JENKINSON’S BOARDWALK / Boo at the Boardwalk

We love all things fall in New Jersey and these events with free admission will help you get your candy and parties by attending these free events throughout New Jersey.

October 1-31

Mid-Autumn Festivals
American Dream, East Rutherford
Performances range from live bands and pop dances to art exhibitions and fashion shows throughout the series.

Saturdays – Sundays, October 1-31; plus October 14

Fall Fun Harvest Weekends
Donaldson Farms, Hackettstown
During the apple and pumpkin harvest season, the 500+ acre family-owned and -operated farm market and activity area includes a 9-acre corn maze. This year, $1 from every ticket sold will be donated to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Note: there is no entry fee, but some activities have an additional cost.

PEDDLER’S VILLAGE

October 1 – November 3

Peddler’s Village Scarecrow Season
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
The next few months, celebrate everything Fall with various dates for the scarecrow display and festival, pet photo contest, Food Truck Thursdays, a murder mystery dinner, an outdoor screening of “The Wizard of Oz,” a wedding show, a Peddler’s Village Book Club, a terrarium-making workshop, the annual OctoberFeast weekend, Halloween parties, and the Peddler’s Village Apple Festival.

October 3-5

Hub City Jazz Festival: Jazz Around Town
New Brunswick
Local Jaz musicians will perform at different venues around Hub City.

October 4

Latin American Chamber Music Ensemble
Bridgewater Library, Bridgewater
The free concert features the Latin American Chamber Music Ensemble. Dance along to an array of Latin American music from Cuba, Argentina, Venezuela and more.

First Fridays Series
Monument Square Park, New Brunswick
On the first Friday of the month, indulge in the arts and culture of Middlesex County with free food, live music and performances, games and activities, and arts and crafts.

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
American Dream, East Rutherford
The stage will be set up as Abuelita’s Cocina, featuring food prepared by Chef/GM Franklin Rosario from Yard House, who has become a personal chef to celebrity Cardi B. The event will include Hispanic-inspired food, music, art, performances and appearances. There will also be arts and crafts tables, a meet-and-greet with Dora The Explorer, a performance by Mia “Tiny Singer” Soleil Sanchez, a panel discussion, and Latin dance by Piel Canela Dance Company.

October 4-6

35th Jersey City Art & Studio Tour
Newport Centre, Jersey City
The mall will be filled with different art exhibitions, galleries, and open studios. Sunday is a closing party at night at Canopy Hotel.

October 4-27

Freehold Borough Spooktacular
Downtown Freehold
Halloween events throughout the month include screenings of Beetlejuice and Frankenstein on October 4, the placing of corn stalks throughout the business district on October 5, a house decorating contest from October 9-17, haunted hayrides on October 13, a scarecrow contest on October 18, a Monster Mash and Jack-o-Lantern Contest on October 19, and the Main Street costume parade on October 27.

October 5

Highlands Oktoberfest
Veterans Park, Highlands
Experience Germany in the Highlands with Oompah and polka music, performances by the Bayern Verien Newark Dancers, food from Bahrs Landing Restaurant, a variety of Oktoberfest beers, a Best-Dressed Contest, and a Beer Stein Holding Contest. Admission is free but certain activities have a fee.

Makerspace
Museum of Early Trades and Crafts, Madison
During Bottle Hill Day, kids ages 5 to 12 can visit the collaborative workspace for hands-on, STEAM-based activities.

4th Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration
Perth Amboy Free Public Library, Perth Amboy
Grupo Warachando and the Viva Vallenato Cumbia Band, plus guitarist Alejandro Ataucusi, will perform, in addition to captivating dances by Sol Azteca (Mexican folkloric dance) and Nancy Ynchastegui. Artist Julisa Mugica will have artwork on display. Kids can take part in activities or get their faces painted.

NAMI NJ Walk 2024
Middlesex College, Edison
Hosted by the New Jersey chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, this walk supports mental health support and initiatives.

