Halloween in New Jersey brings everything from daytime pumpkin picking with the kids to haunted houses filled with zombies and ghosts after dark. Throughout October, NJ farms, fields, and theme parks offer a range of Halloween fun, from not-so-scary to truly terrifying. Whether you’re planning a day of fun with young kids or a frightful night with your thrill-seeking crew, these attractions have your Halloween fix covered.
NOT SCARY
Kids Boo Fest
Six Flags Great Adventure Resort, 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson Twp.
The Experience: Your costumed kids will have the run of the park during Boo Fest. Most rides will be open, and kids can hit the Trick-or-Treat Trail for candy, watch family-friendly Halloween-themed live shows (like the Spooky Kooky Magic Show or Witch’s Brew), and take photos with Looney Tunes characters and DC Comics heroes. The park is open to everyone, but Boo Fest is designed for younger kids.
Good to Know: Kids are encouraged to come to the park in costume, but make sure they don’t have anything that resembles a weapon – fake or not.
When to Go: Select dates from September 13 – November 2. See full event details here.
Jacks & Lights
Argos Farm, 1250 Lacey Rd., Forked River
The Experience: The Jersey Shore takes on a new glow during Halloween season thanks to thousands of hand-carved jack o’ lanterns that line this glowing pumpkin trail. The trail features themes like Under the Sea, Día de los Muertos, skeletons on motorcycles and nostalgic nods to vintage Halloween. Pick your perfect pumpkin at the patch, test your directional skills inside the flashlight corn maze, and take photos at the prop stations.
Good to Know: On select nights, head to the Spook-Easy for beer and cocktails.
When to Go: Fridays to Sundays, September 19 – 28; Thursdays to Sundays, October 2 –November 2; plus Columbus Day (October 13). See full event details here.
Jack O’Lantern Experience
Skylands Stadium, 94 Championship Pl., Augusta
The Experience: Every October, Skylands Stadium transforms into a glowing jack-o’-lantern spectacle by night, where more than 6,000 illuminated pumpkins line a self-guided walking path.
The walk-through takes about 45 minutes, and there’s plenty more to do once you’ve completed it. Roast s’mores by the fire pit; have some apple cider, hot cocoa or coffee; or try themed treats from a bounty of food vendors. Fall activities include pumpkin picking and painting for your little ones, live music, and 30+ craft beers on tap. A favorite attraction is the corn maze, designed by neighboring Lentini Farms.
Good to Know: New weekly theme nights include Movie Night Thursdays, where you’ll watch a Halloween movie from the field; Trick-or-Treat Fridays, where you can grab candy from vendors around the park; Monster Mash Saturdays, a mega party with live music; and Kids Craft Sundays, which includes activities like pumpkin painting.
When to Go: Select nights, September 26 – November 2. See full event details.
Halloween Light Show
Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Rd., Hillsdale
The Experience: In operation since 1886, the farm takes pride in hosting New Jersey’s largest Halloween light show. While sitting in the comfort of your car, you’ll drive through 32 acres of glowing holiday light displays. Tune in to 107.9 FM for spooky music. Stop by the retail farm market for apple cider donuts or a slice of pie before or after the 20-minute drive -through.
Good to Know: Reservations are a must (you can’t buy tickets inside the farm market). Plan to arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled time. Be patient, too, since you may have to wait up to 30 minutes on peak days before you begin driving through the attraction.
When to Go: Select nights, September 27 – October 31. See full event details here.
GLOW: The Spooky Speedway
217 Berlin-Cross Keys Rd., Sicklerville
The Experience: As you drive through Dracula’s homeland of Romania, keep watch for vampires, witches, and castle dwellers brought to life amid thousands of synchronized lights inspired by Transylvania. Don’t worry—it’s all in good fun, with charming light displays and no live actors.
Good to Know: This attraction is wildly popular thanks to the notoriety of the Uszaki family, creators of the famous Deptford Dazzling Lights that won ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight in 2023. Their light-filled journey has grown so much that it needed more space. Be sure to reserve a time slot in advance and expect a line at the entrance.
