It’s the weekend before Halloween, and we’re here for all the spooky stuff happening with the fam. Dress up in your spiffiest Halloween costumes and participate in Princeton’s Annual Halloween Hometown Parade, trunk or treat and have fun with games at the Fall Family Fest in Bridgewater, or put on your costumes to hang with the animals at Boo at the Zoo in Cape May. Want to find out more about the 70+ fall festivals happening? Check out our guide to all the fall festivals here. (featured photo credit: iStock/Kirkikis)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
FEATURED
Five Star Swim School Pumpkin Plunge
October 27
Join us for a SPOOK-tacular Halloween-themed pool party – Pumpkin Plunge! Five Star Swim School’s Annual Pumpkin Plunge Party has been a tradition since 2014. It is the perfect way to celebrate Halloween at the pool! Enjoy swimming with floating pumpkins, decorating trick-or-treat grab bags, eating snacks, and decorating a pumpkin you can take home. Feel free to bring your Halloween costume or Halloween pajamas to change into after swimming.
Cost: $25 per child – parents can join for free or swim for just $10
October 27 at 1 PM – Five Star Swim School, 5 Esterbrook Ln, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
October 27 at 3 PM – Five Star Swim School, 1 Corbett Way #2, Eatontown, NJ 07724
October 27 at 4 PM – Five Star Swim School, 323 S Pitney Rd, Galloway, NJ 08205
2024 Autumn Exit Zero Jazz Festival
October 25-27
If you or your family loves jazz music, this event is for you. Enjoy fantastic music from international touring artists at the Festival Main Stage in Cape May Convention Hall and Cape May bars and restaurants.
Cost: Tickets start at $60
Cape May Convention Hall, 714 Beach Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204
Princeton’s Annual Hometown Halloween Parade
October 25 at 5:15 PM
Dress your little ones in their Halloween costumes and participate in this lively hometown parade. This tradition will start at Palmer Square Green with a Halloween-themed performance by kids’ favorite storyteller, Jeff, and will make its way to the YMCA with circus entertainment and free family fun.
Cost: Free
Palmer Square, 1 Palmer Square East, Princeton, NJ 08542
Outdoor Spooky Movie Night On The Square
October 25 at 6 PM
This family-friendly movie night features The Addams Family with hot chocolate and popcorn. Feel free to bring your furry friends.
Cost: Free
Haddon Square, 51 Haddon Avenue, Haddon Township, NJ 08108
Trunk or Treat & Costume Contest
October 25 at 5 PM
Get dressed in your funniest, scariest, or most original costumes and head to this event. Prizes will be awarded for children ages Pre-K to 8th grade, followed by a trunk-or-treat with live music.
Cost: Free
Dempsey Park, 805 16th Avenue, Belmar, NJ 07719
iPlay America’s Trick or Treat Around The Park
October 25 at 5 PM
This is a fun night of spooktacular fun, including a trick-or-treat trail, costume contest, raffle, and free photos with the fam. Pre-registration is required for the event.
Cost: Free
iPlay America, 110 Schanck Rd, Freehold, NJ 07728
Greater Wildwood Elks Halloween Haunted House
October 26 at 5:30 PM
Grab your costumes and get some treats at this haunted house. All trick-or-treaters will have a chance to walk through the space and enjoy some frights with the fam.
Cost: Free
Elks Lodge, 109 West 1st Avenue, North Wildwood, NJ 08260
New Jersey Oyster Festival
October 26 at 12 PM
Join local oyster purveyors and vote for your favorite bivalve for the People’s Choice Award. The festival will feature local food trucks, a shucking contest, vendors, and live music.
Cost: $30
2800 High Street, Port Norris, NJ 08349
Spooky Dance Party
October 26 at 12:30 PM
Get in the Halloween spirit with a fun dance party with Wednesday Addams. Come dressed in your favorite costume and get ready for all the spooky vibes.
Cost: Free
Casino Pier Breakwater Beach, 800 Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
Bay Head Halloween Parade & Costume Contest
October 26 at 11 AM
Dress up in your Halloween costume and walk in the parade before entering the costume contest. Once the participants from each age group are seen, medals will be awarded for the best costumes. P.S. Dress up with your little one for a chance to win an award.
Cost: Free
Mount Street, Bay Head, NJ 08742
Boo At The Zoo
October 26 at 10 AM
Get those costumes ready—this Halloween celebration will include games, a kids’ costume contest and parade, a pirate ship, craft stations, and a performance by the Cape May Dancers.