Collingswood Book Festival
Haddon Avenue, Collingswood
The award-winning festival is the longest-running, largest literary event in the Delaware Valley. Readers will connect with over 60 presenting authors and an additional 275 authors and exhibitors, plus music, food, and literary games and activities.

Princeton Children’s Book Festival
Hinds Plaza, Princeton
Young readers will meet their favorite authors and illustrators, hear about their work and inspiration and have their books signed.

Pop’s Goes Pink: Breast Cancer Fundraiser
Linwood Fields at Pop’s Farm Market and Garden Center, Monroe Twp.
There will be a Balic wine tasting, food trucks, vendors, pet adoptions, a corn maze, a bounce house, hay rides and pumpkin picking, all to fundraise for breast cancer. Admission is free but certain activities have additional fees.

Haddon Township Music Festival
Haddon Avenue, Haddon Twp.
From Strawbridge Avenue to Cooper Street in the heart of the downtown, the streets will be lined with food trucks, local artisans, beer gardens, and a kid-zone with a 70-foot Ferris wheel.

BOTTLE HILL DAY

Bottle Hill Day
Kings Road, Madison
Madison’s signature street fair has expanded to six blocks, and includes sidewalk sales, four stages with live music, a car show, a beer garden, food trucks, three amusement areas, and 225+ vendors.

Touch a Truck
Roebling Museum, Roebling
Check out big trucks from local industries and learn about the big machines at the historic steel mill.

Harvest Fest
New Jersey Botanical Garden, Ringwood
Hayrides and pumpkin painting are just the start of family day. There’ll also be games, face painting, food trucks, an autumn plant sale, photo ops, and free activities for the youngsters.

Concert on the Green: Yacht Rock Gold
Fellowship Village, Basking Ridge
Listen to Yacht Rock Gold perform your favorite hits from the 1970s and 1980s. There will be food trucks, and a beer and wine garden, on the green.

Red Bank Porchfest
Red Bank
Huge crowds who walk around town, listening to great live music from local musicians on residents’ porches.

CARESPARC COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS / Sustainable Health and Wellness Village Festival Tour

Sustainable Health and Wellness Village Festival Tour
Showboat Resort, Atlantic City
Among the family activities are live entertainment featuring local and regional artists, but the main focus is connecting with primary care providers and specialists so you can get free eye exams and eyeglasses, health screenings, vaccinations, fresh produce, and physician-led education and resources on maternal, infant, child, and senior health.

From Harvest to Hearth
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Kids will make a dried apple garland as part of the activities related to life in the 1800s on this working, living history farm.

Hispanic Heritage Celebration
Boro Bandshell, Hawthorne
Come to this free family event with live entertainment and food vendors that serve some of the best Latin food in the area. Stay to dance the day away with family and friends as you listen to the multiple types of music the Latin scene has to offer.

Hispanic Heritage Month Salsa Festival
Family Entertainment Center of Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus
Partnering with MDN International Salsa Congress, GSP will present six professional salsa performances, a 20-minute salsa dance lesson, a live DJ playing salsa, merengue and bachata, a live salsa band, and pop-up booths from GSP restaurants.

Mendham Fest
Borough Park, Mendham
Celebrate the end of summer and the arrival of fall with a day of food, a beer garden, family-friendly activities, live concerts, a Dash N’ Splash slide, inflatable games, food trucks and craft vendors.

HISTORIC SMITHVILLE AND THE VILLAGE GREENE

October 5-6

Oktoberfest
Historic Smithville, Galloway
There will be more than 100 juried crafters, an international food court, music, kids’ activities, non-profit organizations, and more. All of this is in addition to 50 shops, seven eateries, a carousel ride, a train ride, paddle boats, an arcade, on-site lodging at the Colonial Inn and more than 26 free weekend events.

