Climb aboard the Battleship New Jersey for the best view of the Delaware River fireworks on New Year's Eve. Photo courtesy of Battleship New Jersey
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Holland Ridge Farms combines a tulip theme and the holidays in its Winter Wonderland installation. Photo courtesy of Holland Ridge Farms
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Celebrate with music, magic, skating and a host of other activities culminating in a fireworks show at First Night OCNJ. Photo courtesy OCNJ
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Donations to Fanwood's Famous Christmas House support charity. Photo courtesy of the family
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Turtle Back Zoo is all decked out for the holiday season, which means there are lots of great photo ops.
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'Tis the sea-son for Christmas Underwater at Adventure Aquarium. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
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The Funplex has two New Jersey locations for families to explore and enjoy.
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Get drawn into the art at the Morris Museum next time you're looking for indoor activities for kids in New Jersey. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
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Beyond the casinos, Atlantic City is an all-ages playground, with Island Waterpark, boardwalk amusements, beach access, and more fun.
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Hang out with the giant hippos at Camden's Adventure Aquarium. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
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The Rainforest Cafe has two family-friendly restaurants in New Jersey. A meal out here is part adventure, part restaurant.
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Palmer Square is a great place to relax in the heart of Princeton. Photo courtesy of Palmer Square
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The accessible playground at Watsessing Park works for children of all abilities. Photo by Margaret Hargrove
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Pet baby goats on a visit to Brookhollow's Barnyard in Boonton. Photo by Kaylynn Ebner
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Bounce, climb, and jump at BounceU in Paramus, one of our top indoor play spaces in northern New Jersey.
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At a Bach to Rock birthday party, kids can sing karaoke or record their own CD.
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Help your kids develop their creative side with art classes
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At Genius Gems in Millburn, kids under 2 get in free with an older sibling.
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Admission to the Cape May County Park & Zoo is completely free. Photo courtesy of the zoo
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Nickelodeon Universe is one of the can't-miss destinations at American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo courtesy of the venue
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Bounce, climb, and jump at BounceU in Paramus, one of our top indoor play spaces in northern New Jersey.
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New Jersey kids can find free fun climbing the pirate ship at the free Garden State Plaza Westfield mall. Photo by Mommy Poppins
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Hike the Appalachian Trail—72 miles are n New Jersey! Photo courtesy of Visit NJ
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Cheesequake State Park in Middlesex County offers hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, and much more. Photo by Ali Chandra
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The Camden Children's Garden offers free admission for children under 2.
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Cruise in the Playmobil Fire Truck during your trip to Toys
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Hop aboard a stagecoach for a ride back in time at Wild West City, one of New Jersey's top attractions.
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Things To Do in NJ this Weekend: Halloween Events, Cranberry Festival

Dress in your Halloween best and head to the beach for the Cape May Halloween Parade on Sunday. Photo courtesy of the event
Dress in your Halloween best and head to the beach for the Cape May Halloween Parade on Sunday. Photo courtesy of the event
10/15/19 - By Laurie Rein

It's a boo-tiful pre-Halloween weekend in New Jersey, with a full roster of celebratory festivities. It's never to early to start collecting goodies at trick-or-treat events like Boo at the Boardwalk and Boo at Cohanzick Zoo. Get in the Halloween spirit at a local bash, including Westfield's Addamsfest and the Cape May Halloween Parade. Or celebrate in a unique way on the Halloween Express or at Allaire's haunted village.

Halloween is not the only cause for celebration this weekend. Revel in the season at harvest events like the Chatsworth Cranberry Festival, Hoboken Harvest Festival, and Thompson Park Day.

Check out our Fall Fun Guide for NJ Kids and our Halloween Events and Guide for NJ Kids for more options, including the Ultimate Halloween Guide for NJ Kids. And look to our October GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.


