Things to Do on a Budget in Monmouth & Ocean Counties this October 2025

Posted on October 1, 2025 by Business Development Rep Samantha

You won’t be-leaf how easy and affordable it is to enjoy fall with these free or inexpensive (and sometimes spooky) events in Monmouth and Ocean Counties this October!

October 3

Jacks & Lights (Lacey) – Embark on an enchanting jack o’ lantern-lit stroll at Argos Farm on select Thursdays through Sundays until November 2nd at various times. Once the sun sets, the lights of thousands of jack o’ lanterns will lead you on an adventure through a glowing pumpkin trail. You can end the night by trick or treating yourself to one of the many pumpkin-themed treats that the eateries will be serving. Your general admission ticket includes access to the lighted pumpkin trail, flashlight corn maze, access to spook-easy (for those ages 21+), pumpkin patch, and photo ops. The ticket price varies depending on the date and purchase method. Click here to learn more and purchase tickets.

October 4

Fall Festival (Lacey) – The Fall Festival at Argos Farm is still here to give you a day that looks like it’s straight out of a movie on select dates at various times through November 1st. You can stroll through the pumpkin patch, find your way through a corn maze, sample tasty seasonal treats, enjoy live music, check out fun farm attractions, and more. General admission is $19.95 in advance and $23.95 at the gate, and children ages 2 and under are free. Learn more and purchase tickets here.

Fall Fun Fest & Bull Riding Rodeo (Manalapan) – From farm fun attractions to a bull riding rodeo show (and of course, pumpkins) – this Fall Fun Fest at Maple Leaf Farms has it all. The farm is open every weekend through November 1st from 10am-5pm, giving you plenty of opportunities to enjoy this ultimate autumn adventure that the whole family will love. There will be live country music, bull riding and pig races, unique activities, and more. Tickets are $26 for those ages 2 and above and can only be purchased at the door. Click here to learn how you can saddle up for this fun-filled fall experience.

Fall Harvest Festival Arts & Crafts Show (Ocean Grove) promises a day full of family-friendly fun, food, and live music at Auditorium Square Park from 10am-4pm. Plus, there will be arts and crafts to peruse and purchase from local vendors. There is no entry fee to attend, but there will be items available for purchase. Learn more here.

October 5

Oktoberfest (Freehold) – For the third year in a row, Freehold Borough is shutting down West Main Street from 12pm-7pm for a family-fun Oktoberfest celebration. The street will transform into a lively festival – featuring live music all day, delicious food and beverages, a beer garden for ages 21+, vendors selling specialty craft items, family games, and more. There is no entry fee to attend, but there will be items available for purchase. Click here to learn more.

October 10

Night of Frights (Wall) – When the sun sets, the ghouls, ghosts, and monsters at the Historic Village at Allaire come out! Beginning at 6pm – the village grounds and historic buildings will be home to glow-in-the-dark bubble shows, appearances from a fire juggler and sword swallower, scary displays and scenes, frightful storytelling at the chapel, live ghosts and goblins, and more. Although this is a family-friendly event, there may be stories or displays that could give young ones a fright – so please be aware. Admission is $20 for those ages 13 and older, $15 for children ages 4 to 12, and children 3 and under are free. You can find more details and purchase tickets here.

October 11

Oktoberfest (Red Bank) – Red Bank is bringing a taste of German cuisine and culture to town in Edmund Wilson Plaza from 1pm-5pm. There will be tastings of beer, wine, and spirits (for those ages 21+), authentic food, live music and entertainment, a craft vendor market, a kid’s zone, and more. There is no entry fee to attend, but there will be items available for purchase. Learn more here.

October 17

Dark History & Hauntings of Freehold – Take a leisurely and spooky walking tour to learn about the dark history, ghost stories, and urban legends of downtown Freehold – happening on various nights in October from 7pm-8:30pm. Meet at the Battle Monument near the courthouse to begin the tour, if you dare. Admission is $25 for those ages 13 and older, and $20 for children ages 12 and under. Although this is a family-friendly event, there could be stories that spook your little ones – so please be aware. All sales are final – the walking tours will happen rain or shine. Click here to see the various event dates and purchase tickets.

