Halloween events and shows in New Jersey. Recommendations for scary and not so scary events

Spooktacular Halloween Attractions in New Jersey: 2026

Updated September 6, 2026

Looking for spine-tingling thrills or family-friendly fun this Halloween? Our guide to the Best New Jersey Halloween Events and Haunted Houses highlights top seasonal attractions across the Garden State.

New Jersey's 2026 Halloween attractions include haunted houses, haunted trails, pumpkin walks, parades, festivals, and family-friendly events.
Northern New Jersey features attractions such as 13th Hour Haunted House, Brighton Asylum, the Jack O'Lantern Experience, and the Demarest Farms Light Show.
Central New Jersey offers intense haunts such as Nightmare at Gravity Hill and Field of Terror, along with family events at Six Flags Great Adventure, Allaire Village, and Jenkinson's Boardwalk.
Southern New Jersey includes Night of Terror at Creamy Acres Farm, Terror in the Junkyard, Historic Cold Spring Village's Ghoul Spring Village, and family events in Smithville, North Wildwood, and Ocean City.
Check each event's official website before visiting because dates, schedules, age recommendations, and ticket details can change.

Top Haunted Houses & Scary Attractions in Northern New Jersey for 2026

Discover Northern New Jersey's top haunted houses and scary attractions for 2026, featuring frightening experiences, haunted trails, spooky events, and Halloween thrills for brave visitors ages 13+.

13th Hour Haunted House

Selected dates beginning September 25 until November 1, 2026
13th Hour Haunted House, 105 West Dewey Ave, Wharton NJ
Transforming its massive warehouse space into a labyrinth of cinematic sets, high-intensity scares, and immersive storylines. Known for its award-winning haunted attractions and escape rooms, the experience blends theatrical lighting, detailed environments, and unpredictable characters to keep guests on edge from the moment they enter.
Recommended ages: 13 and up due to intense scares, dark environments, and graphic horror elements.

Brighton Asylum

Open selected dates beginning September 25 until November 1, 2026
At the back of 2 Brighton Ave, Passaic, NJ
Brighton Asylum is one of New Jersey's most cinematic, high-intensity haunted attractions—an industrial labyrinth of flickering corridors, immersive sets, and movie-quality scares. Known for its actors, special effects, and tightly themed storylines, it's designed for guests who want a full-throttle Halloween experience rather than a casual walkthrough.
Recommended Ages: 13+ due to intense scares, darkness, loud effects, and graphic themes.

Haunted Red Mill 2026: Lurking in the Shadows

Friday, Saturday evenings, October 2,3,9,10,16, 17,23,24, 2026
Red Mill Museum, 56 Main St, Clinton, NJ
Expect a high intensity haunted walk through with tight corridors, pitch black sections, sudden jump scares, and atmospheric storytelling that leans into the mill's authentic 19th century eeriness. Guests move through multiple themed zones—both indoors and outdoors—where live actors, special effects, and the mill's natural darkness work together to create a deeply unsettling, adrenaline charged experience.
Recommended Ages: 12+. Teens and adults will get the full impact of the attraction's intensity..

The Wrath of Cyrus Grain Terror on the Trail

Friday, October 2, 2026
Darlington Lake County Park, 600 Darlington Ave, Mahwah, NJ
The Wrath of Cyrus is a story driven haunted trail set deep within the wooded paths of Darlington Lake County Park. Guests follow a narrative about Cyrus, a vengeful spirit tied to the land's old grain fields, with scenes unfolding as you move through torch lit pathways, actor driven scares, and environmental effects like fog, sound cues, and sudden lighting shifts. The experience leans into eerie atmosphere and suspense rather than nonstop jump scares, making it immersive without being overwhelming. Expect dark trails, close up performers, and thematic set pieces that build tension as you progress.
Recommended Ages: Ages 13+. Ideal for pre-teens, teens, and adults who enjoy spooky storytelling, atmospheric scares, and outdoor haunted trails.

