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Ultimate Halloween Guide for NJ Kids: Parades, Pumpkins, Parties

The popular Hoboken Ragamuffin Parade features local live music, floats, lots of great costumes, and so much more. Photo courtesy of the parade
The popular Hoboken Ragamuffin Parade features local live music, floats, lots of great costumes, and so much more. Photo courtesy of the parade
10/6/19 - By Laurie Rein

Halloween is way too spooktacular for just one day of celebrating! The weeks leading up to the big day are loaded with costume parades, trunk or treats, pumpkin displays, and plenty of FREE Halloween happenings, and we created an Ultimate Halloween Guide to highlight our favorites.

Whether your kids want to visit a haunted house, take a Halloween train ride, pick some pumpkins, trick-or-treat at the zoo, or parade through downtown streets dressed as their favorite superheroes, we’ve rounded up a monstrous list of ways to celebrate.

So get your ghosts and goblins ready, fuel up on candy corn, and don’t forget to brush! Look to our Halloween Guide for even more frightening fun, and check out our Fall Fun Guide for seasonal activities beyond October 31. 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

See more than 5,000 hand-carved and illuminated pumpkins at Rise of the Jack O' Lanterns. Photo courtesy of the event
See more than 5,000 hand-carved and illuminated pumpkins at Rise of the Jack O' Lanterns. Photo courtesy of the event

Festivals, Parades, and Trunk-or-Treats

Blackwood Pumpkin Festival

Blackwood – October 26, 2019
The 30th Annual Blackwood Pumpkin Festival boasts food, games, music, shopping and  entertainment. Activities include pumpkin painting, a pet costume parade, crafts, hay rides and more.   READ MORE

Great Pumpkin Festival

Vernon – through November 3, 2019
This year's 10 acre maze theme is "Down the Farm." Visit the farm these fall festival weekends for more than 30 family-friendly activities including visits with animals, a hay maze, spider web crawl, Maggie the milking cow, monster sling shots, a barnyard sports  and much more. READ MORE

South Jersey Pumpkin Show Festival

Woodstown – October 12-13, 2019
Festival-goers enjoy fun contests, scarecrows, give-aways, a pumpkin toss, live bands, a festival food court, amusement rides, pony rides, and hayrides around the fairgrounds. Colorful trees are decorated in Halloween, Thanksgiving, and autumn themes. READ MORE

Halloween Parade & Dance Party in Sea Isle City

Sea Isle City – October 18 – FREE
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

AddamsFest Halloween Festivities

Westfield – October 19-27, 2019 – 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

Cape May Halloween Parade

Cape May – October 20, 2019 – 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

Marty's Place Howl-O-Ween Family Fest

Freehold – October 20, 2019 – 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

Ocean City Halloween Parade

Ocean City – October 24, 2019 – FREE
Feast your eyes on creative costumes and floats, antique vehicles, and cheerleading and dance teams. READ MORE

Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns- canceled 2020

Seacaucus – October 26-27, 2019
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

Downtown Bernardsville Trunk-or-Treat

Bernardsville – October 26, 2019 – 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 Celebration in Union

Union – October 26, 2019 – FREE
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

Strut Your Mutt: Canine Halloween Costume Contest

Montclair – October 26, 2019 – FREE
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

Halloween & Pet Festival

Leonardo – October 26, 2019 – 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

Halloween Parade & Monster Mash

River Edge – October 26, 2019 – FREE
This Halloween celebration in River Edge features free raffles prizes from local businesses and organizations, refreshments, family activities, music, games, giveaways, displays, and demonstrations in Veteran’s Memorial Park. READ MORE

North Wildwood Trunk-or-Treat Halloween Block Party

North Wildwood – October 26, 2019 – 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 and magic add to the fun.  READ MORE

Witch's Day Out

Smithville – October 27, 2019 – 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

Hoboken Ragamuffin Parade and Costume Contest

Hoboken – October 31, 2019 – FREE
The Hoboken Ragamuffin Parade features local live music, floats, lots of great costumes, and so much more. Wear your Halloween best! READ MORE

Toms River Halloween Parade

Toms River – October 31, 2019 – FREE
Toms River's over-the-top Halloween parade returns to Main Street after a coronavirus-induced hiatus. The parade is an annual tradition dating back to 1937 and is recognized as one of the world's largest by the Guinness Book of World Records.  READ MORE

2022 Montville Trunk or Treat

Montville – October 31, 2019 – FREE
Kids are invited to collect goodies from trunks full of treats, hosted by local businesses and families. READ MORE

Trick or Treat at the Boutique

Montclair – October 31, 2019 – FREE
Our shop will be a Teal Pumpkin Stop for trick-or-treaters with food allergies. Trick-or-treaters of all ages will have a choice of candy or prize. READ MORE

Somerville Trick-or-Treat

Somerville – October 31, 2019 – FREE
This family-friendly Halloween event offers fiendish fun. Enjoy music, activities, and entertainment on Division Street, Main Street, and at Borough Hall. READ MORE

Downtown Morristown Trick-or-Treat

Morristown – October 31, 2019 – FREE
Costumed cuties are invited to trick-or-treat at local businesses throughout downtown Morristown. READ MORE

Glassboro Fall Festival Trunk or Treat

Glassboro – October 31, 2019 – FREE
Fill your bags with heaps of candy from dozens of cars that show up with trunks filled with treats. It's like going to 50 houses in 15 minutes.  READ MORE

