The Shore Isn’t Done Yet: Things to Do in Cape May County This October
Summer left. The fun didn’t. Here are 11 reasons October deserves a spot on your Shore calendar.
October down the Shore can start with a migrating monarch and end at the top of a lighthouse after dark. In between? A festival devoted entirely to lima beans, live jazz, stargazing, Victorian houses, Halloween at the zoo and plenty of excuses to keep the weekend open. Here are 11 Cape May County outings worth putting on your October calendar.
All dates are in October 2026 and all times are local. Details were checked October 2. Check the organizer’s latest information before heading out, especially for weather-dependent plans and tickets.
01 Tiny Wings, Very Big Trip
Monarch Butterfly Transmitter Tagging Demonstrations
That flash of orange has a long trip ahead. At the Cape May Point Arts and Science Center, watch researchers fit monarch butterflies with tiny radio transmitters and learn how their movements are tracked. The demonstration gives you a close look at migration research, with a chance to learn how the Project Monarch app can help collect observations. It is a small-scale outing with a much bigger story behind it.
When October 3, 10 a.m.–noon; October 8, 4–5:30 p.m.; October 10, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where Cape May Point Arts and Science Center, 101 Lehigh Avenue, Cape May Point
Good to know Admission is free; donations are encouraged. Choose one demonstration date.
02 Art With a Side of Fresh Air
Jacqueline Boyd In the Making
Take Route 47 for an afternoon of art. Jacqueline Boyd’s In the Making opens at The Sperlak Gallery with mixed-media works from her Ephemeral series, using layered collage, Japanese papers and botanical stencils drawn from her garden. Meet the artist at the October 4 reception, then decide whether to add a walk through the sculpture gardens. It is a good pick when you want room to slow down and look closely.
When Opening reception October 4, noon–4 p.m. The exhibition remains on view during October; check visiting hours for later visits.
Where The Sperlak Gallery & Sculpture Gardens, 521 Route 47 North, Goshen, Cape May Court House
Good to know Gallery admission is free. The optional sculpture-garden walk is $10 per adult on weekends; under-18s are free. Weekday visits require advance arrangements.
03 Your Friday Night Has Stars
Courtyard Stargazing
Trade the usual Friday-night plans for a look at the sky. Astrophysicist Dr. Frank Toriello starts with an astronomy presentation, then takes the group into the courtyard for observing. Telescopes and telescopic binoculars are supplied, so you can show up curious without owning any equipment. Clouds will not cancel the whole evening: the program moves into an extended indoor astronomy session if outdoor viewing is not possible.
When October 9, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Where Cape May Point Arts and Science Center, 101 Lehigh Avenue, Cape May Point
Good to know Tickets are $10, or $8 for members. Arrive 30 minutes early; bring a chair or blanket and bug spray.
04 Asbury Avenue Throws a Party
Ocean City Fall Block Party
Give yourself time to wander this one. More than 400 crafters, food vendors and musical attractions fill Asbury Avenue for Ocean City’s Fall Block Party. Browse a few blocks, stop for something to eat, then keep going. With the event stretching from Fifth to Fourteenth streets, this is the October pick for people who like a busy downtown and a day that does not need a strict itinerary.
When October 10, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where Asbury Avenue between Fifth and Fourteenth streets, Ocean City
Good to know The city has announced free parking in municipal lots and metered spaces for the Block Party. Wear shoes you are happy to walk in.
05 All Hail the Lima Bean!
West Cape May Lima Bean Festival
A whole festival for a lima bean? In West Cape May, absolutely. The annual gathering celebrates the borough’s farming heritage with food vendors, handmade arts and crafts, apparel and more. Come for the wonderfully specific local tradition and leave time to explore the vendor stalls. It is an easy way to spend a fall day in the part of Cape May where the agricultural story still matters.
When October 10, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Where Backyard Park, 732 Broadway, West Cape May
Good to know Set your destination to Backyard Park. This year’s festival is not at Wilbraham Park. It shares its date with Ocean City’s Fall Block Party, so choose the day that sounds most like you.
