On the Saturday before Halloween, the City of Cape May hosts the annual Halloween Parade. This all-day event includes a costume contest before the parade. The parade commences at Rotary Park in downtown Cape May; this is the same location as the costume contest. After the Parade, a Halloween-themed party occurs for adults at the Emlen Physick Estate (no website; 1048 Washington St.; Cape May; 609-884-5404), while children may participate in the Mall Trick or Treat at Washington Street Mall (washingtonstreetmall.com).
Oktoberfest, a traditional German holiday, happens in Cape May on the first Saturday of October. Cape May's rendition of this all-day festival occurs on Jackson Street. Some Oktoberfest activities include live German music, arts and crafts, German food vendors and an antique show. German beers are available at a Beer Garden area on Jackson Street; the Beer Garden is set up specifically for this one-day festival
The Cape May Wine Festival happens on the second weekend of October at the Cape May-Lewes, Delaware Ferry (capemaylewesferry.com). This two-day wine festival in a marina environment features wine selections from New Jersey vineyards. Tastings occur on both days of the festival. Festival attendees have access to the Point of Cape May. The Cape May Wine Festival occurs during the day. Local bands provide live music at the event.
Victorian Weekend is an annual Cape May event that happens on the second weekend of October; the event occurs in honor of the city's array of Victorian homes. Many of the Victorian homes in Cape May are holdovers from the mid- to late 19th century, when Cape May first became a popular sea resort city. Victorian Week activities include tours of Cape May's Victorian houses, Vintage Dance Workshops -- where participants learn Victorian-era dances -- and live music.
Since 1946, the Cape May Autumn Birding Festival has been an event hosted by the New Jersey Audubon Society's Cape May Bird Observatory (birdcapemay.org). This three-day festival takes place on the last weekend of October and allows visitors to see local birds in and around Cape May. Ornithology workshops and classes are available from local and nationally known naturalists. The Cape May Bird Observatory is in northern Cape May.
