Hunterdon County is kicking off the Autumn season this Saturday, October 4, with the 3rd Annual Hunterdon Harvest Fest that will transform Flemington’s historic Main Street into an all-day farm-to-festival experience. From the first beat of live music to the last scoop of ice cream, the event will be buzzing with flavors, sounds, and community spirit that make Hunterdon unforgettable in the fall.
The day-long celebration showcases the very best of Hunterdon’s farms, restaurants, businesses and breweries. Visitors can sample farm-to-table dishes, try local craft beer in the festival’s lively beer garden, and discover more than 50 participating vendors and small businesses. Families can join in free children’s activities and create a collaborative community art installation that captures the spirit of the season.
The festival runs from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Parking is free in public lots near Main Street, and visitors 21 and over are reminded to bring valid ID to enjoy the festival’s beer and wine offerings. For more information, visit the event’s website.
“Autumn is when Hunterdon truly shines. Travelers come here for the color in the trees, but they leave remembering the orchards, the farms, the historic streets, and the sense of welcome they felt in every town,” says County Commissioner Sue Soloway. “Our pumpkin patches, corn mazes, hayrides, and Halloween events create memories that visitors and families will carry with them long after the fall.”
Hunterdon’s Oktoberfest Celebrations
Along the Hunterdon Beer Trail, local breweries are leaning into the season with Oktoberfest celebrations that offer crisp lagers and hearty festbiers to visitors.
Readington Brewery is hosting its 4th Annual Oktoberfest on October 4, from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This year’s celebration raises a stein to seasonal pours, live music, and Readington’s traditional goat races. Guests can test their strength in the popular stein-holding competition, sip, eat, and celebrate all day long.
Conclave Brewing is hosting Flannel Fest, where live music and small-batch brews set the tone for an entertaining afternoon on October 5, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Guests are encouraged to don their favorite flannel while enjoying a full lineup of seasonal beers and a spirited tribute to Johnny Cash from Big River at 3:00 p.m.
Meanwhile, Odd Bird Brewing is giving enthusiasts a taste of tradition. With the release of Czech-inspired lagers and its highly anticipated Cask Festival also on October 5, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., guests can experience beers poured in old-world fashion, gravity-fed and full of character that bring the spirit of Bavaria to autumn afternoons in Hunterdon County.
On October 11, beginning at 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Wild Fern Brewing will welcome visitors to its first Oktoberfest event. The day features the release of the brewery’s inaugural Festbier, an outdoor beer tent, cornhole, food from The Borscht Belt, and live music sets that stretch from early afternoon through nightfall, broken up by crowd-pleasing stein-holding contests. Wild Fern’s celebration will capture the energy of the season and showcase the creativity of Hunterdon’s craft beer scene.
Whether it’s raising a stein, discovering a new seasonal favorite, or simply enjoying the camaraderie of friends on a cool fall day, Oktoberfest in Hunterdon County proves there’s no better time or place to savor craft beer.
Explore Hunterdon County’s Fall Adventures
Hunterdon County in autumn offers a full menu of experiences. U-Pick orchards like Melick’s, Phillips Farms, Schaefer Farms, West Portal Pumpkin Patch and Peterson Family Farm invite visitors to fill their baskets with apples and pumpkins. For families chasing even more adventure, a roundtrip ride on the Black River & Western Train takes visitors directly from Flemington Station to Everitt Farms, where corn mazes, wagon rides, and pumpkin fields await. Visitors can plan their perfect apple and pumpkin adventure via Explore Hunterdon’s website and new Trip Planner spotlighting autumn events and showcasing a trip planning Fall U-Pick Tour.
Nature lovers can follow the county’s scenic trails or bike the canal towpath, where fall leaves of fiery reds, golds, and oranges frame every activity. Vineyards and breweries offer another reason to extend a stay, pairing crisp ciders and craft brews with views and firepits that make for a perfect for a brisk autumn evening.
For those who prefer their thrills on the spooky side, Hunterdon in the fall delivers. Clinton’s legendary Red Mill Museum Village transforms into one of the region’s most chilling haunted destinations, with winding trails, shadowy mazes, and the ghostly reputation of a 200-year-old mill setting the stage for frightful fun. At Schaefer Farms, the Farm of Horrors returns with a quartet of haunted attractions, including the infamous Hayride of Horror and Carnevil of Chaos.
To explore more county happenings, events, and activities throughout the fall season, visit Explore Hunterdon’s complete calendar of events at ExploreHunterdonNJ.com
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