What’s cuter than a Halloween parade filled with superheroes in strollers, tiny monsters on leashes, and kids dressed as their favorite movie villains? These New Jersey towns are hosting Halloween parades leading up to the big day.
October 18
Long Branch Fall Festival & Pooch Parade
Pier Village, Long Branch
Dress up your dog for the costume parade. Then stay for lots of music all day, a pumpkin carving demo, bracelet making, face painting and henna, inflatable rides, trick-or-treating around the shops and vendor tables, pet massages, seasonal treats, psychic readings, and a photo with Sparky from the Long Branch Fire Department.
Costume Pet Parade
Historic Smithville, Galloway
More than 100 pets will show off their unique Halloween costumes as they walk around the village.
October 18-19, 25-26
Boo at the Zoo
Philadelphia Zoo, Philadelphia, PA
Put on your favorite costume, bring a trick-or-treat bag, and visit the Trick-or-Tree House for a dance party and haybale maze, take a ride on the Boo Choo Train, compete at the Pumpkin Putt Putt mini golf course, join the costume parade, take a self-guided tour of the floral gardens, and watch as the animals eat from the pumpkin harvest.
October 19
Cape May’s Annual Halloween Parade
The Mall on Carpenters Lane, Cape May
Everyone will be dressed in their Halloween best, and either walk around, drive decorated antique autos or roll around in a golf cart.
October 24
Hometown Halloween Parade
Palmer Square, Princeton
After the parade around the green, you can trunk-or-treat when you reach the YMCA; inside, there will be a screening of Monsters, Inc.
October 25
Haunted DowntownÂ
Downtown Metuchen
To mark the 40th anniversary of Back to the Future, there will be roaming dinosaurs, a costume parade, DJ music, the DeLorean car and beloved Back to the Future characters.
Spooktacular Event
New Jersey State Museum, Trenton
Fun and spooky activities include slime making, spooky puzzles, games and a trick-or-treat costume parade.
Humane Society of Ocean City Howl-O-Ween Parade
Sports & Civic Center, Ocean City
Dress up yourself and your pooch in fun Halloween costumes and march down the boardwalk.
Haunted Tonight
Plainsboro Preserve, Plainsboro
Kick off the evening with a lively costume parade, where ghosts, witches, superheroes and princesses take center stage. Then, enjoy a night filled with Halloween games, a Trick-or-Treat Village, a pumpkin patch, a hayride, not-so-scary stories, and spooky crafts.
October 26
Costume Parade
Downtown Freehold
Dress up in your favorite costume and come to the Freehold Raceway parking lot on Manalapan Avenue to enter the costume contest and march in the parade. Everyone else can line the streets and watch the marchers go by.
Bazaar Fall Festival
Whitechapel Projects, Long Branch
There will be Halloween vibes with a pet costume contest, the Haunted Halloween Dome, vendor shopping, trick-or-treating, face painting, a fall photo wall, a fall menu and craft beers. Join a Fall Sea Glass Art Sip & Paint Workshop, a pop-up mobile bookstore, a DJ set by Mike Chick from Yawn Mower.
Halloween Parade
Hopewell Train Station, Hopewell
The Hopewell Fire Co. sponsors the yearly Halloween parade. After, members of the Hopewell Public Library will host a Halloween-themed extravaganza in Hopewell Park Gazebo. Come in costume for a spooky read-aloud.
Halloween Parade, Costume Contest & Pumpkin Chunkin’
Cranford Community Center, Cranford
After the costume contest is broken down by age group, the parade travels through Downtown Cranford, followed by the Pumpkin Chunkin if the weather holds out.
Chestnut Hill Halloween Pet Parade
Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, PA
Halloween on the Hill includes a pet parade with adorable pups and their proud owners dressed up for Halloween.
October 29
Kiwana’s Halloween Parade
Bellevue Avenue, Hammonton
Wear your best costume and wait for the parade to bring spooky fun to the streets. Hosted by the Kiwanis Club.
October 30
Halloween Parade
Asbury Avenue, Ocean City
Celebrate Halloween by walking in the parade or lining the avenue.
Halloween in Haddon Twp.
Haddon Avenue, Haddon Twp.
At the end of the route for the Westmont Lions Club Parade, the celebration continues with a DJ and dance party.
October 31
Toms River’s Halloween Parade
Toms River Shopping Center / Highland Parkway, Toms River
Hosted by Toms River Fire Co. No. 1, this annual parade is one of the biggest in the state.
Hoboken’s Legendary Ragamuffin Parade
Washington Street, Hoboken
Marchers will start at the Elks Club and walk along Washington Street in their costumes.
November 2
Hallo-Wine Weekend
Old York Cellars, Ringoes
Dress up yourself and your pet for the Howl-O-Wine Dog Costume Parade. There will be discounts for people who come in costume.
Find some costume inspo for the parades on our Instagram page.
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