While the Jersey Shore most definitely shines during the summer months, it still has plenty to offer when the heat subsides and the leaves begin to fall. Here we outline just a few of the major events happening in Cape May County this autumn season. For a complete list of fall events, be sure to visit DoTheShore.com!
Cape May
Dog Obedience Training Club’s Mutt Strut
Saturday, Sept. 7 at 8 a.m.
Cape May Promenade
The Cape May County Dog Obedience Training Club (CMCDOTC) is celebrating the end of the dog days of summer by inviting local dog owners to stroll Cape May’s Beachfront Promenade with their pooches. Owners can strut with their dogs on the Promenade anytime between 8 a.m. and noon for a requested donation of $1 per leg ($2 per person, $4 per dog). Registration is required. Adding to the enjoyment are dog trick and dog costume contests with prizes, auction and dog information. So, practice your tricks, dress up your mutt, and come strut your stuff! Rain date is Sunday, Sept. 8. For more information, visit www.cmcdotc.com.
23rd Annual Cape May Food & Wine Celebration
Friday, Sept. 13 to Sunday, Sept. 22
Throughout Cape May
Indulge in the “restaurant capital of New Jersey” and check out events for those who love good food and wine; events may be attended separately. Enjoy winery tours, tastings, demonstrations, Chefs’ Dine-Arounds, dinners and much more! Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). For more information, visit www.capemaymac.org.
Harvest Brew Fest
Saturday, Sept. 14 at 10 a.m.
Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., Cape May
Celebrate South Jersey and all things local! During this all-day festival, enjoy local food vendors, local artisans, local craft beers and local musical talent. Taps flow beginning at 10 a.m. Admission to the grounds is free and free parking is available. For more information, call 609-884-5404 or visit www.capemaymac.org.
47th Annual Victorian Weekend
Thursday, Oct. 10 to Monday, Oct. 14
Throughout Cape May
The 47th annual Victorian Weekend celebrates Cape May’s Victorian heritage, featuring exciting and entertaining activities from history to murder mysteries, plus historic house tours, food and wine events and much, much more. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). For more information, visit www.capemaymac.org.
West Cape May Lima Bean Festival
Saturday, Oct. 12 at 9 a.m.
Wilbraham Park, West Perry Street, West Cape May
West Cape May celebrates her farming heritage with the Annual Lima Bean Festival in Wilbraham Park! The lowly legume takes center stage and delights locals and visitors alike with her vast array of recipes, crafts and products available. The fun continues till 5 p.m., but plan to stop by early so you don’t miss a trick (or the great entertainment)! Rain date is Sunday, Oct. 7. For more information, visit www.westcapemaytoday.com.
Trick or Treat on the Mall & Halloween Parade
Sunday, Oct. 20 at 12 p.m.
Downtown Cape May
From 12 to 2 p.m., trick or treat at the Washington Street Mall for free! Following trick-or-treating is Cape May’s 37th annual Halloween Parade. The Parade route begins at Perry Street and Carpenter Lane, proceeds down Carpenter Lane to Ocean Street, travels down Washington Street and ends at the Emlen Physick Estate. Parade registration is free and begins at 1:30 p.m. on the corner of Perry Street and the Washington Street Mall. Prizes will be awarded to all divisions at the conclusion of the parade at the Emlen Physick Estate. For more information, call (609) 884-9565 or visit www.discovercapemaynj.com.
Sea Isle City
Sea Isle City Food Truck Festival
Saturday, Sept. 7 to Sunday, Sept. 8 at 12 p.m.
63rd Street & Landis Avenue
The Sea Isle City Food Truck Festival will feature more than 15 food trucks from across the Northeast featuring different styles of cuisines from award-winning food trucks. There will also be crafters, family entertainment, live music, great drinks and more. Hours are Friday and Saturday 12 to 9 p.m. and Sunday 12 to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/seaislecityfood.
Fall Family Festival
Saturday, Sept. 14 and Sunday, Sept. 15 at 9 a.m.
JFK Boulevard & Promenade
The Fall Family Festival is Sea Isle’s most popular autumn festival, featuring two days of family-friendly activities and entertainment. On Saturday, the festival includes a seaside craft market with 300 vendors, a food court, live music, amusement rides, children’s activities and more. Jitney service will be available on Saturday starting at 9 a.m. The fun continues Sunday with an Antique Auto Show along the Promenade. Free Guided Historical Trolley Tours will be offered every half-hour in front of Excursion Park from 10am-12:30pm. For more information and a schedule of events, visit www.visitsicnj.com.
Harborfest
Saturday, Sept. 28 at 11 a.m.