Englewood Family Wellness Weekend
Depot Square Park, Englewood
The Department of Health and the Hadnott Foundation will honor breast cancer warriors during a community festival and health fair. The bilingual fair will include health screenings, breast cancer resources, self-care resources, senior services, flu vaccines, mental health resources, cancer prevention tips, info on healthy pregnancy, diabetes information, and dental health resources. The fun continues with food trucks, kids’ activities, a live salsa band, a DJ, dozens of vendors, Double Dutch, a live cooking demo, group yoga and giveaways.

Bank of America Museums on Us Weekend
Liberty Science Center, 222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City
Hunterdon Art Museum, 7 Lower Center Street, Clinton
Montclair Art Museum, 3 South Mountain Ave., Montclair
Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown
The Newark Museum of Art, 49 Washington Street, Newark
Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, 1501 Glasstown Road, Millville
Bank of America, Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank cardholders receive free general admission to six cultural attractions in NJ on the first full weekend of each month.

PJS PROMOTIONS / Harvestfair Fair

October 6

Harvestfair Fair
Veterans Park, Westwood
Find treasures among 125 vendor booths, including arts, crafts, foods, antiques, estate pieces and other collectibles.

Oktoberfest
Downtown Freehold
Main Street will be lined with booths for beer, food, games, entertainment, vendors, crafters and more.

Cranford Street Fest!
Downtown Cranford
This is a street-fair style event featuring 100+ artisans and Cranford businesses along North Union Avenue and Alden Street. Food trucks and live music will be in the fire department parking lot next to the gazebo.

Fall Festival
West Windsor History Museum, West Windsor
This free community event will include museum tours of the 1700s-era Schenck Farmstead, pumpkin picking and painting, a petting zoo from the Monmouth County 4-H/Baird Homestead, kiddie crafts, activities around the farm by Plainsboro’s Historic Wicoff House Museum, craft vendors, artifacts on view, and opportunities to volunteer.

Ridgewood PBA Food Truck Festival
North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood
Aside from the obvious food trucks, there will be bounce houses, games and beer. Proceeds benefit, in part, The Golden Lights Foundation which supports pediatric cancer research; and Brick City Rescue, a local dog rescue.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT / A Celebration of Pets

A Celebration of Pets
Verona Town Hall Center, Verona
Whether or not you have your own pet, you can come by to celebrate animals by supporting pet-oriented businesses, music, food, activities for kids, a pet parade and pet blessings.

Essex County 4-H Fall Family Festival Celebration
Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland
The county’s 4-H Fall Harvest Showcase will be held in partnership with the Fall Family Festival Celebration. Projects will be awarded for Gardening, Food and Nutrition, and Fruits and Vegetables.

Mission Gratitude
Pediatric Dental Associates of Randolph, Randolph
The touch-a-truck experience honors first responders, military personnel and service dogs. There will be a DJ, food, face painting, and a lineup of fire trucks, rescue vehicles, police cars, and military trucks. Kids can climb into the trucks and meet the real-life heroes who drive them.

October 12

Linwood Fields Fall Festival
Linwood Fields at Pop’s Farm Market and Garden Center, Monroe Twp.
There will be food trucks and a craft fair, plus hayrides, a bounce house, a kids corn maze, lawn games, kids toys, corn hole, u-pick flowers, and wine from Balic Winery.

Tulpehaking Nature Center 10th Anniversary
Tulpehaking Nature Center, Hamilton
Families with kids, as well as residents who are interested in nature, environmental education and environmental justice, will want to celebrate 10 years of service at the nature center. The party will include activities, live animal presentations, guided nature walks, cake and ice cream.

Basket & Broom Making
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Take a close-up look at the craftsmanship that goes into making a basket and a broom when the artisans preserving these trades visit the farm for a day of demos. Kids can help the pros, or they can make their own paper basket to take home.

Oktoberfest
American Hungarian Foundation, New Brunswick
There will be lots of Hungarian and German foods and desserts and vendors. Admission is free.

Trunk-or-Treat
Apple Montessori in Warren and Mount Laurel
Apple Montessori teamed up with the Moms Helping Moms Foundation to offer this event. Kids will trunk-or-treat around the parking lot. Parents are encouraged to donate baby/child items (diapers, formula, wipes, food, etc.) to help local moms in need.

