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Best Halloween Events in New Jersey for Kids and Families

Thrills by Day at Six Flags Great Adventure offers fun for all ages as part of Fright Fest. Photo by Elsa Simcik
Thrills by Day at Six Flags Great Adventure offers fun for all ages as part of Fright Fest. Photo by Elsa Simcik
9/22/24 - By Laurie Rein

Spooktacular news, New Jersey: Halloween 2024 is coming, bringing a slew of family-friendly Halloween events! From over-the-top fun at theme parks like Six Flags Great Adventure Fright Fest Extreme 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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Fun Halloween Events at New Jersey Theme Parks

Haunted Wild West Fest and Spooky Wild West

Stanhope
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from Friday, October 4-Sunday, October 27, 2024
Wild West City gets haunted this October. The daytime festival features classic Wild West City shows with a Halloween twist, plus trick or treating and a costume contest. 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 19-Sunday, October 27, 2024
Celebrate Halloween at Jenkinson's Boardwalk with two weekends of family fun, including trick-or-treating, crafts, a magic show, the Witch Sister Trio of Treats, and more. READ MORE

Trick-or-Treat Weekends at Storybook Land

Egg Harbor Township
Saturdays and Sundays from Saturday, October 19-Sunday, October 27, 2024
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's Fright Fest Extreme

Jackson
Select dates through November 3, 2024
Six Flags Great Adventure’s Fright Fest goes extreme this year, presenting a world of nightmarish creatures inspired by legendary horror brands–including SAW and Stranger Things–brought to life. The themed experiences, scare zones, and harrowing creatures deliver extreme frights and surprises. READ MORE

Halloween Character Meet & Greet at Casino Pier

Seaside Heights–FREE
Sunday, October 27, 2024
Meet favorite Halloween characters at Casino Pier. Face painting is included in the fun. READ MORE

Halloween Events on New Jersey's Farms

Halloween Light Show at Demarest Farms

Hillsdale
Select dates through Thursday, October 31, 2024
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 18, 2024
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 19, 2024
Gather at the farm for candy, vendors, tractor rides, pumpkin painting, and crafts.  READ MORE

Small-Town Halloween Events for New Jersey Kids

Addamsfest 2024 in Westfield

Westfield–FREE
Daily from Tuesday, October 1-Thursday, October 31, 2024
In honor of Westfield's own Charles Addams, this creepy and kooky celebration provides a safe environment for Addams-themed fun, including entertainment, exhibits, and more. READ MORE

17th Annual Scarecrow Stroll

Cranford–FREE
Daily from Friday, October 11-Thursday, October 31, 2024
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 in Sea Isle City

Sea Isle City–FREE
Friday, October 18, 2024
This lively local parade features music, strolling entertainers, floats, local organizations, and many well-costumed revelers. Following the parade, stick around for the Halloween Family Dance Party.   READ MORE

2024 Cape May Halloween Parade

Cape May–FREE
Sunday, October 20, 2024
Cheer on costumed marchers, plus decked-out cars and golf carts, at Cape May’s Annual Halloween Parade. Prizes are awarded for many categories, such as funniest, scariest, and most original. READ MORE

Ocean City Halloween Parade

Ocean City–FREE
Thursday, October 24, 2024
Feast your eyes on creative costumes and floats, antique vehicles, and cheerleading and dance teams. READ MORE

Belmar Costume Contest and Trunk or Treat

Belmar–FREE
Friday, October 25, 2024
Double the Halloween fun with a parade and trunk or treat in the Dempsey Park lot. Prizes are awarded for the funniest, scariest, and most original costumes. READ MORE

North Wildwood Trunk-or-Treat Halloween Block Party

North Wildwood–FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
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 and magic add to the fun.  READ MORE

Avalon Trunk or Treat

Avalon–FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Enjoy an evening of fun with decked out cars full of treats. Come in costume! READ MORE

Hometown Halloween in Washington Borough

Washington–FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Bring the family trick-or-treating at Hometown Halloween in Downtown Washington. The fun includes prizes for best costumes, a DJ playing spooky tunes, and festive pumpkins entered by the businesses for the pumpkin-decorating contest. READ MORE

Witches Day Out at Historic Smithville

Galloway–FREE
Sunday, October 27, 2024
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
Thursday, October 31, 2024
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
Select dates from Friday, October 4-Saturday, November 2, 2024
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 at Skylands Stadium

Augusta
Select dates from Friday, September 20-Sunday, November 3, 2024
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 5-26, 2024
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

Halloween Events With Furry Friends

Costume Pet Parade

Smithville–FREE
Saturday, October 19, 2024
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 19, 2024
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, pie eating contest, raffles, K-9 sheriff demos, a kid zone, and more.  READ MORE

Strut Your Mutt: Canine Halloween Costume Contest

Montclair–FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
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 in Cape May

Cape May–FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
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, a pirate ship, and more.  READ MORE

Howl-O-Ween at Turtle Back Zoo

West Orange
Thursday, October 31, 2024
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

About the Author

Laurie Rein
Laurie Rein is passionate about finding fun (especially free!) activities for her twin daughters. Before joining Mommy Poppins New Jersey, Laurie worked in the television industry, with roles as an NBC page, copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show, and research manager for CBS.
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