Fall is officially here in Essex County, and let me tell you, our weekends are about to get BUSY (in the best way). Between soccer games, school events, and trying to squeeze in some apple cider donuts, I’m also making sure we don’t miss all the amazing fall festivals happening nearby.
From Oktoberfests and food truck fests to pumpkin painting, live music, and those classic fall traditions we look forward to every year. There’s seriously something for everyone. Whether you’re chasing down good eats, looking for kid-friendly activities, or just want an excuse to get outside and soak up sweater weather, Essex County has you covered.
I pulled together a full roundup of the best local fall happenings so you don’t have to scroll a million tabs to figure it out. Check out the full list and details below.
Now the real question is…which one are you hitting first?
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Montclair Brewery Oktoberfest
📅 Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025 • 1:00 pm – 10:00 pm
📍 Location: Montclair Brewery, 101 Walnut St, Montclair
🎉 Highlights: German-style brews & non-alcoholic drinks, outdoor games, live music, and a festive costume contest.
Montclair History Center Fall Fest
📅 Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025 • 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
📍 Location: Montclair History Center, 110 Orange Rd, Montclair
🎉 Highlights: Farm animals, cooking demos, live music, museum tours, food, crafts, and activities with The Jersey Bee.
Nutley Fall Festival in the Park
📅 Date: Sunday, September 28, 2025 • 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
📍 Location: Memorial Park I (“Mud Hole”), Nutley
🎉 Highlights: Live music, food trucks, retail vendors, and family-friendly activities. A beloved Nutley fall tradition.
South Orange Downtown Fall Festival
📅 Date: Sunday, September 28, 2025 • 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
📍 Location: Spiotta Park, 20-32 Village Plaza, South Orange
🎉 Highlights: Free fall-themed fun, pumpkin decorating, seasonal crafts and games, DJ Lou playing tunes, story time every 30 minutes, hands-on stations from local businesses, and food from Jus’ Tacos and SOMA Sweets.
Belleville Food Truck Fest & Classic Car Show
📅 Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025 • 2:00 pm – 9:00 pm
📍 Location: Belleville High School, 100 Passaic Avenue, Belleville
🎉 Highlights: 15+ food trucks, live DJ, beer/sangria/margarita garden, pony rides, inflatables, face painting, and classic cars.
Roseland Day
📅 Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025 • 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm (Rain Date: October 5)
📍 Location: Harrison Complex, Roseland
🎉 Highlights: Food, rides, fun activities, vendors, beer garden, music by local bands, pumpkin carving, and Mayor’s Cornhole Tournament.
Bloomfield HarvestFest
📅 Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025 • 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
📍 Location: Washington St. & Glenwood Ave., Bloomfield
🎉 Highlights: Food, vendors, live music, games, family fun, and more.
Branch Brook Park Fest
📅 Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025 • 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
📍 Location: Branch Brook Park, Newark
🎉 Highlights: Live music, art vendors, wellness activations, kid-friendly fall activities, and interactive art experiences.
South End’s 3rd Annual F.A.M.E. Festival
📅 Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
📍 Location: Corner of Orange Rd. & Washington St., Montclair
🎉 Highlights: Food, art, music, entertainment, kids’ corner, farm stand, vendors, and games.
Fairfield Public Library Fall Festival & Touch a Truck
📅 Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025 • 11:00 am
📍 Location: Fairfield Public Library, 261 Hollywood Avenue, Fairfield
🎉 Highlights: Live music, petting farm, face painting, balloon art, pumpkin bowling, Jolly Trolley sno-cones, food trucks, and more family fun.
Verona Fall-O-Ween Fall Festival
📅 Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025 • 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
📍 Location: Verona Civic Center, 600 Bloomfield Ave, Verona
🎉 Highlights: Pumpkin painting, inflatables, petting zoo, music, kids’ activities, giveaways, and plenty of festive fall fun.