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Halloween Weekend 2025 in New Jersey: Trick-or-Treat and More Things To Do with Kids

New Jersey is decked out for Halloween and there are plenty of great events to check out. Photo courtesy of Cape May
New Jersey is decked out for Halloween and there are plenty of great events to check out. Photo courtesy of Cape May
10/31/25 - By Laurie Rein

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this Halloween weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

It's time to scare up some fun this weekend, which kicks off with Halloween festivities! There are plenty of Halloween activities to choose from on Friday, including Howl-O-Ween at Turtle Back Zoo, which has treat stations peppered throughout the grounds. Hoboken hosts its celebrated Ragamuffin Parade and Costume Contest, with music, floats, and creative costumes.

Celebrations continue over the weekend in honor of Day of the Dead, with activities in Princeton featuring strolling mariachis and skull decorating, and in Jersey City, with Mexican artists, dance groups, and more family fun.

We've got more seasonal treats in our New Jersey Halloween Guide, including our picks for the best places to trick-or-treat in New Jersey. 

More Things To Do in New Jersey Halloween Week with Kids:​

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Best Things To Do in New Jersey this Halloween Weekend

Disney on Ice: Jump In at Prudenial Center

Newark
Wednesday, October 29-Sunday, November 2
Fifty favorite Disney characters hit the ice at Prudential Center, showcasing world-class figure skating, high-flying aerial acrobatics, dazzling special effects, engaging interactive moments, and enchanting music. READ MORE

Howl-O-Ween at Turtle Back Zoo

West Orange
Friday, October 31
Trick-or-treat at Turtle Back Zoo, featuring candy stations throughout the grounds. Grab a bag and your costumes and enjoy treats and entertainment.  READ MORE

Downtown Morristown Trick-or-Treat

Morristown–FREE
Friday, 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–FREE
Friday, 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

Hoboken Ragamuffin Parade and Costume Contest

Hoboken–FREE
Friday, October 31
The Hoboken Ragamuffin Parade features local live music, floats, lots of great costumes, and so much more. Wear your Halloween best! READ MORE

Halloween Family Bash in Jersey City

Jersey City–FREE
Friday, October 31
Have a ghoulishly good time in historic downtown Jersey City on Halloween. Enjoy games, a corn maze, face-painting, pumpkins, a bouncy house, candy and more. READ MORE

Fort Lee Trick-or-Treat Extravaganza

Fort Lee–FREE
Friday, October 31
Abbott Boulevard is closed for traffic and ready for trick-or-treaters. The fun includes a Halloween Maze and Zombie Walk. Swing by the Borough Departments for goodies. READ MORE

The Great Pumpkin Sail

Mountainside
Saturday, November 1
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

Day of the Dead Community Festival

Princeton–FREE
Saturday, November 1
It's a Day of the Dead celebration in Princeton with a mariachi band, sugar skull decorating, folk arts and crafts, food and drink, and traditional dance. Learn about this rich cultural holiday at this family-friendly event. READ MORE

Awesome Autumn Fun at Jakes Branch County Park

Beechwood–FREE
Saturday, November 1
Free autumn fun awaits at Jakes Branch County Park, including hayrides, a petting zoo, lawn games, live music, crafts, and food trucks on site. READ MORE

Taco & Empanada Festival in South Bound Brook

Bound Brook
Saturday, November 1
Tacos and empanadas–the best of both worlds come together for this delicious event. It’s a fun-filled family day with gourmet food trucks, music, beer, a margarita & sangria garden, vendors, kids' activities, pony rides, a rock wall, a petting zoo, face painting, sand art, inflatables, a bungee trampoline, mini golf, and more. READ MORE

Day of the Dead Celebration at Riverview Farmers Market

Jersey City–FREE
Sunday, November 2
Rejoice in the annual Day of the Dead Celebration at the Riverview Farmers Market. The event features free family entertainment, a skeleton puppet parade, face painting, bubbles, live music, a lineup of more than 30+ vendors, and more. READ MORE

Paramus Fall Food Truck Festival

Paramus
Sunday, November 2
Paramus Fall Food Truck Festival welcomes scrumptious creations from 20 gourmet food trucks, plus DJ Ray Colon, beer, margarita and sangria garden, kids' activities, bungee trampoline, rock wall, pony rides, petting zoo, face painting, miniature golf, sand art, knockerball, bounce house, slide, vendors and more. READ MORE

Autumn with the Animals at Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge

Medford
Sunday, November 2
Join Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge for a fun-filled day for the whole family. Go wild for wildlife programs, live music, canoeing, food, games, crafts, campfire 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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