Last Bell FamilyFarmers markets, pick-your-own farms, fall festivals, fairs and holiday traditions — what's worth doing each season.
One of Bergen's biggest and most beloved Sunday markets, in the train-station lot by the village. An easy walk-and-stroll morning where kids can pick a peach while you grab fresh sourdough and homemade mozzarella.
Good for: All ages · Arrive before 10am for the best produce and easy parking.
Directions ↗A year-round market with 70+ vendors at the historic Main Street train station — a reliable family outing in any season, buzzing on summer Sundays.
Good for: All ages · Come hungry — the prepared-food vendors make it an easy brunch stop.
Directions ↗A lively Friday market at Depot Square Park — a fun end-of-week treat with produce, gluten-free baked goods, and ice cream.
Good for: All ages · Free parking in Lot B makes the after-school run easy.
Directions ↗A laid-back Sunday market with local farmers and artisans plus a grassy picnic spot in town — a relaxed morning where little ones can run a bit.
Good for: All ages · Bring a blanket and picnic on the green after you shop.
Directions ↗One of the earliest markets to open each spring — a great first sign-of-summer outing, easy to pair with a coffee and a walk downtown.
Good for: All ages · Opens early in the season — perfect for spring strawberries and asparagus.
Directions ↗A bustling Thursday market in the Cedar Lane district that's easy to fold into your week — grab produce and dinner ingredients while the kids sample what's fresh.
Good for: All ages · Pair it with dinner on Cedar Lane for a full family evening.
Directions ↗A friendly Thursday-afternoon market with produce and treats like kettle corn and ice cream — the after-school timing makes it an easy weekday adventure.
Good for: All ages · Kettle corn and ice cream make a great post-school bribe for one more errand.
Directions ↗A cozy Town Hall market known for Amish baked goods and artisan specialties — a relaxed, small-town stop that feels welcoming for families.
Good for: All ages · Amish baked goods sell out fast — go early in the afternoon.
Directions ↗A leafy Lincoln Park market running Wednesdays and Saturdays — two chances a week to stock up, with room to roam between stalls.
Good for: All ages · Saturday mornings are the bigger, livelier market — come early.
Directions ↗A welcoming Sunday market with a long season that stretches into late fall — an easy weekly ritual for fresh produce and a weekend stroll.
Good for: All ages · One of the longest seasons in the county — reliable into Thanksgiving week.
Directions ↗A neighborly Thursday market in the library lot — quick and easy to pop into for a midweek produce run with the little ones.
Good for: All ages · Tie it in with a library visit to round out the outing.
Directions ↗A long-season Saturday market at Veterans Plaza, easy to make part of your weekend routine — plenty of fresh produce in a relaxed setting.
Good for: All ages · Opens early and closes late in the season — spring greens through fall pumpkins.
Directions ↗A friendly Saturday market in the Town Hall park — an easy morning out with local produce and treats in a walkable, family-comfortable spot.
Good for: All ages · Pairs well with a playground stop afterward.
Directions ↗A Sunday market in the Community Center plaza drawing vendors from across northern NJ — a great weekend stop with a long season.
Good for: All ages · Free community-center parking makes the morning hassle-free.
Directions ↗A vibrant Saturday market by Borough Hall in one of Bergen's most charming downtowns, with an indoor winter edition too. Stock up, then explore the walkable village.
Good for: All ages · Make a morning of it with the downtown shops and cafes right after.
Directions ↗A community-run Wednesday market with a wholesome small-town feel — a nice midweek stop for produce, flowers, and specialty treats.
Good for: All ages · Check the borough website — the start date shifts slightly each summer.
Directions ↗A convenient downtown Wednesday market in the county seat — an easy midweek produce run with fresh fruits, vegetables, and local goods.
Good for: All ages · Verify current dates with the city — the schedule can shift year to year.
Directions ↗A beloved Bergen institution since 1886 — pick-your-own apples and pumpkins right in your backyard. Little ones love the petting zoo, wooden train, and playground while you stock up on famous cider donuts.
Good for: All ages, esp. toddlers–10 · Reservations required and weekends sell out — book a timed slot and arrive early.
Directions ↗Bergen's only working produce-and-poultry farm, a Wyckoff fixture for 85+ years. A manageable fall outing — hayride, pumpkins, and a barnyard of alpacas, ponies, and bunnies.
Good for: Best toddlers–8 · Hayride needs a timed ticket — pre-purchase; Saturdays book up.
