The Wildwoods, NJ –October 1, 2026 –Experience the change of seasons and the fun and excitement of fall in the Wildwoods, NJ with family-favorite fall events, fun Halloween attractions, seasonal restaurant fare, and breathtaking natural scenery. The Wildwoods offer unforgettable small-town charm and plenty of fall fun.
Often called the Second Season in the Wildwoods, autumn offers everything vacationers could ever want in a seasonal getaway – mild weather, minimal crowds, quiet beaches, a lively Boardwalk, prime hotel/motel accommodations at money-saving, off-season rates, fantastic restaurants, unique fall activities, and exciting weekend events and festivals – all on one five-mile island.
Here is a list of some of the fun and exciting events happening in the Wildwoods this fall:
The Great Science Spooktacular
Saturday, October 3
The Wildwood Crest Arts Pavilion presents The Great Science Spooktacular, a fun children’s science program geared for the Halloween season. FREE to attend. Children are encouraged to dress up in their Halloween costumes. Candy will be distributed. More info, call 609-523-0202 or 609-522-0221.
Morey’s Piers Oktoberfest
Weekends until October 11
Enjoy live music, traditional German food and beer, and all the games and rides you know and love at Morey’s Piers. Oktoberfest will run on weekends starting September 18 – October 11, 2026. The Pier will be decked out with Oktoberfest-themed decorations, and each day will feature live music performed on the Oktoberfest stage, festive roaming musicians, authentic German fare, and activities for all ages! For more information, visit MoreysPiers.com/Oktoberfest-at-Moreys/.
“Monsters on the Beach” Monster Truck Races
Saturday, October 17 – Sunday, October 18
Get ready for an adrenaline-fueled weekend as the “Monsters on the Beach” event roars into Wildwood! Presented by the Renegade Monster Truck Tour, this high-octane spectacle takes place on the sand at Spicer Avenue on October 17-18, 2026. The excitement kicks off on Friday with a 7:00 p.m. show, followed by shows on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are on sale now! For more information, call 717-209-6113 or visit renegademonstertrucks.com.
Wildwood’s Fall Festival & Great American Pumpkin Derby
Saturday, October 17
The Wildwoods Fall Festival will take place on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m, featuring a full day of free family entertainment, food and craft vendors, live bands, a beer garden, and more. The festival will take place in Fox Park, across from the Wildwoods Convention Center. FREE to attend. Get ready for an exciting race of creativity, engineering, and community spirit at the First Annual Great American Pumpkin Derby! Design, build, and race your pumpkin-powered derby car for a chance to earn bragging rights, trophies, and prizes! For more information and to register for the derby, visit the Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce at gwcoc.org or call 609-729-4000.
Wildwoods Scarecrow Contest Community Build
Sunday, October 18
The fall fun continues Sunday, October 18, beginning at 10 a.m., with the Wildwoods Scarecrow Contest Community Build. Participants are invited to come to Fox Park and create their own scarecrow. The Chamber will provide the hay/straw during the community build from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. (or until hay runs out), while participants bring their creativity and materials needed to bring their scarecrow to life. Schools, businesses, families, organizations, and community groups are encouraged to create one or more scarecrows. Once completed, participants can take their scarecrow back to their school, business, home, or organization to display throughout the fall season. The Chamber will encourage the community to visit the displays in The Wildwoods and vote for their favorites in a variety of categories. For more information visit Do You Want To Build A Scarecrow? – Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce or call 609-729-4000.
MudHen HarvestFest
Sunday, October 18
Celebrate the season at the MudHen’s HarvestFest! A full day of fall fun, live music, family-friendly activities, and seasonal flavors at MudHen Brewing Company. Start the day with Philly Keys – Dueling Pianos inside The Station House from 11AM–2PM, then keep the autumn celebration going with Fat Mezz from 2PM–6PM.From 12PM–4PM, bring the kids for family fun including free pumpkin painting and free face painting with festive fall designs for all ages. Circus performers will also be joining the celebration from 1PM–4PM, bringing even more fun and entertainment to the day.We’ll also be raising a glass with a special beer toast featuring Nummy Pumpkin, our Autumnal Brown Ale brewed with pumpkin, brown sugar, vanilla bean, and seasonal spices.Come enjoy the music, paint a pumpkin, sip something seasonal, and celebrate HarvestFest the MudHen way. For more information, visit mudhenbrew.com/all-events/mudhen-harvestfest-2 or call 609-846-7918.
North Wildwood Trunk or Treat
Saturday, October 24
Don’t miss this annual family fun event on October 24, 2026! Vehicle check-in begins at 1:30 p.m. at 1st & New Jersey Avenues and the event is 2:30 – 5:00 p.m. Held along Olde New Jersey Avenue in North Wildwood. Music, magic, balloon twisting and more! 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 best decorated vehicles.Registration is free and forms are available at 900 Central Avenue in North Wildwood, at City Hall, or email [email protected]. All vehicles participating in the event must be registered. Parking for visitors is available in the municipal lots at 2nd and Olde New Jersey Avenues and Spruce and Olde New Jersey Avenues. For more information, call 609-522-2955 or visit NorthWildwood.com.
Greater Wildwood Elks Haunted House
Saturday, October 24
Mark your calendars for a frightfully fun family night on Saturday, October 24, 2026, when the Greater Wildwoods Elks Lodge #1896 transforms into a ghostly playground! Join the community at 109 West 1st Avenue between 5:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. for a free walk-through “haunted house” experience—designed to delight (and delightfully spook) kids and trick-or-treaters of all ages. As you navigate the themed rooms, you’ll receive festive treats along the way (while they last!) For more information, visit elks1896.com or call 609-729-2170.
Boos & Brews at Mudhen
Saturday, October 24
Get ready for Boos & Brews at MudHen on Saturday, October 24! Join us in The Station House from 7–11 p.m. for a spooky night of live music, Halloween costumes, festive entertainment, and plenty of MudHen fun.Cheers The Band will be bringing the party from 7–11 p.m., and they’ll be dressed up in costume to keep the Halloween vibes going all night long.The celebration will also feature Face Painting by Donna from 6 –10 p.m., Circus Performers from 7–10 p.m., and a Costume Contest with prizes for the funniest, scariest, and best couple costumes.To participate in the costume contest, visit our Costume Contest Backdrop during the event. We’ll snap your photo and post it on our Instagram Story — the public will vote, and the top winners will score $100 MudHen gift cards! For more information, visit BOOS & BREWS – MudHen Brewing Company or call 609-522-0159.
Byrne Community Center Haunted Gym
Friday, October 30 – Saturday, October 31
This Halloween, the Byrne Community Center transforms into the Haunted Gym — a fun and fright-filled adventure for kids and families! Step inside if you dare and explore chilling mysteries, spooky sights, and sweet surprises around every corner. The City of Wildwood invites families, friends, and neighbors to enjoy a safe and exciting Halloween experience, complete with candy, decorations, and festive fun. Bring your courage — and your costumes — for a night full of treats and just the right amount of tricks on October 30 & 31, 2026. FREE! For more information, call 609.522.5837 or visit wildwoodnj.org.
For additional information about the Wildwoods, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.