As the summer vacation season winds down, Fall in the Wildwoods is the perfect opportunity for vacationers who are looking to extend their vacation enjoyment with the pristine weather, outdoor activities and fun-filled events that take place every weekend and continue well into November.
Savor the flavors of fall; reap priceless memories with loved ones; enjoy a serene escape or a thrilling adventure. Whatever you choose to do, do it in the Wildwoods! The island resort is the ideal fall vacation destination – with minimal crowds, vast beaches, a fun-filled boardwalk, prime hotels/motel locations at money-saving rates, great restaurants; and uniquely fall activities and weekend events.
“After summer, the fall season is the second favorite time of year for vacationers visiting our resort island,” said Executive Director/CFO of GWTIDA John Siciliano. “The school year starts up again and the summer crowds start to thin; but the beautiful weather and outdoor fun continues in the Wildwoods,” he added.
The Wildwoods are home to unique restaurants and eateries, as well as popular breweries and distilleries. In the fall, these favored Wildwood landmarks embrace the change of season by offering one-of-a-kind autumn inspired creations. Only in the Wildwoods can you sip on a seasonal brew while savoring the fresh catch of the day in the crisp autumn air.
A favorite activity while vacationing in the Wildwoods is taking advantage of the island’s ‘Bikability’. Bicycle riding is a popular pastime at the Jersey Shore, and no town seems to do biking better than the Wildwoods, especially during the fall months! Enjoy a cool ocean breeze while gazing at autumn leaves on the 12-mile, round-trip bike path that stretches from Diamond Beach at the far southern tip of the island, continuing onto the Wildwood Crest Dunes Bike Path, up onto the Wildwoods Boardwalk to North Wildwood’s Mulberry Bike Path to the North Wildwood Sea Wall.
Fall in the Wildwoods also means signature events and exciting festivals that draw hundreds of thousands of visitors even after summer has ended; extending the tourist season well into November.
Here are some of the events happening in the Wildwoods this fall:
September 2018
September 5-8 – Roar to the Shore Motorcycle Rally
Roar to the Shore Motorcycle Rally, one of the largest motorcycle rallies in the northeast comes to the Wildwoods in September. Starting Thursday, September 5 through Sunday, September 8. Hours are 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday; and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sunday. Enjoy motorcycle vendors, food and merchandise, live entertainment and more activities surrounding the Wildwoods Convention Center and at Oak and Atlantic Avenues. For additional information, visit www.roartotheshoreonline.com.
September 12-14 – Annual New Jersey State Firemen’s Convention & Parade
The Annual Convention of the New Jersey State Firemen and Life Members at the Wildwoods Convention Center will feature meetings, seminars and business sessions. Fire trucks from around the state will be displayed in the Wildwoods Convention Center parking lots, and merchandise vendors can be found across the street at Fox Park. The American Red Cross will host a Blood Drive on Friday from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. inside the Convention Center. A special fireworks display will also take place Friday night at 9 p.m. on the beach at Pine Avenue, and a Firemen’s Parade will be held on Saturday at 2 p.m. along New Jersey Avenue, from Cresse Avenue in Wildwood Crest, proceeding north to 20th Avenue in North Wildwood. For more information, call 856-433-0386 or visit www.njsfa.com.
September 19-22 – The Wildwoods Irish Fall Festival
The largest Irish Festival on the East Coast, the Wildwoods Irish Festival celebrates Irish heritage with dancing, music, food and craft vendors. The festival will be held daily from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily. A bus service will be available throughout the event. Other festivities include a golf tournament, Irish dance lessons, 5K run and 1-mile walk, pipe exhibition, food court stage and beer garden, as well as Catholic Mass. The events will conclude with a parade on Surf Avenue from 20th to Olde New Jersey Avenues, North Wildwood. For more information, call 1-800-IRISH91, 609-729-0075 or visit www.cmcaoh.com for a detailed schedule of events.
