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Halloween and 17 More Things To Do in NJ with Kids October 2025, from Mommy Poppins Editors

More than 100 wild and crazy scarecrows are on display in downtown Cranford during the annual Scarecrow Stroll. Photo by Barbara Paciello/courtesy of Downtown Cranford
More than 100 wild and crazy scarecrows are on display in downtown Cranford during the annual Scarecrow Stroll. Photo by Barbara Paciello/courtesy of Downtown Cranford
9/28/25 - 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 creepy and kooky Halloween excitement all month long at Westfield's Addamsfest, as well as Halloween fun with furry friends at Cape May's Boo at the Zoo.  

Local seasonal celebrations include food, fun, and pumpkins at Thompson Park Day and a downtown full of scarecrows at Cranford's Scarecrow Stroll.  

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

More Things To Do in New Jersey this October with Kids:

 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Best Things To Do in New Jersey in October

Six Flags Great Adventure's Fright Fest and Kids Boo Fest

Jackson
Select dates through Sunday, November 2, 2025
Thrills and chills await at Six Flags Great Adventure’s Fright Fest, featuring a roster of terrifying haunted mazes, sinister scare zones, exhilarating live shows, and specialty food and drink. Young visitors can get in the spirit at Boo Fest. READ MORE

Addamsfest 2025 in Westfield

Westfield
Daily through Friday, October 31, 2025
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. This year's theme is Femme Fatale, celebrating Morticia Addams. READ MORE

Union County Hayrides and Campfires

Mountainside
Fridays and Sundays from Friday, October 3-Friday, October 17, 2025
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

Pumpkin Patch Trains 2025

Whippany
Saturdays and Sundays from Sunday, October 5-Sunday, October 12, 2025
Join in the Halloween fun at the Whippany Railway Museum on board The Pumpkin Patch Train.  The 10-mile, 45-minute round trip journey is the perfect way to spend a fall afternoon with the family.  READ MORE

Brite Nites 2025 at Wagner Farm Arboretum

Warren
Fridays and Saturdays, from Friday, October 10-Saturday, October 25, 2025
Brite Nites returns for its 13th year with a new version- Brite Nites Lite! Get ready for a spellbinding experience as our 1/4 mile walking path transforms into a glowing display of hand-carved, LED-lit pumpkins. READ MORE

18th Annual Scarecrow Stroll

Cranford–FREE
Daily from Friday, October 10-Friday, October 31, 2025
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

LBI Fly International Kite Festival

Long Beach Island–FREE
Friday, October 10-Saturday, October 11, 2025
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

Fall Fest at Palmer Square

Princeton–FREE
Sunday, October 12, 2025
(new date due to weather) All are invited to Princeton’s ultimate fall fest! Enjoy a festive afternoon filled with everything there is to love about the fall season, including music, games, face painting, a photo booth, crafts and more. READ MORE

CANCELED- Dunellen HarvestFest

Dunellen–FREE
Sunday, October 12, 2025
(canceled due to weather) The 13th annual Dunellen HarvestFest features artists and crafters from around the Garden State, local nonprofits, activities for kids, food, music, dancing, and more. READ MORE

Halloween Parade & Dance Party in Sea Isle City

Sea Isle City–FREE
Friday, October 17, 2025
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 18-Sunday, October 19, 2025
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 18-Sunday, October 26, 2025
Little ones visiting Storybook Land can pick up treat bags and gather goodies from 12 stations. Then, find your way through Elmer’s Haymazin’ Maze. READ MORE

Boo at the Boardwalk

Point Pleasant–FREE
Saturdays and Sundays from Saturday, October 18-Sunday, October 26, 2025
Celebrate Halloween at Jenkinson's Boardwalk with two weekends of family fun, including trick-or-treating, crafts, a magic show, limited kiddie rides, slime, and more. READ MORE

Thompson Park Day

Lincroft–FREE
Sunday, October 19, 2025
Celebrate the magic of autumn with this annual event that features a variety of family-friendly activities, including pumpkin painting, entertainment, archery, kids' races, rides, food and more. READ MORE

Boo at the Zoo in Cape May

Cape May–FREE
Saturday, October 25, 2025
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 Friday, October 31, 2025
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 2, 2025
The largest fall festival in northern New Jersey features 35+ themed activities, including farm animals, a spider web crawl, a stunt dog show, the Alice in Wonderland-themed corn maze, an obstacle course, pig races, and more. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

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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