October 18

Fall Fest & Optimist Annual Car Show (Howell) – Enjoy the cool weather and rides at the Fall Fest & Optimist Annual Car Show in Soldier Memorial Park from 11am-4pm. This festival is the perfect pit stop to check out unique cars, enjoy live entertainment, sample food trucks, sip on beer/wine (for those ages 21+), sit around a fire pit, and more. There is no entry fee to attend, but there will be items available for purchase. Click here to see how you can enjoy the unique mashup of a fall festival and car show.

Harvest Arts Festival (Toms River) – Head over to Washington Street from 11am-5pm for a festival that features the best of family-friendly fall fun. Downtown Toms River will be jam-packed with free kids’ games and activities, live bands, merchandise and handcraft vendors, food trucks, and more. There is no entry fee to attend, but there will be items available for purchase. Click here to see how you can fall into fun with the whole family.

October 19

Trunk or Treat (Aberdeen) will be held at Matawan Regional High School from 1pm-5pm. Come trick or treat, check out the decorated trunks, hop on a hayride, visit the vendors, and more. If you are interested in decorating your trunk, you must sign up here in advance. The trunks will go head-to-head, and the winner of the best trunk design will win a prize. There is no entry fee to attend, but guests are asked to donate one bag of candy upon entry. Click here for more information.

Halloween Spooktacular Haunted Hayride (Freehold) – Scare or be scared at the Halloween Spooktacular Haunted Hayride, with rides starting at the West Main Street Wells Fargo Parking Lot at 1pm. The community comes together to decorate homes, act out spooky scenes, and haunt the passengers who dare to get on the hay wagon and embark on the haunted route. The hayrides are on an approximate schedule. Wristbands will be distributed starting at approximately 12:30pm and are free, though the hayride line will be closed once all wristbands are given out. There will be no-cost family fun activities to enjoy in the parking lot after you return. Learn more here.

October 25

All Hallows Eve Along the Burlington Path (Colts Neck) – A spooky night is brewing at Colts Neck Firehouse #1 from 5pm-8pm. The spirit of Halloween will come alive with activities like a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, spooky tales by the bonfire, hayrides, costume contests, and more. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children, and children 2 and under are free. Click here to learn more about how you can celebrate Halloween a week early.

Halloween Moonlit Market (New Egypt) – If trick-or-treating isn’t for you, go treasure-hunting instead at the Halloween Moonlit Market – happening at the New Egypt Flea Market Village from 5pm-9pm. The Moonlit Market is the perfect opportunity to show off your Halloween costume, shop for local treasures, and enjoy the autumn air. There is no entry fee to attend, but there will be items available for purchase. Learn more here.

Trunk or Treat (Manchester) – Fill your Halloween basket (or pillowcase) with candy a week early at the Manchester Trunk or Treat, taking place at Manchester Township High School from 7pm-9pm. Aside from early trick-or-treating – you can enjoy a haunted bus, face painting, and more. Admission is $2 per person. Click here to learn how you can add even more treats to your spooky season!

October 26

Halloween Spooktacular Costume Parade (Freehold) – The streets of Freehold will turn into a runway to show off your Halloween costume for a chance to win a prize, beginning at 12pm at the Freehold Raceway parking lot Manalapan Avenue entrance. Participants must check-in at noon and will be given a number to be pinned to their costume. Judges will be on the lookout for the best costumes and decide whose costume takes home the top treat. The participants will then follow the parade route as members of the community watch from the sidelines. There will be complimentary refreshments in the Hall of Records after the parade. There is no entry fee to participate in or watch the parade. You can learn more here.

October 31

Fall Friday Outdoor Movie Night Series (Red Bank) – Celebrate Halloween with a twist by catching the last installment of this movie night series at Coffee Corral, beginning at 6:30pm. In the spirit of Halloween, the selected movie will be Ghostbusters. Cozy up with a blanket or beach chair, grab a treat from the Corral, and enjoy the film under the crisp autumn air. There is no entry fee to attend, but there will be popcorn and other snack items available for purchase. Click here to learn more.