When to Go: Daily, October 1 – November 2. See full event details here.
SLIGHTLY SPOOKY
AddamsFest
Westfield
The Experience: Every Halloween season, Westfield gives a nod to its native son, Charles Addams, creator of The Addams Family. This year’s overarching theme is Femme Fatale, celebrating the beauty, seduction, danger and intrigue of the family’s beloved matriarch, Morticia Addams. Some of the events throughout October include The Wednesday Night Crawlers performances at various locations; Morticia & Gomez’s Masquerade Ball at the James Ward Mansion on October 10; a Charles Addams heritage trail tour on October 11, 18 and 25, beginning at the Rialto Center for Creativity; lantern cemetery tours; and the Addams Family Fun Day on October 19 throughout the downtown. As you go through town on any given day, look for decorated windows, haunted house decorations, selfie stops and Addams-inspired murals.
Good to Know: You can’t go inside the Addams family home on Elm Street along Mindowaskin Pond, but you can check out the exterior, which is, of course, altogether ooky.
When to Go: Select dates throughout October. See full event details here.
Asbury Park Zombie Walk
Boardwalk, Asbury Park
The Experience: Don’t be alarmed as you walk along the Asbury Park Boardwalk on October 4: you’ll see thousands of zombies of all shapes, ages and sizes dragging themselves along, whether by foot, by stroller or by leash. It’s one of the most popular Halloween parties in the state. Come dressed up, or visit the Zombie Walk Makeup Tent on Boardwalk and 4th Avenue to have the pros give you the perfect undead look. There will be a costume contest before the walk.
Good to Know: The Zombie Walk is free, and several restaurants will keep the fun going so you can party it up way into the afterlife.
When to Go: October 4. See full event details here.
VERY SCARY
Nightmare at Gravity Hill
1005 Farmingdale Rd., Jackson Twp.
The Experience: As legend has it, cars driving by Gravity Hill are pulled uphill against gravity. During Halloween season, the fields and graveyard are open to the public to experience this force firsthand. Spend 35 minutes walking through dark, strange trails, and you’ll feel like you’re in the midst of the nightmare. Each of the dozen scenes is scarier than the next, with lights flashing, voices screaming, and actors jumping out at every twist and turn.
Good to Know: The terrain is uneven so wear comfortable shoes. This is not recommended for kids under 10, and kids under 14 need a parent.
When to Go: Select nights, September 12 – November 1. See full event details here.
Fright Fest
Six Flags Great Adventure Resort, 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson Twp.
The Experience: When night falls, Great Adventure gets edgy and dark, with scare zones filled with ghouls, monsters, and zombies. Fog-choked scare zones, haunted mazes, and eerie live shows keep the fear level high, while Halloween-themed food and drinks add to the spooky atmosphere.
Each area of the park gets a spooky makeover—the Boardwalk turns into CarnEvil, and the lakefront is cursed by Blackbeard’s ghost ship. Nightly entertainment kicks off with a procession of ghouls, followed by circus-style acts, freak shows, and drumming spectacles. The scariest draws are the haunted mazes, including movie-inspired horrors like Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Conjuring, plus originals like Big Top Terror and The Witches Reflection.
Good to Know: Most rides and scare zones are included in admission, but haunted mazes require a $75 Haunted Attractions Pass.
When to Go: Select nights, September 12 – November 2. See full event details.
Field of Terror
831 Windsor Perrineville Rd., East Windsor
The Experience: The story goes that years ago, Farmer Frank abandoned farming on this 100-acre property and began some creepy experiments—blending the genetics of local residents with his produce. These horrifying creatures haunt the land, tended by his wicked grandson, Ax Man. You’ll come across zombies as you try to escape. The themed areas include Kornfield of Karnage corn maze, The Karnival, the Haunted Hayride of Terror Town, Timmery Manor and the Creepy Carnival Paintball Ride.