October 12-13

Somerset County Journey Through the Past
Throughout Somerset County
Visit 31 historic sites throughout the county, which are all open and free to the public. Join a tour of a historic house, participate in family-friendly activities, listen to live music, see blacksmithing demonstrations, sample historic teas and candies, etc.

RANJAN BOSE / Birchwood Lake in Mountain Lakes, NJ

October 13

Fall Fest at Birchwood Lake
Birchwood Lake, Mountain Lakes
During prime fall foliage time, enjoy fall-themed games, crafts, face painting, a nature scavenger hunt along the scenic lake.

Oktoberfest
Monument Square Park, New Brunswick
The fall celebration includes local and traditional German foods, craft brews, a steinholding competition, traditional German music, performances by Who Brought The Dog and Nuggets of New Brunswick, music by DJ Brian Bratwurst, pumpkin decorating, face painting and caricatures.

Hub City Sounds: Corazon Latino Festival
Joyce Kilmer Park, New Brunswick
Mercado Esperanza wraps up its 2024 events with a family-friendly community festival celebrating the food, arts and culture of New Brunswick and its Latino community.

Califon Street Fair
Main Street, Califon
The historic downtown area will be transformed into a scene of fall fun, shopping, food and entertainment. Stroll along Main Street and check out the artisans and crafters, a variety of food trucks and vendors, a beer garden, pie eating contest and live music.

Cranford Street Fair & Craft Show
Downtown Cranford
There will be a day of family fun, with arts and crafts, shopping, live music, kids’ rides and food vendors.

NEW JERSEY STATE MUSEUM

October 13 and 19

Earth Science Week & National Fossil Day Events
New Jersey State Museum, Trenton
Drop into the STEAM Center to try the new augmented reality sandbox and explore rocks and minerals at the gallery cart stationed in the “Written in the Rocks” exhibition. National Fossil Day is October 16, so drop by again to play a Bone Wars game in the STEAM Center and explore the fossil show & tell.

October 14

Forza Italia: Columbus Day Flag Raising Commemoration
Veterans Park, North Entrance, Hamilton Twp.
Moderator Cav. Dr. Gilda Rorro Baldassari, Honorary Vice Consul for Italy, in Trenton, Emerita, will be part of a flag-raising ceremony and gift-giving program. There will be inspiring guest speakers and Italian snacks.

October 17-20

Rutgers Homecoming & Family Weekend
Rutgers University, New Brunswick and Piscataway campuses
This yearly gathering brings the Rutgers family together for entertaining programs, sports events, a football tailgate, and a game against the UCLA Bruins.

October 18

Moorestown Pride Festival
Wesley Bishop Park, Moorestown
Mark your calendar for the fall because the first-ever Moorestown Pride Fest will include vendors, food trucks, a dog costume contest, drag queens and more.

Haddy’s Birthday
Kings Highway, Haddonfield
This prehistoric party celebrates Haddonfield’s famous dinosaur. The Hadrosaurus foulkii sculpture turns 21, and the historic site marker on Maple Avenue turns 40.

Halloween Parade & Dance Party
Sea Isle City
The parade strolls along Landis Avenue, with the dance party following at Excursion Park.

Seton Village Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival
Seton Village, South Orange
There will be food trucks, a beer garden sponsored by Gaslight Brewery, and community fun.

Sky Talk and Observing Event
New Jersey State Museum, Trenton
Start the night with a sky talk at the planetarium, good for science lovers 10 and up. Then, everyone will form a convoy to drive up to the observatory at Washington Crossing State Park in Titusville (about a 20-minute drive) for star observations with members of the Amateur Astronomy Association of Princeton. If the weather isn’t clear, you’ll stay at the planetarium for a free showing of “5000 Eyes: Mapping the Universe with DESI” following the talk.