Halloween Party & Watch the Parade (Toms River) – Celebrate the spookiest night of the year at the Mathis House from 5pm-9pm. Break out your costume and enjoy music, an outdoor buffet, kids’ activities, and more. Plus, you’ll have the perfect view of the Downtown Toms River Halloween Parade as it goes by. Tickets are $25 for adults, and $15 for children ages 12 and under. You can find additional information here.

Things to Do on a Budget in Monmouth & Ocean Counties this September 2025

Posted on September 2, 2025 by Business Development Rep Samantha

We hope these free or inexpensive happenings in Monmouth and Ocean Counties will pumpkin spice up your September!

September 3

Fall Concert Series (Freehold) – All you need is a lawn chair to enjoy free outdoor concerts at the Hall of Records every Wednesday through October 15th from 7:30pm-9:30pm. Each week will bring different voices the whole family will love, from widely known groups to local talent. Check out the schedule and voices you can look forward to hearing here.

September 6

Bugs, Birds, and Beyond Children’s Festival (Freehold) – Bring the whole family to the Monmouth County Agricultural Building from 12pm-4pm for an afternoon crawling with fun. This festival brings nature’s wonders to Monmouth County – giving you the chance to experience a nature scavenger hunt and story time under the trees, crafts, exciting experiments, and more. There is no entry fee to attend, but there will be items available for purchase. Click here to learn more.

Neptune Day – Come see what makes Neptune great at Neptune Day, taking place at the Neptune Middle School Parking Lot from 12pm-5pm. There will be carnival games, a petting zoo, vendors, festival fare, and more. There is no entry fee, but there will be items available for purchase. Learn more here.

Sailfest (Toms River) – Bring your family and friends to Sailfest for a boatload of fun on River Avenue from 10am-10pm. Known as the largest sailing festival in New Jersey – it attracts thousands from all over the East Coast to spectate Sail Race Regattas, enjoy live music and family activities, visit food trucks, shop local vendors, and more. There is no entry fee to attend, but there will be various goods available for purchase. Click here to learn how you can say “Ahoy!” to this fun-filled festival.

September 13

Fall Festival (Lacey) – If you’re looking for a day that looks like it’s straight out of a movie, check out the Fall Festival at Argos Farm – happening on select dates at various times through November 1st. You can stroll through the pumpkin patch in search of the perfect pumpkin, find your way through a corn maze, sample tasty seasonal treats, and enjoy fun farm attractions. For those looking for a picture-perfect photo op, you’ll find it here! General admission pricing will become available in the coming weeks. Keep an eye out for additional information here.

Ocean County History Day (Toms River) – The Ocean County Historical Society will be bringing Ocean County’s rich history to life from 10am-3pm. There will be reenactments, displays from various local historical organizations, and a tour of the Elizabeth Sculthrop House and Museum. There is no entry fee to attend. Click here for more information.

The Feast of San Gennaro (Belmar) – Enjoy a slice of Italy right in the heart of the Jersey Shore at the Feast of San Gennaro between 11am and 6pm. The festival begins with a special mass presented in Italian at St. Rose Catholic Church at 10am for those who are interested. Immediately after, there will be a procession down Main Street – taking you right into Italian food, live music, and vendors. There is no entry fee to attend, but there will be Italian cuisine available for purchase. Learn more here.

September 14

Jackson Day – Celebrate the town of Jackson at Johnson Memorial Park from 11am-8pm. This community celebration includes carnival rides and games, giveaways from sponsors, a drone show, sky divers, an ATV and dirt bike exhibition, food, a craft and flea market, and more! Although there is no entry fee to attend or to partake in most activities, there will be food and vendor items available for purchase. Click here to learn more.

Oakley Farm Fall Festival (Freehold) – You don’t have to wait until the official start of fall to get in the spirit – head over to Oakley Farm to celebrate the unofficial start of autumn from 11am-4pm. There will be live music, family-friendly activities and crafts, vendors, a bake sale, and more. Plus, all buildings will be open for tours – so it’s the perfect opportunity to check out this historical gem of Freehold if you haven’t already done so. There is no entry fee to attend, but there will be items available for purchase. You can find additional information here.

