Fall is on the Horizon
Summer is winding down, and that can only mean one thing: it’s time to start planning the best weekends of the year. Between harvest celebrations, Italian feasts, craft fairs, food trucks, and a few destination events worth the short drive, the hardest part about the fall festivals Bergen County NJ has to offer isn’t finding something to do — it’s deciding which one earns a spot on your calendar.
This guide covers more than a dozen fall festivals happening right here in Bergen County between early September and late October 2026, plus a handful of nearby favorites in Hoboken, Nyack, Vernon, and Warwick that are worth the drive. We’ll be adding new events and updates in the weeks ahead, so bookmark this page — Bergen County Lifestyle will be sharing all the fall fun as the season unfolds.
A quick note before you dive in: always confirm dates, admission, and parking directly with the organizer before you leave the house, especially if the forecast looks unpredictable. Event details change from year to year, and sometimes from week to week.
Fall Festivals at a Glance
| Date | Festival | Town | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 4-7 | St. Joseph Festival | Lodi | Italian food and tradition |
| Sept. 10-13 | Hoboken Italian Festival | Hoboken | Large centennial celebration |
| Sept. 12-Nov. 8 | Great Pumpkin Festival | Vernon | Full farm-festival experience |
| Sept. 13 | Nyack September Fall Festival | Nyack | Shopping and an easy day trip |
| Sept. 18-20 | Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival | Ridgefield Park | Best all-around family festival |
| Sept. 19 | Elmwood Park Community Day | Elmwood Park | Food trucks and kids' activities |
| Sept. 19-20 | Mountain Creek Oktoberfest | Vernon | Destination Oktoberfest |
| Sept. 20 | Ridgewood Fall Craft & Art Street Fair | Ridgewood | Crafts and downtown dining |
| Sept. 20 | Saddle Brook Street Fair | Saddle Brook | Traditional family street fair |
| Sept. 26 | The Baron's Oktoberfest 250th | River Edge | Local history and Oktoberfest |
| Oct. 3 | Ridgefield Park Street Fair | Ridgefield Park | Food, vendors and live music |
| Oct. 4 | Westwood Harvest Fest | Westwood | Crafts and antiques |
| Oct. 4 | Warwick Applefest | Warwick | Apples and a major festival atmosphere |
| Oct. 11 | Nyack Famous Street Fair | Nyack | Large fall street fair |
| Oct. 25 | Harvest Homecoming | River Edge | History and a late-October outing |
Fall Festivals in Bergen County
111th St. Joseph Festival — Lodi
Date: September 4-7, 2026 | Location: St. Joseph Church, 40 Spring Street, Lodi | Admission: Free
This Labor Day weekend tradition has been running for over a century, and it shows in the best way. Expect classic Italian festival food, games of chance, and nightly entertainment in a setting that feels more like a neighborhood block party than a formal event. It’s a stronger pick for food and community tradition than for a farm-style fall outing, so plan accordingly.
Official details: https://jerseycatholic.org/event/111th-anniversary-st-joseph-festival
Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival — Ridgefield Park
Date: September 18-20, 2026 | Location: Overpeck County Park, 199 Challenger Road, Ridgefield Park | Admission: Free, with free parking
This is the festival we send most families to first. Friday evening kicks off with rides and food trucks, and the weekend expands into exhibits, a craft fair, a farmers market, and 4-H and Master Gardener activities. Add a petting zoo, face painting, live music, and a full midway, and you’ve got the most well-rounded family festival on this list. If a nonperishable food donation request is still listed on the official page when you visit, consider bringing one along.
Official details: https://bergen.njaes.rutgers.edu/4h/fair/
Elmwood Park Community Day Street Fair & Food Truck Fest
Date: September 19, 2026, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Location: 300 Market Street, Elmwood Park
With roughly 50 exhibitors, food trucks, music, crafts, and a dedicated children’s zone, this one has a more intimate, neighborhood feel than the countywide harvest festival happening the same weekend. It’s a great option if you’d rather stroll a smaller event than navigate a crowd.
