Monmouth GuideThe Weekend EditionIssue #4Oct 23–25, 2026
Happy Friday, and welcome to issue #4 of The Weekend Edition, our weekly roundup of things to do in Monmouth County this weekend (Oct 23–25). Top of the list: Fall Harvest Festival- Happy Day Farm in Manalapan, Market Street Mission 5K Race for Recovery on the Ocean Grove Boardwalk in Asbury Park and Highlands Farmers Market in Huddy Park.
Below you'll find the weather, our top picks, the rest of the weekend day by day, free and family-friendly ideas, where to eat, a few local headlines and one town worth a visit.
Weekend weather at a glance
The National Weather Service forecast for central Monmouth County looks mostly dry.
- Today59°FSunny
- Tonight34°FAreas Of Frost
- Saturday61°FAreas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny
- Saturday Night34°FAreas Of Frost
- Sunday65°FAreas Of Frost then Sunny
Top 5 picks this weekend
If you only make room for a few things, start here. These five range from a farm festival in Manalapan to a boardwalk 5K in Ocean Grove.
- Fall Harvest Festival- Happy Day Farm
Enjoy a full day of fall fun at happy Day Farm! From the pumpkin patch and giant corn maze to farm animals, fun games, picture-perfect photo… - Market Street Mission 5K Race for Recovery on the Ocean Grove Boardwalk Free
Join us on the Ocean Grove boardwalk for a fun event for all ages, including a 5K Race, 2-Mile Family Walk, and Kids Fun Run! Proceeds from the… - Highlands Farmers Market
The Highlands Business Partnership’s traditional 32nd Annual Farmers’ Market begins every Saturday morning from June 20 through November 21st, 2026.… - Fall Craft Show - Belmar Free
Join Belmar Woman's Club for a Juried Fall Craft Show featuring over 30 local artist, bake sale, and light refreshments. See the work of talented… - West Long Branch Fall Car Show
Join the West Long Branch 1st Annual Fall Car Show! The West Long Branch Recreation Commission invites car enthusiasts, families, and community…
Friday, October 23
Friday leans easygoing, with community drives, fitness and an indoor gym option to shake off the chill.
- 9:00 AM Pinstripe World Founding Artists Open Call (online) Free
- 9:00 AM Warmest Wishes Coat Drive
- 11:00 AM Friday Dance Fitness
- 11:00 AM Girl Dinner at Avenue
- 12:00 PM Open Gym at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center
Saturday, October 24
Saturday is the busiest day of the weekend, with markets opening early and races and car shows starting at 9 a.m.
- 8:00 AM Asbury Park Sunset Farmers Market
- 9:00 AM The West Long Branch 1st Annual Car SHow
- 9:00 AM Shore AC Fall Adult XC Series — Wolf Hill Park
Sunday, October 25
Sunday brings farmers markets across the county plus a costumed 5K at the Deal Casino and farm fun in Manalapan.
- 8:00 AM Jetty Surf Club
- 9:00 AM Marlboro Farmers Market
- 9:30 AM Deal Trick or Trot
- 9:30 AM Fall Fun Fest - Maple Leaf Farms
- 10:00 AM Howell Farmers Market
Free things to do
These events cost nothing to attend, from historic house tours in Middletown to a mill demonstration at Historic Walnford.
- Fri · All day Historic Portland Place Tours Free
- Fri · 5:00 PM Trick or Treat Around the Park - iPlay America Free
- Sat · All day Mill Demonstration at Historic Walnford Free
- Sat · 12:00 PM Asbury Park Fall Bazaar at Convention Hall Free
- Sat · 5:00 PM Kurt Vonnegut’s Player Piano & AI: A Conversation About the Future at Asbury Book Cooperative Free
Family-friendly
Trunk or treats, corn mazes and a town festival fill out the weekend for families. Note that a couple of listings here are 21 and over.
- Fri · 5:00 PM Shrewsbury Borough Trunk or Treat
- Fri · 6:30 PM Big D And The Kids Table with Pietasters, Devon Kay & The Solutions at the Wonder Bar
- Sat · 8:30 AM MRC-CERT Clothing Drive
- Sat · 10:00 AM Fall Festival - Twin Pond Farm
- Sat · 10:00 AM Squantoberfest Festival - Manasquan
Where to eat
A few places to keep in mind if the day runs long, from Asbury Park counters to oceanfront dining in Pier Village.
Asbury Park
- Hadaka
Intimate BYOB omakase counter serving 12- or 18-course sushi tastings, the first of its kind at the Shore. - El Rey Rosticeria y Restaurante
Relaxed BYOB Mexican spot known for birria tacos, tortas, huaraches and rotisserie favorites.
Long Branch
- Sirena Ristorante
Pier Village Italian with floor-to-ceiling windows over the Atlantic, often called one of New Jersey's most romantic restaurants. - Avenue
Oceanfront French brasserie in Pier Village with a raw bar, mussels and a rooftop lounge overlooking the beach.
This week’s local news
Here is a quick look at stories from around the county this week, with each one credited to the outlet that reported it.
- Update On Teen Reported Missing In Monmouth County
- Monmouth County gives NY Waterway 30 days to fix ferry service issues following incident at N.J. pier
NJ.com reports Monmouth County gave NY Waterway 30 days to address ferry service problems after a pier incident, following a petition signed by 500 commuters.
- Falling debris spurs massive fix to George Washington Bridge. Here's what to know about repairs.
According to NJ.com, three projects totaling $300 million were approved for George Washington Bridge repairs after falling debris.
- $400K lottery ticket sold at N.J. supermarket
One town to explore: Hazlet
This week we head to the Bayshore and Hazlet, a northern Monmouth County township with a commuter train station and a municipal complex on Union Avenue.
- Fuku Japanese Sushi Burrito & Asian Kitchen
Sushi and Asian fusion spot known for fresh rolls, sushi burritos, poke bowls and Thai noodle dishes.
That is Issue 4. However you spend it, whether that is a frosty morning 5K, a corn maze or a quiet dinner by the water, we hope the weekend treats you well. Check times before you head out. See you next Friday.
Quick answers
What is there to do in Monmouth County this weekend (Oct 23–25)?
Top picks include Fall Harvest Festival- Happy Day Farm (Friday, Manalapan), Market Street Mission 5K Race for Recovery on the Ocean Grove Boardwalk (Saturday, Asbury Park) and Highlands Farmers Market (Saturday, Huddy Park). The Weekend Edition lists 18 events for the weekend, plus 5 free things to do.