Good to Know: The zombies will chase you (sometimes with faux weapons) and get right up in your face, so make sure you are comfortable in dark, tight spaces. Each attraction is treated separately, so you can choose a package for anywhere from one to all five attractions.
When to Go: Select nights from September 19 – November 1. See full event details here.
Night of Terror
Creamy Acres Farm, 448 Lincoln Mill Rd., Mullica Hill
The Experience: Spanning 100 acres, Night of Terror is New Jersey’s largest Halloween park—haunted by zombies, maniacs and killer clowns – and is celebrating its 30th season. HGTV named it one of the scariest haunted houses in the country.
The Harvest takes you through fields, swamps and shacks where there’s a 100 percent chance of encountering evil creatures. The hallways of Dark Dreams are filled with creepy dolls, rats and monsters so be prepared to face all your phobias.
The Playground is the newest attraction, which scares you from the left, right, above and below – this is no kiddie area. The Ride of Terror is the longest and darkest hayride in the area. It takes 25 minutes to navigate 25 acres of life-sized animatronics, so decide if you’re brave enough before boarding. There’s also a 15-minute Haunted Paintball Hayride, where it’s your duty as a rider to fight off live actors, zombies and moving props using mounted paintball guns.
Good to Know: You must have a wristband to enter, and all members of your crew must be together when you redeem your tickets at the E-Ticket booth.
When to Go: Select Thursdays – Saturdays, September 20 – November 1. See full event details here.
13th Hour Haunted House
105 W. Dewey Ave., Wharton
The Experience: Formerly known as The Haunted Scarehouse, this property lives up to its name, with two floors of special effects and movie-quality sets designed to terrorize you and your crew inside the 13-Hour Haunted House. In addition to the main attraction, you’ll find escape rooms and haunted hatchet throwing on site (which are actually open year-round). Everything happens indoors, with large outdoor tents so you can wait in any weather.
Good to Know: For those who can’t get enough scares, the haunt returns with special holiday-themed houses in December for Christmas and again in February for Valentine’s Day.
When to Go: Select nights, September 20 – November 1; the escape rooms and haunted hatchet throwing are open year-round. See full event details here.
Scare Farm
Norz Hill Farm, 120 S. Branch Rd., Hillsborough
The Experience:
This haunt is designed to pull you straight into a world of nightmares. The Madderbaby Lane hayride winds through eerie cornfields. Then step inside Atrum Manor, where you’ll explore a handful of rooms along a haunted walking trail that will leave your heart racing. The Slayride ups the intensity with live actors trying to terrorize you along the hayride. Chaotica challenges only the bravest to navigate a labyrinth along a walking trail.
Good to Know: All four attractions are included in the admission price. Online ticketholders get first priority to enter, though you can buy a walk-up ticket every 15 minutes starting at 7:15 p.m., depending on availability.
When to Go: Select nights, September 26 – October 26. See full event details here.
Casola Farms Haunted Attractions
C. Casola Farms, 131 S. Main St., Marlboro
The Experience: Not too far from the former Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital lies four worlds dominated by psychotic zombies. The only way to fight them off is in the fields of the Marlboro Zombie Breakout, where you’ll shoot them with paintballs. The Haunted Hayride of Terror takes you through the backwoods. Look for creatures clinging to the walls as you walk through the 3D Haunted Barn. The Living Maze tests your strength as you try to escape the grasp of the living dead.
Good to Know: Tickets are only sold at the Box Office, not online, so beware of digital scammers. Every Sunday is Military & Law Enforcement Night, where current and former members of the Armed Services save $5 on the Ultimate Package with a valid ID.
When to Go: Fridays and Saturdays, September 26 – November 1; and every Sunday in October. See full event details here.
Farm of Horrors
Schaefer Farms, 1051 County Road 523, Flemington
The Experience: Forget about the bucolic scenery of Hunterdon County; these 200 acres of beautiful farmland have been taken over by terrifying creatures whose only purpose is to “scare the yell out of you.” Start with the Hair-Raising Hayride, which drops you off in a spot that feels like the middle of nowhere for a trek along the Trail of Terror, the Apocalypse and the Graveyard. The only way back home is through the MassAcre Maize, where you’ll feel like you have to run for your life (or walk really quickly) until you find yourself in the Carnevil of Chaos, a carnival-themed attraction with “killer” clowns.