Northern New Jersey 2026 Family-Friendly Halloween Events & Not-So-Scary Fun

Northern New Jersey’s 2026 family-friendly Halloween events offer festive, kid-friendly fun, from pumpkin activities, and costume celebrations to not-so-scary Halloween attractions that focus on family fun

Jack O’Lantern Experience

Selected dates from September 25 until November 1, 2026
Skylands Stadium, 94 Championship Place, Augusta, NJ
A glowing autumn walk-through filled with thousands of hand carved pumpkins, whimsical displays, and larger than life themed scenes that transform Skylands Stadium into a nighttime Halloween wonderland. Guests stroll along an outdoor trail lined with illuminated jack-o'-lanterns, creative sculptures, and photo ready installations, with seasonal treats and stadium concessions available before or after the experience.
Recommended Ages: Ideal for all ages, especially families with children ages 3 and up. The atmosphere is festive rather than frightening—no jump scares, gore, or haunted house elements

Demarest Farms Light Show

Weekends, September 26 until November 1, 2026
Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale NJ
Transforms the Hillsdale orchard into a glowing, drive-through wonderland of animated displays, holiday scenes, and thousands of synchronized lights.
Families can expect a smooth, ticketed experience with timed entry, festive music, and optional stops at the farm market for cider and seasonal treats.
Recommended Ages: Ages 2 and up—young children enjoy the bright visuals from the comfort of the car, while older kids and teens appreciate the immersive, choreographed light tunnels

AddamsFest

October, 2026 (selected dates)
Westfield, NJ
A quirky, town wide celebration inspired by Westfield native Charles Addams, this Halloween season festival blends spooky charm with lighthearted fun. Events typically include the popular Haunt Your House home decorating tour, Charlie’s Ale Garden for adults, outdoor movie screenings, art exhibits, costume contests, and kid friendly activities around town.
Recommended Ages: Ages 5 and up will find plenty to enjoy, especially the outdoor displays, crafts, and community activities.

Screamline Haunted Car Wash

Friday, Saturdays, October 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24,30,31, 2026
376 US Hwy 46 Rockaway, NJ
Screamline Haunted Car Wash turns an ordinary wash into a full-blown fright fest, blending theatrical scares, eerie lighting, and costumed characters who prowl around your vehicle as it moves through the tunnel. It's a drive-through Halloween experience designed to be spooky, surprising, and fun without crossing into extreme horror
Recommended Ages: Ages 8 and up. Younger children may enjoy the lights and characters, but the jump-scares, loud noises, and dark environment can be overwhelming.

Top Haunted Houses & Scary Attractions in Central New Jersey for 2026

Discover Central New Jersey's top haunted houses and scary attractions for 2026, featuring frightening experiences, haunted trails, spooky events, and Halloween thrills for brave visitors of all ages 13+

Nightmare at Gravity Hill

Weekends, beginning Friday September 11 until October 31, 2026
Cicconi Farms, 1005 Farmingdale Rd, Jackson Township, NJ
An intense haunted attraction, transforming the farms into a sprawling, multi-scene horror trail filled with elaborate sets, fog filled pathways, strobe effects, and high energy scare actors. Visitors wind through themed zones—graveyards, abandoned buildings, dark woods, and creature ridden corridors—each designed to deliver sustained jump scares and a fully immersive fright experience. The scares are frequent, loud, and deliberately intense, making it a favorite for teens and adults who enjoy high adrenaline Halloween entertainment.
Recommended Ages: Ages 14+. Due to the intensity of the scares, darkness, and aggressive actor interactions.

Field of Terror

Selected dates. September 18 until November 1, 2026
831 Windsor-Perrineville Rd, East Windsor, NJ
An immersive Halloween attraction, set on a working farm transformed into a sprawling, high intensity scare experience. Guests can choose from multiple haunted attractions—often including a haunted hayride, themed walkthroughs, and interactive scare zones—each designed with detailed sets, fog effects, and committed scare actors. The atmosphere leans dark, loud, and adrenaline heavy, making it a favorite for teens and adults who want a full scale fright night.
Recommended Ages: Ages 13+. Ideal for the main haunted attractions; intensity, darkness, and jump scares are significant.