Marina Park, 42nd Place & the Bay
This bay-side festival celebrates Sea Isle’s fishing and nautical history on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Festival-goers will enjoy delicious seafood, live music, a clam eating contest, crafts and specialty vendors. Harborfest will be held rain or shine. For more information, visit www.seaislechamber.com.
Italian Festival
Saturday, Oct. 5 at 11 a.m.
63rd Street & Landis Avenue
The Italian Festival will offer a variety of great food, an Italian Market with craft and specialty vendors, a cannoli eating contest, Cento Food display, and live musical entertainment until 6 p.m. The festival will take place rain or shine. For more information, visit www.visitsicnj.com.
Halloween Parade & Dance Party
Friday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m.
45th Street to JFK Boulevard & Landis Avenue
The parade features a wide variety of eye-catching costumes, floats, musical entertainment and mascots. The Family Dance Party and Awards Ceremony will take place at the Excursion Park Band Shell immediately after the parade. The deadline to register for the Halloween Parade is Wednesday, Oct. 16. For more information, visit www.visitsicnj.com.
Ocean City
Street Rod Show
Friday, Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 7 at 12 p.m.
Ocean City Boardwalk
Car enthusiasts can enjoy a wide variety of classic cars on display! There will be a Sock Hop Party on the grounds of the Ocean City Tabernacle from 6 p.m to 7:30pm on Friday. On Saturday, there will be a Boardwalk display is from 12 noon to 4 p.m. For more information, call 609-399-6111 or visit oceancityvacation.com.
Ocean City Airport Festival
Saturday, Sept. 14 at 10 a.m.
Municipal Airport, 26th Street & Bay Avenue
The annual Ocean City Airport Festival will take place at the Municipal Airport from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Features include a ground display of unusual airplanes ranging from World War II planes to classics and Warbirds. The event will feature a parachute jump from Team Fastrax!
Boardwalk Aerobatic Airshow
Sunday, Sept. 15 at 1 p.m.
Boardwalk from 6th Street to 14th Street
During the Boardwalk Aerobatic Airshow, some of the best stunt pilots and aerobatic champions in the world will thrill you while flying over the ocean. Military demonstrations will also be featured. For more information, call 609-399-6111.
Fall Block Party and Fireworks Spectacular
Saturday, Oct. 12 at 9 a.m.
5th Street to 14th Street along Asbury Avenue
From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., enjoy over 400 crafters, food vendors, music and more. A fireworks display will take place at 9:30 p.m. For more information, call 609-399-1412.
Indian Summer Weekend
Saturday, Oct. 12 to Monday, Oct. 14 at 9 a.m.
Ocean City Music Pier, Boardwalk & Moorlyn Terrace
Indian Summer Weekend will feature seafood vendors at the Music Pier and boardwalk table sales from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. For more information, visit www.ocnj.us.
Ocean City, NJ Jeep Invasion
Saturday, Oct. 5 at 12 p.m.
Boardwalk from 5th Street to 14th Street
From noon to 5 p.m., Jeeps will be displayed on the boardwalk between 5th Street and 14th Street. The rain date for this event will be Sunday, Oct. 6. For more information, visit www.NJJeepInvasion.com.
Halloween Parade
Thursday, Oct. 24 at 7:15 p.m.
6th Street to 11th Street along Asbury Avenue
The march includes an array of colorful bands, floats and costumed characters competing for prizes, and is a fun-filled, family evening. The parade is sponsored by the Ocean City Exchange Club. For more information and to register, visit ochp.blogspot.com.
Wildwood
Roar to the Shore Motorcycle Rally
Thursday, Sept. 5 to Sunday, Sept. 8 at 10 a.m.
Wildwoods Convention Center and Oak & Atlantic avenues
Enjoy daily motorcycle vendors, food and merchandise vendors, live entertainment and activities surrounding the Wildwoods Convention Center and at Oak and Atlantic avenues in Wildwood. Thursday, Friday and Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Bike Shows, stunt shows, live entertainment, Rubber Duck Boardwalk Ride, Harley Davidson Motorcycle Give Away, a Bike Lights Show and a Custom Boardwalk Bike Show are just some of many things happening during the weekend! For more information and a detailed list of activities, visit www.RoarToTheShoreOnline.com.
Boardwalk Classic Car Show
Friday, Sept. 20 to Sunday, Sept. 22
Wildwoods Boardwalk and Wildwoods Convention Center
Take a step back in time! The Fall Boardwalk Classic Car Show takes place every September on the world-famous Wildwoods Boardwalk featuring cars of all makes and models 25 years and older. Hundreds of vehicles will line the boardwalk on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. An awards ceremony will take place on Sunday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. inside the Wildwoods Convention Center. Admission is FREE to spectators. For more information, visit www.WildwoodMotorEventsNJ.com.
