Best Fall Activities in Cherry Hill, NJ: Farms, Festivals, and Family Fun

When the leaves start to turn and the air gets that first crisp edge, Cherry Hill, New Jersey becomes one of the best places in South Jersey to enjoy the season. Between the township's big Harvest Festival at Croft Farm, the last working farm sitting right inside Cherry Hill, and dozens of pumpkin patches and apple orchards within a short drive, there is no shortage of ways to celebrate autumn. This guide walks you through the best fall activities in and around Cherry Hill, from family-friendly farms to crisp trail walks and cozy seasonal events.

What Is the Best Thing to Do in Cherry Hill in the Fall?

For most families, the single most-anticipated fall tradition is the Cherry Hill Harvest Festival at Croft Farm on Bortons Mill Road. This free, family-friendly festival is hosted by the township and typically takes place on a Sunday in mid-October, from noon to 4 p.m., rain or shine. Expect more than 100 vendors and crafters, pony rides, a petting zoo, pumpkin sales, live music, food trucks, scarecrow-making, a craft fair, and a beer garden. It is the kind of event that brings the whole community out, and it is the perfect introduction to Cherry Hill life if you are new to town.

Because event dates shift from year to year, check the official township calendar at chnj.gov before you plan around it. Most years the festival falls in the middle of October, right when the fall color is at its peak.

If you want the broader picture of everything the township offers all season long, our Seasonal Activities in Cherry Hill guide covers the full year, and the Things to Do in Cherry Hill page is worth a bookmark too.

Where Can You Pick Pumpkins Near Cherry Hill?

People ask this more than almost any other fall question, and the best answer is closer than you might think. Springdale Farms at 1638 South Springdale Road is Cherry Hill's last working farm. In October they run pumpkin-picking hayrides on weekend afternoons (the last ride typically goes around 3:30 p.m.), along with a corn maze, campfire hayrides to the lakeside, pumpkin carving and painting kits, mums, and a bakery stocked with seasonal goods. It is a true working farm right inside the township, which makes it an easy option with no long drive.

For an even bigger farm experience, head to Johnson's Corner Farm in Medford, about 20 minutes away. They offer U-pick apples and pumpkins, a five-acre-plus corn maze, sunflower fields, and a full fall festival operation. Highland Orchards in Wilmington, Delaware, about a 30-minute drive, is a family-run orchard dating to 1832 with apple picking and a pumpkin patch, and Hill Creek Farms in Mullica Hill offers U-pick apples, Asian pears, and sunflowers. For a spookier night out, Bates Motel and the Haunted Hayride in Winslow is the region's go-to for older kids and adults who love a good scare.

What Are the Best Apple Orchards Near Cherry Hill?

Apple picking pairs perfectly with a fall afternoon, and Cherry Hill families have several reliable orchards within a short drive. Johnson's Corner Farm is probably the most popular all-in-one destination for U-pick apples. Johnson's Locust Hall Farm in Jobstown, along with Flying Feather Farm and Peaches Plus in Moorestown, round out the local apple options. Whichever you choose, go early on a crisp morning for the best selection and the calmest crowds, and bring cash, since some smaller farm stands prefer it.

For a spread of farmers markets where you can grab seasonal produce close to home, take a look at the community guide to Local Businesses, which points you to the markets and shops that make Cherry Hill's food scene so strong.

Where Is the Best Fall Foliage in and Around Cherry Hill?

You do not need to drive to the Poconos to see beautiful fall color. Cherry Hill and its neighbors offer plenty of spots for a foliage walk. In-town favorites include Croft Farm, whose National Recreation Trail winds along the Cooper River, and Barclay Farmstead on Barclay Lane, a historic farm with a short nature trail and open grounds. Challenge Grove Park, Woodcrest Lake Park, and the Cooper River Park system just across the border in Pennsauken all put on a colorful show in mid-to-late October.

If you want a full guide to the best places to stretch your legs in every season, our Walking Trails and Outdoor Activities article has the details, and the Parks and Recreation page maps out the township's best outdoor spaces.

What Autumn Events and Festivals Happen in and Around Cherry Hill?

Beyond the Harvest Festival at Croft Farm, the fall event calendar across South Jersey is packed. Barclay Farmstead hosts a "Welcome to the Farm" family event in October with children's crafts, games, chickens, an apple-pie contest, vendors, and picnic area. Nearby, the Berlin Boro Fall Festival along West Broad Street features a car show, petting zoo, food trucks, craft vendors, and live music, and Medford's Oktoberfest is a lively weekend celebration.

