New Jersey is once again turning into a Halloween playground this fall, offering everything from bone-chilling haunted houses to pumpkin-packed family festivals. With events stretching across every corner of the state, residents and visitors alike can find a celebration that matches their appetite for scares, fun, or seasonal charm.
October 2025 Brings a Packed Calendar of Live Entertainment and Cultural Events Across New Jersey. Halloween in New Jersey is shaping up to be one of the busiest months of the year for live performances, theater, and cultural gatherings. From Broadway-style productions and beloved musicals to concerts, comedy shows, and special screenings, the state will be buzzing with activity for audiences of all ages.
The month kicks off with a theatrical favorite as Bull Durham takes the stage, offering a mix of drama, humor, and baseball nostalgia that will appeal to fans of both theater and America’s pastime. Later in the month, An Old-Fashioned Family Murder will bring a twist of mystery and suspense to local playhouses, giving audiences a chance to experience the intrigue of a classic whodunit.
One of the most anticipated highlights will be The Rocky Horror Picture Show – 50th Anniversary Celebration. Generations of fans have turned this cult classic into a Halloween-season ritual, and theaters across the state will honor its milestone anniversary with special screenings, costumes, and sing-alongs. For those who can’t get enough of the spooky fun, a dedicated Halloween screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show will also take place later in the month, cementing its role as a must-attend October event.
Music fans won’t be left out. Andy Bell of Erasure brings his Ten Crowns Tour to New Jersey, giving audiences a rare chance to see the iconic voice of synth-pop live on stage. Meanwhile, The Billy Joel Songbook featuring Chris Pinnella will celebrate the timeless catalog of one of America’s most beloved singer-songwriters, and The BSTREETBAND will keep the spirit of the Jersey Shore alive with their tribute to Bruce Springsteen at Drew University.
October also offers plenty for fans of larger-than-life performances. Families will be drawn to Disney On Ice – Moana 2 & Classic Disney Favorites, a spectacle that combines the magic of Disney storytelling with dazzling ice choreography. Broadway enthusiasts can look forward to productions of Cats, Assassins, and Mrs. Doubtfire, each promising high-energy performances and a chance to experience beloved shows without leaving the Garden State.
Comedy will take center stage when Anthony Rodia brings his Laugh Till It Hurts Tour to town, offering sharp observations and relatable humor. Fans of high-energy tribute performances will also find plenty to enjoy, from Who’s Bad? The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience to Great Balls of Fire!!!, which channels the spirit of Jerry Lee Lewis.
For those who enjoy edgier performances, Biohazard will deliver their signature sound, keeping the state’s live music scene as diverse as ever. Theater lovers can also support the local arts community at Help Keep the Arts Alive at the Sieminski Theater!, a special event that underscores the importance of supporting cultural venues and performers.
With so many options spanning theater, music, comedy, and family entertainment, October will be a month to remember for New Jersey audiences. Whether you’re planning to relive the magic of cult classics, sing along to timeless hits, or introduce your family to the wonder of live shows, there’s no shortage of events to choose from.
In Camden County, the beloved Blackwood Pumpkin Festival is set to return on Sunday, October 5, 2025. This community tradition transforms downtown Blackwood into a seasonal fairground filled with vendors, food, entertainment, and family activities. The event has become one of the region’s most anticipated fall gatherings, drawing thousands each year.
For adults seeking something more spirited, Mount Holly’s Witches Ball once again promises to turn the historic downtown into a Halloween wonderland. Known for its elaborate costumes, street vendors, and live entertainment, the Witches Ball is part party, part performance, and a highlight of South Jersey’s Halloween season. Similarly, Jersey City will play host to its annual Halloween Night Market on October 31, bringing more than 30 food and craft vendors, a live DJ, and a costume contest to Harborside, offering a waterfront celebration that keeps the energy high until late.
Across the Shore, the Surf City Hotel on Long Beach Island is throwing its own Halloween bash on October 31 with live music and a spirited costume contest, while in Ocean County, Toms River’s historic Mathis House will welcome families for a Halloween party complete with buffet dining, games, and prime views of the town’s annual parade. For fans of the classics, Haddon Heights is offering the Vintage Fright Fest, a free three-day marathon of old-school horror films running through Halloween weekend at the public library. And in Westfield, the annual AdamsFest pays tribute to hometown legend Charles Addams with haunted house contests, themed art displays, and its signature “Wicked Windows” installations.
Thrill seekers looking for scares won’t be disappointed. Brighton Asylum in Passaic, frequently ranked among the scariest haunted houses in America, continues to expand its lineup of immersive experiences, from elaborate sets to live performers. In Somerville, the “Legends of the Devil State” walking tour on October 18 will explore the folklore and ghost stories that have haunted New Jersey for generations. Randolph’s Haunted Trail at Veterans Community Park returns October 24–25 with haunted walks, hayrides, and activities for children. For those looking for a different kind of Halloween spectacle, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark will host The Vampire Circus on October 23, an acrobatic show that blends aerial artistry with gothic flair.
