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Things To Do in NJ this Weekend: Halloween Fests, Boo at the Zoo, Trunk-or-Treats

Westfield gets creep and kooky at the weekend-long AddamsFest! Photo courtesy of the event
Westfield gets creep and kooky at the weekend-long AddamsFest! Photo courtesy of the event
10/22/19 - By Laurie Rein

It's pre-Halloween weekend, and spooky, kooky fun is happening throughout New Jersey! Load up on candy at trick-or-treat events like Boo at the Boardwalk, Trick-or-Treat Weekend at Storybook Land, AddamsFest, and the North Wildwood Trunk-or-Treat Block Party.

Meet some bewitching characters at the Monster Bash and Zombie Walk, HalloWheaton, and Witch's Day Out. Or have Halloween fun with animals at Cape May and Bergen County zoos.

Check out our Halloween Guide for more options for family fun, including the best places to trick-or-treat, ideas for easy last-minute costumes, and plenty of free Halloween happenings. And look to our October GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

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Meet some friendly creatures at Goblins in the Garden at Camden Children's Garden. Photo courtesy of the the venue
Meet some friendly creatures at Goblins in the Garden at Camden Children's Garden. Photo courtesy of the the venue

Things to Do All Weekend

Goblins in the Garden Family Festival

Camden
Don your favorite costume and have a howling good time at Camden Children's Garden. Kids can take trick-or-treating throughout the garden as staff give out candy to children. READ MORE

Boo at the Boardwalk

Point Pleasant – FREE
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
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

Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns- canceled 2020

Secaucus
Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns returns to the Meadowlands with the largest display of carved pumpkins in New Jersey. See 5,000 hand-carved, illuminated jack o’lanterns creatively arranged along a scenic walking path and set to a musical score. The unique, family-friendly experience, includes characters from American pop culture, multi-pumpkin artistic structures including life-sized dinosaurs and dragons, and intricately carved 100-pound pumpkins. Visitors can also watch talented artists create the different displays seen in the show. The pumpkin trail is indoors, well-lit and... READ MORE

AddamsFest Halloween Festivities

Westfield – FREE
Celebrate Halloween Addams-style as part of Westfield's town-wide AddamsFest. The two-weekend spooky lineup includes the Maniac Pumpkin Carvers, a Monster Mash Dance Party, a Halloween parade, costume contest and trunk-or-treat. READ MORE
Pick a pumpkin, take a hayride, and more at Liberty Hall Museum's popular pumpkin patch day on Saturday. Photo courtesy of the museum
Pick a pumpkin, take a hayride, and more at Liberty Hall Museum's popular pumpkin patch day on Saturday. Photo courtesy of the museum

Things to Do on Saturday, October 26, 2019

Pumpkin Patch Day

Union
The Liberty Hall Museum hosts its annual Pumpkin Patch Day, which features pumpkin picking, carving, and decorating, plus tractor rides, crafts, and trick-or-treating.   READ MORE

Boo at the Zoo

Cape May – FREE
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

Zoo Boo 2019

Paramus
Once again, the zoo welcomes trick-or-treaters for a special weekend of Halloween fun. Come in costume for magic shows, ghostly storytelling, trick-or-treating throughout the park and the Eerie Express train ride. READ MORE

North Wildwood Trunk-or-Treat Halloween Block Party

Wildwood – FREE
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

Downtown Bernardsville Trunk-or-Treat

Bernardsville – FREE
Celebrate Halloween at this annual trunk-or-treat for all ages. Community members decorate a trunk, displaying themes or other festive decor, and hand out candy or other non-candy trinkets. Plus, score treats at downtown businesses. READ MORE

Halloween Spooktacular

Union – FREE
The township of Union is going all out for Halloween this year with a trunk-or-treat plus an All Hallow's Evening. 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

Halloween & Pet Festival

Leonardo – FREE
Leonardo State Marina hosts a nature-themed Halloween celebration, with pinatas, pick & paint pumpkin patch, a pet parade, mummy duck races and more. READ MORE
Meet mummies, witches, and other spooky characters at HalloWheaton on Sunday. Photo courtesy of Wheaton Arts
Meet mummies, witches, and other spooky characters at HalloWheaton on Sunday. Photo courtesy of Wheaton Arts

Things to Do on Sunday, October 27, 2019

HalloWheaton

Millville – FREE
Get ready for Halloween at WheatonArts with trick-or-treating and interactive performances for families. Children will have a chance to trick-or-treat and take pictures with traditional costumed characters, such as the Mummy, the Grymm Witches, the too-tall scarecrow and many others. READ MORE

Witch's Day Out

Smithville – FREE
Grab your favorite little witches and head over to Smithville. Bewitching awards are given out throughout the day. Anyone in a witch hat is eligible for shop treats and discounts. READ MORE

Halloween Spooktacular

Trenton – FREE
Halloween creeps into the Museum with a spooky Pinelands theme. Stop by, and enjoy hands on activities in the Riverview Court. This year, the children’s costume contest will be held twice, at noon and 1 pm. Prizes awarded during each session in the various age categories. READ MORE

Fall Harvest at the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA

Scotch Plains – FREE
The Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA (FSPY) hosts its annual Fall Harvest event, which is free and open to the community and features a variety of activities for the entire family. READ MORE

Historic Halloween Happenings

Morristown
Play special Halloween games, decorate cookies, and try on old-fashion costumes. At 3:30 p.m., take a guided walk to see how many pumpkins are hiding in the nearby woods. READ MORE

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