BOO— it’s Halloween weekend, and with it, a bunch of thrills, chills, and sweet activities for the whole fam. Get dressed in your best costume and watch the bands march on at the Annual Hometown Halloween Parade in Princeton, trick or treat, enter the costume contest, and take family photos at iPlay America’s Trick or Treat Around The Park in Freehold, or take in the decorated cars and fill your bags with candy at one of the Trunk or Treats happening around the state. For more family fall fun, hit up one of the many fall festivals before the season ends. (Featured Photo Credit: )
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
Play and Swim Mom Group
October 26 at 9:30 AM
Bring your little ones and have a fun time playing and swimming together plus meeting other moms while you’re at it. This event will be on every Thursday through December 1.
Cost: $15 per child
Five Star Swim School, 1 Corbett Way, Eatontown NJ 07724
Trunk or Treat & Costume Contest
October 27 at 4:30 PM
Get dressed in your funniest, scariest, or most original costumes and head to this event. There will be prizes awarded for children ages Pre-K to 8th grade, followed by a trunk or treat with live music. Stay after you get your treats for a special screening of Hocus Pocus.
Cost: Free
Belmar Elementary School, 12th Avenue Parking Lot, Belmar, NJ 07719
iPlay America’s Trick or Treat Around The Park
October 27 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
Fall Family Night
October 27 at 7 PM
Get the family together for an evening of fall fun with lots of entertainment, followed by a screening of Hotel Transylvania. There will be soft pretzels and water bottles served upon entry.
Cost: Free
Performing Arts Center, 212 Bayberry Drive, Middle Township, NJ 08210
Princeton’s Annual Hometown Halloween Parade
October 27 at 5:15 PM
Dress your little ones in 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
Spooky Forest for Kids
October 28 at 10 AM
All the little ghosts and goblins in your family will love this spooky season event. There will be a spooky-themed walk around Stony Lake and a creepy story time at the pavilion. Costumes are optional.
Cost: Free
Stokes State Forest, 1 Coursen Road, Branchville, NJ 07826
Apple Fest
October 28 at 1 PM
This is the perfect time of the year to celebrate delicious apples. This event is a family-friendly food drive that includes live music, apple fritters, and fresh-pressed cider for you to enjoy.
Cost: Free
Hailey’s Harp & Pub, 400 Main St, Metuchen, NJ 08840
Greater Wildwood Elks Halloween Haunted House
October 28 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
Halloween Kids Magic Show
October 28 at 1 PM
Get in the Halloween spirit with a magic show featuring lots of creepy elements. Come dressed in your Halloween costume, and when the show is over, trick-or-treat through the property.
Cost: Free
Casino Pier Breakwater Beach, 800 Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
Bay Head Halloween Parade & Costume Contest
October 28 at 11 AM
Put on your Halloween best and walk in the parade before entering the costume contest. Once the participants from each age group will be seen, there will be medals 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 28 at 10 AM
Get those costumes ready—there will be games, a kids’ costume contest and parade, a pirate ship, craft stations, and a performance by the Cape May Dancers at this Halloween celebration.
Cost: Free
Cape May County Park & Zoo, 707 Route 9 North, Middle Township, NJ 08210
Halloween Parade in Medford
October 28 at 7 PM
Each year, hundreds of kids dress in their favorite Halloween costumes and parade down Main Street in Medford. There will be marching bands, cheerleaders, princesses, and firemen all walking in the fun parade.
Cost: Free
St. Mary of the Lakes School, 196 NJ-70, Medford, NJ 08055
3rd Annual Trunk-Or-Treat
October 28 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
Fall Festival
October 28 at 12 PM
Enjoy the beautiful fall weather while you enjoy games, arts and crafts, a trunk or treat, costume photos, a costume parade, a trackless train ride, and so much more.
Cost: Free
Little Genius Academy of Edison, 38 Vineyard Road, Edison, NJ 08817
Kids Halloween Party
October 28 at 4 PM
Who’s ready for some early Halloween fun? Enjoy face painting, kids’ sack races, treats, pumpkin painting, and more. A trick-or-treating scavenger hunt will also follow a screening of Monsters, Inc.
Cost: $10
Renault Winery Resort, 72 N Bremen Avenue, Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215
Jersey Shore Rescue Mission 5K Race & Family Walk
October 28 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 28 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 28 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
Kids Spooktacular Halloween Fiesta
October 28 at 2 PM
Immerse the entire family in Halloween fun, including face painting, balloon artists, an autumn-themed photo booth, and spooktacular giveaways. 10% of all the proceeds made at the event will be donated to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Cost: Free
La Taberna Steak & Tapas Bar, 31 West Madison Avenue, Dumont, NJ 07628
Boo at the Boardwalk
October 28-29 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 starts at $29.95
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, 300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Halloween Parade & Harvest Fest
October 29 at 11:30 AM
Get a head start on your Halloween celebration at this full day of family fun, from a parade and costume contest to hayrides, arts and crafts, and rides.
Cost: Free
900 Clifton Avenue, Clifton, NJ 07013
NJ Angels Fall Festival
October 29 at 3 PM
Take part 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 have separate charges.
Calgo Gardens, 462 Adelphia Road, Freehold, NJ 07728
Spooktacular Halloween Family Day and Kids Boo Festival
October 29 at 1 PM
This frightfully fun day is filled with all the Halloween vibes. There will be thrilling activities, delicious treats, and ghoulish games for the whole family to enjoy. Listen to ghost stories and have fun at a bouncy house, a take-out gourmet waffle station, and sensory activities.
Cost: $10
169 Central Avenue City of Orange, NJ 07050
Tricks & Treats Halloween Event
October 29 at 9:30 AM
Ready for a spooktacular event? Bring the entire family to the Woman’s Club in Glen Ridge for a day filled with games, treats, face painting, a bounce house, and the best part of all—trick or treating. Wear your costumes and enjoy a breakfast buffet.
Cost: Prices vary
219 Ridgewood Avenue, Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
Bordentown Halloween Parade
October 29 at 2 PM
The 50th annual parade is fun for the whole family. Come out and watch the beautiful floats and costumes as they march down the street and bring in the Halloween spirit. Before the parade, a costume contest at St. Mary’s School on Elizabeth Street will begin at 1 PM.
Cost: Free
Elizabeth Street, Bordentown, NJ 08505
Halloween Family Fun Fest
October 29 at 12 PM
Save the date and celebrate Halloween fun with the fam. There will be lots of activities, including a trunk or treat, arts and crafts, a haunted walk, music, and more.
Cost: $5 per activity
Crystal Springs Family Waterpark, 380 Dunhams Corner Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
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