2011 Halloween Weekend Info & Events

Below are listings & links to events happening Halloween weekend & on Halloween for families & children
PLEASE CHECK THE BOTTOM FOR HAUNTED HAYRIDES AND Events for Older Kids

For other Halloween or Fall events (on other days) for Sept thru Nov, please go to our Holiday Calendar.
Also check out:
NJ Farms for pumpkin picking, hayrides & other Halloween fun
Halloween curfew & Trick-or-Treating information
Halloween Fun

Spooky Halloween Fun (Indoor & Outdoor Events by County)

Halloween Fun at NJ Farms: Part 1, Part 2

Monster Mini Golf - locations including Edison, Fairfield, Marlboro, Paramus, Princeton and Union

Bergen County
Halloween Spooktacular (Paramus) - at the NJ Children's museum; pumpkin decorating, candy and toy trick or treating, Halloween stories and more; Oct. 15-30; see website for hours

Camden County
Safe Trick or Treating (Camden) - Have a howling good time at the Camden Children’s Garden by using the Garden to do your trick or treating. Children must be accompanied by an adult; takes place 12 pm to 4pm Oct 31
Monster Mash Bash (Cherry Hill) - on Oct 29 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM; kiddie games, trick-or-treating, haunted exhibits & more
Halloween Parade (Lindenwold) - Halloween parade from 11 am to 1:30 pm on Oct. 29 (rain date Oct. 30)

Cape May County
Trick or Treat at the Physick Estate (Cape May) - Monday, October 31: 5pm-7pm; some spooky characters are waiting on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate with treats for all the good little boys and ghouls. Trick or Treating is free.
Tales of Terror Trolley Ride (Cape May) - 30-min tours run from 7 to 9 pm October 7-13, 14-16, 27-30, buy tickets online or call (800)-275-4278; $10 adults, $7 children (ages 3-12). Combine tour with the Phantoms of the Physick Estate Tour and save $2.
Ghosts of the Lighthouse Trolley Tour (Cape May) - Oct 29 at 8pm; dare to take an evening tour down the ghostly path that leads to the Cape May Lighthouse. You’ll hear and experience Craig McManus’ paranormal findings during your journey. Once you reach your destination, you’ll feel the presence of the spirits at the Light. Whether you choose to climb or stay below, you’ll surely enjoy a ghostly experience; $20 adults, $15 children (3-12)
Phantoms of the Physick Estate (Cape May) - Saturdays, Oct. 15, 22 & 29: 1pm-4pm & 7pm-10pm; visit Cape May’s original haunted house for either a family-friendly day-time tour or a tour of terror in the evening with members from the Actors Offstage. The kid-friendly tour is a special self-guided tour featuring spooky sounds, special effects and scary stuff. The kid-friendly tour is $10 for adults and $5 for children (ages 3-12). The tour of terror in the evening is a self-guided tour with special effects, ghosts and ghouls, scary characters and more. The evening tour is $15 for adults and $12 for children (ages 3-12).
Haunted House Tours  (Cape May) - other Haunted house tours throughout the weekend including "Murder at the Physick Estate"

Essex County
Gardens Aglow (Upper Montclair) - Oct 28 from 6 pm to 9 pm at Presby Memorial Iris Gardens; Bring your carved pumpkin to the garden & they'll be lit at sunset; music & refreshments provided; children's activities; free
Howl-o-ween (West Orange) - at Turtle Back Zoo; open from 4-9pm for safe trick or treating; kids can come in costume & ride the "spooky train" (weather permitting) or enjoy the magical talents of master magician Joe Fisher. Event admission is charged for all ages (as always under 2 is free)

Hudson County
Halloween Spooktacular (Jersey City) - on
Oct 28 & 29 from 6 pm to 10 pm; Haunted High School; Interactive activities; younger children (ages 2 and up), will enjoy a fun-filled evening in I Explore, trick or treating, special crafts, Halloween film comedies, dancing at the Bug Ball, and costume contests

Hunterdon County
Burjan's Pumpkin Festival (Flemington) - on weekends from 10 am to 6 pm in October including Oct. 29 and 30. There are scenic hayrides, children’s activities & more. Musical entertainment will be on select dates.