Good to Know: This is a high-scare, high-startle experience that uses strobe lights, audio and visual disturbances, uneven terrain, blood and gore, foul language, tight spaces and synthetic fog – so stay away if you have a history of seizures or are at risk of a heart attack, panic attack, claustrophobia or asthma. The actors get a little too close for comfort, too.
When to Go: Select dates, September 26 – November 2. See full event details here.
Brighton Asylum
Located at the rear of 2 Brighton Ave., Passaic
The Experience: Shuttered in 1952 after reports of vanished patients and staff, the asylum has been reimagined as a massive walk-through attraction where you’ll spend hours trying to avoid live actors (don’t count on it though!) during horror movie-style scares at every turn. There are three experiences to choose from. Brighton Asylum takes you through the facility’s maze-like hallways and its unsettling history. Try to avoid recruitment in Subculture, where the creatures who escaped to the tunnels during a patient transfer now want to take you as their own. The Bleeding Grounds explores the asylum’s abandoned staff quarters and the grim stories that led to the second floor of the asylum being condemned 75 years ago.
Good to Know: This attraction is so terrifyingly scary that it’s been featured on several TV shows, radio outlets and websites across the country.
When to Go: Select nights, September 27 to November 1. See full event details here.
Bloodshed Farms Drive-Thru
2919 Rte. 206, Columbus
The Experience: You may feel safe inside your car—but don’t be fooled. The Last Drive Haunted Drive-Thru is filled with terrifying encounters with live actors that will have you gripping the wheel in fear. If you’ve got a pickup truck, come on Sundays and experience the fear from the bed of the truck so you feel like you’re on a hayride. Sunday the 13th is a killer costume contest. October 18 is Vehicle Decoration Night. Creepy Jeep Night is TBD, when Jeep owners have a special meetup on site.
Good to Know: With the Psycho Path upgrade, the characters can get even closer to you – meaning they will climb inside your car, grab you, hand you things, even squirt water at you, and cover your car in (fake) blood and foam.
When to Go: Select nights, October 3-26. See full event details here.
Oasis Island of Terror
3 Circle Dr., Robbinsville
The Experience: Nicknamed “The Destination to Fear,” the Island of Terror warns that while they prepare for your arrival, you should prepare for your survival. The Woods Have Eyes is the longest and one of the most realistic walk-through haunt attractions in New Jersey. It’s over a mile long, and forces you to face your fears head on in a way that makes some visitors cry. Or, grab a glowstick (only one!) and try to find your way out of the pitch-black Blackout trail.
Good to Know: This is a no-touch event, so no one will touch you directly. The attraction stays open until everyone makes it through.
When to Go: Select nights, October 4 – November 1. See full event details here.
Brookdale Haunted Theater
Brookdale Community College, Performing Arts Center, 765 Newman Springs Rd., Lincroft
The Experience: The indoor, self-guided maze is built and brought to life by more than 100 Brookdale students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members. This year’s theme is “Wide Awake!” so the team created pitch-black passages, immersive set designs, eerie special effects, and sinister surprises everywhere you turn. This indoor haunted house is a seven-time “Best Overall Attraction” winner on NJHauntedHouses.com.
Good to Know: Haunted Theater offers the Lights On, Scares Off, behind-the-scenes tour in the daytime, so you can see what goes into the artistry, props and effects that terrify at night. There are no jump scares, no dark areas and no screaming.
When to Go: Haunted Theater dates are October 11-12, 17-19, 24-26, 30, and November 1-2. Lights On, Scares Off dates are October 12 and 26, or November 2. Addy’s Birthday Party on Sunday, October 12, is an extra-spooky celebration for haunt lovers of all ages; call 732-224-2411 for details. See full event details here.
Editor’s Note: Always check times, dates and weather updates before heading out.
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