 

 

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Celebrate Halloween down the shore with Boo at the Boardwalk at Jenkinson's, happening all weekend. Photo by the author
Celebrate Halloween down the shore with Boo at the Boardwalk at Jenkinson's, happening all weekend. Photo by the author

Things To Do All Weekend

Boo at the Boardwalk

Point Pleasant – FREE
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

Chatsworth Cranberry Festival

Chatsworth – FREE
Considered one of the best festivals in the Mid-Atlantic region, the Chatsworth Cranberry Festival is a colorful and fun-filled celebration of the fall cranberry harvest. Enjoy delicious cranberry delights, hundreds of vendors, and non-stop musical entertainment. READ MORE

Bane Haunted House

Livingston
Get ready to be scared. Really scared. Touted as the scariest in the state, the Bane family's house is full of zombies and flesh-eating relatives, and daring visitors will have to climb through, over, and around what lurks inside. 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

Haunted Allaire

Farmingdale
Allaire Village turns on the Halloween fun for two weekends this month. Check out haunted hayrides through 20 different scenes, including the Manager's House with fortune-telling, Mr. Allaire's House with a haunted theme and the Carriage House with legendary spirits. READ MORE
Wear your costume to the Cohanzick Zoo on Saturday for family-friendly fun and treats! Photo courtesy of the zoo
Wear your costume to the Cohanzick Zoo on Saturday for family-friendly fun and treats! Photo courtesy of the zoo

Things To Do on Saturday, October 19

Boo at the Cohanzick Zoo

Bridgeton
Have a wild time at the zoo! Kids are encouraged to come in costume for a day of fun and trick-or-treating. Community groups and volunteers will be on hand with treats, crafts, face painting, and other activities. READ MORE

Hoboken Harvest Festival

Hoboken – FREE
Free activities include pony rides, pumpkin painting, hayrides, a trackless train, music, a hay maze, face painting, a moonwalk, balloon art, craft activities, and more. READ MORE

Pumpkin Festival & Share the Harvest Food Drive

Cape May – FREE
The 30th Annual Pumpkin Festival provides family-friendly entertainment and fun throughout the day, including craft and food vendors, face painting, pumpkin painting, a haunted barn, games, activities, and more. READ MORE

Annual Fine Crafts Fall Festival & Family Fun Day

Mays Landing – FREE
Enjoy free train rides, kids bounty castle, music, hay toss, and mummy wrap. READ MORE

Happy Haunts at The Red Mill

Clinton
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

Harvest Homecoming at the Frazee House

Scotch Plains – FREE
The historical Frazee House of Scotch Plains hosts its 5th annual Harvest Homecoming. Activities include live music, pony rides, a petting zoo, food trucks, balloon art, face painting, pumpkin tossing, and a haunted trail.  READ MORE

Bordentown Riverfest 2019

Bordentown – FREE
RiverFest is a family-friendly event with a four acre beer garden, 15 restaurants, live bands all day, a new teen and adult attractions, and a free kids area with bounce attractions, magicians and face painters. READ MORE
Hop on the the Halloween Express on Sunday for a spooky train ride. Photo courtesy of the railway the
Hop on the the Halloween Express on Sunday for a spooky train ride. Photo courtesy of the railway the

Things To Do on Sunday, October 20

Halloween Express- canceled 2020

Whippany
The Whippany Railway Museum is a fun, safe place to bring the kids and enjoy the Halloween Season.  Ride aboard our 10-mile, 45-minute round trip, spooky fun "Halloween Express." READ MORE

Celebrate Fall 2024 at Reeves Reed Arboretum

Summit
The Reeves-Reed Arboretum welcomes visitors for an afternoon filled with family-friendly entertainment. Play games, do arts and crafts, follow the Spooky Trail, and get plenty of face time with the goats at this highly anticipated seasonal festival.  READ MORE

Marty's Place Howl-O-Ween Family Fest

Upper Freehold – FREE
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

Cape May Halloween Parade

Cape May – FREE
Show off your costume in this annual parade that concludes at the Cape May MAC. Prizes are awarded by age group, plus categories like Best Witch, Silliest and Best TV or Movie Character.  READ MORE

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