This Weekend in South Jersey: Oktoberfest, Arts After Dark and More (September 18-20, 2026)
A free two-day Oktoberfest in Medford, a glowing nighttime arts festival at Smithville Park, a riverfront 5K and beer tour in Burlington City, farmers markets, and fall harvest are all on the calendar for Friday through Sunday.
This weekend, Friday September 18 through Sunday September 20, 2026, is when South Jersey's fall calendar really fills up. Medford throws its annual Oktoberfest and Music Festival at Freedom Park across Friday evening and all day Saturday, and it is free for everyone. Saturday also brings Arts After Dark, the illuminated evening festival at Historic Smithville Park in Eastampton, plus the Burlington Running Club's Blue Coat Run and Raccoon Pour Tour along the Burlington City riverfront. Sunday settles into farmers markets, fall harvest hayrides at Johnson's Corner Farm, and day two of Rowan's first-ever GreenFest.
Every event below was checked against official county pages, festival websites, and event listings before publishing, so you can plan with confidence. Details like live music lineups, food vendors, and weather-dependent activities can shift, so it is worth confirming anything you plan around with the organizer before you head out.
Friday, September 18: Oktoberfest Opens Under the Lights
Free admission, live music, and German food in Medford's town park
Medford Oktoberfest and Music Festival (Opens Friday Night)
Freedom Park, 86 Union Street, Medford, NJ 08055 (Burlington County)
Medford's biggest party of the year kicks off Friday evening from 5:00 to 9:00 PM at Freedom Park, then runs again Saturday from 1:00 to 9:00 PM. Admission and parking are free for all ages, and the beer garden, run by Taunton Forge Liquors, pours national and international Oktoberfest brews alongside local craft beer from all four Medford breweries.
Twenty-plus musical acts perform across four stages over the two days, mixing rock, funk, indie pop, folk, polka, and Mummers music. One weekend pass gets you into everything, so families can enjoy the playground, mini-golf, and German food stalls while the adults sample the stein-holding and bratwurst-eating competitions. A Kids' Zone runs Saturday afternoon, and a vendor expo fills the park for local businesses and nonprofits. If you are new to the area, our Medford neighborhood guide explains why this Pine Barrens town is such a close-knit community.
Saturday, September 19: The Big Day
A riverfront run, a nighttime arts festival, the county market, and Oktoberfest day two
BRC Blue Coat Run and Raccoon Pour Tour, Burlington City
Riverfront Promenade, 110 High Street, Burlington City, NJ 08016
The Burlington Running Club hosts its Blue Coat Run on Saturday morning: a flat, fast, USATF-certified 3.1-mile loop that starts at 10:00 AM at the Riverfront Promenade and winds through historic Burlington with Delaware River views. Race-day registration and packet pickup open at 8:45 AM, and the field is capped at 350 runners with cash prizes and age-group awards.
Registration runs from $30 for early birds up to $45 on race day if spots remain. After the finish, the Raccoon Pour Tour beer festival opens to runners and brewery club members at 11:30 AM and to the general public from noon to 6:00 PM along the riverfront. The club's home taproom, the Raccoon Pubhaus, sits at 352 High Street for those who want to keep the tour going. The historic district is worth a slow walk after the festival closes. And if you are comparing towns, our Moorestown guide and day trips guide cover more of what Burlington County offers.
Arts After Dark at Historic Smithville Park
Historic Smithville Park, 803 Smithville Road, Eastampton, NJ 08060
Burlington County's Arts After Dark returns Saturday evening from 4:00 to 9:00 PM at Historic Smithville Park, and admission is free. As the sun sets, the grounds fill with illuminated art installations and light displays, live music, poetry, mural painting, and a projection light show, with food trucks and a wine-and-cheese tasting tent hosted by Main Street Mount Holly.
It is one of the most photographed events on the county calendar, and the combination of the historic mansion, the lake, and the artwork makes a memorable family evening. Bring a blanket, wander the paths after dark, and let the kids explore the light installations before the 9:00 PM close.
Burlington County Farmers Market in Moorestown
Burlington County Agricultural Center, 500 Centerton Road, Moorestown, NJ 08057
Start Saturday at the Burlington County Agricultural Center, where the county farmers market runs from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM with dozens of New Jersey farms and food vendors under the pavilions. Late September is the sweet spot of the season: sweet corn, late tomatoes and squash, plus the first mums, wreaths, and decorative gourds of fall.
