🌙 The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Historic Allaire Village (4265 Atlantic Ave, Farmingdale) — 6 PM & 7:30 PM — $25/person Details: A live telling of Washington Irving's classic in the historic chapel. All ages; advance registration recommended. Link: https://allairevillage.org/

🎃 Lakehurst Youth & Recreation Fall Festival Lake Horicon Park Pavilion (Lake St, Lakehurst) — 2 PM — FREE Details: Trunk-or-treat, pumpkin painting stations, plus cider and donuts for kids. Link: https://www.lakehurst-nj.gov/

fall + halloween finds

oct 3

oct 18

🎃 Boochella: The Ultimate Kids Halloween Festival Princess Party Productions (3000 Route 88, Point Pleasant) — 3–5 PM — $49/person Details: A kids Halloween festival — foam party, bounce house, face painting, hair tinsel, hat making, cotton candy and vendors. Costumes encouraged; tickets required. Link: https://www.princesspartynj.com/

🎃 Scarecrow Contest (Thompson Park Day) Thompson Park (805 Newman Springs Rd, Lincroft) — 11 AM–3 PM — $10/scarecrow frame Details: Build a scarecrow and take it home, plus pumpkin painting, wagon rides, kids' races, crafts & games. Link: https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/

oct 9-30

🎃 Downtown Toms River Scarecrow Walk Downtown Toms River (Washington St & Main St storefronts) — daily, all day — FREE Details: A self-guided walk of creative scarecrows designed by local businesses — vote for your favorite. Link: https://downtowntomsriver.com/scarecrow-walk/

oct 4

🚜 Fall Fun on the Farm Emery's Farm (346 Long Swamp Rd, New Egypt) — 10 AM–5 PM Details: Corn mazes, pumpkins, hayrides (weekends), farm animals, plus the farm market & bakery. No pets allowed. See website for costs Link: https://emerysfarm.com/

oct 24

🦁 Boo at the Zoo (Cape May) Cape May County Park & Zoo (707 Route 9 N, Cape May Court House) — 10 AM–2 PM — FREE Details: Family Halloween at the zoo — costumes, games, candy, animal activities and a costume contest (register 10 AM, contest 11 AM). Link: https://www.capemaycountynj.gov/1529/Boo-at-the-Zoo-2026

💀 The Skeleton Run 5K Fort Athletic Club (114 Saltzman Ave, Oceanport) — 10–11:30 AM Details: A Halloween 5K through historic Fort Monmouth. Costumes encouraged; registration required. See website for cost details. Link: https://runsignup.com/Race/NJ/Oceanport/TheSkeletonRunAHalloween5KatFortMonmouth

👻 Haunted Downtown Washington Street Plaza (101 Washington St, Toms River) — 6–9 PM — FREE Details: Family-friendly spooky night — illusionists, actors on stilts, fog machines and trick-or-treating at downtown businesses. Link: https://www.facebook.com/downtowntomsriver/

oct 25

🍬 Trick-or-Treat at Historic Walnford Historic Walnford (62 Walnford Rd, Upper Freehold) — 10 AM–12 PM — FREE Details: Building-to-building trick-or-treating at the historic site, plus historic yard games. Under 18 with an adult. Link: https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/

🦁 Howl-O-Ween Turtle Back Zoo (560 Northfield Ave, West Orange) — 4–8 PM — $13 / $11 members / free under 2 Details: Halloween at the zoo — trick-or-treating, candy stations and optional spooky storytime (4:30, 5:30 & 6:30 PM — select a timed program). Registration required. Link: https://www.turtlebackzoo.com/events/howl-o-ween-800/

october specials

🦁 Boo at the Zoo (Philadelphia) Philadelphia Zoo (3400 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA) — Oct 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 24, 25 & 31, 9:30 AM–5 PM — included with zoo admission Details: The zoo's annual Halloween celebration — trick-or-treating, costumes and seasonal decorations. Bring a treat bag and make a day of it. Link: https://www.philadelphiazoo.org/events/boo-at-the-zoo/

