New Jersey is getting into the Halloween spirit with zombie walks, witches’ markets, pet parades, costume contests and enough trick-or-treating to keep every little ghost well supplied.

Whether you prefer cute costumes, creepy folklore or a full-blown zombie invasion, you’ll find something to enjoy. Here are Halloween events happening across New Jersey in October 2026.

Event details can change. Check the organizer’s website before attending, especially when advance registration or tickets are required.

Start the month with food trucks, tarot readers, occult-themed vendors and handmade creations at the sixth annual Boos & Brews and Witches’ Market. A costume parade across the main stage begins around 8 p.m.

When: Friday, Oct. 2, 5–9 p.m.
Where: Rancocas Woods, 118 Creek Road, Mount Laurel
Cost: Free

Merchantville kicks off its Monsterville season with a family-friendly downtown celebration. The Harvest & Haunts Festival features artists, vendors, children’s crafts, spooky stories, music and the Mr. and Mrs. Monsterville contest.

When: Saturday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Where: East Chestnut Avenue, Merchantville
Cost: Free

Break out the fake blood and practice your best undead shuffle for the Asbury Park Zombie Walk. Zombies of all ages are invited to roam the boardwalk during one of New Jersey’s biggest Halloween gatherings.

When: Saturday, Oct. 3, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Where: Asbury Park Boardwalk
Cost: Free

The Somerville Spooky Night Market is not your average shopping trip. Browse gothic jewelry, candles, crystals, creepy art, horror-themed books, apparel and witchy gifts from a curated collection of vendors.

When: Thursday, Oct. 8, 5–8 p.m.
Where: Division Street, downtown Somerville
Cost: Free

Witches and warlocks will trade broomsticks for paddleboards during Spring Lake’s Witches Paddle. A portion of each registration fee will benefit Friends of the Monmouth County Child Advocacy Center.

When: Saturday, Oct. 10 at 10 a.m.
Where: 1207 Third Ave., Spring Lake
Cost: $35 per paddler; free for spectators

Explore two floors of eerie art, gothic curiosities, apothecary goods, witchy accessories and seasonal décor at Houss Freya’s Haunted Houss Market. Readings will also be available.

When: Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10–11, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Where: 205 Glenridge Ave., Montclair
Cost: Free

The Leeds Market celebrates New Jersey creativity and folklore with more than 70 artists, mystical merchandise, music, food trucks and a special “Mr. Leeds” creation inspired by the Jersey Devil.

When: Sunday, Oct. 11, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: Collingswood Grand Ballroom, 315 White Horse Pike, Collingswood
Cost: Free

Downtown Denville turns pink for a community celebration supporting local women undergoing cancer treatment. Pink Witches Night Out includes costumes, music, street performers, raffles, giveaways and restaurant and shopping specials.

When: Friday, Oct. 16
Where: Broadway, Denville
Cost: Free; donations appreciated

The AWA Howl-O-Ween Bash promises trunk-or-treating, vendors, crafts, music and food for monsters of all ages.

When: Friday, Oct. 16, 5–8 p.m.
Where: Animal Welfare Association, 509 Centennial Blvd., Voorhees
Cost: Free

The Lunar Faire Dark Carnival mixes an evening market with offbeat entertainment. Attractions include a group spell ritual, fire-wire walker, levitating witch, drag show, tap-dancing medium, artisan vendors and food trucks.

When: Friday, Oct. 16, 5–10 p.m.
Where: Freehold Fairgrounds, 1500 Kozloski Road, Freehold
Cost: $15 in advance; $25 at the event

Marty’s Place Senior Dog Sanctuary hosts a tail-wagging afternoon to benefit its canine residents. Howl-O-Ween Family Fest includes a dog costume contest, pie-eating competition, mini swim sessions, vendors, food trucks and a beer and wine garden.

Proof of rabies vaccination is required for swim sessions.

When: Saturday, Oct. 17, noon–5 p.m.
Where: Marty’s Place, 118 Route 526, Allentown
Cost: $10; free for children younger than 10

More than 100 costumed animals are expected to strut through Historic Smithville during its adorable Costume Pet Parade. Pets must be registered in advance by calling Paw Dazzle at 609-748-7110.

When: Saturday, Oct. 17 at 1 p.m.
Where: Historic Smithville, 615 E. Moss Mill Road, Galloway
Cost: Free

Join a horde of family-friendly zombies at the Montclair Zombie Walk. Basic zombie makeup will be available for $5 before the walk lurches through Montclair Center at 5:30 p.m.

When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 2–6 p.m.
Where: 491 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair
Cost: Free to attend

The New Jersey Punk Rock Flea Market gets a Halloween makeover during the Jersey Devil Night Market. More than 100 artists, makers, vintage sellers, record dealers, tattoo artists, collectors and gloriously unusual vendors will fill the expo center.

