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30+ Free Halloween Events and Parades in New Jersey for Kids

Jenkinson's Boo at the Boardwalk offers some admission-free fun. Photo courtesy of Jenkinson's
Jenkinson's Boo at the Boardwalk offers some admission-free fun. Photo courtesy of Jenkinson's
10/7/22 - By Laurie Rein

There are no tricks here, instead, we've got a special treat: More than 30 FREE Halloween events and parades in New Jersey. The weeks leading up to Halloween are full of festivals, costume parades, and plenty more opportunities for ghosts and goblins to dress up and score some scary-good treats.

Read on for our top picks, and be sure to bookmark our Halloween Fun Guide for even more seasonal fun. From pumpkin picking and corn mazes to harvest festivals and Halloween train rides, we've got you covered with fun things to do during this spooky season. Happy Halloween, New Jersey!

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Cape May's Halloween Parade is a festive spectacle for all ages. Photo courtesy of the parade
Cape May's Halloween Parade is a festive spectacle for all ages. Photo courtesy of the parade

FREE Halloween Activities in New Jersey for Families

Costume Pet Parade

Smithville
Saturday, October 15
Paw Dazzle hosts Historic Smithville Village's annual Costume Pet Parade. Spectators can watch more than 100 pets show off their special Halloween get-ups. READ MORE

Halloween Fun at IKEA Elizabeth

Elizabeth
Daily from Wednesday, October 19-Wednesday, October 26
Celebrate Halloween at IKEA Elizabeth! Collect the scavenger hunt by the entrance. Along your walk through the showroom, take part in an IKEA trick or treat. And, lastly, stop by the Swedish Food Restaurant for more fun for the entire family to enjoy. READ MORE

4-H Trunk or Treat

Bridgewater
Friday, October 21
Bring your treat bags to Ted Blum 4-H Center and collect candy from decorated cars. The fun includes crafts and games as well. READ MORE

Halloween Parade & Dance Party

Sea Isle City
Friday, October 21
This lively local parade features music, strolling entertainers, floats, local organizations, and many well-costumed entertainers and revelers. Following the parade, stick around for the Halloween Family Dance Party.   READ MORE

Gardens Aglow

Upper Montclair
Friday, October 21
The Presby Memorial Iris Gardens come alive for one night only this Halloween season. Visitors can see a display of artfully carved jack-o'-lanterns provided by art students at local high schools. READ MORE

Scream on the Green

Summit
Friday, October 21
Dare to venture into the night and have some haunting-ly good entertainment and ghoulish goodies at Scream on the Green. The featured movie is The Nightmare Before Christmas.  READ MORE

Fall Harvest Festival & Trick-or-Treating

Woodcliff Lake
Saturday, October 22
Tice’s Corner’s Fall Harvest Festival features its famous trick-or-treat activity for all families to enjoy, plus a few other surprises. READ MORE

Halloween Spooktacular

Union
Saturday, October 22
The township of Union is going all out for Halloween this year with a trunk or treat plus an All Hallow's Evening. The trunk or treat features 30 vehicles and takes place from 1pm-4pm at Jefferson School parking lot. A prize is awarded for the best decorated. READ MORE

Haunts 4Heroes 2022

Franklinville
Saturday, October 22-Sunday, October 23
Have a great time at this Halloween-themed event, featuring family-friendly spooky decorations and fun activities. Bring bags for trick or treating throughout the stable and among vendors. Costumes are welcome. READ MORE

Boo at the Boardwalk

Point Pleasant
Saturdays and Sundays from Saturday, October 22-Sunday, October 30
Celebrate Halloween at Jenkinson's Boardwalk with two weekends of family fun including trick-or-treating, crafts, face/arm painting, and entertainment. READ MORE

Monster Bash at Historic Smithville

Galloway
Saturday, October 22
Come spend a day and night in the Village and take part in the area’s largest Zombie Walk. Featured are vendors and music throughout the day; the “walk” begins at 6pm. Show up ready in full costume and makeup. Makeup artists will also be on site. READ MORE

West Berlin Trunk or Treat

West Berlin
Saturday, October 22
Local businesses dole out treats at this trunk or treat sponsored by Cheer Force Elite. The fun includes a bounce house, photo booth and activities. READ MORE

Cape May Halloween Parade

Cape May
Sunday, October 23
Show off your costume in this annual parade that concludes at the Emlen Physick Estate. Prizes are awarded by age group. READ MORE

Trick or Treat with Stew Leonard’s Characters

Paramus
Wednesday, October 26
Join Wow the Cow and friends for trick-or-treating fun. Wear costumes, and collect candy from stations throughout the store. Free timed tickets are available online. READ MORE

Ocean City Halloween Parade

Ocean City
Thursday, October 27
Feast your eyes upon creative costumes and floats, antique vehicles, and cheerleading and dance teams. READ MORE