Families have plenty of options, too. Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson will combine its world-class rides with Halloween festivities, while Phillipsburg’s Great Pumpkin Train offers families a scenic fall ride with pumpkins for every child. Sussex County’s Green Valley Farms will hold its Fall Harvest Festival and BBQ on October 11, complete with hayrides, music, and food. Union’s Liberty Hall Museum is once again staging its Pumpkin Patch Day on October 25 with crafts, games, and tractor rides. In Jersey City, families can head to the Halloween Family Bash on October 31 at the Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza for face painting, a corn maze, and games. Cape May’s Emlen Physick Estate will continue its popular Scarecrow Walk, while Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange will bring back its “Zoo Boo” weekend to give children a safe, festive trick-or-treating experience.
Parades remain a cornerstone of Halloween in New Jersey, with many towns celebrating long-standing traditions. Medford’s Halloween Parade, one of the oldest and largest in the state, marks its 78th year on October 25. Ocean City will host its annual Asbury Avenue parade on October 30, while Bordentown brings back its colorful procession down Farnsworth Avenue on October 26. Caldwell’s Halloween Festival and Parade is set for October 18, and Newton will close out the season with a parade and trunk-or-treat event on Halloween night itself.
Other unique experiences include the Amazing Pumpkin Carve at Woolsey Park in Titusville, where artists create massive illuminated displays, and ghost tours in historic towns like Atlantic City, which give visitors a chance to walk through some of the state’s most haunted locations. In Mount Laurel, the Alice Paul Center will host a family-oriented Halloween celebration on October 11 featuring crafts, fortune-telling games, and a special program on the history of tarot cards.
Festivals and parties
- Annual Blackwood Pumpkin Festival: This festival features vendors, entertainment, and fall fun in downtown Blackwood. It is scheduled for Sunday, October 5, 2025.
- Witches Ball: Held in Mount Holly, this adult-oriented event transforms the town into a Halloween wonderland with vendors, entertainment, and a costume contest.
- Jersey City Halloween Night Market: The Jersey City Halloween Food Fest and Night Market on October 31, 2025, will have over 30 vendors, a live DJ, and a costume contest at Harborside.
- Surf City Hotel Halloween Party: This party on October 31, 2025, features live music and a costume contest.
- Mathis House Halloween Party: This is a family-friendly party in Toms River on October 31, 2025, with music, a buffet, games, and a great view of the town’s parade.
- VINTAGE FRIGHT FEST: This free, three-day classic horror movie festival is set for Halloween weekend at the Haddon Heights Public Library.
- AdamsFest: Westfield celebrates the Addams Family with events throughout October, including a “Haunt Your House Contest” and “Wicked Windows” displays.
Haunted attractions
- Brighton Asylum: Located in Passaic, this Halloween destination includes multiple haunted houses, live entertainment, and escape rooms.
- Legends of the Devil State: A 55-minute walking tour on October 18, 2025, in downtown Somerville exploring famous New Jersey ghost stories.
- Haunted Trail in Randolph: This event in Veterans Community Park runs on October 24–25, 2025, and includes a haunted trail walk, glitter tattoos, and hayrides.
- Halloween House: These indoor, multi-room Halloween attractions in Deptford and Freehold feature more fun and “wow” than typical haunted houses.
- Halloween Ghost Hunt in Newark: A ghost hunt on October 30, 2025, taking participants through the haunted streets of Newark.
- The Vampire Circus: An acrobatic and aerial show with a dark twist, coming to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark on October 23, 2025.
- 4-H Haunted House and Hayride: This annual event takes place at the Middlesex County 4-H Center in East Brunswick.
Family-friendly fall events
- Six Flags Great Adventure & Safari (Jackson): The park offers Halloween festivities, rides, and a safari experience.
- The Great Pumpkin Train: Based in Phillipsburg, this train ride is a popular activity for families.
- GVF Fall Harvest Festival and BBQ: A weekend festival on October 11, 2025, at Green Valley Farms in Sussex, with pumpkin picking, hayrides, and music.
- Annual Pumpkin Patch Day at Liberty Hall Museum: This event in Union on October 25, 2025, offers pumpkin picking, tractor rides, games, and crafts.
- Halloween Family Bash in Jersey City: Hosted on the Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza, this event on October 31, 2025, features a corn maze, games, face painting, and more.
- Annual Scarecrow Walk: Located at the Emlen Physick Estate in Cape May.
- Turtle Back Zoo (West Orange): The zoo typically offers special Halloween events, including its “Zoo Boo” celebration.
Halloween parades
- Medford Halloween Parade: This annual parade, now in its 78th year, is scheduled for October 25, 2025, and features floats, music, and costumes.
- Ocean City Halloween Parade: The annual parade on Asbury Avenue will take place on October 30, 2025.
- Bordentown Halloween Parade: Held on Farnsworth Avenue, this parade is scheduled for October 26, 2025.
- Caldwell Annual Halloween Festival & Parade: This event is scheduled for October 18, 2025.
- Newton Halloween Parade: This parade on October 31, 2025, includes a costume contest, pet walk, and trunk-or-treat.
Other unique events
- Amazing Pumpkin Carve: This unique event at Woolsey Park in Titusville features an illuminated walk of creative pumpkin carvings.
- Ghost Tours: Locations such as Atlantic City offer historical ghost tours that explore haunted sites.
From spooky thrills to family traditions, New Jersey’s Halloween season offers something for everyone. Whether it’s parades, haunted houses, or neighborhood festivals, October is one of the busiest and most spirited months on the state’s calendar. For more guides on seasonal celebrations, concerts, and cultural events throughout the Garden State, visit Explore New Jersey Entertainment.