September 19

Fall Festivities (Cream Ridge) – Stone Tavern Orchards is serving up the fall spirit every weekend from 9:30am-4:30pm, through mid-November. Your experience will begin with a hayride that takes you to a fork in the road – where you will decide if you want to start with the orchards, pumpkin patch, flower patch, corn maze, or corn pit. Admission is $9 for adults and $5 for children ages 4-11, with children 3 and under being free to attend. You will have to pay for what you pick. See how you can fall in love with fall at Stone Tavern Orchards.

September 20

Fall Harvest Festival (Wall) – Head over to the Historic Village at Allaire if you want to experience all things autumn, taking place from 11am-4pm both Saturday and Sunday. From apple cider pressing and pie baking contests, to vendors and on-site shops selling fall-themed goods – this festival is autumn all wrapped up in a little bow. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 4 to 12, with children 3 and under being free to attend. Click here to learn more and purchase tickets online.

Howell Day & Green Fair takes place at Soldier Memorial Park from 3pm-8pm. This free, fun for the whole family event will get everyone outdoors and soaking up the last official days of summer. There will be inflatables and mechanical rides, live music and entertainment, demonstrations, vendors, and more. The day ends with a fireworks show at dusk. Learn how to get in on the fun!

Oktoberfest (Highlands) – Highlands is bringing Germany to the Jersey Shore at Oktoberfest, taking place in Veterans Park from 12pm-7pm. The park will come alive with traditional German cuisine, polka music and traditional German dances, a beer stein holding contest, craft and specialty vendors, and more. And of course, it wouldn’t be Oktoberfest without an array of beer for those ages 21+. There is no entry fee to attend, but there will be items available for purchase. Click here for more information.

Wind & Sea Festival (Port Monmouth) – Head over to Bayshore Waterfront Park from 11am-5pm to celebrate all things water. You can enjoy various coastal activities such as kayaking, fishing, crabbing, sandcastle building, children’s crafts, naturalist activities, and more. There is no entry fee to attend. You can learn more here.

September 26

Greek Festival (Toms River) – Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church is hosting a festival all weekend long, beginning Friday at noon and running through Sunday at 6pm. Sprawling both indoors and outdoors – there will be an outdoor food court and indoor dining room selling authentic Greek cuisine, traditional Greek dances, music performed by GOYANS and youth groups, games and entertainment, vendors, and more. There is parking at Ocean County College Lot #2 with a free shuttle service to the festival. There is no entry fee to attend, but there will be items available for purchase. You can find additional information here.

September 27

Fall Craft and Vendor Show (Wall) – Two worlds collide at the Fall Craft and Vendor Show at the Historic Village at Allaire, happening from 10am-4pm. Perfect for those who enjoy both history and all things homemade – there will be over 140 vendors displaying and selling their works, while the village will be conducting historical demonstrations and showcasing exhibits. Admission is $10 for those ages 10 and up, with children under 10 being free to attend. Click here to learn more and purchase tickets to shop and soak up the beginning of fall.

Old Time Barnegat Bay Decoy and Gunning Show (Tuckerton) – The Decoy and Gunning show will give you a taste of folk life at Stanley “Tip” Seaman County Park on Saturday from 7am-5pm and Sunday from 7am-4pm. This weekend-long event is jam-packed with activities like archery, drop-in weaving classes for adults and children, carving and folk-art demonstrations, and boat rides. There will also be various exhibits like dock dog demonstrations, new and antique decoys, and musical performances. For our more competitive folks – various contests will be taking place throughout the weekend. There is no entry fee to attend and there will be free shuttles to the show from various locations. Click here to learn more.

September 28

Harvest Home Festival (Holmdel) – No time machine is needed to experience a country fair from the 1890s at Historic Longstreet Farm from 11am-5pm. The whole family is sure to enjoy the games, craft demonstrations, wagon rides, live entertainment, and more. There is no entry fee to attend. Click here to learn how you can celebrate fall like it’s the 1800s.

SPUR Family Barn Dance (Lincroft) – Come learn to line dance with the family while benefitting Special People United to Ride (SPUR) at Thompson Park Activity Barn from 1pm-4pm. Line dance your heart away, no matter your experience level. Tickets are $10 per adult and $5 per child ages 10 and under. You can get additional information and purchase tickets online here.