Morey’s Piers Oktoberfest
Sept. 20 to 22, Sept. 27 to 29, Oct. 4 to 6 and Oct. 11 to 13
Mariner’s Pier, 3501 Boardwalk
Join us for Oktoberfest, that ancient German tradition of merriment, roller coasters, tilt-a-whirls, beer, pretzels and bratwurst! Mariner’s Pier will be open for Oktoberfest from 5:00pm to 11:00pm on Friday, from noon to 11:00pm on Saturday, and from noon to 5:00pm on Sunday. Raise a glass and tap a toe as bands play throughout the night Friday and Saturday on the main stage from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. For more information, call 609-522-3700 or visit www.MoreysPiers.com.
Olde Time Italian Festival
Friday, Sept. 27 and Saturday, Sept. 28
Fox Park, Ocean Avenue
Celebrate Italian culture and heritage at Fox Park on Ocean Avenue between Burk and Montgomery avenues in Wildwood on Friday from 5 to 11 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. Come experience an ‘Olde World’ family festival including a Procession of the Saints, delicious Italian food favorites, merchandise vendors, games and continuous FREE live entertainment. A spaghetti eating contest will take place as well. Admission to the festival is FREE!
Monsters on the Beach: Monster Truck Festival
Friday, Sept. 27 at 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 28 and Sunday, Sept. 29 at 1 p.m.
Wildwoods Beach, 4101 Boardwalk
The thrill and exhilaration of monster truck racing comes to the Wildwoods’ award-winning beaches! The Monster Truck Show will feature the country’s biggest trucks squaring off on a custom beach racecourse. Friday night features a FREE Monster Mash, a family-friendly monster truck block party, from 6-9 p.m. Saturday features races at 1-7 p.m., including exciting intermission entertainment. Sunday features a final deciding race at 1 p.m., after which the 2019 “BEAST OF THE BEACH” will be named. For more information, ticket prices and to purchase tickets, visit www.WildwoodMotorEventsNJ.com.
North American Sea Glass Festival
Saturday, Sept. 28 and Sunday, Sept. 29 at 10 a.m.
Wildwoods Convention Center, 4501 Boardwalk
NASGA is a nonprofit organization positively supporting sea glass collectors and the sea glass community with festivals, information, educational opportunities, commercial membership and more. The primary goal of NASGA is to establish a community of informed collectors and sellers of sea glass that are educated on the characteristics and significance of genuine sea glass. Festival will be held inside the Oceanfront Arena at the Wildwoods Convention Center featuring merchandise vendors with sea glass from around the world. Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.SeaGlassAssociation.org.
Wildwoods Food & Music Festival
Saturday, Oct. 5 at 11 a.m.
Atlantic Avenue between Wildwood & Schellenger avenues
The Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce will host a free street fair from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Atlantic Avenue between Wildwood and Schellenger avenues in Wildwood. The festival will feature two stages of live music, plus crafters, food vendors, games, a pie-eating contest and much more! A “Kids Korner” with activities including pumpkin painting, hat making and inflatable bounce houses will take place from noon to 5 p.m. Rain date is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 6. For more information, call 609-729-4000 or visit www.Wildwoods.com.
Fabulous ‘50s & Beyond Celebration
Friday, Oct. 18 and Saturday, Oct. 19
Wildwoods Convention Center and Fox Park
Friday night features a Nifty ‘50s Dance Party with The Cameos at the Wildwoods Convention Center from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $16 plus tax per person. A free street fair will take place at Fox Park in Wildwood on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. featuring classic cars, food and craft vendors, a Doo Wop Bus Tour and live entertainment. In celebration of the 15th Anniversary of the Fabulous ‘50s & Beyond Weekend, the Saturday night concert in the Wildwoods Convention Center at 7 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.) is featuring The Miracles, Florence LaRue & The 5th Dimension, Sonny Turner, The Original Tymes and The Tee Tones. Tickets can be purchased at the Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce, (609) 729-4000 or through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or (800) 745-3000. For more information, visit www.Wildwoods.com.
North Wildwood
Irish Fall Festival
Thursday, Sept. 19 to Sunday, Sept. 22 at 8 a.m.
Olde New Jersey Avenue and surrounding pubs
Come join the largest Irish Festival on the East Coast, celebrating Irish heritage with dancing, music, food and craft vendors from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily along Olde New Jersey Avenue and surrounding pubs in North Wildwood. Bus service will be available throughout the event dates. Other festivities include a golf tournament, boxing, Irish dance lessons, a 5K run, a pipe exhibition, a food court stage and beer garden, and a Catholic Mass. The events conclude with a parade on Surf Avenue from 20th to Spruce and Olde New Jersey avenues, North Wildwood. For more information and a detailed schedule of events, call 1 (800) IRISH-91 or visit www.CMCAOH.com.
