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Celebrate Halloween at Jenkinson's Boardwalk with two weekends of family fun, including trick-or-treating, crafts, magic show, treats and more. Photo by the author
Celebrate Halloween at Jenkinson's Boardwalk with two weekends of family fun, including trick-or-treating, crafts, magic show, treats and more. Photo by the author
9/29/24 - By Laurie Rein

Halloween is the name of the game in October, which means New Jersey is alive with pumpkin patches, haunted houses, fall festivals, and of course trick-or-treating—there are plenty of opportunities to wear Halloween costumes!

This month is jam-packed with fun fall activities and awesome things to do in New Jersey. Find Halloween theme park excitement at Six Flags Great Adventure's Fright Fest Extreme. Local seasonal celebrations include Westfield's Addamsfest and Cranford's Scarecrow Stroll.  

Check out even more October fun in our New Jersey Fall Fun Guide, 

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Best Things To Do in New Jersey in October

Six Flags Great Adventure's Fright Fest Extreme

Jackson
Select dates through Sunday, November 3, 2024
Six Flags Great Adventure’s Fright Fest goes extreme this year, presenting a world of nightmarish creatures inspired by legendary horror brands–including SAW and Stranger Things–brought to life. The themed experiences, scare zones, and harrowing creatures deliver extreme frights and surprises. READ MORE

Addamsfest 2024 in Westfield

Westfield
Daily through Thursday, October 31, 2024
In honor of Westfield's own Charles Addams, this creepy and kooky celebration provides a safe environment for Addams-themed fun, including entertainment, exhibits, and more. READ MORE

Pumpkin Patch and Halloween Train Rides

Whippany
Saturdays and Sundays from Saturday, October 5-Sunday, October 13, 2024
Join in the Halloween fun at the Whippany Railway Museum onboard The Pumpkin Patch Train. The 10-mile, 45-minute round trip from Whippany to Roseland and return is the perfect way to spend a fall afternoon with the family.  READ MORE

Union County Hayrides and Campfires

Mountainside
Fridays and Sundays from Friday, October 4-Friday, October 18, 2024
Revel in the fall season at Union County's hayride and campfire events. Enjoy a hayride along with music, hot chocolate, and marshmallows to toast over a campfire. Tickets must be purchased online. READ MORE

North Brunswick Heritage Day

North Brunswick–FREE
Saturday, October 5, 2024
North Brunswick welcomes all to its Annual Heritage Day, featuring free kiddie rides, food vendors, live music, local businesses, and a beer garden. Top off the evening with fireworks. READ MORE

LBI Fly International Kite Festival

Long Beach Island–FREE
Friday, October 11-Saturday, October 12, 2024
Don't miss a sky full of spectacular kites on Indigenous Peoples Day/Columbus Day weekend. This annual festival features kites brilliantly designed by artists, giant inflatable kites, and the amazing show of sport kiting. READ MORE

South Jersey Pumpkin Show and Carve

Woodstown
Friday, October 11-Sunday, October 13, 2024
Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of pumpkins, creativity, live music, and Halloween fun. Spooktacular activities include pony rides, a petting zoo, carriage rides, a kids' haunted house, mini golf, and more.  READ MORE

Dunellen HarvestFest

Dunellen–FREE
Sunday, October 13, 2024
The 12th annual Dunellen HarvestFest features artists and crafters from around the Garden State, local nonprofits, activities for kids, food, music, dancing, and more. READ MORE

17th Annual Scarecrow Stroll

Cranford–FREE
Daily from Friday, October 11-Thursday, October 31, 2024
Cranford hosts its Annual Scarecrow Stroll and promises the event is the biggest and best yet. Gawk at more than 100 wild and crazy scarecrows on display throughout downtown Cranford. Register online to create your own scarecrow and enter to win prizes.  READ MORE

Thompson Park Day

Lincroft–FREE
Sunday, October 20, 2024
Enjoy everything autumn during this family-friendly event, featuring entertainment, pumpkin painting, wagon rides, food vendors, and more. READ MORE

Halloween Parade & Dance Party in Sea Isle City

Sea Isle City–FREE
Friday, October 18, 2024
This lively local parade features music, strolling entertainers, floats, local organizations, and many well-costumed revelers. Following the parade, stick around for the Halloween Family Dance Party.   READ MORE

Chatsworth Cranberry Festival

Chatsworth–FREE
Saturday, October 19-Sunday, October 20, 2024
Considered one of the best festivals in the Mid-Atlantic region, the Chatsworth Cranberry Festival is a colorful and fun-filled celebration of the fall cranberry harvest. Enjoy delicious cranberry delights, hundreds of vendors, and non-stop musical entertainment. READ MORE

Trick-or-Treat Weekends at Storybook Land

Egg Harbor Township
Saturdays and Sundays from Saturday, October 19-Sunday, October 27, 2024
Families visiting Storybook Land can climb aboard the Happy Hayride to pick a pumpkin and decorate it just in time for Halloween. Then, find your way through Elmer’s Haymazin’ Maze and pick up treat bags. READ MORE

Boo at the Boardwalk

Point Pleasant–FREE
Saturdays and Sundays from Saturday, October 19-Sunday, October 27, 2024
Celebrate Halloween at Jenkinson's Boardwalk with two weekends of family fun, including trick-or-treating, crafts, a magic show, the Witch Sister Trio of Treats, and more. READ MORE

Boo at the Zoo in Cape May

Cape May–FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Visitors of all ages are invited to come in costume to this annual Halloween event sponsored by the Cape May County Board of Commissioners. Enjoy kid-friendly fun, candy, entertainment, plenty of animals, an inflatable obstacle course, a pirate ship, and more.  READ MORE

Halloween Light Show at Demarest Farms

Hillsdale
Select dates through Thursday, October 31, 2024
Take a drive through the largest Halloween light show in New Jersey at Demarest Farms. A guided tour passes through 32 acres of brilliant Halloween light displays. READ MORE

Great Pumpkin Festival at Heaven Hill Farm

Vernon
Select dates through Sunday, November 3, 2024
The largest fall festival in northern New Jersey features 35+ themed activities, including farm animals, a spider web crawl, a stunt dog show, the Big Top-themed corn maze, an obstacle course, pig races, and more. READ MORE

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About the Author

Laurie Rein
Laurie Rein is passionate about finding fun (especially free!) activities for her twin daughters. Before joining Mommy Poppins New Jersey, Laurie worked in the television industry, with roles as an NBC page, copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show, and research manager for CBS.
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