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Best Halloween Events in New Jersey for Kids and Families

Check out more than 6,000 hand-carved Jack-O-Lanterns at the Skylands Stadium Jack O'Lantern Experience. Photo courtesy of the stadium
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9/24/23 - By Laurie Rein

Spooktacular news, New Jersey: Halloween 2023 is on its way, bringing with it a slew of family-friendly Halloween events! Grab your calendars, and start plotting your seasonal frights at events like Halloween festivals, haunted houses, trick-or-treats, and trunk-or-treats. From over-the-top fun at theme parks like Six Flags Great Adventure Fright Fest to animal-centric celebrations like Cape May's Boo at the Zoo, here are the best Halloween activities in New Jersey for kids and families.

Be sure to bookmark this post, as we plan to update it throughout the month with all the upcoming must-do events. And check out our Guide to Halloween Events in New Jersey and New Jersey Fall Fun Guide for even more thrills.

As always, if an event piques your interest, click through to our listing for all the details, including addresses and times. And keep in mind: Really cool things to do with kids often book up quickly, so register or buy your tickets ASAP.

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Six Flags Fright Fest mixes thrills and chills for all ages. Photo courtesy of Six Flags
Six Flags Fright Fest mixes thrills and chills for all ages. Photo courtesy of Six Flags

Fun Halloween Events at New Jersey Theme Parks

Haunted Wild West Fest

Stanhope
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from Saturday, September 30-Sunday, October 29, 2023
Wild West City gets haunted this October. The daytime festival features classic Wild West City shows with a Halloween twist. When the sun sets, explore the haunted ghost town at the nighttime festival.  READ MORE

Boo at the Boardwalk

Point Pleasant–FREE
Saturdays and Sundays from Saturday, October 21-Sunday, October 29, 2023
Celebrate Halloween at Jenkinson's Boardwalk with two weekends of family fun, including trick-or-treating, crafts, face painting, and entertainment. READ MORE

Trick-or-Treat Weekends at Storybook Land

Egg Harbor Township
Saturdays and Sundays from Saturday, October 21-Sunday, October 29, 2023
Families visiting Storybook Land can climb aboard the Happy Hayride to pick a pumpkin and decorate it just in time for Halloween. Then, find your way through Elmer’s Haymazin’ Maze and pick up treat bags. READ MORE

Six Flags Great Adventure Fright Fest & Kid's Boo Fest

Jackson
Select dates through Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Six Flags Great Adventure’s Fright Fest returns with its iconic, family-friendly “thrills by day” and “fright by night." Experience eight haunted houses, six scare zones, the trick-or-treat trail, live shows, haunted mazes, and more.  READ MORE

Trick or Treat Around the Park

Freehold–FREE
Friday, October 27, 2023
Come for a free night of spooktacular fun. Enjoy the trick-or-treat trail, enter the costume contest, win raffle giveaways, and more. READ MORE

Halloween Fun at Casino Pier Arcade

Seaside Heights–FREE
Saturday, October 28, 2023
It's Halloween at Casino Pier Arcade. Come dressed in your Halloween costume and trick or treat throughout the property. READ MORE
A light show illuminates Demarest Farms throughout October. Photo courtesy of the farm
A light show illuminates Demarest Farms throughout October. Photo courtesy of the farm

Halloween Events on New Jersey's Farms

Halloween Light Show at Demarest Farms

Hillsdale
Select dates through Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Take a drive through the largest Halloween light show in New Jersey at Demarest Farms. A guided tour passes through 32 acres of brilliant Halloween light displays. READ MORE

Gardens Aglow

Montclair–FREE
Friday, October 20, 2023
The Presby Memorial Iris Gardens come alive for one night only this Halloween season. Visitors can see a display of artfully carved jack-o'-lanterns provided by art students at local high schools. READ MORE

Unexpected Farm Trunk or Treat

Newfield–FREE
Saturday, October 31, 2023
Gather at the farm for candy, vendors, wagon rides, pumpkin painting and crafts.  READ MORE
Dust off your broom and fly on down to Witches Day Out in Historic Smithville. Photo courtesy of the village
Dust off your broom and fly on down to Witches Day Out in Historic Smithville. Photo courtesy of the village

Small-Town Halloween Events for New Jersey Kids

Addamsfest 2023

Westfield–FREE
Daily from Sunday, October 1-Sunday, October 29, 2023
In honor of Westfield's own Charles Addams, this creepy and kooky celebration provides a safe environment for Addams-themed fun, including movies, exhibits, and more. READ MORE