Farmers markets keep going well into the fall, too. The Haddonfield Farmers Market runs Saturday mornings through mid-October, and the Collingswood Farmers Market holds its Saturday morning market through the fall as well. For a one-stop list of what is happening around town, keep an eye on our Community Events page all season.

If you are looking for more family-friendly ideas close to home, our Family Activities in Cherry Hill guide gathers the best options for kids of every age.

What Fall Activities Are Good for Kids in Cherry Hill?

The fall season is practically designed for families. In Cherry Hill itself, the Harvest Festival's pony rides, petting zoo, scarecrow-making, and pumpkin sales are a hit with younger children. Springdale Farms is another top choice because the hayride, corn maze, and farm animals are all within a short drive and a manageable half-day. For older kids and teens, a corn maze at Johnson's Corner Farm or a haunted hayride in Winslow offers more of an adventure.

Don't overlook the low-tech classics, either. A leaf walk through Croft Farm, a visit to the Cherry Hill Public Library for fall story times, and an afternoon baking apples from a nearby orchard are all simple, memorable ways to spend a fall weekend without leaving town.

How to Make the Most of a Fall Day in Cherry Hill

A perfect fall day in Cherry Hill often looks something like this: start at Springdale Farms in the morning for a hayride and pumpkin picking, grab lunch from a local spot or food truck, spend the afternoon walking the trail at Croft Farm or Barclay Farmstead, and cap it off by checking the township calendar for an evening community event. Because so much of the season's fun happens outdoors, the trickiest variable is the weather, so keep an eye on the forecast and have a flexible backup plan.

If you are new to the area and still deciding where to settle, autumn is actually a wonderful time to explore Cherry Hill's neighborhoods. The tree-lined streets of Barclay, Kingston Estates, and Woodcrest look their best in October, which makes it a great season to drive around and get a feel for where you might want to live. Our Best Neighborhoods in Cherry Hill guide is a good place to start.

What Else Makes Cherry Hill a Great Place to Live?

Fall is just one season in a year-round rhythm that makes Cherry Hill special. Between the strong public schools, the convenient 20-minute commute to Philadelphia, the diverse dining scene, and a genuine sense of community, the township consistently shows up on lists of the best places to live in South Jersey. If you are weighing a move, our Living in Cherry Hill guide brings together everything you need to know in one place.

However you decide to spend it, fall in Cherry Hill is a season to get outside, meet your neighbors, and enjoy the community. That is exactly what this site is here to help you do.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Cherry Hill Harvest Festival at Croft Farm?

The Harvest Festival at Croft Farm on Bortons Mill Road typically takes place on a Sunday in mid-October, from noon to 4 p.m., rain or shine, with more than 100 vendors, pony rides, a petting zoo, live music, food trucks, and a beer garden. Exact dates change each year, so confirm on the township calendar at chnj.gov.

Where can I pick a pumpkin near Cherry Hill?

Springdale Farms on South Springdale Road is Cherry Hill's own working farm with pumpkin-picking hayrides on October weekends. Johnson's Corner Farm in Medford and Highland Orchards in Wilmington offer nearby pumpkin patches and corn mazes with a short drive.

What are the best apple orchards near Cherry Hill?

Johnson's Corner Farm in Medford, Johnson's Locust Hall Farm in Jobstown, and Flying Feather Farm and Peaches Plus in Moorestown all offer apple picking within easy reach of Cherry Hill.

Where can I see fall foliage in Cherry Hill?

Croft Farm, Barclay Farmstead, Challenge Grove Park, Woodcrest Lake Park, and the Cooper River Park system all show great fall color, with the peak usually landing in mid-to-late October.

Are there farmers markets near Cherry Hill in the fall?

Yes. The Haddonfield Farmers Market runs Saturday mornings through mid-October, and the Collingswood Farmers Market holds its Saturday market through the fall for seasonal produce.

What fall activities are good for kids in Cherry Hill?

The Harvest Festival's pony rides, petting zoo, and scarecrow-making are great for younger kids, while Springdale Farms' hayrides and corn maze are a hit for all ages. Older kids enjoy the corn mazes and haunted hayrides at nearby farms.