When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 3–11 p.m.
Where: New Jersey Convention & Expo Center, Edison
Cost: $20

Folklore meets magic at The Witchery, featuring more than 50 vendors selling art, jewelry, clothing, crystals, candles and handcrafted goods. Mediums, tarot readers, reiki practitioners, healers, performers and lecturers round out the evening.

When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 4–9 p.m.
Where: Ayres/Knuth Farm, 25 Cooper Road, Denville
Cost: $10

Cranford’s annual Pumpkin Carve-Out transforms Hanson Park into a candlelit display of carved pumpkins. Participants can enter creations in categories including funniest, scariest and most original.

Pumpkins must be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. The illuminated display opens at 5 p.m.

When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 5–8:30 p.m.
Where: Hanson Park, 38 Springfield Ave., Cranford
Cost: Free

See iconic movie cars, meet costumed characters and take plenty of Halloween photos at the Monster Halloween Car Show.

When: Saturday, Oct. 17 at 6 p.m.
Where: 300 Ralph St., Belleville
Cost: $10 in advance; $15 at the door

Popcorn Park’s Boo at the Refuge features trick-or-treating, crafts, games, animal encounters and a costume parade. Guests 21 and older can visit a special bar serving Halloween cocktails and craft beer.

When: Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17–18
Where: Popcorn Park, 1 Humane Way, Forked River
Cost: $25–$35

Run—or crawl—along one of New Jersey’s most famously spooky roads during the Clinton Road Zombie Run. Choose from a one-mile fun run, 5K or 10K. Costumes are encouraged, although missing limbs may affect your finish time.

When: Sunday, Oct. 18; check-in begins at 9 a.m.
Where: 103 Paradise Road, Oak Ridge
Cost: $20–$65

Red Bank celebrates Halloween with floats, costumes, live music, food and a petting zoo.

When: Sunday, Oct. 18 at 1 p.m.
Where: Hudson Avenue and East Bergen Place, Red Bank
Cost: Free

Designed for children ages 5 and younger, the Little Ghouls Candy Stroll provides each participating child with a tote bag, candy map and $5 Downtown Cranford gift card.

When: Wednesday, Oct. 21, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: Eastman Clock Plaza Park, Cranford
Cost: $15 per child; accompanying adults do not need tickets

Gather your coven for shopping, dining specials, raffles and a hat-decorating contest at Cranford Witches Night Out. Ticket packages may include a walking tour, scavenger hunt, self-care items and a short tarot reading.

When: Thursday, Oct. 22, 5:30–9 p.m.
Where: Downtown Cranford
Cost: $20 or $40

Allentown Witches Night Out features downtown shopping, refreshments, raffles and a passport contest. A limited number of VIP tickets include a personal card-reading session.

When: Thursday, Oct. 22, 6–9 p.m.
Where: Downtown Allentown
Cost: $20–$40

Historic downtown Haddonfield becomes a spooky shopping and entertainment destination during Halloween Night Market: Part V.

When: Friday, Oct. 23, 4–9 p.m.
Where: Downtown Haddonfield
Cost: Free

The Monster Mash features seasonal vendors, music, activities, a pumpkin patch, s’mores, fire pits, photo opportunities and a beer garden. The outdoor celebration is also dog-friendly.

When: Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23–24
Where: Haddon Square, Haddon Township
Cost: Free to attend

Race through “Monsterville” in costume during the Merchantville Zombie Run. The timed event includes quick race results and a finish-line video.

When: Saturday, Oct. 24 at 10 a.m.
Where: 10 E. Chestnut Ave., Merchantville
Cost: $25–$30

The Historic Smithville Monster Bash offers vendors, music, special guests and a costume contest with a $100 prize.

When: Saturday, Oct. 24, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Where: Historic Smithville, 615 E. Moss Mill Road, Galloway
Cost: Free

Pets take center stage at the Ocean Grove Halloween Pet Parade. Prizes will be awarded for standout costumes, with proceeds benefiting Catsbury Park.

When: Saturday, Oct. 24 at 11 a.m.
Where: Fireman’s Park, Main Avenue, Ocean Grove
Cost: $15 per pet or group entry

Dinosaurs, the Jersey Devil, a costume parade and a Back to the Future tribute take over downtown during Metuchen’s Haunted Downtown. Organizers note that this is a Halloween festival rather than a trick-or-treating event.

When: Saturday, Oct. 24, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Where: Downtown Metuchen
Cost: Free

Downtown Washington celebrates with pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating, costume contests and a witches’ dance.

When: Saturday, Oct. 24, 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Where: 44 E. Washington Ave., Washington
Cost: Free

Bring the children in costume for food trucks, live music, vendors and plenty of Halloween surprises. Cash prizes will be awarded in the costume contest.

When: Saturday, Oct. 24, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Where: Washington Lake Park, 626 Hurffville-Cross Keys Road, Sewell
Cost: $5

This North Jersey edition pairs gourmet food trucks with craft vendors, live music, a beer and spirits garden, bounce houses, face painting and truck-or-treating.