16th Annual Scarecrow Stroll

Cranford–FREE
Daily from Friday, October 13-Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Cranford hosts its Annual Scarecrow Stroll and promises the event is the biggest and best yet. Gawk at more than 100 wild and crazy scarecrows on display throughout downtown Cranford. Register online to create your own scarecrow and enter to win prizes.  READ MORE

Halloween Parade & Dance Party

Sea Isle City–FREE
Friday, October 20, 2023
This lively local parade features music, strolling entertainers, floats, local organizations, and many well-costumed entertainers and revelers. Following the parade, stick around for the Halloween Family Dance Party.   READ MORE

Glassboro Fire Department Truck or Treat

Glassboro–FREE
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Get in on the Halloween fun with 50 trunks of goodies, a haunted house, bounce house, music and food. READ MORE

Ocean City Halloween Parade

Ocean City–FREE
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Feast your eyes upon creative costumes and floats, antique vehicles, and cheerleading and dance teams. READ MORE

North Wildwood Trunk-or-Treat Halloween Block Party

North Wildwood–FREE
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Get your car decked out for Halloween at this annual festive family event. Costumed children can visit each car, where families will provide treats from the trunks. Balloon twisting adds to the fun.  READ MORE

Witches Day Out at Historic Smithville

Galloway–FREE
Sunday, October 29, 2023
Get spooked as Historic Smithville hosts Witch’s Day Out. Wear your witch’s hat and enter the hat contest. Plus, enjoy a scavenger hunt, raffles and a parade. READ MORE

Trick or Treat at Physick Estate

Cape May–FREE
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Spooky characters greet Halloween visitors to the Physick Estate. Kids in costume should bring their trick-or-treat bags for candy. Enjoy Halloween music and Scarecrow Alley as well.  READ MORE

Haunted House Halloween Events in New Jersey

Bloodshed Farms: The Last Drive

Columbus
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from Saturday, September 30-Sunday, October 29, 2023
Your car might not feel so comfortable when it's surrounded by the twisted creatures and menacing characters of Bloodshed Farms. You navigate theatrical sets full of terrifying displays and special effects in this drive-thru haunted attraction. READ MORE

Jack O’ Lantern Experience

Augusta
Select dates through Sunday, November 5, 2023
This 30-day event guarantees thrills and chills for the whole family. Enjoy seasonal food and drinks, outdoor games, pumpkin picking and painting and a stroll through over 6,000 hand-carved Jack-O-Lanterns in the crisp fall air with family and friends. READ MORE

Happy Haunts at The Red Mill

Clinton
Saturdays, October 14-28, 2023
Stop by this low- or no-scare event designed for kids and squeamish adults. Each group is escorted through the mill by a friendly guide, to keep the ghouls and zombies at bay. READ MORE
Enjoy kid-friendly fun, candy, entertainment, and plenty of animals at Boo at the Zoo in Cape May. Photo courtesy of the zoo
Enjoy kid-friendly fun, candy, entertainment, and plenty of animals at Boo at the Zoo in Cape May. Photo courtesy of the zoo

Halloween Events With Furry Friends

Haunts 4Heroes

Franklinville–FREE
Saturday, October 14, 2023
Have a great time at this Halloween-themed event, featuring family-friendly spooky decorations and fun activities. Bring bags for trick or treating throughout the stable and among vendors. Costumes are welcome. READ MORE

Costume Pet Parade

Smithville–FREE
Saturday, October 21, 2023
Paw Dazzle hosts the Annual Costume Pet Parade, Historic Smithville’s cutest event. Spectators can watch 100+ pets show off their unique Halloween costumes. READ MORE

Marty's Place Howl-O-Ween Family Fest

Freehold
Saturday, October 21, 2023
Have furry fun at Marty’s Place Howl-O-Ween Family Fest, featuring hay rides, a ghost walk, a canine costume contest (with prizes), dog photo sessions, mini swim sessions, raffles, K-9 sheriff demos, a kid zone and more.  READ MORE

Strut Your Mutt: Canine Halloween Costume Contest

Montclair–FREE
Saturday, October 28, 2023
The annual Strut Your Mutt: Canine Halloween Costume Contest lets local dog owners show off their creative talents, celebrate their pets, and share a happy occasion with other dog owners. READ MORE

Boo at the Zoo

Cape May–FREE
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Visitors of all ages are invited to come in costume to this annual Halloween event sponsored by the Cape May County Board of Commissioners. Enjoy kid-friendly fun, candy, entertainment, plenty of animals, an inflatable obstacle course, and more.  READ MORE

Howl-O-Ween at Turtle Back Zoo

West Orange
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Trick or treat at Turtle Back Zoo, featuring candy stations throughout the grounds. Grab a bag and your costumes and enjoy treats and entertainment. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Downtown Westfield
6th Street & Asbury Avenue
Columbus Farmers Market
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