Official details: https://jcpromotions.info/product/elmwood-parks-community-day-festival-oct-25th-duplicate-1/
Ridgewood Fall Craft & Art Street Fair
Date: September 20, 2026, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Location: East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood | Rain or shine
If serious craft shopping is on your list, this is the Bergen County event to circle. Around 200 artists and crafters line downtown Ridgewood, alongside a food court and a children’s area. Pair it with lunch or dinner at one of Ridgewood’s downtown restaurants and make a full day of it.
Official details: https://pjspromotions.com/events-2/
Saddle Brook UNICO Street Fair & Craft Show
Date: September 20, 2026, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Location: Market Street and Mayhill Street, Saddle Brook | Admission: Free
This is a classic, family-friendly street fair with artists, crafters, food, rides, live music, and activities for kids. It falls on the same day as the Ridgewood fair, so if you’re torn between the two, this is the better pick for rides and a traditional carnival feel, while Ridgewood leans more into curated crafts.
Official details: https://visitnj.org/nj-events/saddle-brook-street-fair-craft-show-1
The Baron’s Oktoberfest 250th — River Edge
Date: September 26, 2026, 1-5 p.m. | Location: Historic New Bridge Landing, 1201 Main Street, River Edge
This history-centered Oktoberfest ties into Bergen County’s America 250 programming, making it a better fit for readers who want culture and local history alongside their celebration, rather than a large resort-style Oktoberfest. Ticket and program details can shift year to year, so double-check before you go.
Official details: https://www.bergencountyhistory.org/
Ridgefield Park Street Fair & Food Truck Fest
Date: October 3, 2026, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Location: 234 Main Street, Ridgefield Park | Rain or shine
Not to be confused with September’s Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival at Overpeck Park, this is a separate downtown block-party event with vendors, food trucks, bands, a DJ, games, and activities for the whole family.
Official details: https://jcpromotions.info/product/ridgefield-park-street-fair-2025/
Westwood Harvest Fest Craft, Antique & Gift Show
Date: October 4, 2026, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Location: Veterans Memorial Park, Westwood | Rain or shine
Arts, crafts, antiques, and gifts make this a smart early stop for holiday shopping. Once you’ve browsed the show, downtown Westwood’s restaurants and shops are an easy walk away for the rest of the afternoon.
Official details: https://pjspromotions.com/events-2/
Harvest Homecoming — River Edge
Date: October 25, 2026 | Location: Historic New Bridge Landing, 1201 Main Street, River Edge
One of the few Bergen County festivals still going strong in late October, Harvest Homecoming brings historic, seasonal programming to the same grounds as The Baron’s Oktoberfest. Full program details for 2026 are typically posted closer to the date, so check back before finalizing plans.
Official details: https://www.bergencountyhistory.org/
Fall Festivals Worth the Drive From Bergen County
These next few didn’t make the county line, but they’re close enough, big enough, or unique enough to be worth the trip.
100th Hoboken Italian Festival
Date: September 10-13, 2026
This is a centennial celebration, and Hoboken is going all out with Italian food, entertainment, a procession, rides, and an anniversary drone show. If you want a large waterfront cultural festival with real history behind it, this is the one.
Official details: https://www.hobokenitalianfestival.com/
Great Pumpkin Festival at Heaven Hill Farm — Vernon
Dates: September 12-November 8, 2026
This isn’t a single-day event — it’s a season-long farm-festival destination that runs for nearly two months. Treat it as a fall day-trip anchor rather than a quick stop, and check current ticket and reservation details before you plan your visit.
Official details: https://heavenhillfarm.com/our-events/great-pumpkin-festival/
Nyack September Fall Festival Street Fair
Date: September 13, 2026
With around 200 vendors, entertainment, and children’s activities, this is an easy day trip from northern Bergen County. Combine it with lunch in downtown Nyack for a relaxed Saturday.
Official details: https://www.nyack.gov/StreetFairs
Mountain Creek Oktoberfest — Vernon
Date: September 19-20, 2026, noon-7 p.m.
