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With Halloween in New Jersey on the horizon, it’s prime time to shift into all things spooky (like a haunted hayride in NJ or visiting a haunted house.) But if you’ve got littles or kids who don’t like the fear factor, there are plenty of not-so-scary Halloween events around New Jersey this fall. Read on for places you can get into the Halloween spirit with the whole family. And if you are looking for more of a scare, you can find plenty of bone-tingling spooks at one of the Haunted Houses and Hayrides in NJ. (featured photo credit: @skylandsstadium)

Family-Friendly Things To Do For Halloween in New Jersey

North Jersey Halloween Activities

Your littles won’t believe their eyes as you walk through the magical Skylands Stadium Jack O’Lantern Experience in Augusta. Photo Credit: @skylandsstadium

Skylands Jack O’Lantern Experience
Now-November 6
Experience a little Halloween magic as you take a 45-minute walk through this festive and beautifully lit pumpkin patch. Over 6,000 carved and blazing Jack-O-Lanterns will be on display with spectacular visuals, making it one of the best Halloween events in NJ. Extend the night’s festivities with a fall fest, carnival, and beer garden.
Skylands Stadium, 94 Championship Place, Augusta, NJ 07822

Dinosaurs After Dark
Fridays and Saturdays, Now-October 29
Explore a mysterious prehistoric world while there is a T-Rex on the loose. Take a Tyrannosaurus Hunt down darkened trails and find surprises along the way. There’s also a nighttime offering of shows, games, songs, and s’mores.
3 Overpeck Park Driveway Leonia, NJ 07605 

Gardens Aglow Presby Memorial Iris
October 21 at 6 PM
Enjoy the gardens at dusk as they come to life with artfully carved jack-o-lanterns supplied by local high school art departments. Everyone can sip on cider at sunset while watching the gardens glow and then check out the entertainment, including a mad science show.
474 Upper Mountain Ave., Upper Montclair, NJ 07043

Haunted Wild West Fest
Now-October 30
Come during the day or dare to come at night for the Haunted Wild West Fest. During the day, watch the live-action shows, explore museums in the town, view historical demonstrations, and get a hole-in-one in miniature golf. At night, the scene gets scarier and includes a haunted train ride.
50 Lackawanna Drive, Stanhope, NJ 07874

Turtle Back Zoo Howl-O-Ween
October 31 at 4 PM
Have a sweet time at Turtle Back Zoo. Visit candy stations, watch shows, see stilt walkers, and don’t forget your Halloween costume and reusable candy bag.
560 Northfield Ave., West Orange, NJ 07052

Whippany Railway Museum
Rides are available on October 2, 9, and 16, rain or shine
Climb aboard a train at the Whippany Railway Museum to admire the changing leaves. Littles can dress in their Halloween costumes as you all ride past the reds, yellows, and oranges and enjoy the chilly weather. After the ride, kids can visit the pumpkin patch, pick out the perfect-sized pumpkin, and get a carving kit for free.
1 Railroad Plaza, Whippany, NJ 07981

Central Jersey Halloween Activities

A day of Halloween fun for all ages at Six Flags Great Adventure. Photo Credit: Six Flags Great Adventure

Six Flags Fright Fest
Now-October 31
Get into the spooky spirit with your little ones at Six Flags Great Adventure with Boo Fest by Day, a family-friendly experience including Scarecrow Street, Cornstalk National Park, Trick-or-Treat Trail, and more. Belt out your favorite tunes at Scary-oke and show off your moves at the Spooktacular Dance Party. Things get much creepier at night (recommended for ages 13 and up) with haunted attractions like Big Top Terror, Blood Shed, and The Manor. You can also enjoy scary shows like the Arrival Ghoul Parade, the Awakening, and the Freak Show.
Six Flags Great Adventure, 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson Township, NJ 08527

Haunt O’Ween NJ is a great way to spend Halloween in New Jersey. Photo taken at Haunt O’Ween NJ

Haunt O’Ween at Bell Works
Now-October 31, dates and times vary
Explore over 200,000 square feet at this interactive Halloween playground. Go trick-or-treating in the Town of Haunt O’ Ween, walk through a glowing pumpkin tunnel, play games, hop on rides, get your face painted, and enjoy food and drinks.
101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733

South Jersey Halloween Activities

The Diggerfest Fall Festival is the perfect way to get in a Halloween mood. Photo Credit: Diggerland USA

Cape May Boo at the Zoo
October 29 at 10 AM
Have your kids put on their costumes and head to the zoo for a free event, where they can spend time at the craft station, play games, collect candy, and watch the entertainment. Make sure you stop by to say hi to the animals and climb aboard the pirate ship. There will be a costume contest too.
Cape May County Park, 707 North Route 9, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210

Historic Cold Spring Village- Ghoul Spring Village
October 21-22 at 5:30 PM
It’s a family-friendly walk-thru for all ages. See Cold Spring Village turn into a haunted trail and have some Halloween fun in New Jersey.
720 US 9, Cape May, NJ 08204

Physick Estate Halloween Events
October 29 and 31
Trick or Treat in Scarecrow Alley, head to the Halloween Craft and Collectibles Show or see the Department 56 Halloween exhibit at the Physick Estate this Halloween.
1048 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ 08204

Storybook Land Trick or Treat Weekends
October 22, 23, 29, 30
Dress up in your Halloween best and get ready to collect treats throughout the park. Littles will love hopping on the fun rides in their costumes and gathering goodies with special Trick or Treat bags (included with admission).
6415 Black Horse Pike (Routes 40/322), Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234

Halloween Activities Near New Jersey

Brick or Treat LEGOLAND NY
Now through October 30
Head north to this theme park for a bricktastic Halloween celebration. Watch a new show line-up, snap photos with new and exclusive LEGO® characters, collect candy and hop on rides at their new Monster Party Halloween event. 
1 Legoland Blvd., Goshen, NY 10924

Boo at the Zoo 
Saturdays and Sundays, Now-October 30, including October 10
This event isn’t in NJ, but it’s worth the trip across the Hudson for the Bronx Zoo’s annual Halloween tradition. Be sure to dress in your Halloween best and hit the Pumpkin Trail with hundreds of expertly carved pumpkins. After that, check out the Extinct Animal Graveyard, full of animals that are no longer with us (and learn how to prevent it from happening to other animals in the future). Keep the party going with a Magic and Mind Reading Show, Costume Parade, Candy Trail, and the Wildlife Witch’s Super Scary Halloween Show.
2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10460

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