September 20-22 and September 27-29 – Morey’s Piers Oktoberfest
The ancient German tradition of merriment, roller coasters, tilt-a-whirls, pretzels and bratwurst comes to the Wildwoods with Morey’s Piers Oktoberfest. Mariner’s Pier will be open for Oktoberfest from 5-11 p.m. on Fridays, noon to 11 p.m. on Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Jumbo’s restaurant will feature a special themed selection of Bavarian pretzels, bratwurst, German potato salad, schnitzel and more. On tap, guests will find a wide selection of beers and tasting flights to be enjoyed at an outdoor “biergarten” located behind Jumbo’s with live entertainment. Raise a glass and tap a toe as bands play throughout the night Friday and Saturday on the main stage from 6:30-9:30 p.m. For more information call 609-522-3700 or visit www.moreyspiers.com.
September 20-22 – Boardwalk Classic Car Show
The Fall Boardwalk Classic Car Show takes place every September on the world-famous Wildwoods Boardwalk. Cars can be of any make or model as long as it is 25 years old or older. The vehicles will line the boardwalk on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. The Top 40 cars will be displayed in the turn-around circle in front of the Wildwoods Convention Center on Saturday from 4-5 p.m. An awards ceremony will take place on Sunday from 9-10:30 a.m. inside the Wildwoods Convention Center. For more information call 609-522-3644 or visit www.wildwoodmotoreventsnj.com.
September 21 – FallFest Food Truck & Music Festival
The FallFest Food Truck and Music Festival returns to Fox Park – across from the Wildwoods Convention Center – from 2-8 p.m. featuring delicious and unique food truck grub, music, quality vendors, and amazing entertainment that will transform this oceanside park into a fun-filled day for the whole family! The kids will keep entertained in the Kids Zone with fun and activities just for them. Feeling competitive? Try out Knockerball – the craze that’s sweeping the nation. Admission to the festival is FREE. For more information visit www.dinamediagroup.com.
September 21 –Wild Con Jersey Shore Comic Book Show
It’s going to be WILD! The show will feature special guests, artists, vendors, cosplayers and cars at the Wildwoods Convention Center from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The show will also include plenty of comics, funko pops, anime, toys, comic themed craft items, collectibles and much more. There will also be a cosplay contest, so come in your favorite superhero costume, anime character or any character for that matter! Admission is $8, children ages 6-12 are $4, and children under 5 years of age are FREE. For more information, visit www.jerseyshorecomicbookshow.com.
September 21 – Wildwood Crest Seafarers’ Celebration
This massive bayfront street festival at Sunset Lake will take place from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 21, followed by live music at 7:30 p.m. featuring The Chatterband and a fireworks show at 9 p.m. at Centennial Park. Festival includes live music, craft vendors, food, family entertainment, children’s activities including a performance by the Vahalla Pirates, magic shows, a live turtle exhibition, interactive games, roving street performances, pie-eating contests, bounce houses, face painting and much more. The event is FREE to attend and is handicapped accessible. For more information, call 609-523-0202 or visit www.wildwoodcrest.org.
September 27-28 – Olde Time Italian Festival
Celebrate Italian culture and heritage at Fox Park on Ocean Avenue between Burk and Montgomery Avenues in Wildwood on Friday from 5-11 p.m., and on Saturday from noon until 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 TBA. A spaghetti eating contest will take place as well. Admission to the festival is FREE. For more information, call 609-729-7499.
September 27-29 – ‘Monsters on the Beach’ Monster Truck Races
A weekend of intense thrills as massive monster trucks race and fly around the Wildwood Beach from Lincoln to Spencer Avenues. Saturday features two races at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday features title races and tough truck races starting at 1 p.m. Food and merchandise vendors as well as monster truck rides on the beach will also be available. The lineup for the races is TBA, and is subject to change. For more information and ticket sales, call 609-522-3644 or visit www.wildwoodmotoreventsnj.com.
