Day of the Dead Latino Heritage Festival (Newark)

Celebrate the tradition of Dia de los Muertos with live music, dance and art activities. Decorate a sugar skull, dance to the wonderful Mexico Beyond Mariachi, taste Mexican hot chocolate and yes, eat some Bread of the Dead. Why not? Saturday, October 30 from 12:30 to 4:30 pm at the Newark Museum. FREE with Suggested Museum Admission of $10/Adults $6/Children. And there is a New Members Perk: you can go in at 11am for an activity and a snack before the festival is open to the public. Call 973-596-6699 for reservations and more information.

Old Time Halloween events

There are three very cool places in New Jersey that celebrate the past and our collective history, and they all have fun and unusual events scheduled for this weekend:
At Coopers Gristmill, they will celebrate A Miller’s Halloween with old-fashioned games and pumpkin decorating on Saturday, October 30 from 1pm to 3:30pm. Free.
At Historic Speedwell, you can creep yourself out by attending a reenactment of the 19th century funeral of Stephen Vail on Friday and Saturday nights from 6pm to 9pm or go to a Historic Haunting, including a parade (costumes encouraged), on Sunday from 1pm to 4pm. $4/adults, $2/children.
And at Howell Living History Farm they are dispensing with any Halloween frivolity and having a Cider Making day instead. Admission prices are minimal, between FREE and $6, tops. Call the Morris County Parks Commission at (973) 326-7600 for more information.

Halloween Science Spooktacular at Liberty Science Center (Jersey City) 

This is Liberty Science Center’s first shot at a Halloween event like this, but if it turns out like everything else at this great learning center, it will be a spectacular Spooktacular. A Terror Tour for the older kids, a Wildlife Challenge for the younger kids, face painting, tabletop activities, a costume contest and safe trick or treating. Admission $13/adults, $11/children. October 29 and 30 from 6pm to 10pm. Call 201-200-1000 for more information.

Toms River 73rd Annual Halloween Parade (Toms River)

Did you know the second largest Halloween parade in the world is right here in New Jersey? The 73rd Annual Toms River Volunteer Fire Company #1 Halloween Parade boasts over 6,000 participants-- some wearing simple masks, some riding full-blown, fire-breathing floats--and 100,000 spectators filled with Halloween spirit. The parade starts at 7:00 pm (Saturday, October 30), but it’s recommended that you arrive 2 hours prior, and bring blankets and chairs. Oh, and trick-or-treat bags, too, to catch all that candy thrown to you! Call 732-349-0144 for more information. FREE

Sugarloaf Crafts Festival (Somerset)

Hundreds of craftsmen show their wares of pottery, sculpture, glass, jewelry, fashion, home décor, furniture and home accessories. There are also interactive craft demonstrations of thrown pottery, wood turning, metal spinning and fantasy furniture, live music and entertainment for the kiddos in the form of Middle Earth Studios and their popular children's puppet show. Saturday, October 30 from 10am to 6pm and Sunday, October 31 from 10am to 5pm. Admission $7/person, kids under 12 are free. Call 800-210-9900 for more information.

Rag-A-Muffin Parade and Costume Contest (Hoboken)

Looking for a smaller showcase for your costumes? Check out this local parade featuring marching bands, floats and a costume contest complete with prizes from area businesses. Participants should be at Washington Street between 13th & 14th Streets by 12:15pm, and the parade begins at 1pm. FREE

Howl-o-ween at Turtle Back Zoo (West Orange)

Be a Halloween party animal!! Come in costume and trick-or-treat at Turtle Back Zoo during the Howl-oween celebration. Ride the "spooky train", and prepare to be dazzled by master magician Joe Fisher. 5pm - 8pm. $2 admission, Children under 2 FREE.

In addition to these great, one-day-only events, remember to check our postings covering on-going Halloween happenings. You can use the day to catch a haunted hayride, pick a pumpkin, or tackle a haunted train ride–this’ll be your last chance ‘til next year!

NOTE: Many of these events are weather-dependent. Please utilize the above web links to contact the event organization prior to heading out.