Fall festivals & holiday events
Celebrate the season locally with these fall festivities and get a start on the Christmas season.
| 04 Nov 2024 | 09:30
The Headless Horseman rides through Sparta on Halloween. (Photo by Nancy Madacsi)
Winners of the 2024 Branchville Scarecrows contest will be announced at the Halloween parade Thursday, Oct. 31 at the Branchville Fire Department. (Photo by Maria Kovic)
Addison Smith poses in the pumpkin patch at the Fall Fest on Saturday, Oct. 19 in Ogdensburg. (Photo by Maria Kovic)
JP Dillman of Milford, Pa., among figures at the Haunted Harvest Food Truck Festival on Sunday, Oct. 20 at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta. (Photo by Maria Kovic)
Byram-A-Blaze on Friday, Oct. 18 was sponsored by the Byram PTA. It included a Trunk or Treat, pumpkin decorating, bounce house, games, face painting and food trucks. (Photo by Maria Kovic)
Josie and Kiera Cerqueira at Byram-A-Blaze on Friday, Oct. 18.
Children paint pumpkins at Norwescap’s Fall Frolic in the Park on Thursday, Oct. 10 at Sussex County Community College in Newton. (Photos by Maria Kovic)
Julian Dominguez, Denis Collins, Ariana Hastings and Amanda Papallo, all of New York, are dressed for Oktoberfest on Sept. 21-22 at Mountain Creek Resort in Vernon. (Photo by Maria Kovic)
Saturday, Nov. 9
Harvest on the Glen Farm: See what life was like on a rural farm at harvest time in the 18th and 19th centuries. 1:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tours every half hour. $10 per person for daytime or candlelit tour. Also craft and bake sale. DAR Van Bunschooten Museum, 1097 Route 23, Wantage. Hosted by the Chinkchewunska Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. For information or to buy tickets, send email to vanbunschootenmuseum@gmail.com
Festive Christmas Craft Bazaar: 1 to 7 p.m. at Our Lady Queen of Peace, 209 Route 206, Branchville.
Saturday, Nov. 16
Christmas Market: Shop for baked goods, jams and jellies, spices, crafts, candles, soaps, pickles, jewelry, home decor and wind chimes. Food will be available for purchase. Special visit from Santa from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Shop from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Jude RC Church, 40 Maxim Drive, Hopatcong.
Holiday Market: Shop for handmade gifts from local vendors, enjoy holiday treats and snap a photo with Santa. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mountain Creek’s Cobblestone Village, across from Red Tail Lodge, Vernon.
Festival of Lights: Festive treats and the chance to meet Santa and other special guests at 4:30 p.m. Community Tree Lighting at 5:30 p.m., immediately followed by fireworks. Newton Medical Center, 175 High St.
Annual Ullr Fest: Celebration of Ullr, the Norse god of snow and skiing, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the South Lodge at Mountain Creek, 200 Route 94, Vernon. Tickets are $20. Refreshments, ceremonial bonfire, special appearances by Ullr and Vern, activities for all ages (face painting, inflatables, lawn games) and retail sale on winter gear. All ticket proceeds will be donated to the Hession Foundation.
Saturday, Nov. 23
42nd annual Fall Craft Fair: 10 a.m. at Sussex County Fairgrounds, 29 Plains Road, Augusta. Sponsored by Northwest Christian School.
Fall Bazaar: Crafts, baked goods, Granny’s Attic and lunch, including Thanksgiving dinner. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Frankford Plains United Methodist Church, 99 Plains Road, Augusta.
Sunday, Nov. 24
Annual Giving Back Event: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Dance performance at 10:45 a.m. Children’s toy drive, craft table for children, gift basket raffle. Free admission with toy donation. Hosted by the Centre for Dance Artistry, 191 Woodport Road, Sparta. Benefits O.S.C.A.R. animal rescue.
Thursday, Nov. 28
Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot: Run or walk on your own, with the family or create a team with friends. 8 a.m. at Holy Counselor Lutheran Church, 68 Sandhill Road, Sussex. Fundraiser for Harvest House Food Pantry in Sussex. Hosted by Vernon Township Board of Recreation. Early-bird price is $25, rises to $30 on Nov. 14. Children younger than 10 admitted for free. Register online at runsignup.com/Race/NJ/Sussex/VernonsTurkeyTrot Please bring a nonperishable item to donate to local food pantries. For information, call 973-764-4055 ext. 2261.
18th Annual Krogh’s Turkey Trot: One-mile Fun Run begins at 8:15 a.m. and 5K begins at 8:45 a.m. in front of Krogh’s Restaurant and Brew Pub, 23 White Deer Plaza, Sparta. Sponsored by the Sparta Education Foundation. Race-day registration is $40 for adult 5K, $35 for youth 5K (age 17 or younger) and $25 for the Fun Run. Register online at kroghsturkeytrot.com
Saturday, Nov. 30
Holiday Parade: Theme of “All I Want for Christmas.” Begins at 10 a.m. on Spring Street in Newton.
Christmas Light Parade: Lineup begins at 5 p.m. at 1 Railroad Ave., Branchville. Hosted by Branchville Hose Company #1. For information, call Khyle at 862-354-3336.
Thursday, Dec. 5
Holiday Concert: Broadway star Craig Schulman will perform Broadway classics and holiday favorites at 7 p.m. at Sussex County Community College’s Performing Arts Center, One College Hill Road, Newton. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $10 for students, veterans and SCCC employees. They may be purchased online at sussex.simpletix.com
Saturday, Dec. 7
Christmas Festival of Lights: Songs and lighting of 30 decorated trees donated by members from 4 to 8 p.m. at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 246 Woodport Road, Sparta. Live Nativity and visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus and their helpers. Free admission. Hot chocolate, cookies, breads and muffins will be provided. Donations of nonperishable pet food welcome to support Father John’s Animal House and Hopatcong Animal Shelter.
Saturday, Dec. 14
“The Nutcracker”: Presented by the Centre for Dance Artistry at 1 p.m. at Newton High School. Tickets are $22. Purchase them online at thecentrefordanceartistry.com/cda-store/
Send information about events to editor.ann@strausnews.com