September 27-29 – Mid-Atlantic Police & Fire Survivors Weekend
The Mid-Atlantic Police & Fire Survivor weekend is pleased to join with the Cape May County Police and Fire Emerald Society to welcome the survivor groups of the Mid-Atlantic region to North Wildwood in support of the survivors of those police and fire personnel who have lost their lives in the service of others. Festivities include a ceremonial wreath arrival on Friday at 5 p.m. by the Philadelphia Police Boat Team at 5th & New York Avenues, North Wildwood followed by a Police & Fire Mingle at Keenan’s Tiki Bar at 1st & Olde New Jersey Avenue. On Saturday from 5-6:30 p.m. there will be a Display & Demonstration with the New Jersey State Police Mobile Command Unit, K-9, Bomb Squad, TEAMS Unit, and Fire & Rescue Equipment from 2nd & Surf to 1st & Atlantic Avenues. A Candlelight Vigil will be held at the Lou Booth Amphitheater at 7 p.m. which will include a solemn procession and wreath-laying ceremony. Events are held rain or shine. Sunday events are private for families. For more information, call 609-522-2030 x1503 or visit www.midatlanticsurvivors.org for a detailed schedule of events.
September 28 – North American Sea Glass Festival
Returning to the Wildwoods Convention Center, the North American Sea Glass Festival will feature a variety of sea glass artisans and authors from around the country, magnificent sea glass collections from all over the world, the highly anticipated Shard of the Year contest, and presentations by marble and bottle experts. Attendees will also have the opportunity to speak with Shard Identification experts about their own beachcombing finds. Merchandise vendors will include handcrafted jewelry, unique home décor pieces, ornaments, gel candles, mosaics and much more! Festival will be held inside the Oceanfront Arena at the Wildwoods Convention Center on Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission is $7 per day or $10 for a 2-day ticket. Children under 12 years old are FREE. For more information, visit www.seaglassassociation.org.
September 29 – ‘Wild Thang’ Chrysler Car Show
Chrysler cars will be displayed along the Wildwoods boardwalk on Saturday from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. beginning at Schellenger Avenue and heading north. All Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Plymouth makes and models will be featured. FREE for spectators. For more information, call 860-303-2952.
October 2018
October 3-6 ‘The Race of Gentlemen’ Vintage Car & Motorcycle Beach Drag Races
Spectators and racers alike will experience a simpler time of when guys were gentlemen and cars were king! Over 100 vintage autos (pre-1934) and motorcycles (pre-1947) – including Indian, Harley Davidson, Excelcior, Ford, Dodge Brothers and more – will compete in an exhibition-style beach drag race at the water’s edge between Schellenger and Spicer Avenues in Wildwood. Thursday will feature a car show along Atlantic Avenue between The Starlux and Fox Park from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Friday will feature “The Night of the Troglodytes,” a rollicking chopper party set around the area where the weekend’s race vehicles are on display for the delight of the crowd. On Saturday, gates open at 9 a.m. and will feature vintage auto and motorcycle races from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. with live rock ‘n roll music all day long. A bonfire and beach party will take place on Saturday night from 7 p.m. until midnight, with live rock ‘n roll music. More beach racing will take place on Sunday with gates opening at 10 a.m., and races from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. followed by an awards ceremony, beach party and more rock ‘n roll music. No coolers will be permitted on the beach; beverages will be available for sale for your convenience. NOTE: race times may vary depending on ocean tide. Full weekend passes are available for purchase online and at the door. Single-day tickets will only be available for purchase at the door. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.theraceofgentlemen.com.
October 4-6 – Morey’s Piers Oktoberfest
The ancient German tradition of merriment, roller coasters, tilt-a-whirls, pretzels and bratwurst comes to the Wildwoods with Morey’s Piers Oktoberfest. Mariner’s Pier will be open for Oktoberfest from 5-11 p.m. on Fridays, noon to 11 p.m. on Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Jumbo’s restaurant will feature a special themed selection of Bavarian pretzels, bratwurst, German potato salad, schnitzel and more. On tap, guests will find a wide selection of beers and tasting flights to be enjoyed at an outdoor “biergarten” located behind Jumbo’s with live entertainment. Raise a glass and tap a toe as bands play throughout the night Friday and Saturday on the main stage from 6:30-9:30 p.m. For more information call 609-522-3700 or visit www.moreyspiers.com.
October 5 – The Wildwoods Food & Music Festival
The Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce will host a FREE street fair from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. along Atlantic Avenue between Wildwood and Schellenger Avenues in Wildwood. The festival will feature 2 stages of live music, plus crafters, food vendors, games, a pie eating contest and much more! A “Kids Korner” with activities including pumpkin painting, crab hat making and inflatable bounce houses will take place from noon – 5 p.m. Rain date is schedule for Sunday, October 6. For more information, call 609-729-4000 or visit www.wildwoods.com.
