The Jersey Devil Fable Festival Returns to Asbury Park — Celebrating the Official Cryptid of Asbury Park
Asbury Park, NJ — The legend has a hometown.
The Jersey Devil was declared the Official Cryptid of Asbury Park in 2019 and once again takes center stage as The Jersey Devil Fable Festival returns for a multi-day celebration of folklore, independent film, live podcasts, immersive experiences, and regional legend.
The festival includes The Jersey Devil Film Festival, showcasing independent horror and folklore-inspired films from emerging and established filmmakers whose work explores myth, culture, and the unexplained.
Inside the festival, visitors can experience The Pod Barrens, a live podcast hub where selected shows record in front of an audience. Guests can sit in on episodes, participate in Q&A, meet hosts, and discover new voices exploring folklore, horror, film, and investigative storytelling.
The Cryptid Commons Village Market gathers curated artists, authors, and vendors inspired by myth and regional lore, creating a vibrant marketplace of original art, handmade goods, books, and rare finds.
The Fable Factory brings together authors and storytellers for signings, conversations, and direct engagement with readers.
On Seers Row, psychics and tarot readers offer private readings throughout the festival, adding a traditional divinatory element to the weekend’s programming.
In The Evidence Room, paranormal research teams present documented case evidence and share their investigative insights with a live audience, offering a rare opportunity for public dialogue about methodology, interpretation, and field experience.
For those who want to step into the legend itself, the Tales of the Jersey Devil Walking Tour explores how the Pine Barrens creature became embedded in New Jersey culture and why the story continues to endure.
The weekend culminates with Dinner with the Dolls, an intimate, ticketed evening held inside a haunted bank vault, surrounded by documented haunted artifacts from The Paranormal Museum After Dark. Hosted by paranormal investigator Adam Berry and festival founder Kathy Kelly, the evening includes a deep dive into the history of the objects and the investigative equipment used to examine them, all while guests dine inside the vault.
The Jersey Devil Fable Festival is a gathering for those who understand that folklore is alive, stories evolve, and legends still shape culture.
For tickets, schedules, and full programming details, visit jerseydevilfest.com.