Wildwood Crest
Seafarers’ Celebration
Saturday, Sept. 21 at 9 a.m.
Sunset Lake and Centennial Park
This massive bayfront street festival will be held at Sunset Lake from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., followed by live music at 7:30 p.m. with The Chatterband and a fireworks show at 9 p.m. at Centennial Park. The festival includes live music, craft vendors, food, family entertainment and children’s activities including a performance by the Vahalla Pirates, magic shows, a live turtle exhibition, interactive games, roving street performers, pie-eating contests, bounce houses, face painting and more. Admission is FREE. For more information, call 609-523-0202 or visit www.WildwoodCrest.org.
Avalon
End-of-Summer Shop Hop
Friday, Sept. 6 to Sunday, Sept. 8
Avalon Shopping District
Grab your friends, grab a cocktail and hit the stores of Avalon for great end-of-season steals and deals! Times subject to participating store hours.
Chamber Seafood Festival
Saturday, Oct. 12 and Sunday, Oct. 13 at 10 a.m.
30th Street & the Beach
Taste delectable treats from the sea at the Chamber’s Annual Seafood Festival, featuring fresh seafood, a chowder contest, live music, vendors and more. For more information, call 609-967-3936 or visit www.visitavalonnj.com.
Stone Harbor
Fall Migration Festival
Saturday, Sept. 21 at 9:30 a.m.
The Wetlands Institute, 1075 Stone Harbor Blvd.
At The Wetlands Institute, fall is an especially good time to experience the changing of seasons and the spectacle of migration of raptors, warblers, shorebirds and more. In an effort to spread the word about this incredible time of year, The Wetlands Institute will be hosting a Fall Migration Festival. Visitors of all ages will be able to see, explore, learn and enjoy! There will be a guided viewing of migratory birds from the Institute and on the Seven Mile Island, Monarch butterfly tagging demonstrations, live animal presentations by community partners and much more! Tickets must be purchased. For more information, visit www.wetlandsinstitute.org.
Savor September Food, Wine & Beer Festival
Saturday, Sept. 21 at 12 p.m.
96th Street, Stone Harbor
The Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present the 8th Annual Savor September Wine, Beer & Food Festival on Saturday, Sept. 21 from noon to 8 p.m. along Stone Harbor’s 96th Street downtown shopping district. Enjoy tastings from local wineries and breweries and indulge in delicious food from local restaurants and vendors while listening to live local musicians. Take a stroll and check out the talented artisans and demonstrations happening throughout the day. And don’t miss the grape stomping competition! For more information, visit stoneharborbeach.com.
Stone Harbor Harvest Festival
Saturday, Oct. 26 at 7 a.m.
9508 2nd Avenue, Stone Harbor
Enjoy hayrides, pumpkin decorating, trick or treating in our shops, and creepy & crawly, but cute animals at the Stone Harbor Harvest Festival! Dress the kids up in costumes and trick or treat throughout the shops and businesses. There will be a live animal show, free hayrides, kids crafts, and more! The festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the 96th Street Business District in Stone Harbor. For more information, visit stoneharborbeach.com.
Middle Township
Boo at the Zoo
Saturday, Oct. 26 at 10 a.m.
Cape May County Park & Zoo, 707 Rt. 9 N., Cape May Court House
Sponsored by the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholder, this event is free and open to the public. Visitors of all ages are invited to wear a costume to this fun family event, which includes activities for the kids, games, candy, entertainment, animals, an inflatable obstacle course, a pirate ship and more. A Costume Contest will start at 11 a.m., and registration begins at 10 a.m. An awards presentation will follow the Halloween costume contest with exciting entertainment and the zoo’s very own ambassador animals.
22nd Annual Olde Tyme Harvest Festival
Saturday, Oct. 26 at 10 a.m.
Mechanic Street, Cape May Court House
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., this daylong celebration will honor the old and new Middle Township and feature live music, games, rides, food, a craft show and much more! Come be a part of this celebration of Middle Township’s heritage. For more information, visit www.middletownship.com.
Lower Township
28th Annual Pumpkin Festival & Share the Harvest Food Drive
Saturday, Oct. 19 at 10 a.m.
Historic Cold Spring Village, 720 Rt. 9, Cape May
Join the Rotary Club of Lower Township for the 28th Annual Pumpkin Festival on the grounds of Historic Cold Spring Village. Bring your family and friends to enjoy a true community family-friendly day with pumpkin painting for the children, hayrides, the annual Lower Township Recreation Department Halloween Parade, food vendors and crafters, and more! Help our community and bring your donation of non-perishable food items to the Share the Harvest Food Drive. All donations support our local community and food banks. There is no admission fee and plenty of parking!