By late September, Cape May’s boardwalk empties and parking gets easy again, but there’s still plenty going on. This guide walks through the best things to do in Cape May, New Jersey, in the fall, from festival weekends to spooky Halloween-themed events. The Cape May – Lewes Ferry, a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice winner, has run this crossing for more than 50 years, so we know the ins and outs of fall in Cape May.
Start Your Fall Trip on the Cape May - Lewes Ferry
The Cape May – Lewes Ferry in the Fall
“I love grabbing a warm seasonal drink before boarding the Ferry and spending a crisp autumn afternoon at the Cape May County Zoo. Combining a scenic bay crossing with a fall zoo excursion is the ultimate South Jersey day trip.”
— Amelia Rizzo, Marketing & Social Media Manager, Delaware River & Bay Authority
For anyone crossing over from Delaware, arriving in Cape May by ferry is a fun-filled part of the trip. Visiting Cape May, NJ, in October brings lighter sailing traffic than a midsummer weekend, so the terminal rarely feels rushed. However, on peak festival weekends, sailing times, vehicle slots, and boarding lanes can still fill up quickly, so check the current sailing schedule before you lock in your dates.
The Cape May side of the terminal is worth building into the day itself. It holds a cafe, restaurant, retail shopping, and mini golf, alongside a lawn built for up to 2,000 people. If you’re already there for a sailing, it’s an easy stop rather than a separate trip.
Cape May's Fall Festivals & Live Music
Oktoberfest at Morey's
Morey’s Piers Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest at Morey’s Piers, a CMLF partner, is a lively way to kick off the fall season on the Jersey Shore, and Mariner’s Pier in Wildwood is just a short 25-minute drive from the Cape May Ferry Terminal. Pair a bratwurst or schnitzel with a stein in the biergarten while live bands play, then stick around for the stein-holding competition. Entry is free, ride wristbands are $40 plus tax, and it runs Friday through Sunday, September 18th through October 11th, 2026.
The Exit Zero Jazz Festival
Exit Zero Jazz Festival
The Autumn Exit Zero Jazz Festival returns October 23rd to the 25th, 2026, with headline sets at the Cape May Convention Hall and additional performances spread across the bars and restaurants in town. It runs twice a year, in spring and fall, but the fall edition pairs naturally with a foliage weekend since most of the venues are within walking distance of each other.
MAC Victorian Weekend & Harvest Events
Mac Victorian Weekend & Harvest Events
Cape May MAC’s Annual Victorian Weekend runs October 9th to the 12th, 2026, with events like an outdoor crafts and collectibles show, house tours, and trolley tours built around the town’s Victorian identity. Harvest-season extras like pumpkin-carving contests and Halloween-themed family activities tend to show up on weekends throughout October, so it’s worth checking the webpage for the exact weekend before you book.
Lower Township Rotary Club Pumpkin Festival
Lower Township Rotary Club Pumpkin Festival
Presented by the Lower Township Rotary Club, the Pumpkin Festival takes over Historic Cold Spring Village for one day each October, with pumpkin painting, a haunted house in the Village Barn, and a fall hayride through the farm. The Children’s Halloween Parade steps off at 11 a.m., and crafters line the Village’s shell-paved lanes alongside food vendors selling hot dogs and funnel cake.
The Harvest Fest Brew Festival
The Harvest Fest Brew Festival
The Harvest Brew Fest runs September 19th, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate. Admission is free, though local food, craft beer, and vendor stands charge separately, and the day includes lawn games and kid-friendly activities alongside the crafts and collectibles tables. A free trolley shuttle runs from the Washington Street Mall Information Booth to the estate, so parking at the terminal or downtown and riding over is an option.
The Cape May Bird Observatory’s Annual Fall Festival
The Cape May Bird Observatory’s 50th Annual Fall Festival
The Cape May Bird Observatory’s Fall Festival runs October 15th to the 18th, 2026, at the Cape May Convention Hall, with field trips, boat trips, hawk-banding demonstrations, and workshops built around the season’s raptor migration. It draws birders and casual visitors alike, since many of the field programs are open to first-timers as well as serious listers.
