Planning a Vernon fall festival outing in New Jersey? Heaven Hill Farm’s Great Pumpkin Festival runs on selected dates from September 12–November 8, 2026, with farm activities and optional paid extras. Check the farm’s current announcement, then choose an open festival date. If you meant Illinois, Mt. Vernon Fall Fest is September 25–26, 2026, a separate downtown event confirmed by Mt. Vernon Festivals.
Organizer information checked September 21, 2026. This guide distinguishes New Jersey outings from the separate Illinois festival; towns named Vernon do not share one event.
Which Vernon fall festival are you looking for?
| Detail | Vernon, New Jersey | Mt. Vernon, Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Official name | Great Pumpkin Festival at Heaven Hill Farm | Mt. Vernon Fall Fest |
| 2026 dates | Selected dates, September 12–November 8 | September 25–26 |
| Setting | Farm at 451 State Route 94 | Downtown streets |
| Best starting point | Choose an open ticket date, then plan activities | Choose a performance or parade, then browse |
For a traveler, the important distinction is the shape of the day. A downtown visit can revolve around a concert, meal and shopping. A farm visit usually needs more attention to admission, activity restrictions, footwear and time on the grounds. Decide what your group wants to do before comparing prices.
Heaven Hill Farm: pumpkins and outdoor activities in Vernon
Heaven Hill Farm is at 451 State Route 94, Vernon, NJ 07462. Its current homepage confirms the 2026 Great Pumpkin Festival season. Use the festival calendar for operating dates: the farm market’s daily business hours are not the festival’s hours.
The 2026 festival page lists included activities such as a hayride, themed corn maze and farm games. It also identifies extras, including carnival rides, pumpkins, food and certain paid activities. Availability varies by day. Select your date before promising children a particular ride.
There is a source detail to watch: the page’s current calendar is labeled 2026, while part of its lower FAQ still contains 2025 information. Follow the current dated calendar and ticket options, and contact the farm if the information for your chosen visit conflicts. Do not use last year’s weekday pattern as this year’s opening schedule.
Heaven Hill tickets and parking
The current festival page lists weekend and holiday admission at $24.99 in advance or $29.99 on the day, and selected weekday admission at $15.99 or $19.99. Ages two and younger enter free; tickets include parking. Check the selected date’s total and included activities before paying, since a cheaper weekday may not offer the same program.
A practical way to plan your farm visit
Before buying, make two lists: activities everyone wants to do and extras that would be nice if the budget allows. Put included activities at the center of the day. Then choose whether carnival rides, a pumpkin purchase or another paid option is your priority. This makes the ticket comparison more useful than simply choosing the lowest advertised price.
Plan food and rest breaks between active attractions. If your family spans several ages, let the younger children set part of the pace. Older children can choose one activity while the rest of the group takes a break, provided you have a clear supervision and meeting plan. Leave some flexibility rather than treating every attraction as a task to finish.
Mountain Creek Fall Fest: another Vernon, New Jersey option
If your priority is a scenic ride rather than a farm admission package, compare Mountain Creek’s fourth annual Fall Fest. Its 2026 dates are September 26–27 and October 3–4, 10–12, 17–18 and 24–25. Hours are 11 a.m.–6 p.m. through October 12, then 11 a.m.–5 p.m. for the last two weekends. The resort is at 200 Route 94 in Vernon.
At our check, a Sky Ride was $14.99 plus fees; the $29.99-plus-fees Adventure Package paired it with one timed mountain-coaster ride. Bounce-house access was a separate $9.99-plus-fees wristband. Buy activity tickets online and check restrictions before paying. The coaster has a reserved time slot, while Sky Rides operate first come, first served and may pause for wedding ceremonies.
The announcement also lists pumpkin activities and lawn games, with entertainment details still to come. Decide whether rides or farm attractions matter more to your group before attempting both this event and Heaven Hill Farm in one day.
Mt. Vernon Fall Fest: a downtown Illinois weekend
The Illinois organizer confirms free admission and parking, plus a parade scheduled for Saturday, September 26 at 1 p.m. Its general program includes a kids zone, vehicle displays, vendors and food. Check the current page for the final map and entertainment details; confirm any particular performance time before arranging your day around it.
The organizer’s overview emphasizes live music on both days, a cruise-in, a vendor marketplace and family activities. That mix works well if members of your group have different interests: you can choose a central meeting point and take short browsing breaks without committing everyone to the same activity all afternoon.
A practical way to plan your Illinois visit
Start by deciding whether the parade or evening music matters most. If the parade is the reason for your trip, allow enough time to park and reach a viewing position before the route becomes busy. If you mainly want a concert, check its confirmed start time and build your meal around it. Avoid planning a long restaurant stop immediately before the activity you most want to see.
Free admission makes a short exploratory visit possible, but it does not mean the whole outing is free. Set aside separate spending for meals, drinks and purchases. If traveling with children, agree on a small shopping budget beforehand and choose a place for a quieter break. Bring a layer if you intend to stay after sunset.
For a longer trip, compare the festival with other destinations in our Illinois fall festivals guide. Check driving times individually rather than treating all southern Illinois events as convenient neighbors.
Vernon fall festival budgets: compare the real costs
Use the same calculation for either destination: admission, transport, food, optional activities and shopping. Add lodging only if it improves the trip enough to justify the cost. For the farm, check the selected date’s checkout total. For the downtown festival, decide how much you want to spend even though entry is free.
A useful family exercise is to assign a fixed amount to each category before leaving. If an optional activity costs more than expected, decide which other purchase it replaces. That is easier than trying to calculate the total at the end of a busy afternoon.
Time also has a cost. A late evening concert followed by a long drive may be less comfortable than a shorter daytime outing. A farm day with tired young children may need a simpler dinner plan. Choose the version of the trip your group can enjoy from arrival through the journey home.
Before you travel: five details to confirm
- Exact destination: save the state, venue name and entrance address together.
- Current date: make sure every schedule or ticket you use is for 2026.
- Access: ask about step-free routes, ground surfaces, restrooms and the distance from parking if these affect your group.
- Conditions: review the forecast and the organizer’s weather or cancellation notices before setting out.
- Day plan: identify your one essential activity, a meal break and a realistic departure time.
Wear shoes appropriate for the setting and keep the return journey in mind when packing. A tote is useful for small purchases; larger items need room in the car. Our festival planning guide covers a broader preparation checklist.
Common Vernon fall festival questions
Is the Illinois festival the same as Heaven Hill Farm?
No. They are in different states and have separate organizers, programs and admission arrangements. The word Vernon alone is not enough to identify the event.
Does the New Jersey festival run every day of its season?
No. Use the farm’s dated festival calendar. Market opening hours and festival opening hours serve different purposes.
How can I find the correct event in another Vernon?
Add the state and organizer or venue name to your search. Our festivals by state directory is a useful starting point, followed by the organizer’s current announcement.