German food, beer and cider, entertainment, games, and family activities make this the destination Oktoberfest on our list. General admission typically includes parking and access to several activities — check the published ticket price before you go, since it can change year to year.
Official details: https://mountaincreek.com/2026/03/24/oktoberfest-2026/
Warwick Applefest
Date: October 4, 2026, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
This is a big one: 150-plus craft vendors, 75-plus food vendors, four music stages, and apple pie baking and eating contests. It draws a serious crowd, so plan your parking and travel time in advance.
Official details: https://www.warwickapplefest.com/
Nyack Famous Street Fair
Date: October 11, 2026
A large fall street fair spanning Main Street and Broadway, with crafts, shopping, food, and classic downtown atmosphere. Final hours are typically confirmed closer to the date, so double-check with the organizer.
Official details: https://www.nyack.gov/StreetFairs
Which Fall Festival Should You Choose?
- Best all-around family festival: Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival
- Best for crafts: Ridgewood Fall Craft & Art Street Fair
- Best for Italian food and tradition: St. Joseph Festival
- Best large cultural celebration: Hoboken Italian Festival
- Best destination Oktoberfest: Mountain Creek
- Best for apples: Warwick Applefest
- Best for history: The Baron’s Oktoberfest or Harvest Homecoming
- Best easy trip from northern Bergen County: Nyack
- Best for early holiday shopping: Westwood Harvest Fest
Before You Go
- Check the official event page on the day of, not just the week before.
- Confirm weather policies and rain dates.
- Verify admission, parking, and ticket requirements ahead of time.
- Bring a backup payment method — not every vendor takes cards.
- Check pet, stroller, and outside-food rules if they apply to you.
- Expect traffic and limited parking at the larger festivals, like Warwick Applefest and Mountain Creek Oktoberfest.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fall Festivals Bergen County NJ
What are the best fall festivals in Bergen County, NJ?
The Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival in Ridgefield Park, the Ridgewood Fall Craft & Art Street Fair, and the St. Joseph Festival in Lodi are consistently among the most popular, each for a different reason — family activities, crafts, and Italian food and tradition, respectively.
Are there free fall festivals in Bergen County?
Yes. The Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival, the St. Joseph Festival, and the Saddle Brook Street Fair all offer free admission, though individual food and vendor purchases are separate.
Which Bergen County fall festival is best for children?
The Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival stands out for younger kids, with a petting zoo, face painting, and a full midway. The Saddle Brook Street Fair also offers rides and family-friendly activities.
Where are the best fall craft fairs near Bergen County?
The Ridgewood Fall Craft & Art Street Fair and the Westwood Harvest Fest Craft, Antique & Gift Show are the top local picks for serious craft shopping.
What fall festivals near Bergen County are worth the drive?
The Hoboken Italian Festival, Mountain Creek Oktoberfest, and Warwick Applefest are all a short drive from Bergen County and draw large, well-established crowds.
Are fall festivals held if it rains?
Most of the festivals on this list are rain or shine, but policies vary by event. Always check the official page for weather updates before you leave.
Bookmark This Guide for the Rest of Fall
This list barely scratches the surface of what’s coming to Bergen County this fall. We’ll keep updating this guide with new fall festivals Bergen County NJ residents will want on their calendar, plus deeper dives into apple picking, cider donuts, and Oktoberfest events in the weeks ahead. Subscribe to the Bergen County Lifestyle newsletter so you never miss an update, and if you know of an event that belongs on this list, send it our way.
And if fall has you thinking about a fresh start — whether that’s finally listing your Bergen County home or beginning your search for the next one — Michael Guarriello and the Bergen County Lifestyle team are always happy to help. Reach out any time for a free home valuation or to talk through your options for 2026.
© 2026 Bergen County Lifestyle. All content is original and may not be reproduced, copied, or redistributed without written permission.
Michael Guarriello
Keller Williams Valley Realty
201-887-0244 | [email protected]
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