🌙 Halloween "Night of Frights" Historic Allaire Village (4265 Atlantic Ave, Farmingdale) — 6–9 PM — $20 adults / $15 kids 4–12 Details: A family-friendly, lower-fright Halloween evening — creepy lighting, storytelling, fire pit and a haunted wagon. Advance registration recommended. Link: https://allairevillage.org/

throughout october

🌸 Holland Ridge Fall Flower Festival Holland Ridge Farms, Cream Ridge — hours vary Details: Fall flower fields, photo ops and farm activities. Check current hours before heading out; tickets/admission required. See website for pricing Link: https://www.hollandridgefarms.com/pages/u-pick-sunflowers-fall-festival

🚜 Happy Day Farm Fall Festival Happy Day Farm (106 Iron Ore Rd, Manalapan) — 10 AM–5 PM — $23 weekdays / $29 festival weekends (ages 2+) Details: Pumpkin picking, corn mazes, animal zoo, pedal carts, pig races, Pumpkinville, slides & games. Tickets are date-specific and nonrefundable. Link: https://www.happydayfarmnj.com/fallfestival

🚜 Argos Fall Festival Argos Farm (1250 Lacey Rd, Forked River) — hours vary Details: Pumpkins, corn maze, hayrides, farm animals and seasonal attractions. Admission/tickets required — check the official schedule for dates. Link: https://www.argosfarm.com/fall-festival

🎃 Boo at the Boardwalk Jenkinson's Boardwalk (300 Ocean Ave, Point Pleasant Beach) — 12–4 PM Details: Boardwalk Halloween fun — trick-or-treating, character appearances, live entertainment, underwater pumpkin carving and the monster slime lab (select dates). Costumes encouraged; check the official calendar since activities vary by date. Link: https://jenkinsons.com/event/boo-at-the-boardwalk-3/

🕹️ Spook & Play Jenkinson's Pavilion Arcade (300 Ocean Ave, Point Pleasant Beach) — open daily Details: The indoor arcade runs fall token packages alongside the Boo at the Boardwalk festival weekends. Link: https://jenkinsons.com/

🎢 Six Flags Fright Fest Six Flags Great Adventure (1 Six Flags Blvd, Jackson) — Fridays–Sundays + Halloween night (ghouls enter 6 PM) Details: Haunted houses, scare zones and the Dead Man's Party stage show. Not recommended for kids under 13. Link: https://www.sixflags.com/greatadventure/events

🎢 Six Flags Kids Boo Fest Six Flags Great Adventure (1 Six Flags Blvd, Jackson) — Saturdays & Sundays, 11 AM–5 PM Details: Daytime trick-or-treat trails, low-scare decorations, corn mazes and character meet & greets for young kids. Link: https://www.sixflags.com/greatadventure/events

🚜 Fall Fun Fest Maple Leaf Farms (525 Rte 9 N, Manalapan) — hours vary Details: A full fall farm day — pumpkins, corn maze, bull riding show, pig races, hayrides, country music and 30+ activities. Tickets sold at the door; check the official schedule for exact dates. See website for pricing Link: https://www.mapleleaffarmsnj.com/fallfunfest

oct 17

🐶 Long Branch Fall Festival + Pooch Parade Pier Village Promenade (Melrose Terrace, Long Branch) — 12–4 PM — FREE Details: Dog costume contest + parade (kicks off 1 PM), pumpkin picking, artisan market, kids' crafts and yappy-hour treats. Link: https://piervillage.com/event/long-branch-fall-festival-pooch-parade/

oct 23

🍬 Ocean County Family Trunk or Treat Whitesbog Historic Village (34 Browns Mills Rd, Browns Mills) — 6–8 PM — FREE Details: An evening trick-or-treat scavenger hunt through the village with vendors and General Store shopping. Sponsored by TAG. Link: https://www.whitesbog.org/

oct 31

🎃 Toms River 87th Halloween Parade Downtown Toms River (Main St & Washington St corridor) — Saturday, 7 PM — FREE Details: One of the area's biggest Halloween traditions — massive floats, marching bands and costumed groups. Streets close early, so arrive early and plan for crowds. Link: https://downtowntomsriver.com/