Entry is free, the market is open rain or shine weekly through late November, and it is a natural stop if you are headed to one of the other Saturday events. Our farmers market roundup lists every market in the region worth the trip.
Medford Oktoberfest and Music Festival, Day Two
Freedom Park, 86 Union Street, Medford, NJ 08055
The full Saturday edition of Medford Oktoberfest runs 1:00 to 9:00 PM with the biggest music lineup of the weekend, the Kids' Zone, and the much-anticipated bratwurst-eating race. The Taunton Forge beer tent pours until close, and a stein-holding competition sanctioned by the US Steinholding Association takes the stage both days with a $20 entry fee that covers your beer and a one-liter stein.
There is no ticket to buy at all, which makes this the best-value day of the season. Come for an hour or stay for the whole evening show. Afterwards, the historic village and nearby parks are worth exploring with our best parks guide.
Sunday, September 20: Markets and Harvest
A riverside market, fall harvest hayrides, and day two of Rowan's GreenFest
Bordentown City Farmers Market
Carslake Community Center, 207 Crosswicks Street, Bordentown City, NJ 08505
The Bordentown City Farmers Market runs Sundays from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Carslake Community Center through the fall, so September 20 is a full market day in historic Bordentown. Expect local produce, farms, and live music on the grounds, with an easy walk up Farnsworth Avenue for brunch afterward. The 2026 season runs Sundays from June through October.
Admission is free, and the relaxed pace makes it the perfect Sunday-morning errand. Grab coffee, stock the fridge for the week, and enjoy one of South Jersey's friendliest small-town main streets. Other Sunday farm stands in the county include Specca Farms in Bordentown Township, Budds Farm and Country Market in Pemberton, and Browning Hess Farm in Moorestown.
Johnson's Corner Farm Fall Harvest Weekend
Johnson's Corner Farm, 133 Church Road, Medford, NJ 08055
Johnson's Corner Farm welcomes families all weekend for its fall harvest festival: pick-your-own apples and pumpkins aboard the hayride, a family-friendly corn maze, gem mining, and live music from noon to 4:00 PM, with a festival food tent running through the afternoon. The farm is roughly open 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekends this time of year.
Weekend hayride and pick-your-own tickets are best reserved in advance online, since the farmbooks out fast once school starts. This is one of Burlington County's great family traditions, and it pairs well with a stop at Medford's historic village if you did not make it to Oktoberfest the day before.
First Annual South Jersey GreenFest at Edelman Fossil Park
Edelman Fossil Park and Museum of Rowan University, Mantua Township, NJ (Gloucester County)
Rowan University's Edelman Fossil Park celebrates its first annual GreenFest Saturday and Sunday with a World of Bugs theme: roach races, edible insect tastings, live animal encounters, a BioBlitz, fossil activities, and a free EV showcase. The outdoor festival activities on the grounds are free to enjoy. Timed museum admission runs $29 for ages 13 and up, $24 for ages 3 to 12, and free for ages 2 and under.
It is about a 40-minute drive from most of Burlington County, and it is a genuinely one-of-a-kind outing for curious kids. Reserve a museum time slot online if you want to dig in the fossil quarry, and spend the rest of the afternoon on the free outdoor programming.
Also worth knowing
October is coming fast, and the pumpkin patches and haunted attractions ramp up right after this weekend. If you want to plan the season ahead, our fall festivals guide previews what is arriving in the weeks ahead, and the full HomeCircle Community Events calendar has the complete county listing.
Quick Look: Events This Weekend
| Event | Price |
|---|---|
| Medford Oktoberfest (Night 1) | Free |
| Burlington County Farmers Market | Free |
| BRC Blue Coat Run & Pour Tour | From $30 |
| Arts After Dark | Free |
| Medford Oktoberfest (Day 2) | Free |
| South Jersey GreenFest | Grounds free |
| Bordentown City Farmers Market | Free |
More Ideas for the Weekend
Looking for even more? Browse the full HomeCircle Community Events calendar for happenings across Burlington County and South Jersey, and check your town's official website and recreation page for smaller neighborhood plans. If you already need a coffee or breakfast stop between events, our South Jersey coffee guide and brunch guide have you covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Have a Great Weekend. We Will Be Here After.
Bob Millaway is an Epique Realty AI Certified Agent (NJ License 791082) serving Burlington County and South Jersey. Enjoy the festival season, and when you are ready to talk about your home, your neighborhood, or anything real estate, Bob is here at 856.426.1522.