Fanwood Halloween Celebration

Fanwood – October 31, 2019 – FREE
Kick off the annual Fanwood Halloween Parade and Costume Contest on the front lawn of the Fanwood Memorial Library, departing for LaGrande Park at 6:15pm. At approximately 6:30pm.  the costume contest will begin for children of all ages.  READ MORE

The Great Pumpkin Sail

Mountainside – November 1, 2019
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
Get ready for Halloween at WheatonArts with trick-or-treating and interactive performances for families at HalloWheaton. Photo courtesy of WheatonArts
Get ready for Halloween at WheatonArts with trick-or-treating and interactive performances for families at HalloWheaton. Photo courtesy of WheatonArts

Museum, Garden, and Zoo Events

Happy Haunts at The Red Mill

Clinton – October 12-26, 2019
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

Wagner Farm Arboretum Brite Nites

Warren – October 11-27, 2019
Wagner Farm Arboretum's popular Brite Nite attraction returns for its 11th season with both drive-thru and walk-thru options. The family-focused Halloween-themed Brite Nites showcases an elaborate display of intricate, creative, hand-carved, and lit pumpkins.  READ MORE

Canceled: Haunted Seaport

Tuckerton – October 17-19, 2019
Visit the Tuckerton Seaport for a fun Halloween adventure. Pirates and Sea Captains long lost at sea will stroll the Seaport’s boardwalk for a night of screams. Climb aboard a hayride for a ghostly howling good time through the Haunted Woods. READ MORE

The Great Pumpkin at Insectropolis

Toms River – October 18, 2019
For one night only, the Bug Museum is hosting a Peanuts-themed event for everyone in the family to enjoy. View the movie and explore the spooky museum as you walk a treat trail. READ MORE

Haunted Allaire

Farmingdale – October 18-26, 2019
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

Gardens Aglow

Montclair – October 25 – FREE
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

Halloween Hootenanny

Cherry Hill – October 25, 2019
Visitors to the Garden State Discovery Museum can wander through the museum's Halloween themed exhibits, make a special crafts, show off dance moves, and collect candy at the "Trunk or Treat" in the museum parking lot. READ MORE

Zoo Boo 2019

Paramus – October 25-26, 2019
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

Chemistry Day: Halloween Fun

Morristown – October 26, 2019
Close out National Chemistry Week, and get a jump-start on Halloween Try out your costume. and enjoy spooky science, crafting fun, and a Trick-or-Treat Scavenger Hunt for goodies. READ MORE

Halloween Hocus Pocus

Westfield – October 26, 2019
It’s time to plan some Halloween fun. The museum’s costumed docents will greet visitors at the door of the colonial farmhouse.  There are numerous activities planned for the afternoon, including decorate your own Halloween cupcake, a scavenger hunt, crafts, and storytelling. READ MORE

HalloWheaton

Millville – October 27, 2019 – 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

Historic Halloween Happenings

Morristown – October 27, 2019
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

Howl-O-Ween at Turtle Back Zoo

West Orange – October 31, 2019
Trick-or-treat at Turtle Back Zoo, featuring candy stations throughout the grounds. Grab a bag and your costumes and enjoy treats and entertainment.  READ MORE

Trick or Treat at Physick Estate

Wildwood – October 31, 2019 – FREE
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
Boo at the Boardwalk offers tons of kids' activities, including trick-or-treating, crafts, games, a beach maze, underwater pumpkin carving, and more! Photo courtesy of Jenkinson's
Boo at the Boardwalk offers tons of kids' activities, including trick-or-treating, crafts, games, a beach maze, underwater pumpkin carving, and more! Photo courtesy of Jenkinson's

Amusement Parks and Attractions

Six Flags Great Adventure's Fright Fest Extreme

Jackson – through October 31
Six Flags Great Adventure’s Fright Fest goes extreme this year, presenting a world of nightmarish creatures inspired by legendary horror brands–including SAW and Stranger Things–brought to life. The themed experiences, scare zones, and harrowing creatures deliver extreme frights and surprises. READ MORE

Dinosaurs After Dark

Leonia – through October 26, 2019
Field Station: Dinosaurs is set to reopen for another awesome autumn season.  After a fantastic summer filled with exciting dinosaur activities, families can enjoy eight more weekends of entertaining and educational programming at the Field Station, including the return of the hugely popular Dinosaurs After Dark experience. READ MORE

Diggerfest Fall Festival

West Berlin – through October 27, 2019
Full-day admission to this annual seasonal celebration grants you access to all of the rides and attractions at Diggerland USA, plus additional fall festival and Halloween fun. READ MORE

Trick or Treat Around the Park

Freehold – October 6-27, 2019
Stop by iPlay America every Sunday, and collect treats along the Trick or Treat Trail. Visit each table to receive free candy and for your chance to enter a raffle for amazing prizes including an iPlay America Birthday Party. READ MORE

Boo at the Boardwalk

Point Pleasant – October 19-27, 2019 – 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

Trick-or-Treat Weekends at Storybook Land

Egg Harbor Township – October 26-27, 2019
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

Places featured in this article:

Westfield Train Station
Perry Street and Carpenter Lane
6th Street & Asbury Avenue
Jefferson School Parking Lot
Montville Community Park Amphitheater
Downtown Morristown
Fanwood Memorial Library
Fosterfields Living Historical Farm