06 Climb the Lighthouse After Dark — If You Dare
Stairway to the Stars Lighthouse Climb
The lighthouse looks different when your visit starts after sunset. Climb its 199 spiral steps on October 10 for Stairway to the Stars, a new-moon evening built around the night sky. Prefer a moonlit view? The October 26 Full Moon Climb gives you another chance to make the ascent. Either way, the climb itself is part of the adventure, with landings along the way.
When Stairway to the Stars October 10, 7–9 p.m.; Full Moon Climb October 26, 7–9 p.m.
Where Cape May Lighthouse, Cape May Point State Park, 215 Lighthouse Avenue
Good to know Evening admission is $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 3–12. Buy tickets from the keeper that evening. Wear flat shoes; the tower requires stairs and can close for severe weather.
07 Go Inside the Houses You’ve Been Staring At
Victorian Weekend House Tour
If you have ever slowed down outside a Cape May house to study the porch, this is your afternoon. The self-guided Victorian Weekend House Tour opens five properties, including the Colonial House, Norris Smith House, Carlin Residence, Bedford Inn and Queen Victoria. Move between restored homes and inns, meet the people who care for them, and take a closer look at the interiors you usually pass on the sidewalk.
When October 11, 1–4 p.m.
Where Five participating properties in Cape May; use the organizer’s property list to plan your route
Good to know Listed tickets are $35 for adults and $20 for children ages 3–12; member adults are $25. Reserve through Cape May MAC and allow walking time between stops.
08 Pumpkins, Pianos and a Little Circus
MudHen HarvestFest
Pumpkin painting for the kids, live music for the table, and a reason to linger in Wildwood: MudHen’s HarvestFest has the makings of a relaxed Sunday. Start with Philly Keys dueling pianos in the Biergarten from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or head to The Station House for Fat Mezz from 2 to 6 p.m. Circus performers join the afternoon, while pumpkin and face painting give younger visitors something of their own to do.
When October 18; the published activity schedule runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where MudHen Brewing Company and The Station House, 127 W. Rio Grande Avenue, Wildwood
Good to know Pumpkin painting and face painting are free from noon to 4 p.m.; circus performers are scheduled for 1–4 p.m.
09 A Weekend With Its Own Soundtrack
Exit Zero Jazz Festival
Build a weekend around live music, or choose one day and follow your ears. Exit Zero brings performances to Convention Hall and smaller venues around Cape May, with festival passes for October 23–25 and a separate opening-night benefit on October 22. For a street-level taste of the weekend, the Ocean Avenue Stompers lead the David O. Clemans Second Line Parade along Washington Street Mall on Saturday at 11 a.m.
When Opening night October 22; main festival October 23–25. Second Line Parade October 24 at 11 a.m.
Where Festival central is Cape May Convention Hall, 714 Beach Avenue. The parade is on Washington Street Mall.
Good to know Choose a pass for the venues and days you want. Club entry is first come, first served, even with a pass; arrive early for a set you care about.
10 Wild Animals, Wilder Costumes
Boo at the Zoo
The animals get in on Halloween, too. Boo at the Zoo adds seasonal animal enrichment, live animal presentations, games and children’s activities to a day at Cape May County Park & Zoo. Costumes are welcome for all ages, and the contest gives little ghosts, pirates and whoever else comes along their moment. The Cape May Dancers perform at noon, making it easy to build a few hours around the festivities.
When October 24, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Where Cape May County Park & Zoo, 707 North Route 9, Cape May Court House
Good to know The event is free. Costume-contest registration runs from 10 to 10:45 a.m.; the contest begins at 11. Arrive early if entering is part of your plan.
11 Tiny Houses. Big Halloween.
Department 56 Halloween Exhibit
Some October outings fit neatly into an hour you already have. On the Physick House’s enclosed entrance porch, the Department 56 Halloween display gathers nearly 100 pieces and accessories into a miniature world of spooky houses, unusual characters, pumpkins, cats and bats. Look closely at the tiny details, then take a walk through Scarecrow Alley on the estate grounds. This is a handy little stop to keep in your back pocket all month.
When Daily through October 31, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Where Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street, Cape May
Good to know The miniature exhibit has free admission. Visiting the display is separate from booking a house or trolley tour.
Choose your October day
You don’t have to do it all. Pick the one that makes you curious and start there. And if 11 ideas somehow aren’t enough, the Do The Shore Events Calendar has plenty more happening around Cape May County all month long.
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