Cost: Free
Cape May County Park & Zoo, 707 Route 9 North, Middle Township, NJ 08210
Halloween Parade
October 26 at 7 PM
Each year, hundreds of kids dress in their favorite Halloween costumes and parade down Main Street. The fun parade includes marching bands, cheerleaders, princesses, and firemen.
Cost: Free
St. Mary of the Lakes School, 196 NJ-70, Medford, NJ 08055
4th Annual Trunk-Or-Treat
October 26 at 10 AM
Come out for this annual event where your little ones can go car to car, taking in the decorations and filling their bags with candy. Dress up in costume to add to the fun.
Cost: Free
Prestige Family of Dealerships, 4271 Black Horse Pike, Washington Township, NJ 08012
Apple Fest
October 26 at 12 PM
This is the perfect time of year to celebrate delicious apples. This event is a family-friendly food drive that includes live music, apple fritters, and fresh-pressed cider.
Cost: Free
Hailey’s Harp & Pub, 400 Main St, Metuchen, NJ 08840
Jersey Shore Rescue Mission 5K Race & Family Walk
October 26 at 9:15 AM
If you’re looking for a way to get the family moving, all for a good cause, then we have just the thing for you. Enjoy the beautiful ocean views in Ocean Grove and Bradley Beach when you participate in this 5K or 2-mile family walk to benefit the Jersey Shore Rescue Mission.
Cost: Registration fees vary
Auditorium Pavilion, 21 Pilgrim Pathway, Ocean Grove, NJ 07756
Halloween Spooktacular
October 26 at 1 PM
Come dressed in your best costume and have fun at this spooktacular event. Your little ones can collect candies and treats while taking in haunted, family-friendly entertainment, including beloved characters and attractions.
Cost: Free
Pier Village, 50 Chelsea Ave, Long Branch, NJ 07740
Fall Family Fun Fest
October 26 at 1 PM
From crafts and games to food and a Trunk or Treat, this event has something for everyone in your family to enjoy. Dress in your best costume and have lots of Halloween fun.
Cost: Free
1350 Washington Valley Road, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Boo at the Boardwalk
October 26-27 at 12 PM
Spend the day on the boards and get in your boos before Halloween. There will be crafts, face painting, trick-or-treating, underwater pumpkin carving, and more. Don’t forget to wear your costumes!
Cost: The event package is $25
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, 300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Zombie Walk
October 26-27
Head to American Dream for a zombie parade. Make sure your little ones are dressed in their costumes to march alongside their favorite characters as they move like a zombie.
Cost: Included in admission
Nickelodeon Universe, 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
27th Garfield Fall Family Street Fest
October 27 at 10 AM
It’s a giant block party with shopping, craft vendors, live entertainment, rides, games, food, and more. The “Kidz Traveling Shindig” will have kiddie bounce rides, slides and interactive blow-ups, face painters, sand art, and games.
Cost: Free
500 Midland Avenue, Garfield, NJ 07026
Halloween Parade & Harvest Fest
October 27 at 11:30 AM
Get a head start on your Halloween celebration at this full day of family fun, including a parade and costume contest, hayrides, arts and crafts, and rides.
Cost: Free
900 Clifton Avenue, Clifton, NJ 07013
NJ Angels Fall Festival
October 27 at 3 PM
Bring the whole family to join in children’s games, a trick-or-treat costume parade, a carved pumpkin contest, and a gift basket raffle pull.
Cost: Event admissions, Children’s activities, and pumpkin contests are free. Food, beverage, and gift basket raffles are charged separately.
Calgo Gardens, 462 Adelphia Road, Freehold, NJ 07728
Halloween DJ Takeover
October 27
Have a little one who loves music? Enjoy eerie tunes, some Halloween trivia, fog to set the vibe, and lots of candy.
Cost: Included in admission
Nickelodeon Universe, 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
Trick or Treat Trail and Booniverse Dance Party
October 27 at 3 PM
Get a head start on trick or treating with your kids at this fun event where they will walk around The Dream for candy. Then, after, have fun at the Halloween Dance Party in Nickelodeon Universe, where they can dance off all the sugar.
Cost: Included in admission
Nickelodeon Universe, 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
ONGOING EVENT
Play & Swim at Five Star Swim School Eatontown
Every Thursday starting October 3 at 10 AM
Play & Swim at Five Star Swim School Eatontown is back! Join us every Thursday from 10 to 11:30 AM starting October 3 for a morning of swimming, fun, and socializing. Children and caregivers love our padded play area and heated pool. Homeschooler groups are welcome. The pool is open from 10 to 11 AM. A lifeguard is always on duty.
Cost: $15 per child and parents/caregivers are free
Five Star Swim School, 1 Corbett Way, Eatontown, NJ 07724
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