Join your neighbors at Liberty State Park on October 23 for fun and to spread awareness and raise money to improve the quality of life for those living with Epilepsy.
Jersey City Road Runners’ Everybody’s 10k – If you’re looking for a longer race event, join fellow runners on October 24 for 6.2 miles around Liberty State Park.
Zero Prostate Cancer Run/Walk – This event has recently gone virtual but participants will be able to connect with other racers and see a live leaderboard. Begin fundraising today to raise money for prostate cancer research and awareness.
Hoboken Turkey Trot – On Saturday, November 20 you can jog off your turkey dinner with fellow runners in nearby Hoboken. Enjoy the beautiful cool temps where you can rock some warmer gear and kick off the holiday season.
There’s plenty to do this fall in and around Jersey City. Plan ahead so you can beat the crowds and arrive on time, especially when you’re bringing the little ones. You can have fun while enjoying a mix of outdoors and indoors, as well as supporting local businesses.