October 5 – Pennsauken Surf Fishing Club Tournament
This annual tournament welcomes teams and individuals and is held on the Wildwoods Beaches from 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. with an entrance fee for all participants. Registration begins at 6 a.m. on the day of the tournament at the Anglesea Firehouse, 2nd and New Jersey Avenues, North Wildwood. For more information, call 609-760-2964 or visit www.asaconline.org.
October 5 – Wildwoods Boardwalk 5K Pumpkin Run
Pumpkin Run registration at the Wildwoods Convention Center will begin at 8:30 a.m. (Pre-registration highly suggested). The race will begin at 10 a.m. and includes the following events: 5K Halloween Pumpkin Run; Kids Pumpkin 1 Mile Challenge (Pre-K to 5th grade) FIRST Timers 5K Run Challenge; and 1 Mile “Family” Pumpkin Walk. Proceeds benefit the Lunch with Lynch Foundation and the Education Foundation of Cape Trinity Catholic. Event is RAIN or SHINE! $25 for adults; $15 for participants 18 years of age and under. All pre-registered participants will be guaranteed a Pumpkin Run t-shirt. All participants are encouraged to wear costumes, and prizes will be awarded for best dressed. For more information and to register, visit www.boardwalkpumpkinrun.com or email ctpumpkin@gmail.com.
October 12-13 – Crest Best Run Fest
The Crest Best Run Fest returns for its second year in the Wildwoods! Over 2 days, athletes can compete in three races – 10 Mile, 5 Mile, and 3.1 Mile. Each distance has a different course and is exclusively located almost entirely in Wildwood Crest. There will also be Kid’s Races available. Runners will have views of Sunset Lake, Ocean Drive Causeway, Cape May National Wildlife Refuge, and the Crest Bike Path! For more information and to register, call 609-849-8908 or visit www.delmosports.com.
October 18-19 – Fabulous ‘50s and Beyond 15th Anniversary Celebration
Friday night features a ’50s Dance Party with New Jersey’s favorite oldies band, The Cameos at the Wildwoods Convention Center from 6:30-10:30 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. – 5 p.m. featuring classic cars, food and craft vendors, a Doo Wop Bus Tour, and live entertainment. Saturday night’s concert in the Wildwoods Convention Center begins at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. Featured headliners are The Miracles, Florence LaRue and the 5th Dimension, Sonny Turner, The Original Tymes and The Tee Tones. Tickets can be purchased at the Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce (3306 Pacific Avenue), 609-729-4000, the Convention Center Box Office, or through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000. For more information, call 609-729-4000 or visit www.wildwoods.com.
October 19 – Bonfire on the Beach
Bring a blanket and chair and enjoy a bonfire on the beach! The night begins at 6 p.m. and goes until 10 p.m. at 17th Avenue in North Wildwood with live entertainment. Refreshments and food will be available for purchase (no glass containers – plastic only.) Admission is $10; children under 12 are $2. Sponsored by the Anglesea Irish Society and the Greater Wildwood Jaycees. Rain date is TBA.
October 26 – North Wildwood Trunk-or-Treat Halloween Block Party
North Wildwood will host its 11th annual Trunk-or-Treat Halloween Block Party from 5:30-7 p.m. along Olde NJ Avenue between 2nd & Walnut Avenues in North Wildwood. Vehicle check-in will be at 5 p.m. Families are encouraged to bring their vehicles decorated for Halloween. Children will come in costume and visit each car where families will provide treats from the trunks of their cars. There will be no judging of the children’s costumes, but prizes will be awarded to the vehicles with the best decorations. Registration is free and forms are available at 900 Central Avenue in North Wildwood. Parking for visitors will be available in the municipal lot at 2nd and Olde New Jersey Avenues. For more information, call 609-522-2955 or visit www.northwildwood.com.
Please note that the information and dates above are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information please visit, www.wildwoodsnj.com/calendar.
For additional information about the Wildwoods, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.