October 18-19

Wildwoods ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s Weekend
Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood
There’s a nostalgic dance party on Friday, followed by a music concert on Saturday featuring Frankie Avalon, The Shirelles starring Beverly Lee, and The Lettermen – both those are ticketed. But on Saturday, there’s a Free Festival & Classic Car Show at Fox Park during the day.

MADE IN PHILADELPHIA FALL MARKET

October 18-20

Made in Philadelphia Fall Market
Dilworth Park, Philadelphia, PA
The Made in Philadelphia Christmas market is around the corner, but for now spend the weekend living up the fall market, with everything from handcrafted art, photography, skincare, food and more being sold by Philly-area and Tri-State Area vendors.

October 19

Family Saturday: Halloween Edition
Alice Paul Institute, Mount Laurel
Take a self-guided tour of Paulsdale, make spooky crafts, and then listen to a family-friendly talk on the historical overview of witches and witchcraft.

Morristown Festival of Books
South Street, Morristown
Saturday’s main Book Festival is an all day, free, family-friendly fair that features more than 100 award-winning and best-selling authors who will speak, answer questions and sign books. KidFest is an activity-filled part of the event where kids meet their favorite authors, get their books signed, and take part in crafts, face painting, and more. Note: Friday night has an event with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria at Mayo Performing Arts Center; this is a separate, paid, ticketed event.

Parents’ Day Out Special Needs Fall Festival
Liquid Church, Princeton
While parents enjoy 5 hours of free childcare, kids with special needs and their siblings can attend the fall fest for games and activities for all ages and abilities. There will be a pumpkin patch. Every child will be paired with a Buddy.

Bloomfield HarvestFest
Bloomfield Center Alliance, Bloomfield
Family fun at this fall celebration includes live music, artisan vendors, games, a Kids Zone, food trucks, a beer garden and more.

Trunk-or-Treat
Apple Montessori, Mahwah
Apple Montessori teamed up with the Moms Helping Moms Foundation to offer this event. Kids will trunk-or-treat around the parking lot. Parents are encouraged to donate baby/child items (diapers, formula, wipes, food, etc.) to help local moms in need.

Howl-O-Ween
The Seafarer, Highlands
There will be a free costume contest for dogs and their humans, with prizes for scariest, most original, and human and dog pair/group costumes. There will be discounted drinks for dog owners, plus trivia contests.

Diwali Celebration
MarketFair, Princeton
The Festival of Lights includes music and dance performances, games, crafts and light snacks.

Foraging & Fences
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Children can make an Osage orange centerpiece as part of the activities on this 1800s living history farm.

October 19-20

Halloween Character Meet & Greet
Casino Pier Arcade, Seaside Heights
Meet Halloween dress up characters, and have your face painted.

CAPE MAY LIGHTHOUSE

Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey
Lighthouses throughout NJ
See how many lighthouses you can visit this weekend as part of a statewide challenge.

October 19-20, 26-27

Boo at the Boardwalk
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, Point Pleasant
There will be kiddie rides, trick-or-treating, games, crafts and underwater pumpkin carving.

October 20

Oktoberfest
Veterans Park South, Hamilton Twp.
The event will feature music from Big Hix & Double Vision (Foreigner Experience), food trucks, crafters, and beer gardens. Kids’ activities include art projects, a corn maze, henna tattoos, a petting zoo, pony rides, pick-your-own pumpkins, inflatable bounce houses and slides, and character meet-and-greets (Belle, Captain America, Cinderella, Incredible Hulk, Moana and Spider-Man).

Wildlife World of Animals
Casino Pier Arcade, Seaside Heights
Rizzo’s Wildlife World will bring 8-10 animals (snakes, lizards, frogs, turtles, insects, and small mammals) as well as a baby alligator. Kids will learn where each animal is from, what they like to eat, etc. They will also be able to touch a majority of the animals.

Kids’ Hike For Fun
Wescott Preserve, Stockton
Kids will explore and wander through the woods, embracing the wonders of the season.

