Oktoberfest And 'Family Fun Day' In Livingston Will Include Hot Air Balloon Rides

LIVINGSTON, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Livingston Kiwanis Club. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

The Livingston Kiwanis Club will host its 2nd annual Oktoberfest and Family Fun Day on Sunday, Oct. 11 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Livingston Oval, with an exciting new addition this year — hot-air balloon rides high above the Oval!

The hot-air balloon ride was originally scheduled as an attraction at the Livingston Community Block Party, but inclement weather forced the event to be canceled. Now, the balloon will get another chance to fly as part of the Oktoberfest festivities, weather and wind conditions permitting.

The hot-air balloon is sponsored by the Livingston Police Department - Community Policing Unit, which will begin selling balloon ride tickets at the event at 11:00 a.m. Balloon rides are a separate cost from Oktoberfest admission, with tickets sold by the Livingston Police Department. Proceeds from the hot-air balloon rides will be donated by the Livingston Police Department to a community charity of its choosing.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural Oktoberfest, which attracted several thousand attendees, this year’s event will feature a full day of live entertainment, food, activities and fall fun for all ages.

Admission to Oktoberfest is a $5 donation, with children under age 2 admitted free. Proceeds benefit the Livingston Volunteer Fire Department, Livingston First Aid Squad and other Livingston community organizations.

An ATM will be available on-site for the convenience of attendees.

Live Music, Food & Entertainment

Two live bands will take the stage throughout the afternoon. Livingston favorite Punch the Monkey returns to Oktoberfest along with Event Horizon, providing live music throughout the day.

The Oktoberfest grounds will be filled with attractions and activities, including:

• Hot-air balloon rides (starting at 3 pm) — weather and wind conditions permitting
• Oktoberfest Beer & Food Garden
• Food trucks
• Kiwanis’ Famous Funnel Cakes
• Five inflatable bouncy houses and other inflatables
• Petting zoo
• Trackless train
• Pumpkin Patch
• Pumpkin Painting Tent
• Face painting
• Touch-a-Truck
• Children’s games and activities
• Children’s Scavenger Hunt
• Oktoberfest competition games with trophies
• Fall photo opportunities
• Sponsor, vendor and community organization booths

1,000 Free Pumpkins for Children

A highlight for families this year will be the Pumpkin Painting Tent, where the first 1,000 children under age 10 will receive a free pumpkin to paint and take home.

The Oktoberfest Pumpkin Patch will also feature pumpkins of all sizes along with decorative gourds available for purchase just in time for Halloween.

Live Music, Food & Entertainment

Children can also participate in the Oktoberfest Scavenger Hunt, visiting attractions throughout the event and collecting stamps. The first 400 children to visit any five participating areas and collect their stamps will receive a bag of prizes at the Kiwanis Booth. No purchase is necessary at the participating locations to receive a stamp.

Adults and children can test their skills in Oktoberfest-themed competitions, including Stein Holding, Pretzel Toss and the Pumpkin Rolling Race, with trophies awarded to winners.

A Day of Fun That Gives Back to Livingston

Oktoberfest is more than a day of entertainment. Proceeds raised by the Livingston Kiwanis Club are returned to organizations serving the Livingston community.

“We created Oktoberfest as a day where the entire Livingston community can come together — children, parents, grandparents and friends — enjoy a great fall event and at the same time help support organizations that do so much for our community,” said Livingston Councilman Michael Vieira, who is the Kiwanis Oktoberfest Chair.

“This year is going to be even more exciting. We’re thrilled that the hot-air balloon will have another opportunity to fly at Oktoberfest after the Community Block Party was canceled because of the weather. Seeing the balloon flying high above the Oval should be an incredible sight and another reason for families to spend the day with us.”

Thank You to Our Sponsors

The Livingston Kiwanis Club thanks PIP Marketing, Signs, Print, the Presenting Sponsor of the 2026 Oktoberfest & Family Fun Day, along with the many businesses, organizations and individuals whose sponsorships help make the event possible.

“We simply could not put on an event of this size without our sponsors,” Vieira said. “Their generosity allows Kiwanis to create a great community event while raising funds that go right back into Livingston.”

EVENT INFORMATION

Livingston Kiwanis 2nd Annual Oktoberfest & Family Fun Day
Sunday, October 11, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Livingston Oval

Admission: $5 Donation — Children Under Age 2 Free
ATM available on-site

HOT-AIR BALLOON RIDES: Sponsored by the Livingston Police Department. Tickets will be sold by the Livingston Police Department beginning at 11:00 a.m. Balloon rides are an additional, separate cost from Oktoberfest admission and are subject to weather and wind conditions. Proceeds from balloon ride ticket sales will be donated by the Livingston Police Department to a community charity of its choosing.

For additional information, contact (973) 489-5090 or michaelmvsr@aol.com

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