Cape May Halloween-Themed Events
Cape May’s Halloween season stretches well beyond October 31st, thanks to a run of nightly ghost tours and pop-up Halloween events across the historic district.
Ghosts of Cape May Trolley Tour
Ghosts of Cape May Trolley Tour
Led almost every night by psychic medium and author Craig McManus, the 30-minute Ghosts of Cape May Trolley Tour departs from the Ocean Street trolley stop and winds through the historic district before stopping at the Emlen Physick Estate, where guests hear firsthand accounts from staff who have worked in the building for years.
Voices From Beyond House Tour at Emlen Physick Estate
Voices from Beyond House Tour at Emlen Physick Estate
Once you’re at the Physick Estate, even more spooky activities await. The Voices From Beyond House Tour goes inside the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May’s own haunted house. Guests learn the history and tools of paranormal research, then hear electronic voice phenomena (EVP) recordings and see photographs of ghostly presences inside the house. The event runs on select days, typically Tuesdays and Thursdays, so be sure to check the calendar before you book. Tickets are $25 for adults and $25 for children ages 3 to 12. The estate also hosts trick-or-treating on Saturday, October 31, from 5 to 7 p.m., with spooky music and Scarecrow Alley on the grounds.
Scarecrow Alley at the Emlen Physick Estate
Scarecrow Alley at the Emlen Physick Estate
Part of Cape May MAC’s Halloween Happenings lineup, Scarecrow Alley lines a walkway at the Emlen Physick Estate with homemade scarecrows built by local businesses and residents. Visitors can vote on their favorite spooky homemade decoration.
BOO BAR at Harry's Ocean Bar & Grille
BOO BAR at Harry’s Ocean Bar & Grille
From October 2 through November 1, 2026, Harry’s Ocean Bar & Grille turns its beachfront space into BOO BAR, a pirate-themed Halloween pop-up with nautical-gothic decor, themed cocktails, weekly live music, and a costume contest. It’s a different register than the trolley tours, more bar crawl than history lesson, and a solid pick for visitors traveling without kids.
Cape May's Annual Halloween Parade
Cape May’s Annual Halloween Parade
Cape May’s Annual Halloween Parade steps off along the Washington Street Mall at Carpenters Lane on Sunday, October 25th, 2026, with free registration for costumed participants, decorated antique cars, and judging to follow.
Looking for Even More Ways to Spend Your Fall Trip with Kids?
Not every fall activity on this list is built for a family day, but plenty of Cape May’s fall calendar is. Our guide to kid-friendly activities in Cape May County covers more of what’s open once the beach isn’t the main draw.
Cape May Fall FAQs
Is there anything to do in Cape May in October?
October is Cape May’s busiest fall month, with Cape May fall festivals like the Exit Zero Jazz Festival running on select days, plus the Halloween Parade and MAC’s Halloween Happenings taking over for the rest of the month.
What are 4 activities you can do in the fall in Cape May?
4 good activities to build a trip around are the Voices From Beyond House Tour at Emlen Physick Estate, the Cape May Bird Observatory’s Fall Festival, the Exit Zero Jazz Festival, and Cape May’s Annual Halloween Parade.
What are some places to go drinking during the fall in Cape May?
The Harvest Fest Brew Festival at the Emlen Physick Estate and BOO BAR at Harry’s Ocean Bar & Grille both pour through the fall season, whether you’re after a local craft beer or a themed Halloween cocktail.
What is the best way to get to Cape May for a fall trip?
The Cape May – Lewes Ferry runs a quieter crossing in the fall than in summer, and the Cape May terminal itself is worth arriving early for since it doubles as a festival venue.
How many days should I plan for a fall trip to Cape May?
2 to 3 days is usually enough to cover a festival, a restaurant stop, and some open time, though it helps to plan your transportation and lodging ahead of a festival weekend since spaces book up fast.
