It’s finally Halloween weekend, and we couldn’t be more excited! Head to the Downtown Somerville Spooktacular for lots of treats and surprises, the Little Egg Harbor Fall Festival for lots of activities including pumpkin painting, face painting, and crafts, or the Harvest Fest in Asbury Park for tons of family friendly Halloween activities.
Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmomhq and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
Related Articles: 50 Kid-Friendly Ways to Celebrate Halloween in New Jersey
Here are our top picks for family events in NJ this weekend:
1. Downtown Somerville Spooktacular
October 28, 2016 | 3:00PM – 6:00PM
“When it comes to Halloween, Downtown Somerville knows how to have a devil of a good time! Our family-friendly Halloween event offers fiendish fun and spooky scares for everyone. Join the Downtown Somerville Alliance and our community partner, Empower Family Success Center for master pumpkin carving demonstrations, character photos (thanks to Hellion Photography), a Halloween passport adventure, and a DJ dance party, along with lots of treats and surprises!”
Downtown Somerville
North Bridge Street, Somerville, NJ 08876
Cost: Free
2. Brite Nites Jack-O-Lantern Display
October 28 – 30, 2016 | 6:45PM – 8:00PM
“Returning for a sixth year, Wagner Farm Arboretum’s spectacular Halloween-themed event “Brite Nites” showcases an elaborate display of intricately and creatively hand-carved and lighted pumpkins, a Secret Haunted Garden and the ever popular Black Cat Café. Meander through our garden path filled with breathtaking pumpkin sculptures, where you will be astounded by their complexity and originality. We promise that you will be memorized by our spectacular jack o’lantern displays. Travel above and under the ocean, past pirates and giant serpents and through the Wild West, looking out for famous people on the way. Your journey will take you through a multitude of amazing scenes that our artists have created using pumpkins. Don’t miss out on a visit to our Secret Haunted Garden, which is inhabited by ghouls, vampires, ghosts and zombies. At the end of your journey, don’t forget to stop at the Black Cat Café for seasonal refreshments like cider, hot cocoa, fabulous cupcakes or cookies. Wandering entertainers like a magician, musicians, or dancers will keep you entertained on this night the whole family will remember.”
Wagner Farm Arboretum
197 Mountain Ave, Warren, NJ 07059
Cost: $15 per Adult; $10 Senior; $10 Military Police, Veterans & Firemen; $10 Child ages 3 to12; Age 2 and under are free.
3. Family Fall Fest
October 29, 2016 | 11:00AM – 4:00PM
“Join us for our second annual Family Fall Fest. This is a free event appropriate for the whole family. Don’t forget to come in costume as we will have a special Trick or Treat hallway this year. Featuring a variety of inflatables, popcorn, cotton candy, coffee/hot chocolate bar, carnival games, candy, craft tables, and more!”
Bayside Chapel
965 W Bay Ave, Barnegat, NJ 08005
Cost: Free
4. CHS Project Graduation Food Truck Festival
October 29, 2016 | 11:00AM – 5:00PM
“Kick off Cranford High School Project Graduation’s First Fundraiser of the Season for the Class of 2017. This event will feature food trucks, live music, face painting, craft vendors. Featured food trucks include Tower Dogs, The Flying Pie Guy, Waffle de Lys, and House of Cupcakes.”
Nomenhagen Park
Springfield Ave & Park Drive, Cranford, NJ 07016
Cost: $5, Children 12 and under are free.
5. Asbury Park Harvest Fest
October 29, 2016 | 12:00PM – 3:00PM
“It’s that time of year again for pumpkins, changing of the leaves, mums and our annual Harvest Fest! This year we are changing things up a bit, and hosting our annual Harvest Fest at SpringWood Park in Asbury Park. There will be FREE BBQ, a bounce house, cotton candy, face paiting, pumpkin painting, music, dance contest… the list goes on! Come in a costume, cause there will be prizes given to all who come dressed up!”
Springwood Park
Springwood Ave, New Jersey, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Cost: Free
6. Skelebration Costume Party
October 29, 2016 | 2:00PM – 3:30PM
“Here’s what’s in store: DJ Zumba Kids Dance Party + Thriller Dance Make NEW Friends with Pals Socks Activity + Free Pair Pals Socks come mismatched as 2 unlikely friends for your feet. They believe that it’s fun to be friends with someone different! Mr. Darren’s Magic & Music Halloween Craft/Art with Artist Hadieh Afshani Snacks by Om Sweet Home Goody bags + Raffle! Ages 2 – 9.”
Celebration Life Studio
1200 Park Ave, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Cost: $25 per child. $20 per sibling.
7. Halloween in Rahway Celebrations
October 29, 2016 | 3:00PM – 9:00PM
“Calling all zombies, vampires, and creatures! Halloween in Rahway is BACK! Join us for our annual celebration which will include our Costume Contest, Trunk or Treat, Street Parade, Zombie Crawl and another fabulous DJ and FEARWORKS display of fireworks at City Hall Plaza. The town will stay creepy well into the night with events and parties happening in our local restaurants and venues.”
