Events September 25, 2025
May 14 - Oct 31, 2025
The Historic Chester Courtesy Coach
Weekends and Monday Holidays
Location: See complete details below.
Explore and Experience Historic Chester...for FREE!
A complementary transportation service− THE HISTORIC CHESTER COURTESY COACH − is available to and from 2 of Chester's renowned locations. Runs on weekends and Monday holidays (from May 14th to the end of October 2015) to enhance your Historic Chester Experience.
Details of Service
* From Gladstone/Peapack NJ Transit Station to Alstede Farms at 12:05pm & 1:05pm
* Continuous loop from Alstede Farms to the Historic Shopping & Dining District on Main
Street from 12:30pm to 5:00pm with stops cycling every 20 minutes.
* From Alstede Farms to the Gladstone/Peapack NJ Transit Station at 5:30pm & 6:30pm
THE HISTORIC CHESTER COURTESY COACH stops are marked by signage with the official logo and are located at:
*Alstede Farms (Back Parking Lot)
*92 Main Street (Next to the Chester Clock)
For details, call 908-879-7189
**The Historic Chester Courtesy Coach is sponsored by Alstede Farms and The Historic Chester Business Association.
Events after September 25, 2025
Oct 15 - 16, 2016
33rd Annual HARVEST Celebration
11:00 am to 5:00 pm (Rain or Shine)
Location: Downtown Chester, NJ
You couldn’t pick a better way to spend a weekend! Come and enjoy this FREE 2-day event in Historic Downtown Chester.
THIS YEAR'S SPECIAL HIGHLIGHT
- The 2nd Annual CHESTER FOOD FEST: Chef Competition - Soup & Chili Contest!
OFFICIAL EVENT SCHEDULE FORTHCOMING - SEPTEMBER 2016
Oct 15, 2025
Celebrating Apples
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Location: Cooper Gristmill 66 State Route 24 Chester, NJ 07930-2411 - (908) 879-5463
Try a hand-cranked apple peeler and assist with a demonstration of cider pressing as it was done in 1880s Milltown. Apple head dolls are on display, and you can decorate an apple to take home. This event is at the Cooper Gristmill. Donations are greatly appreciated.
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Admission: (Suggested Donation for Mill Tours)
$3 Adults, $2 Senior Citizens, $1 Children 4-6, FREE for children under age 4
Friends of Fosterfields and Cooper Gristmill members - FREE with valid membership card.Discounted fees for special events.
For additional information, please call 908-879-5463.
Directions: Copper Gristmill is located on County Highway 513 (old Route 24) in Chester Township, NJ. 1.3 miles west of the Route 206 intersection.
GPS: 66 Washington Turnpike (old state route 24), Chester, NJ 07930
Online Map Directions: 74 County Highway 513, Chester, NJ 07930
Oct 15, 2025
Chester Food Fest SOUP & CHILI Food Tasting/Chef Competition
12pm to 3pm
Location: Perry Street in Chester, NJ
SOUP & CHILI CONTEST: A PROFESSIONAL CHEF SMACK-DOWN!
Food Tasting and Chef Competition
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15TH, 2016
12:00 PM TO 3:00 PM
held on PERRY STREET
CHESTER, NJ
12:00 PM TO 2:30 PM: TASTING & JUDGES/PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD VOTING
3:00 PM: TROPHY AWARDS AND RAFFLE WINNERS ANNOUNCED.
FOOD, FUN, RAFFLES
and LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
CLICK HERE TO SEE OFFICIAL EVENT WEBPAGE
More information
Oct 16, 2025
Cider Press Demostrations at the Annual Harvest Celebration
11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Location: The Cooper Gristmill Display (Main Street) - Downtown Chester
As part of the Historic Chester Business Assocation's Annual Harvest Celebration, see the Cooper Gristmill's apple cider press demonstration booth on Main Street in Chester. We will be located near the Stained Glass Boutique, 76 E. Main Street and will be one of many activities throughout Chester.
Oct 29, 2025
A Miller's Halloween at The Cooper Gristmill
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Location: Cooper Gristmill 66 State Route 24 Chester, NJ 07930-2411 - (908) 879-5463
Come in costume for a fun-filled afternoon! Enjoy spooky story telling at 1pm & 2:30 pm, make corn husk dolls, create creepy crafts, and play old time games. In the Gristmill, be alert for spooks, spiders, skeletons, and surprises!
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Donations are greatly appreciated.
Admission: (Suggested Donation for Mill Tours)
$3 Adults, $2 Senior Citizens, $1 Children 4-6, FREE for children under age 4
Friends of Fosterfields and Cooper Gristmill members - FREE with valid membership card.Discounted fees for special events.
For additional information, please call 908-879-5463.
Directions: Copper Gristmill is located on County Highway 513 (old Route 24) in Chester Township, NJ. 1.3 miles west of the Route 206 intersection.
GPS: 66 Washington Turnpike (old state route 24), Chester, NJ 07930
Online Map Directions: 74 County Highway 513, Chester, NJ 07930
Nov 12 - Dec 18, 2025
Experience Historic Chester this Holiday Season!
n/a
Location: Throughout Chester, NJ
Treat yourself and your loved ones to a Historic Chester Experience you will never forget!
Exciting holiday events, in-store events, holiday sales, and complimentary holiday treats will be offered at various merchant locations to enchant even the Grinchiest of bargain hunters.
Shop Small Business-Shop Chester
and You could WIN during our 12 Days of Giveaways!
Every weekend from November 12th to December 18th, special "holiday helpers" will be strolling throughout Chester randomly giving away HCBA member-affiliated gift certificates and other prizes to unsuspecting shoppers. :)
No purchase necessary. Winners will be posted weekly on our facebook page, as well as on www.ilovechester.com.
OTHER EXCITING HOLIDAY-RELATED EVENTS IN HISTORIC CHESTER!
*Manhatten Holiday Carolers
The festive troubadours will be performing throughout downtown Chester on November 26th, December 3rd, 10th and 17th, 12:30pm to 4:30pm.
*Sculpted Ice Works
Saturday, December 17th, 11am-3pm
Don't miss this holiday's crystal-clear performance by the amazingly-talented ice carvers from ICE WORKS, who will create dazzling sculpted ice displays right in Downtown Chester!
Ron Albanese is POLKA DOT the Elf!
This acclaimed, unique children's and family entertainment personality will be performing throughout Downtown Historic Chester on (Dates to be announced)
S.C.3. Presents 'Sounds of the Holidays
S.C.3. Entertainment is Morris County's premier DJ and event company. Now you can see S.C.3. LIVE in Historic Downtown Chester for the Holidays as they play some of the BEST Holiday Classic Tunes to renditions by new artists. Stop by their Holiday Decorated Trailer (along Main Street).
Performing in Downtown Chester on November 27th and December 4th, 12pm-3pm
Santa Strolling Through Historic Chester
Get ready everyone 'cause Santa Claus is coming to town!
Santa and his helper will be strolling throughout Main Street on (tentative dates of December 11th and 18th)
Get the kids - and the camera - ready for a face-to-face encounter with Jolly Ol' Saint Nick himself!