Tenafly Fall Festival
Huyler Park, Tenafly
Fall-themed activities include a DJ dance party, community concert, Hive & Honey mobile bar, seasonal artisan market, costume contest, food trucks, fall crafts, lawn games, inflatables and seasonal photo ops.

Making Strides of Point Pleasant Beach
Ocean and Arnold avenues, Pt. Pleasant
Join a non-competitive 3.1 mile walk that has no registration fee or fundraising minimum required. Wear your brightest shades of pink, put on comfortable walking shoes and rain protection, and walk the route from Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, down Ocean Avenue nd around the Lake of the Lillies. After the walk, there will be activities, live entertainment, giveaways, snacks and survivor/caregiver recognition.

Special Needs Resource Fair & Family Fun Day
Machuga Student Center, William Paterson University, Wayne
Bring the whole family to The Alliance of Private Special Education Schools of North Jersey’s Family Day. Enjoy games, activities, door prizes, balloon animals, face painting, special guests, and explore over 50 resource tables.

All Abilities Art Fest
Robert Schonhorn Arts Center at Matheny, Peapack
Take part in a plein air painting session outside the Arts Center, overlooking the beautiful Somerset Hills in the morning. A writing workshop and literary open mic will take place in the afternoon. Works of art that are created will be for sale.

October 24

Halloween Parade
Asbury Avenue, Ocean City
The parade will march down from 6th to 11th streets.

Ukulele and Polynesian Dance
Lawrence Branch of Mercer County Library System, Lawrenceville
Celebrate Indigenous People’s Day through a performance that blends the soulful beats of drums with the lively rhythms of the ukulele and Polynesian dance.

October 24-27

Beyond Pink Art Show
MarketFair, Princeton
The YWCA’s Breast Cancer Resource Center presents an inspiring showcase of art illustrating the journeys of breast cancer survivors and caregivers. While the exhibit is free to view, Opening Night on Thursday is a ticketed fundraising event.

October 25

Haddonfield Halloween Night Market: Part III
Kings Highway and Kings Court, Haddonfield
More than 50 vendors will be lined up along the streets, in addition to entertainment and activities for the entire family.

Nature Game Night
Plainsboro Preserve, Cranbury
Inside the nature center, you’ll be able to choose from a selection of nature-inspired puzzles and games, or bring a puzzle or game from home to play and share with others.

Trick-or-Treat Around the Park
iPlay America, Freehold
The free night of spooktacular fun includes a trick-or-treat trail, a costume contest, a raffle and giveaways.

October 25-27

Middlesex County Fall Harvest Festival
East Jersey Old Town Village, Piscataway
Autumn activities for the whole family include hot cider, wagon rides, seasonal crafts, pumpkin picking, and live performances by the Young American Serenaders and Robert Mouland. There will be an expanded General Store with extended hours, offering pies, cider, donuts, homemade jelly, and more.

METUCHEN DOWNTOWN ALLIANCE / Haunted Downtown

October 26

Haunted Downtown
Downtown Metuchen
The Brainy Borough becomes the Spooky Borough, filled with Halloween tricks and treats for everyone.

Bierman Autism Centers Trunk-or-Treat
Bierman Autism Center, Berkeley Heights
This event is designed to be sensory-friendly, with safe vehicle trunks and sensory-friendly treats. There will be ring toss, bean bag toss and balloon pop, tailored for all abilities. Make your own crafts. Face painting will be available.

Spooky Dance Party
Casino Pier Arcade, Seaside Heights
Join a Spooky Dance Party with Wednesday from The Addams Family.

Greater Wildwoods Elks Halloween Haunted House
Elks Lodge, North Wildwood
Trick-or-treat through a “haunted house” so you can get treats.

North Wildwood Trunk-or-Treat Halloween Block Party
Olde New Jersey Avenue, North Wildwood
Decorate your car so that kids in costume can trick-or-treat from vehicle to vehicle. The best decorated car will win a prize! There will also be magic and balloon twisting.