When: Saturday, Oct. 24, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Where: Paramus Park Mall, 700 Paramus Park, Paramus
Cost: $5

Children can trick-or-treat across the WheatonArts campus and meet costumed characters during HalloWheaton. Community organizations will provide games and family activities.

When: Saturday, Oct. 24, noon–4 p.m.
Where: WheatonArts, 1000 Village Drive, Millville
Cost: Free

Bewitched Keyport combines a crafters market, food vendors, music and children’s activities in the borough’s waterfront downtown.

When: Saturday, Oct. 24, noon–5 p.m.
Where: Keyport Mini Park, 55 W. Front St., Keyport
Cost: Free

The season-ending Lunar Faire Halloweekend features group spellwork, a potions lab, fire-wire walking, bubble magic, artisan vendors and unusual Halloween performances.

When: Saturday, Oct. 24, 3–10 p.m.
Where: Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta

Families decorate their vehicles and distribute treats during the North Wildwood Trunk-or-Treat Halloween Block Party. Music, magic and balloon twisting are also planned, with prizes for the best-decorated vehicles.

When: Saturday, Oct. 24 at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Olde New Jersey Avenue, North Wildwood
Cost: Free

Opera meets the undead during The Zombie Opera, an outdoor performance featuring singers, musicians and dancers.

When: Saturday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m.
Where: Hamilton Park, Jersey City
Cost: Free

Twenty food trucks, live bands, costume contests, vendors and an adult beverage garden take over Bradley Park during the Asbury Park Halloween Food Truck and Music Festival.

When: Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 24–25, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Where: Bradley Park, 101 Fifth Ave., Asbury Park
Cost: $5; free for children younger than 10

Register your costumed canine for the Cranford Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade.

When: Sunday, Oct. 25 at 11 a.m.
Where: Post Office Plaza, Cranford

Spooky Spiotta brings a costume contest, obstacle course, face painting, fairy hair and trick-or-treat stations to South Orange.

When: Sunday, Oct. 25, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: Spiotta Park, South Orange
Cost: Free

Discover how Halloween was celebrated in the 19th century at the Historic Village at Allaire. Activities include historical demonstrations and a carved-pumpkin contest.

When: Sunday, Oct. 25, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Where: 4263 Atlantic Ave., Wall Township
Cost: $10 for adults; $5 for children ages 4–12

Costumed witches and zombies take over Frenchtown for dancing, downtown festivities and family fun. Because the source listing contains conflicting date information, confirm the final schedule through Love Frenchtown before attending.

Where: Sunbeam Lenape Park and Bridge Street, Frenchtown
Cost: Free

Wear a witch’s hat to unlock discounts and treats during Witches Day Out. Activities include a scavenger hunt, raffles and a witches’ parade.

When: Sunday, Oct. 25, noon–5 p.m.
Where: Historic Smithville, 615 E. Moss Mill Road, Galloway
Cost: Free

The Stangl Witches Walk returns with a haunted-carnival theme, witches’ dance, costume contests for adults, children and pets, food trucks, drinks and a nighttime makers market.

When: Friday, Oct. 30, 6–10 p.m.
Where: Stangl Road, Flemington
Cost: Free

Floats, marching bands and costumed characters fill Asbury Avenue during the Ocean City Halloween Parade. Bring a chair and arrive early for a good viewing spot.

When: Friday, Oct. 30 at 7:15 p.m.
Where: Asbury Avenue from Sixth to 11th streets, Ocean City
Cost: Free

Children can trick-or-treat at participating stores during the MarketFair Halloween Spooktacular. The afternoon also includes face painting, balloon artists, photo displays, snacks and character appearances.

When: Saturday, Oct. 31, noon–2 p.m.
Where: MarketFair, 3535 Route 1, Princeton
Cost: Free

Trick-or-treat throughout the zoo during Turtle Back Zoo’s Howl-O-Ween. Candy stations, live entertainment and stilt walkers add to the fun. Bring your own treat bag.

When: Saturday, Oct. 31, 4–8 p.m.
Where: 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange
Cost: $5; $3 for zoo members; free for children younger than 2

Highland Park’s Halloween celebration includes a jack-o’-lantern contest, downtown trick-or-treating, treat-filled tote bags, music, a costume photo booth and a screening of It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

When: Saturday, Oct. 31
Where: Raritan Avenue, Highland Park
Cost: Free

The Toms River Halloween Parade is one of New Jersey’s biggest Halloween traditions, filling downtown with elaborate floats, bands and costumed participants.

The parade begins at the Toms River Center near Main Street and Route 37, travels south on Main Street and east on Washington Street, and ends at Hooper Avenue. Spectators often arrive well in advance, so bring a chair and stake out a spot early.

When: Saturday, Oct. 31 at 7 p.m.
Where: Downtown Toms River
Cost: Free