Mount Laurel Trunk-or-Treat

Mount Laurel
Friday, October 28
Stop by the Chik-Fil-A parking lot, and peruse trunks filled with treats. READ MORE

Downtown Somerville Spooktacular

Somerville
Friday, October 28
Have spooky Halloween fun in downtown Somerville, featuring music, activities, and entertainment. Plus, collect treats from participating merchants and enjoy a trunk or treat.  READ MORE

iPlay America's Trick-or-Treat Around the Park

Freehold
Friday, October 28
iPlay America invites you for a night of spooktacular and free fun. Enjoy the Trick-or-Treat Trail, costume contest, raffle, and more. READ MORE

Belmar Recreation Costume Contest and Trunk-or-Treat

Belmar
Friday, October 28
Double the Halloween fun with a parade and trunk-or-treat outside Borough Hall. Prizes are awarded for the funniest, scariest, and most original costumes. READ MORE

Surf City's 7th Annual Trunk-or-Treat

Surf City
Saturday, October 29
Balloon twisting, music, and trunk-or-treating make for a perfect pre-Halloween celebration.  READ MORE

Strut Your Mutt: Canine Halloween Costume Contest

Montclair
Saturday, October 29
The annual Strut Your Mutt: Canine Halloween Costume Contest lets local dog owners show off their creative talents, celebrate their pets, and share a happy occasion with other dog owners. READ MORE

Boo at the Zoo

Cape May
Saturday, October 29
Visitors of all ages should 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, and more.  READ MORE

North Wildwood Trunk-or-Treat Halloween Block Party

North Wildwood
Saturday, October 29
Get your car decked out for Halloween at this annual festive family event. Costumed children can visit each car, where families will provide treats from the trunks. Balloon twisting adds to the fun.  READ MORE

Downtown Bernardsville Trick-or-Treat

Bernardsville
Saturday, October 29
Celebrate Halloween at this 4th annual trunk-or-treat for all ages. Community members decorate a trunk, displaying themes or other festive decor, and hand out candy or other non-candy trinkets. Plus, score treats at downtown businesses. READ MORE

Morris Township's Annual Trunk-or-Treat and Halloween Movie

Morris Township
Saturday, October 29
A Halloween movie plus trunk or treat make for a fun day in Morris Township. Collect treats from trunks on Dwyer Lane, then gather for a showing of Addams Family 2 on Ginty Field at dusk. READ MORE

American Legion Trunk or Treat

Rutherford
Saturday, October 29
Head over to the American Legion for an indoor/outdoor Halloween celebration with a trunk or treat, music, contests, games and vendors. READ MORE

Surf City's 7th Annual Trunk-or-Treat

Surf City
Saturday, October 29
Balloon twisting, music, and trunk-or-treating make for a perfect pre-Halloween celebration.  READ MORE

Halloween Trunk-or-Treat

Red Bank
Sunday, October 30
UMC of Red Bank welcomes families to its annual trunk-or-treat party in the back parking lot of their building. This year's event features DJ Marco Bianculli and a photo booth. Games, a costume parade, and prizes for best trunk round out the event. READ MORE

Mays Landing Halloween Parade

Mays Landing
Sunday, October 30
Head over to Main Street, and cheer on a stream of costumes, floats, and performances as the Mays Landing Halloween Parade makes its grand return. READ MORE

Glassboro Fall Festival Trunk or Treat

Glassboro
Monday, October 31
Fill your bags with heaps of candy from dozens of cars that show up with trunks filled with treats. It's like going to 50 houses in 15 minutes.  READ MORE

2022 Montville Trunk or Treat

Montville
Monday, October 31
Kids are invited to collect goodies from trunks full of treats, hosted by local businesses and families. READ MORE

Downtown Morristown Trick-or-Treat

Morristown
Monday, October 31
Costumed cuties are invited to trick-or-treat at local businesses throughout downtown Morristown. READ MORE

Trick or Treat at Physick Estate

Cape May
Monday, October 31
Spooky characters greet Halloween visitors to the Physick Estate. Kids in costume should bring their trick-or-treat bags for candy. Enjoy Halloween music and Scarecrow Alley as well.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Jefferson School Parking Lot
Perry Street and Carpenter Lane
6th Street & Asbury Avenue
Belmar Borough Hall
INTEX Millwork Solutions Parking Lot
Montville Community Park Amphitheater
Downtown Morristown

About the Author

Laurie R
Laurie Rein is thrilled to have made a career of digging up activities (especially free ones!) for her twin daughters. Prior to working with Mommy Poppins NJ, Laurie wore many hats in the television industry including gigs as an NBC page, NBC copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show and research manager for CBS. She is currently the Events Editor for Mommy Poppins NJ and can be reached at njevents@mommypoppins.com
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