Halloween With the Hawks
Monmouth University, West Long Branch
Monmouth University Football team members will hold a free trunk-or-treat for kids prior to a Halloween-themed football game. Wear your favorite costume. Trunk-or-treat is free, but tickets are on sale for the game.

“Howl-O-Ween” Parade
Boardwalk, Ocean City
Owners who like to dress themselves and their pooch in zany, fun Halloween costumes can parade their pup on the boardwalk from 6th to 14th streets.

Fall Foliage Hayrides
Howell Living History Museum, Hopewell Twp.
Climb onboard a carriage pulled by two working horses so you can see the fields in all their fall glory. There will be activities related to life in the 1800s on this living history farm.

Halloween Outdoor Crafts & Collectibles Show
Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May
Feel free to come in costume to the open-air show featuring local vendors and crafters. You can stroll through Scarecrow Alley, where scarecrows were created and decorated by people in the community.

CAPE MAY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM / Cape May County Park & Zoo

Boo at the Zoo
Cape May County Park & Zoo, Cape May Courthouse
Take part in activities like a craft station, games, candy, entertainment, animals, an inflatable obstacle course, a pirate ship, and more. Wear a costume for the contest. The Cape May Dancers will perform, and there will be a live animal presentation in the boneyard throughout the day. Master DJ & Sound will be rocking special Halloween tunes.

Tice’s Corner Fall Harvest Festival
Tice’s Corner Marketplace, Woodcliff Lake
Put on your favorite costume for a fun-filled day of fall festivities. There will be trick-or-treating, games, face painting, balloon artists and more.

New Brunswick Harvest Festival
Youth Sports Complex, New Brunswick
There will be a pumpkin patch, Halloween candy, pony rides, a petting zoo and other amusements.

October 26-27

Boo Fest Makers Market
Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood
There will be more than 40 vendors, plus face painting and kids activities.

October 27

The Bazaar Fall Festival
White Chapel Projects, Long Branch
There will be a curated vendor market, s’mores kits, a fall photo wall, tarot and oracle readings, face painting, music, food and drinks, activities, and a tote bag giveaway. Kids can dress up and go trick-or-treating at vendor tables. There will also be a pet costume contest. Join a Paint and Sip with Boozy Brushes NJ or Skeleton Cookie Decorating workshop.

Halloween Character Meet & Greet
Casino Pier Arcade, Seaside Heights
Meet Halloween dress up characters, and have your face painted.

Creepy Crawlers
Casino Pier Arcade, Seaside Heights
There will be live bugs and creepy crawlers from Insectropolis – and you can touch them! Kids will gain an understanding of the structure, characteristics, and basic needs of these often misunderstood tiny animals.

NEW JERSEY STATE MUSEUM / Halloween Spooktacular

Halloween Spooktacular
New Jersey State Museum, Trenton
Play Halloween-themed games and crafts in the museum’s Riverview Court. Bring the kids in costume to participate in trick-or-treating and a parade on the museum’s front lawn. Free planetarium shows will be offered at two showtimes.

The Cider Barn Band
Wortendyke Barn Museum, Park Ridge
Bring chairs, blankets and food so you can hear the band perform as part of the 14th annual Bluegrass & Cider.

Trunk-or-Treat 2024
United Methodist Church of Red Bank, Red Bank
Decorate the trunk of your car for trick-or-treaters; if you don’t have a trunk, come to get some candy anyway. There will also be games, a costume parade and the Best Trunk contest.

October 31

Stone Harbor Business District Trick-or-Treat
96th St. Business District, Stone Harbor
Dress in costume and walk through the downtown to visit the stores for candy.

Haunted Hall: Trunk or Treat
Newark Symphony Hall, Newark
Inside, the hallways will be haunted, so as you trick-or-treat, look around every corner for spooky surprises – plus candy. Outside, trunk-or-treat around the parking lot for even more candy. There will be a costume contest.

Events are subject to change. Please check websites before heading out to check on event or weather updates.

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