Weekending ‘Round The Towns: October 10-12, 2026

Weekend and Multi-Day Events

• Journey Through the Past, Somerset County: Saturday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 11, noon to 4 p.m. Somerset County’s 21st annual historical-site weekend opens historic houses and landmarks throughout the county. Activities include guided tours, Revolutionary War demonstrations, blacksmithing, live music and family programs. Visitors can collect stamps in a special history passport. Admission is free. Participating sites and event information Visit Somerset NJ
• Endings & Beginnings of the Revolutionary War, Franklin Township: Rockingham State Historic Site, Saturday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 11, noon to 4 p.m. A special open house examines documents from the beginning and end of the Revolutionary War, including George Washington’s Farewell Orders to the Army, written at Rockingham in 1783. The program is part of Somerset County’s Journey Through the Past weekend and the nation’s 250th anniversary observances. The historic house itself remains closed for stabilization work. Free; online registration available. Event information Visit Somerset NJ
• Snyder’s Farm Fall Festival, Franklin Township: Snyder’s Farm, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10-11. The farm’s annual fall celebration includes pumpkin picking, hayrides, a corn maze and seasonal activities. Admission is required to enter the pumpkin field, and pumpkins cost extra. Note: Visit Somerset lists hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., while another current listing gives 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visitors should confirm hours directly with the farm. Visit Somerset NJ
• FoodeesFest, Lawrence Township: Quaker Bridge Mall, 3320 Route 1, Friday, Oct. 9, 1 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 10, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 11, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The three-day food festival features more than 40 food vendors and trucks, artisans, craftspeople and family activities. Free admission and parking. Festival information Foodees Fest
• The Amazing Pumpkin Carve, Pennington: Needle Creek Farm Brewery, Friday, Oct. 9, 3 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 10, noon to 9 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 11, noon to 6 p.m. The Hopewell Valley Arts Council’s 12th annual event features 30 enormous pumpkins carved by local artists. Attractions include live entertainment, food trucks, farm animals, children’s activities and a spooky corn maze. Admission: $20 adults, $15 seniors, $8 ages 5-17; children younger than 5 free. Event information and tickets Hopewell Valley Arts Council
• Fall Family Fun Weekends, Princeton: Terhune Orchards, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10-11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than 30 activities include pumpkin picking, pony rides, corn mazes, pedal tractors, pumpkin painting and barnyard animals. Free wagon rides run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and live music is scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. Admission: $19.95; children younger than 3 free. Advance tickets required. Festival information Terhune Orchards
• “A Beat of Our Own,” Princeton: McCarter Theatre Center, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 9-10, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 11, 2 p.m. A new musical comedy about competitive bhangra dancing. The story follows two college teammates whose creative differences lead them to form rival dance teams. The production features 18 actors and 10 musicians. Tickets approximately $35 to $125. Performance schedule and tickets Discover Jersey Arts
• “Little Women, The Musical,” West Windsor: Kelsey Theatre at Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, Friday, Oct. 9, 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10-11, 2 p.m. The Broadway musical based on Louisa May Alcott’s novel follows Jo March and her sisters through family relationships, ambition, love and loss. Tickets: $26 adults; $24 students and seniors. Recommended for ages 8 and older. Kelsey Theatre schedule Princeton Online
• Halloween Hayrides, Basking Ridge: Lord Stirling Park, 256 S. Maple Ave., Friday through Sunday, Oct. 9-11, 5 to 9 p.m. Somerset County’s park system offers two versions of its Halloween hayrides: a family-friendly ride featuring ghost stories and a scarier version with jump scares, recommended for ages 10 and older. Admission: $15 per person. Advance registration required. Hayride information Visit Somerset NJ
• Chinese Mid-Autumn Lantern Exhibit, Bridgewater: Bridgewater Commons, Friday through Sunday, Oct. 9-11, during mall hours. The final weekend of an exhibition featuring 15 illuminated handcrafted Chinese lanterns, some standing 10 feet tall. The display celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival and Chinese cultural traditions. Exhibit admission is free. The organizer’s listing also mentions $5 lantern-making kits, but does not clearly confirm workshop sessions for this weekend. Visit Somerset NJ