1 City Hall Plaza, Rahway, NJ 07065
Cost: Free
8. Trail Tales at the Great Swamp
October 29, 2016 | 5:30PM – 7:45PM
“Enjoy a night of silly, slightly spooky, nature-themed and Native American storytelling. You never know who may be lurking around the next bend in the path, waiting to tell their story. Rain or Shine Sponsored by Whole Foods Market. Appropriate for Ages 6+. To register, call (973)635-6629”
Great Swamp Outdoor Recreation Center
247 Southern Blvd, Chatham, NJ 07928
Cost: $6 per person
9. Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market Halloween Edition
October 29 – 30, 2016 | 10:00AM – 5:00PM
“That’s right, ghosts and ghouls! We’re taking over Halloween 2016 as the Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market fall edition moves to a two day Halloween Extravaganza! We’ll be welcoming over 200 different DIY vendors and ten different food trucks each day! We’ll be hosting this grand event featuring 200+ vendors, a dozen food trucks, tons of vinyl, sweet vintage gear, original art, horror memorabilia, handmade jewelry, vintage toys and a whole lot more!”
Historic Roebling Machine Shop
675 S Clinton Ave, Trenton, NJ 08611
Cost: $5 (good for both days!)
10. Downtown Westfield Trick or Treat, Parade, & Costume Contest
October 30, 2016 | 12:00PM – 2:00PM
“Bring the kids downtown in their costumes to trick-or-treat in the retail stores and restaurants throughout Downtown Westfield from 12pm to 2pm. The Optimist Club of Westfield will present a Halloween Parade starting at 2:15pm on Quimby St. and will follow on North Ave., Prospect St., E. Broad St., Elm St. and back to Quimby St. The costume contest, sponsored by Downtown Westfield Corporation, is for children from pre-school through elementary school ages and starts at 2pm and continues throughout the parade (rain or shine). Costume contest judges will watch the parade and hand out medals and winner cards during and after the parade. All prizes will be awarded at 3pm.”
Downtown Westfield
East Broad Street, Westfield, NJ 07090
Cost: Free
11. Metuchen Halloween Parade
October 30, 2016 | 2:00PM – 3:30PM
“Calling all little monsters, superheroes, and princesses! You are invited to parade your way around the Metuchen High School Track. Businesses and organizations are invited to host treat tables.”
Metuchen High School
400 Grove Ave, Metuchen, NJ 08840
Cost: Free
12. Linden’s 65th Halloween Parade
October 30, 2016 | 2:00PM – 4:00PM
“Honored guests, marching bands, floats, children and adults in costume, dance groups, special events and Santa Claus! This year we are proud to honor Linden’s first responders!”
301 N Wood Ave, Linden, NJ 07036
Cost: Free
13. Halloween Family Block Party
October 29, 2016 | 2:00PM – 5:00PM
“Come visit the Pink & Bloom Foundation and their monsters and other friends from the community at Helmetta Community Center for a Spooktacular family fun event! We will have Touch a Truck courtesy of the Helmetta PD and Fire Department, Zombie Training, Pumpkin Decorating, Various Games and Treats, Balloon Artists, a DJ and the Pink & Bloom Cafe will be on hand for refreshments! Costume Contests for the kids! Selfie Station for family memories! Guess the Pumpkin Weight, and more!”
Helmetta Community Center
56 Main St, Helmetta, NJ 08828
Cost: $10 per car
14. Little Egg Harbor Township Fall Festival
October 30, 2016 | 4:00PM – 8:00PM
“In 2016, the Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat events have been combined. Prizes for best pet costume! Enjoy hay rides, pumpkin painting, face painting, craft and other fall related vendors, car show, concessions, bounce houses, and more!”
Little Egg Harbor Sports Complex
Rt 539 (Complex Drive), Tuckerton, NJ 08087
Cost: Free
15. Halloween Hootenanny
October 30, 2016 | 6:30PM – 8:30PM
“Come into the museum for a happily haunted Halloween! Make your way through each Halloween themed exhibit. You’ll have a chance to do Halloween crafts and show off your best dance moves. Then, come outside for Trunk or Treat! You can trick or treat from the trunks of cars in the museum parking lot! Kick off Halloween early with the Discovery Museum.”
Garden State Discovery Museum
2040 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
Cost: $15 Non-Member Children, $10 Member Children and $5 for Adults
MORE FUN THINGS TO DO IN NJ THIS WEEKEND:
- FREE Events in New Jersey through October 31st
- 50 Kid-Friendly Ways to Celebrate Halloween in NJ
- Pumpkin Picking in NJ
- 20 Family Friendly Hiking Trails in NJ
- Pick your own fruits and veggies – Calendar
- 52 #NJMOM Must-Do Adventures
- Head to your local NJ Farmer’s Market for the day
- Plan ahead by checking NJ Mom’s 60+ Things to Do in New Jersey
- Free Museum Days in NJ (the first weekend of each month)
- 275 Parks & Playgrounds in NJ
- 50 Best Spas in NJ
- 10 Mommy & Me Classes in NJ
- Date Night Ideas for Mom + Dad
- Kids Eat Free Restaurants
- Kids Bowl Free in NJ
Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmomhq and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
