12 Ways To Have A Fun Fall Weekend

From family-friendly campfires to galas for a cause, there’s something for everyone in Bergen.

The leaves are changing, the air is cool and the calendar tells us that October is already halfway done. Don’t panic—you still have plenty of time to savor everything the season has to offer.

Whether you’re craving a day out with the kids or an evening out with your beau, you’ll find the perfect option in our county. Check out, for example, a dozen events that have us excited.

Oct. 16–18

• The Bergen County Zoo in Paramus hosts its annual Zoo Boo! Perfect for families, this event invites visitors to explore the fully decorated zoo and visit trick-or-treat stations. Older kids and thrill-seekers can opt for a haunted, spooky train ride after dark. Gates open at 6 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Pick up tickets online.

Oct. 16

• Over in Wyckoff, you can drop by Abma’s Farm for a Spooky Storytime at 6:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. Enjoy a nighttime hayride through the farm and then settle in front of a cozy bonfire where a friendly witch will tell stories that are funny and scary—but not too scary! Attendees will also take home a mini pumpkin and a delicious donut. Tickets available online.

Oct. 17

• Learn about our feathered friends and take in a crisp fall morning at the Teaneck Creek Conservatory’s Bird Band-a-thon. Observe how experts study birds as they monitor which ones stop by to refuel and rest up as they make their way south for winter. Registration is required, and this event starts at 7:30 a.m.
• At 9 a.m., start your day off strong with Yoga for the Soul at Bergen Town Center in Paramus. This free one-hour session will help you ease anxiety, melt stress and unwind for the rest of the weekend. Bring your own mat and water and meet at the 5th level parking garage.
• At Bergen County Harley-Davidson in Rochelle Park, take part in a fun, festive Trunk-or-Treat. You’ll enjoy decorated trucks and cars, pumpkin decorating, food trucks and more. The fun starts at 11 a.m.
• Get the most out of the season at American Dream in East Rutherford, where the Autumn Lifestyle Pop-Up Experience kicks off at noon. This full-day event gathers brands, creators and shoppers to put the very best of the season at your fingertips.
• After the September date was rained out, the Tenafly Nature Center returns to host its Campfire & Cocktails fundraiser, where you can sip handcrafted cocktails, savor seasonal small bites and enjoy live music surrounded by crisp autumn air. The event benefits the nature center’s environmental work and begins at 6 p.m. Grab tickets on the center’s website.
• For an evening of great performances and fantastic food for a great cause, check out the Barrymore Film Center’s Gala. You’ll enjoy an upscale cocktail reception and inspiring speeches, take part in a silent auction and more. Tickets and be purchased online, and the party starts at 6 p.m.
• Get a little zany at the Hackensack Performing Arts Cetner, where the Howdy Stranger Improv Group puts on its Zombie Apocalypse show. Starting at 8 p.m., watch talented comedians take on each other in gut-busting combat, and you decide who survives. The night will also include a costume contest. Tickets available online.
• Ready to do the time warp again? The Williams Center in Rutherford goes all-out with a midnight screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, complete with shadow cast, pre-show, games and prizes. Doors open at 11:55 p.m.; pick up tickets online and wear your best high heels.

Oct. 18

• The football season continues at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, where the New York Giants take on the New Orleans Saints. Doors open at 11 a.m., and the game starts at 1 p.m. Grab tickets online.
• At 7:30 p.m., you can see Dan and Phil at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood. Two of the first-ever Internet-grown celebrities, these two are famous for their quick wit, on-stage chemistry and relatable humor. See website for tickets.

Tell us all about your weekend adventures on Instagram @bergenmagnj.