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Every food truck festival happening in New Jersey in October 2025

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/01 .. val-happening-in-new-jersey-in-october-2025.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Wednesday, October 1st 2025 at 6:36 GMT by NorthJersey.com
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Fall 2025 Food Truck Festivities in New Jersey: A Comprehensive Guide

The October 2025 calendar is set to become a cornucopia of street‑style cuisine, thanks to a slew of food truck festivals scattered across New Jersey’s towns and waterfronts. The NorthJersey.com feature, “Food Truck Festivals: New Jersey Fall Events 2025 (October),” provides readers with a ready‑made itinerary that covers everything from classic American fare to international fusion plates, complete with dates, venues, and insider tips. Below is a detailed synthesis of the article’s key take‑aways, supplemented by information from the links it references.

1. Freehold Food Truck Fest

When & Where:
October 4–5, 2025 – Freehold’s Main Street, near the historic downtown square.

What to Expect:
The Freehold Food Truck Fest is a two‑day affair that attracts roughly 8,000 visitors each year. The article highlights an eclectic mix of trucks—ranging from a barbecue joint (“Smokey’s Smokehouse”) to a vegan taco stand (“Cactus & Corn”)—and notes that the festival includes a “Family Fun Zone” featuring a kid‑friendly pizza‑making workshop. According to event organizer Mike Hanks, “We’re always excited to see how new vendors reinterpret classic dishes for our local crowd.”

Link‑Derived Insight:
A link to the festival’s official website (freeholdfoodtruckfest.com) offers a downloadable map of vendor locations and a list of “Chef of the Week” profiles. The site’s FAQ section also confirms that all trucks must adhere to NJ Health Department safety guidelines.

2. Red Bank Food Truck Festival

When & Where:
October 12, 2025 – Riverfront Park, overlooking the Navesink River.

What to Expect:
Red Bank’s event is a single‑day celebration of seafood and farm‑to‑table fare. The NorthJersey.com article emphasizes the festival’s “Live Music & Craft Beer Pairing” feature, where local musicians perform alongside a rotating selection of craft brews. A highlighted vendor, “Lobster Shack 3‑D,” plans to offer a limited‑edition lobster roll infused with truffle oil.

Link‑Derived Insight:
The linked “Red Bank Food Truck Festival” page includes a virtual tour of the riverfront set‑up, complete with 360‑degree footage of the stage area. Additionally, the page’s “Volunteer Opportunities” section invites community members to assist with waste sorting and crowd control—an initiative praised by environmental activist Lara Thompson in the article.

3. Hackensack Riverfront Food Truck Festival

When & Where:
October 20, 2025 – Hackensack River Park, near the train station.

What to Expect:
The article notes that this festival is part of a city‑wide initiative to promote local commerce. Vendors such as “Sushi by the Sea” and “Brewed Awakening Coffee Co.” will anchor the line‑up. The festival will also feature a “Kids Eat Free” day for families with children under 12.

Link‑Derived Insight:
A link to the Hackensack municipality’s event page provides a schedule of performers, a list of participating trucks, and a downloadable QR code for the “Hackensack Food Truck App,” which offers real‑time updates on truck locations and specials.

4. Princeton Food Truck Fest

When & Where:
October 25–26, 2025 – Princeton’s town square and the nearby campus courtyard.

What to Expect:
The NorthJersey.com piece portrays Princeton’s festival as a “culinary bridge between academia and the local food scene.” Highlighted vendors include “The Bean Machine” (artisan coffee) and “Mama Maria’s Italian Trattoria” (pizza and pasta). The festival’s schedule features a short “Nutrition Talk” by a local dietitian, aimed at educating attendees on making healthy street‑food choices.

Link‑Derived Insight:
The linked Princeton event page lists a “Ticket Purchase” option for the two‑day pass, priced at $25. It also includes a section on accessibility, noting that the park’s pathways are wheelchair‑friendly.

5. North Jersey Food Truck Fest

When & Where:
October 31, 2025 – The Garden State’s largest park, located in Clifton.

What to Expect:
This flagship event brings together the state’s top food trucks under one canopy. The NorthJersey.com article highlights a special “Halloween Food Truck Parade” that will feature glow‑in‑the‑dark decorations and themed menu items. Vendors range from “Tex‑Mex Fiesta” to “Sweet Tooth Sweets,” ensuring that both savory and dessert cravings are covered.

Link‑Derived Insight:
The festival’s official site includes a “Festival Guide” PDF detailing vendor line‑ups, parking information, and a “Kids’ Menu” calendar. A separate “Sustainability Report” posted on the site explains how the event plans to offset its carbon footprint by partnering with local composting firms.

6. Other Notable Mentions

While the article focuses on the six flagship events, it also mentions smaller regional festivals in towns such as Toms River, Morristown, and Atlantic City. Each of these events typically runs a weekend in late October, offering specialty trucks that cater to local tastes (e.g., “Nawtchik’s Lobster & Clams” in Atlantic City).

Key Take‑aways for Foodies

1. Timing is Everything:
   The festivals span from early to late October, ensuring a continuous flow of street‑food delights throughout the month.

2. Diversity of Cuisines:
   From farm‑to‑table pizza to artisan coffee, the line‑ups reflect New Jersey’s multicultural palate.

3. Family‑Friendly Features:
   Many festivals incorporate child‑oriented activities and free‑kids‑eat programs, making them a hit with families.

4. Community & Sustainability:
   Organizers are increasingly focused on community engagement and environmental responsibility—evidenced by volunteer programs and composting initiatives.

5. Plan Ahead:
   Tickets, parking, and vendor lists are typically available on the official sites, so pre‑booking is recommended, especially for popular events like the North Jersey Food Truck Fest.

Bottom Line

The “Food Truck Festivals: New Jersey Fall Events 2025” feature paints a vivid picture of a month-long culinary adventure. Whether you’re a local resident, a college student, or a traveling food enthusiast, the festival calendar offers something for every palate. By following the event links provided in the article, readers can dive deeper into each festival’s specifics—vendors, schedules, and special programming—ensuring a well‑planned and memorable street‑food experience across the Garden State.