Mercer County
Field of Terror (East Windwor) - Weekend Pumpkin Picking, Corn Maze & hayrides to the Patch from 10 am to 3 pm Oct 28 and 10 am to 5 pm Oct 29 and 30 (also Field of Terror and night-time frights for older visitors; see below)

Middlesex County
4-H House of Horrors (East Brunswick) -
Middlesex County's 4-H Teen Council invites you to their Haunted House every Friday and Saturday in October from 7 to 11 PM; at the Middlesex County 4-H Center, on the corner of Cranbury and Fern Rd. in East Brunswick; a fund-raising event with a $3 admission fee
Big Jeff's Halloween Routine (New Brunswick) - October 29, two sessions 10am & 12pm;
Come see the "Jammin-est Family Band in the Land; Clap and sing along with their high-energy songs; program is free, but advance registration is required
Halloween Ghost Tours (Perth Amboy) - tours of Proprietary House leave every hour from 6 to 10 pm Oct 28 and 29)

Morris County
Historic Haunting - on Oct. 30, 12pm – 4pm; at Historic Speedwell; Listen to terrifying ghost stories and participate in a variety of Halloween fun and games! Prizes are awarded to all winners! Children are encouraged to come in costume and participate in an old-fashioned costume contest; Cost: Admission.
Kids' Halloween Party (Chester) - Halloween party at 5 Diva Girls; free for all kids; On Oct 30 from 9-10:30am; Games, crafts, & more
A Miller's Halloween (Chester) - from 1 pm to 3:30 pm on Oct 29 at Cooper Gristmill. Spooky stories, decorate pumpkins, play old-time games
Annual Halloween Costume Parade (Chester) - on Oct 31 from noon to 4:30 pm in Downtown Chester; on Grove Street next to Pleasant Pools & Patio. Trick or Treating throughout Downtown Chester begins at 2:00 pm.  The parade line-up will commence at 4:30 pm at Pleasant Pools & Patio, located at 110 Main Street. The costume contest is open to children 12 and younger. All are welcome to Trick or Treat throughout downtown Chester
Fall & Haunted Hayrides (Montville) - has haunted & regular hayrides Saturdays & Sundays 11-5. Haunted hayrides are not recommended for young children under 8
Halloween Happenings (Morris Twp) - Play special Halloween games, sing songs, decorate cookies, and try on costumes of the past. Oct. 30 from 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. at Fosterfields
Halloween Family Festival (Morristown) - on Oct 29 11 am to 4 pm at the Morris Museum; Enjoy a spooky day of fun, prizes, stories and goodies. Dress up in a creative costume and stop by our many trick-or-treat stations.free for members and non-members: $7/child, $10/adult

Ocean County
74th Annual Halloween Parade (Toms River) - On Oct. 31; they recommend you arrive about 2 hours prior to the start of the parade, which is 7 pm
31st Annual Halloween Parade (Pt. Pleasant) - starts at 1 pm October 30

Salem County
43rd Annual Halloween parade (Alloway Township) -  7 pm Oct 29 (rain date Oct. 30) with floats, unicycles, bands and more. Organizers suggest visitors arrive at 5 pm for the parade, which begins near the post office at 18 School Lane

