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Top Free Halloween Events in New Jersey: Trunk-or-Treats, Parades, and More Fun

Visitors of all ages are invited to come in costume to the Boo at the Zoo in Cape May. Photo courtesy of Cape May, NJ
Visitors of all ages are invited to come in costume to the Boo at the Zoo in Cape May. Photo courtesy of Cape May, NJ
9/27/24 - By Laurie Rein

There are no tricks here; instead, we've got a special treat: More than 25 FREE Halloween events and parades in New Jersey. The weeks leading up to Halloween are full of festivals, costume parades, and plenty more opportunities for ghosts and goblins to dress up and score some scary-good treats.

Read on for our top picks, and be sure to bookmark our Halloween Fun Guide for even more seasonal fun. Happy Halloween, New Jersey!

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Free Halloween Activities and Halloween Parades in New Jersey for Families

Halloween Parade & Dance Party in Sea Isle City

Sea Isle City
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

Gardens Aglow

Upper Montclair
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

Costume Pet Parade

Smithville
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

Unexpected Farm Trunk or Treat

Newfield
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Gather at the farm for candy, vendors, tractor rides, pumpkin painting, and crafts.  READ MORE

Halloween Celebration in Union

Union
Saturday, October 19, 2024
The township of Union is going all out for Halloween this year with a trunk or treat plus an evening food truck festival. The trunk or treat features 30 vehicles and takes place from 1pm-4pm at Jefferson School parking lot. A prize is awarded for the best decorated. READ MORE

Dover Trunk or Treat

Dover
Saturday, October 19, 2024
The Town of Dover celebrates Halloween with its 14th annual trunk or treat. Collect goodies at Crescent Field Parking Lot. Don't miss the costume and trunk-decorating contests. READ MORE

Boo at the Boardwalk

Point Pleasant
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

Ocean City Halloween Parade

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

Howell Trunk or Treat

Howell
Thursday, October 24, 2024
Head over to Soldier Memorial Park for an evening of decorated cars, creative costumes and lots of candy. READ MORE

JCPD North District Trunk or Treat

Jersey City
Friday, October 25, 2024
The Jersey City Police Department, North District, is hosting a Trunk or Treat. Everyone is invited to this spooktacular event. READ MORE

Belmar Costume Contest and Trunk or Treat

Belmar
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

Monster Bash in Historic Smithville

Galloway
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Historic Smithville invites visitors to enjoy vendors and music throughout the day leading up to its evening Zombie Walk. Show up ready in full costume and makeup. Horror Queen Genoveva Rossi signs autographs all day. READ MORE

Strut Your Mutt: Canine Halloween Costume Contest

Montclair
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

Avalon Trunk or Treat

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

Boo at the Zoo in Cape May

Cape May
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

North Wildwood Trunk-or-Treat Halloween Block Party

North Wildwood
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

Hillsborough Howl-O-Ween

Hillsborough
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Pups are the stars of this Halloween parade at Ann Van Middlesworth Dog Park. Cheer on costumed dogs as they compete for prizes. Vendors round out the fun. READ MORE

Spooky Dance Party at Casino Pier

Seaside Heights
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Pier Casino welcomes guests to its Spooky Dance Party with Wednesday. READ MORE

Hometown Halloween in Washington Borough

Washington
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

Voorhees Halloween & Fall Festival

Voorhees
Saturday, October 26, 2024
This free family event features a pumpkin patch, hayrides, pumpkin decorating, bounce houses, craft and food vendors, candy tables, a DJ, and more.  READ MORE

Witches Day Out at Historic Smithville

Galloway
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

Halloween Character Meet & Greet at Casino Pier

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

Trunk or Treat 2024 in Red Bank

Red Bank
Sunday, October 27, 2024
Decorate your trunk for the trick or treaters and join United Methodist Church of Red Bank for safe trick-or-treating while tickling your funny bone. Explore scary, funny, and imaginatively decorated trunks, then try your hand at games. READ MORE

Mays Landing Halloween Parade

Mays Landing
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Head over to Main Street and cheer on a stream of costumes, floats, and performances in the Mays Landing Halloween Parade. The performance area is in front of War Memorial Park. READ MORE

Downtown Morristown Trick-or-Treat

Morristown
Thursday, October 31, 2024
Costumed cuties are invited to trick-or-treat at local businesses throughout downtown Morristown. READ MORE

Trick or Treat at Physick Estate

Cape May
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

Halloween Family Bash in Jersey City

Jersey City
Thursday, October 31, 2024
Have a ghoulishly good time in historic downtown Jersey City on Halloween. Enjoy games, a corn maze, face-painting, pumpkins, a bouncy house, candy and more. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Jefferson School Parking Lot
6th Street & Asbury Avenue
United Methodist Church of Red Bank
INTEX Millwork Solutions Parking Lot
Downtown Morristown
Newark Ave Pedestrian Mall