Saturday, Oct. 10

• 17th Annual Oktoberfest, Warren: Forest Lodge, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The annual celebration features German food, live German music, a DJ, games, family activities and more than 20 local vendors. Food and beverages are available for purchase. Admission: $12 at the gate; children younger than 10 free. A $35 unlimited-rides wristband includes admission. Rain date is Sunday, Oct. 11. Oktoberfest information Visit Somerset NJ
• Bedminster Fall Fest, Bedminster: River Road Park, 3055 River Road, noon to 5 p.m. The township’s annual community celebration includes live music, entertainment, children’s and adult activities, contests, food and local exhibitors. Admission: $5 per person. Rain date is Sunday, Oct. 11. Festival information Visit Somerset NJ
• Sesame Street Live! Elmo’s Got the Moves, New Brunswick: State Theatre New Jersey, 2 p.m. Elmo and his Sesame Street friends invite children to sing, dance, stretch and play along with familiar songs. The approximately 80-minute performance includes an intermission. Tickets start at $34, including fees. An additional ticket is required for the post-show character photo experience. Show information and tickets State Theatre New Jersey
• The Final Tolling of the Bells, Hillsborough: Hillsborough Reformed Church at Millstone, 1429 Main St., 6 to 7:30 p.m. An original historical drama by local playwright Vita Morales explores the Revolutionary War history of Millstone Borough during its 250th anniversary year. Local actors and community members perform, followed by a question-and-answer session. Free admission. Performance information Visit Somerset NJ
• Planetarium Halloween and Astronomy Shows, Branchburg: Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium, 118 Lamington Road, 3 to 8 p.m. Four shows are scheduled: Earth, Moon and Sun (and Coyote) at 3 p.m., Monster Mash Laser Concert at 4 p.m., Skies Over Hogwarts at 7 p.m. and Fright Light Laser Concert at 8 p.m. Tickets: $11 for one show or $20 for two shows on the same day. Reservations recommended. Planetarium schedule Visit Somerset NJ
• “Beetlejuice” Outdoor Movie, Princeton: Princeton Shopping Center courtyard, 6:30 to 9 p.m. The center’s outdoor movie series continues with Tim Burton’s supernatural comedy. Visitors are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs and snacks. Free admission. Princeton Online
• AFI, Sayreville: Starland Ballroom, 8 p.m.; doors open at 7 p.m. Alternative rock band AFI performs with special guest Choir Boy. All ages; tickets required. Concert schedule Starland Ballroom
• Rutgers Women’s Volleyball vs. UCLA, Piscataway: Jersey Mike’s Arena, 7 p.m. Rutgers continues its Big Ten volleyball schedule with a home match against UCLA. Tickets available through Rutgers Athletics. Rutgers volleyball schedule Rutgers University Athletics

Sunday, Oct. 11

• Dunellen HarvestFest, Dunellen: Washington Park, 300 N. Washington Ave., 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The 14th annual community festival features artists, craftspeople, local organizations, food vendors, music and children’s activities. Contests include pumpkin decorating and apple pie baking. Free admission and street parking. Rain or shine. New Jersey Monthly
• Princeton Community Chili Cook-Off, Princeton: Updike Farmstead, 354 Quaker Road, noon to 3 p.m. Home cooks and professional chefs compete for the title of Princeton Chili Champion. Visitors sample more than 15 chili recipes and vote for their favorites. The event also features bluegrass music by the Sourland Mountain String Band and lawn games. Sold out as of Oct. 8; a waitlist is available. Event information and waitlist Arts Council of Princeton
• Rutgers Men’s Basketball vs. Villanova, Piscataway: Jersey Mike’s Arena, 1 p.m. Rutgers hosts Villanova Wildcats in a preseason exhibition game. It will be one of the Scarlet Knights’ first opportunities to play before the home crowd ahead of the regular season. Tickets required; free parking. Rutgers basketball schedule Rutgers University Athletics
• Hannibal Buress, New Brunswick: Stress Factory Comedy Club, 7 p.m. Comedian and actor Hannibal Buress performs a Sunday evening stand-up show. Tickets required. Club information Dead Frog
• Pajamas & Pancakes, Bridgewater: Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center, 775 Talamini Road, 10 to 11:30 a.m. A family program featuring children’s entertainer Yosi, with live music, singing, dancing, pancakes and a themed craft activity. Admission: Free for BECC families; $10 for other children. Event information Visit Somerset NJ

Monday, Oct. 12: Holiday Events

• Happy Day Farm Fall Festival, Manalapan: Happy Day Farm, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; last admission at 4 p.m. The farm is offering its full fall festival on Columbus Day, with more than 35 activities including hayrides, corn mazes, pig races, pedal carts, giant slides, farm animals and pumpkin picking. Admission: $29 per person ages 2 and older. Online tickets required. The festival also operates Friday through Sunday. Festival information and tickets Happy Day Farm
• Fall Hayride, Corn Maze and Pumpkin Picking, Hillsborough: Abma’s Farm, Monday, Oct. 12. The farm offers a package combining a hayride, full-size corn maze, shorter children’s maze, pumpkin patch and petting zoo. The county calendar lists a 3 to 4:30 p.m. session, while the farm’s published holiday schedule indicates activities may be available from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tickets: $19 per person ages 2 and older; pumpkins additional. Farm event information Visit Somerset NJ
• Halloween Photo Trail, Bedminster: Shadowline Farm, 345 Burnt Mills Road, 2 to 5 p.m., weather permitting. Families and friends can walk through a private farm’s Halloween-themed trail featuring more than 20 decorated photo scenes. Visitors bring their own phones or cameras. Pets are welcome. Admission: $15 for a group of up to six people; reservations required. Visit Somerset NJ

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