Directions ↗A pretty Mahwah farm where pumpkin picking feels like an adventure — a scenic hayride past the pond to the patch, two corn mazes, animals, and warm cider donuts. Relaxed, affordable, dog-friendly.
Good for: All ages; great 3–10 · Weekend tickets are online in advance; weekdays are easier and far less crowded.
Directions ↗One of Bergen's largest flower farms — wander the fields and cut your own sunflowers, zinnias, and dahlias all summer, with strawberry picking in June. A lovely, low-key alternative to the big crowds.
Good for: All ages; calm for little ones · Crops are weather-dependent and posted on their site; closed Sun–Wed.
Directions ↗For a jaw-dropping late-summer day trip, over a million sunflowers with miles of trails to wander and pick from — a magical photo backdrop the whole family will remember.
Good for: All ages · Bloom shifts yearly — check the site; bring cash and sun protection.
Directions ↗There are no cut-your-own tree farms inside Bergen, so this Warren County legend (a White House tree grower!) is the nearest classic — pick from thousands of firs and start a new family tradition.
Good for: All ages · ~1 hour from Bergen — go the first weekends after Thanksgiving; dress warm.
Directions ↗A bucket-list flower day worth the road trip — 8 million u-pick tulips every April and a sea of sunflowers and dahlias in September, plus hayrides, pony rides, and a feeding zoo.
Good for: All ages · ~1.5 hrs from Bergen and very popular — buy timed tickets and go on a weekday.
Directions ↗A free county tradition and the closest thing Bergen has to a true county fair — carnival rides, a petting zoo with freshly hatched chicks, hands-on 4-H projects, a craft fair, and live music.
Good for: All ages · Admission is free — see the chicks and petting zoo early in the day.
Directions ↗Downtown Ridgewood closes the avenue for one of North Jersey's biggest craft fairs (200+ artisans), with inflatables, face painting, and games to keep kids busy. A free, easy-stroll fall Sunday.
Good for: All ages · Parking goes fast — arrive before noon or take the train to Ridgewood station.
Directions ↗A nostalgic, old-school spring carnival by the train station for one week each May — rides, games, fried food, and prizes, doubling as a fundraiser for the volunteer fire department.
Good for: All ages · Hit the discounted unlimited-ride bracelet nights (often Tue & Wed) for the best value.
Directions ↗A wholesome hometown Fourth — a morning parade then a family fair in Memorial Park with free train rides, a petting zoo, games, and amusements. The kind of day families come back to every year.
Good for: All ages · Watch the parade, then head straight to the park for free kids' rides before lines build.
Directions ↗Ridgewood goes all-in — a morning flag raising and 10am parade down the avenue, then evening food trucks and fireworks at Veterans Field. A full-day, all-ages celebration close to home.
Good for: All ages · Bring blankets and claim a fireworks spot at Veterans Field well before dusk.
Directions ↗A charming fall festival on a Revolutionary War-era site — living history, Bavarian music and food, in a beautiful riverside setting. A cultural, low-key alternative to a big beer-hall Oktoberfest.
Good for: All ages · Pair it with a tour of the Steuben House; wear comfy shoes for the grassy grounds.
Directions ↗A magical December evening — live music, fire pits, s'mores, and a beloved tree lighting, plus a special early hour with Santa and train rides. The start of the holiday season for many Bergen families.
Good for: All ages, magical under-10 · Arrive for the 5–6pm kids' hour to see Santa before the crowds, then stay for the lighting.
Directions ↗A full winter playground at Van Saun Park each holiday season — open-air ice skating, bumper cars, a carousel, and a heated tent with food and live music, right beside the Bergen County Zoo.
Good for: All ages · Buy skating sessions online ahead; combine with the zoo's 'Let It GLOW' next door.
Directions ↗The Bergen County Zoo glows after dark with 30+ giant hand-painted lanterns shaped like animals and holiday scenes, with cozy fire pits and s'mores — a wonder-filled evening stroll for all ages.
Good for: All ages · Go on a clear cold evening for the best glow — bundle up.
Directions ↗Bergen's big spring kickoff — bagpipes, marching bands, and Irish pride down downtown Bergenfield. A festive, free, all-ages street celebration that draws crowds from across the county.
Good for: All ages · Bundle up — mid-March is chilly — and arrive early for a curbside spot.
Directions ↗The best kid & family events across Bergen’s 70 towns — plus new parks & spots — in one free Friday email.
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