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Must-See Jack-o'-Lantern Displays and Pumpkin Festivals in New Jersey 2025

The Jack-o’-Lantern Experience at Skylands Stadium features more than 6,000 hand-carved pumpkins. Photo courtesy of Skylands Stadium
The Jack-o’-Lantern Experience at Skylands Stadium features more than 6,000 hand-carved pumpkins. Photo courtesy of Skylands Stadium
10/5/25 - By Michelle Vames

Kick off the festive fall season at one of the many wonderful pumpkin-themed events and festivals happening around New Jersey, from elaborate jack-o'-lantern displays, like Jacks & Lights at Argos Farm, to pumpkin decorating at events like Thompson Park Day. There's also plenty of fun to be had at pumpkin-picking farms.

Read on for our top picks, plus a couple of bonus events worth a drive across state lines. You can find our guide to pumpkin picking in New Jersey and even more seasonal events in our Guide to Halloween Events in New Jersey.

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Pumpkin Festivals in New Jersey for Families in 2025

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

Happy Day Farm Fall Festival

Manalapan
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, November 2, 2025
Fall is in the air at Happy Day Farm. Pick a pumpkin from the patch, enjoy corn hole, the corn maze, hay mountain, pedal carts, pumpkin bowling, tractor rides, and much more. Tickets must be purchased online in advance. READ MORE

Pumpkin Displays in and near New Jersey in 2025

The Amazing Pumpkin Carve at Woolsey Park

Titusville
Thursday, October 9-Sunday, October 12, 2025
This impressive display boasts live music, fire pits with storytelling, games, pumpkin painting, and dozens of outrageously carved giant 150 pound pumpkins. READ MORE

Gardens Aglow

Upper Montclair–FREE
Friday, October 17, 2025
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

Jack-o’-Lantern Experience at Skylands Stadium

Augusta
Select dates through Sunday, November 2, 2025
This 25-night event guarantees thrills and chills for the whole family. Enjoy seasonal food and drinks, outdoor games, pumpkin picking and painting, and a stroll through more than 6,000 hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns in the crisp fall air with family and friends. READ MORE

Celebrate Fall 2025 at Reeves Reed Arboretum

Summit
Sunday, October 19, 2025
The Reeves-Reed Arboretum welcomes visitors for an afternoon filled with family-friendly entertainment. Play games, do arts and crafts, follow the Spooky Trail, and get plenty of face time with the goats at this highly anticipated seasonal festival.  READ MORE

Cranford Carve Out and Parade of Pumpkins

Cranford–FREE
Saturday, October 18, 2025
Take a spooky stroll through Hanson Park, where illuminated pumpkins are on display. Various pumpkin prizes are awarded.  READ MORE

Hometown Halloween in Washington Borough

Washington–FREE
Saturday, October 25, 2025
Bring the family trick-or-treating at Hometown Halloween in Downtown Washington. The fun includes prizes for best costumes, a DJ playing spooky tunes, and festive pumpkins entered by the businesses for the pumpkin-decorating contest. READ MORE

Jacks & Lights at Argos Farm

Forked River
Select dates from Thursday, October 2-Sunday, November 2
Experience a glowing spectacle with the jaw-dropping magic of thousands of carved Jack O'Lanterns lighting up the night sky. The family-friendly Jack O'Lantern adventure leads visitors through a glowing pumpkin trail. READ MORE

Brite Nites 2025 at Wagner Farm Arboretum

Warren
Fridays and Saturdays, from Friday, October 10-Saturday, October 25
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

Adventure Aquarium Fintastic Pumpkin Glow

Camden
Daily through Sunday, November 2, 2025
Get ready to explore the glow deep below this fall during Adventure Aquarium’s Fintastic Pumpkin Glow festival. Guests can discover a mesmerizing collection of glowing gourds in every shape, size, and species shining above the surface or illuminating the depths among sharks, stingrays, and other unique aquatic life. READ MORE

The Great Jack-o'-Lantern Blaze at Van Cortlandt Manor

Croton-on-Hudson, New York
Select dates through Sunday, November 16, 2025
This renowned walk-through Halloween experience features more than 7,000 hand-carved, illuminated jack-o'-lanterns forming assorted impressive displays, with lighting and music enhancements. New for 2025 is a jack-o'-lantern big top adventure, a Wicked-themed, emerald-hued storybook pumpkin dreamscape, and the Headless Horseman’s Hideaway featuring spooky sips and haunting visits from the Horseman himself.  READ MORE

Pumpkin Decorating Events in New Jersey in 2025

Funtober at The Funplex

Mount Laurel
Saturdays and Sundays through Monday, October 13, 2025
Enjoy three weekends of fall fun at this annual Funtober event. Experience the magic of the season with live music, games, delicious food, and family-friendly activities. 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

Pumpkin Patch Day at Liberty Hall

Union
Saturday, October 25, 2025
The Liberty Hall Museum hosts its annual Pumpkin Patch Day, which features pumpkin picking, carving, and decorating, plus tractor rides, crafts, and trick-or-treating.   READ MORE

Post-Halloween Pumpkin Events in New Jersey in 2025

The Great Pumpkin Sail

Union
Saturday, November 1, 2025
Bring your carved jack-o'-lantern to Echo Lake Park post-Halloween and enjoy the spectacular view of floating pumpkins. Sign up for one of three sessions. READ MORE

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