Somerset County
Halloween Happenings (Bernards Twp) - on Oct. 29; fun activities scheduled immediately following Safe Trick or Treating at 1:00 P.M. at the Oak Street School field on Henry Street. Events include pumpkin-rolling races, crafts and other ghoulish activities
Halloween Kids Fest (Bridgewater) - at Bridgewater Commons Mall; Kids ages 2-12 invited to come in costume with their parents and enjoy free family-friendly activities; 1 pm to 5 pm on Oct. 29
Fall Festival (Hillsborough) - at Norz Hill Farm on weekends including Oct 29 and 30 from 10 am to 6 pm; events include hayrides, pony rides, pumpkin picking, a maze & Moonlight Hayrides & Creepy Hollow on Oct 28-30 (among other dates)
Halloween Costume Parade (Raritan) - Oct 31 starts 6 pm; candy & prizes for kids & adults of all ages
Pumpkin Patch (Somerset) - 1 to 4 pm Oct 30 at the Van Wickle House
Mischief Night Madness (Somerset) - at Colonial Park Putting Course on Oct 28(rain date 10/29)
The Nature of Halloween (Somerset) - Oct 29 & 30; scheduled walks depart every 15 minutes between 5:45pm & 7pm; for ages 3-6 with adult; Stroll the boardwalk and meet life-size misunderstood animals such as a dazzling dragonfly, splendid snake and vivacious vulture. Indoor activities include a maze, live critters, and more! Cookies and cider top off the night; $4 per person
Halloween Happenings (Somerville) - Oct 31 at 2 pm for Halloween festivities along Main Street
Brite Nites and Haunted House Showcase (Warren) - from 6 pm to 9 pm the last two weekends of October (Oct 21-23 and Oct 28-30); A pumpkin path that wanders through the lit fields and gardens of the Arboretum. Hundreds of creatively carved and lighted pumpkins will be on exhibit & more
Somerset County libraries - including Halloween Craft times for ages 2-6 on Oct. 28 & 29 at the Hillsborough Library; Halloween parties Oct 25 & 27 (registration required) and Trick or Treat on Oct 31 at the Warren Library; These events are free but you must have a county library card and register for these free events (you can register online or by phone);

Union County
Halloween Program (Cranford) - at the Crane-Phillips House Museum 2 pm to 4 pm Oct 30
Trick or Treat Downtown & Costume Contest (Westfield) - on Oct 30 from 11 am to 4 pm; put on your costumes (early) & bring the kids downtown to enjoy trick or treating in local retail stores; costume contest will follow at 3:30pm on Quimby St., which will be closed to cars during the contest. Rain or shine, For more information, call the DWC 908.789.9444

Ghoulish Indoor Fun & Events (by county)

In the Crypt (aka at home)
Movies at home - Real Simple's top 10 list of Halloween movies, including some family favorites
Howl-O-Ween fun - pets in costume, online puzzles (for older kids) & holiday trivia
Howling Good Books - Sandy's review on some of the best bets this Halloween for kids of all ages
Other Great Halloween/Fall Books - ParenthoodNJ's growing compilation of great reads

Frightening Fun for Older Kids, Teens & Adults

Haunted Hayrides, Corn Mazes & Haunted Houses
State Scare Factory (Belleville) - tickets can be purchased at the door
Field of Terror (East Windsor) - self-described largest haunted Corn Maze Hayride in NJ; annual Haunted Hayride, Field of Terror Cornmaze, and 2 walk-through attractions, The Unknown and Dementia (also have a family-friendly flashlight maze); coupons available online
Fright Fest at Schaefer Farms (Flemington) - 45 minutes navigating 4 scary attractions: Hair-Raising Hayride, Trail of Terror, MassAcre Maize and Carnival of Chaos; not recommended for children under 10
Nightmares Haunted Attraction (Montvale) - they have ticket prices for kids under 10 but use your judgment
Field of Terror Haunted House & Hayride (Mullica Hill ) - not recommended for kids under 13
Haunted Acres Hayride (Vernon) - offered on Heaven Hills Farm; not recommended for kids under 7
Ghost Hunt Halloween Tour at Dey Mansion (Wayne) - they say this event is PG13 and all children 13 and younger MUST be accompanied by an adult. Use your judgment for younger kids
Other Haunted Hayrides in various towns

Ghost Walks
Ghost Walk Through History (Woodbridge) - Octo 15 (rain date is October 16). Tours run between 6:30 pm and 9:30 pm (6 tours every hour) and are conducted by costumed guides who will share stories of New Jersey's settlers and the town's infamous and famous ghostly residents. The 55-minute walks held in the early evening are appropriate for children although the tours starting after 8:50 pm are restricted to kids 16 and up. Admission is $5 per person although stroller children are free; all walkers will be treated to free cookies and hot chocolate. The event is first-come, first serve but groups of 10 or more should make a reservation by calling 732-738-6022.  

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