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Amazing Jack-o'-Lantern Displays and Pumpkin Festivals in New Jersey for Families

The Jack O’ Lantern Experience at Skylands Stadium features more than 6,000 hand-carved pumpkins. Photo courtesy of Skylands Stadium
The Jack O’ Lantern Experience at Skylands Stadium features more than 6,000 hand-carved pumpkins. Photo courtesy of Skylands Stadium
10/13/24 - By Michelle Vames

Kick off the festive fall season at one of the many wonderful pumpkin-themed events and festivals happening around New Jersey, from elaborate jack-o'-lantern displays and carving competitions to good old-fashioned pumpkin picking at local farms. There's also plenty of fun to be had at pumpkin decorating events. 

Read on for our top picks, plus a couple of bonus events worth a drive across state lines. You can find our guide to pumpkin picking in New Jersey and even more seasonal events in our Guide to Halloween Events in New Jersey.

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Pumpkin Festivals in New Jersey for Families in 2024

South Jersey Pumpkin Show and Carve

Woodstown
Friday, October 11-Sunday, October 13, 2024
Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of pumpkins, creativity, live music, and Halloween fun. Spooktacular activities include pony rides, a petting zoo, carriage rides, a kids' haunted house, mini golf, and more.  READ MORE

Great Pumpkin Festival at Heaven Hill Farm

Vernon
Select dates through Sunday, November 3, 2024
The largest fall festival in northern New Jersey features 35+ themed activities, including farm animals, a spider web crawl, a stunt dog show, the Big Top-themed corn maze, an obstacle course, pig races, and more. READ MORE

Pumpkin Displays in and near New Jersey in 2024

The Amazing Pumpkin Carve at Woolsey Park

Titusville
Wednesday, October 9-Sunday, October 13, 2024
This impressive display boasts live music, fire pits with storytelling, games, pumpkin painting, and dozens of outrageously carved giant pumpkins. READ MORE

Gardens Aglow

Upper 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

Jack O’ Lantern Experience at Skylands Stadium

Augusta
Select dates through 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

The Great Jack-o'-Lantern Blaze at Van Cortlandt Manor

Croton-on-Hudson, New York
Select dates through Sunday, November 17, 2024
This renowned walk-through Halloween experience features more than 7,000 hand-carved, illuminated jack-o'-lanterns forming assorted impressive displays, with lighting and music enhancements. New for 2024, celebrate the Blaze's 20th year with a giant birthday cake and Celebration Arch, check out the Gourd & Goblet Tavern, a new VIP experience on the pumpkin trail, and spot the giant Kraken rising from the Croton River. READ MORE

Celebrate Fall 2024 at Reeves Reed Arboretum

Summit
Sunday, October 20, 2024
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

Cranford Carve Out and Parade of Pumpkins

Cranford–FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Take a spooky stroll through Hanson Park, where illuminated pumpkins are on display. Various pumpkin prizes are awarded.  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

Pumpkin Decorating Events in New Jersey in 2024

Funtober at The Funplex

Mount Laurel
Saturdays and Sundays from Saturday, October 5-Sunday, October 13, 2024
Enjoy two weekends of fall fun at this annual Funtober event. Experience the magic of the season with live music, games, delicious food, and family-friendly activities. READ MORE

Paint a Pumpkin at The Little Gym

Englewood
Friday, October 18, 2024
Get ready for a day full of festive fall fun at The Little Gym of Englewood. Gather your little ones and unleash their creativity as they decorate their very own pumpkins. With a variety of pumpkin options to choose from, your kiddos can paint, glitter, and spookify to their hearts’ content.  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

Thompson Park Day

Lincroft–FREE
Sunday, October 20, 2024
Enjoy everything autumn during this family-friendly event, featuring entertainment, pumpkin painting, wagon rides, food vendors, and more. READ MORE

Pumpkin Patch Day at Liberty Hall

Union
Saturday, October 26, 2024
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

Post-Halloween Pumpkin Events in New Jersey in 2024

The Great Pumpkin Sail

Union
Friday, November 1, 2024
Bring your carved jack-o'-lantern to Echo Lake Park post-Halloween and enjoy the spectacular view of floating pumpkins. Sign up for one of three sessions. READ MORE

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