Local Knowledge. Shore Results.
Zombies on the Asbury boardwalk, chowder on the bay in Beach Haven, two Oktoberfests, a KISS cover band in Toms River and two events that got rained out the weekend before. Here's what's happening this week:
- LBI Kite Show (Surf City, 5th to 12th St.) Fri to Sun, Oct 2 to 4: More than 100 kite flyers from around the world, an art kite show, learn-to-fly for all ages, the Skydog Kites Band and a night fly show, plus an indoor kite show at Southern Regional Middle School.
- Culture Around the Corner (Long Branch) Fri to Sun, Oct 2 to 4: A free festival that kicks off Friday at 5 PM at Long Branch Library, 328 Broadway, with a sunset salsa dance party, then two stages at the Art Yard on Saturday and a Folklife Village with food, artisans and demos Sunday at Whitechapel Projects, 15 Second Ave.
- Asbury Park Zombie Walk (Asbury Park) Sat, Oct 3: Free zombie makeovers 11 AM to 3 PM at the 4th Ave. green space and a costume contest at 3 PM, then the walk from 4 to 6 PM from Convention Hall up the boardwalk to Johnny Mac's on Main St., rain or shine.
- Red Bank Porchfest (Red Bank) Sat, Oct 3, 12 to 6 PM: Free live music from bands and singers playing on porches all over town. Rain date Sunday, Oct 4.
- Highlands Oktoberfest, 25th Annual (Veterans Park, Bay & Shrewsbury Aves., Highlands) Sat, Oct 3, 12 to 7 PM: The Polka Family, German food and beer, and stein holding and costume contests, with free admission and parking. Rain date Sunday, Oct 4.
- Vetwork Wingfest, 5th Annual (Caffrey's Backyard, Forked River) Sat, Oct 3, 12 to 4 PM: Moved from the weekend before due to weather. $20 at the door gets you all-you-can-eat wings, a wing-eating contest, live music and a gift auction, all benefiting Vetwork's support of Ocean County veterans and their families.
- Pups & Pints (Casino Pier, Seaside Heights) Sat, Oct 3, 12 to 5 PM: Dog-friendly carousel rides (chariot only), $3 doggy sundaes, $4 domestic pints and a $29 unlimited ride wristband, plus free pet caricatures and personalized dog tags 1 to 3 PM and free pet photo IDs.
- Toms River Rockin' Fall Fest (Winding River Park North, next to the ice rink) Sat, Oct 3, 4 to 9 PM: Free, with kids' hayrides 4 to 6:30 PM, scary hayrides for older kids and a KISS cover band 7 to 9 PM, plus face painting, a pumpkin patch, carnival rides, food trucks and a beer garden. Shuttles provided. Rain date Sunday, Oct 4.
- Beach Haven Chowder Cook-Off (Taylor Ave. Waterfront, Beach Haven) Sat and Sun, Oct 3 to 4: The free Merchant's Mart runs Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM, and the Chowder Cook-Off Classic is Sunday 11 AM to 4 PM ($35 advance, $40 at the gate), in partnership with the Hunger Foundation of Southern Ocean.
- Downtown Freehold Oktoberfest (W. Main St., Court St. & Hall of Records Plaza) Sun, Oct 4, 12 to 5 PM: A beer garden with Twin Lights, Birdsmouth and Tall Oaks, live bands, food and vendors, and stein holding and best dressed contests.
- Island Beach Fall Fest (Island Beach State Park, Swimming Area 1) Sun, Oct 4, 10 AM to 4 PM: Craft vendors, live music, kids' activities, food trucks and a pet costume parade and contest, for a $10 suggested donation.
- Lacey Day 2026 (Gille Park, Lanoka Harbor) Sun, Oct 4, 12 to 4 PM: Moved from the weekend before due to weather, with a battle of the bands, kids' river games, local businesses and food trucks, all celebrating America's 250th birthday.
This week's featured events: the Asbury Park Zombie Walk, the Beach Haven Chowder Cook-Off, Toms River Rockin' Fall Fest, and Lacey Day back at Gille Park after the weather pushed it a week.
This roundup gets posted fresh every week, right here and on Instagram and Facebook. For the current week's events plus everything else happening at the Shore, visit Living at the Jersey Shore ». If you're a local business or event organizer and want to be included in a future week's guide, reach out directly.
Matthew Quinn, United Real Estate Associates
(609) 709-2742
matt@mattquinnsellshomes.com