The Conover Killings

Selected dates from September 25 until October 30, 2026
3101 Hurley Pond Road, Wall Township, NJ
The Conover Killings is a story driven haunted attraction known for its intense atmosphere, graphic themes, and close quarters scares. Set on a rural property transformed into a grim crime scene narrative, the experience typically features dark wooded paths, strobe effects, loud audio, and actors who engage in aggressive, high energy scare tactics. It's designed for guests who enjoy psychological horror blended with traditional jump scare elements.
Recommended Ages: Ages 14+. Best suited for teens and adults who can handle disturbing themes, loud effects, and immersive fear.

Farm of Horrors

Friday, Saturday, and Sundays, October 2 - October 31, 2026
Farm of Horrors, 1051 Flemington/Whitehouse Road, Flemington, NJ
A full scale haunted attraction designed for guests who want an immersive, high energy Halloween night out. Set on a sprawling farm, the experience typically includes multiple attractions—such as haunted hayrides, walk through trails, pitch black indoor scares, and interactive encounters with actors—creating a long, multi part evening of frights. The production leans into intense themes, jump scares, fog, strobe lighting, and close up actor interaction.
Recommended Ages: Ages 13+. Ideal for teens and adults who enjoy strong scares, dark environments, and hig intensity haunted attractions.

Oasis Island of Terror

Every Friday and Saturday in October, 2026
Oasis Family Farm, 3 Circle Drive, Robbinsville, NJ
An intense haunted attraction, transforming the farm into a dark, atmospheric scare zone filled with themed walk throughs, detailed sets, and close up encounters with actors. Unlike family friendly pumpkin walks or gentle Halloween trails, this experience leans into fear—tight spaces, jump scares, eerie lighting, and suspenseful storytelling designed to keep guests on edge from start to finish.
Recommended Ages: 13+. Teens and adults who enjoy haunted houses, horror films, and immersive scare environments

Central New Jersey 2026 Family-Friendly Halloween Events & Not-So-Scary Fun

Central New Jersey’s 2026 family-friendly Halloween events offer festive, kid-friendly fun, from pumpkin activities and costume celebrations to not-so-scary Halloween attractions.

Fright Fest at Six Flags Great Adventure

Select Nights. September 18 - November 1, 2026
Six Flags Great Adventure, 1 Six Flags Blvd, Jackson Township, NJ
Fright Fest turns the park into a full scale Halloween takeover, blending family friendly fall fun during the day with intense scares after dark. By afternoon, guests can enjoy seasonal shows, trick or treat spots, and lightly spooky entertainment suitable for most ages. Once the sun sets, the atmosphere shifts: scare zones fill with roaming monsters, haunted mazes open, and the park becomes intentionally frightening, loud, and high intensity.
Recommended Ages: Daytime Fright Fest: Generally appropriate for kids 6+.
Nighttime Fright Fest (after 6 p.m.): Best suited for teens and adults (13+) due to jump scares, graphic effects, fog, strobe lighting, and aggressive scareactor interactions.
Haunted Houses & Mazes: Recommended for ages 14+. These attractions are designed to be intense and are not advised for young children.

Asbury Park Zombie Walk

Saturday, October 3, 2026
Asbury Park Boardwalk, Asbury Park, NJ
A beloved Shore tradition, the Asbury Park Zombie Walk transforms the boardwalk into a playful, theatrical parade of the undead. Thousands of participants—some in elaborate makeup, others in simple spooky attire—shuffle, groan, and grin their way from Convention Hall down the boards. The atmosphere is energetic, humorous, and visually over the top, making it one of the most photographed fall events in New Jersey.
Recommended Ages: Ages 10+ Ideal for kids and adults who enjoy Halloween fun, costumes, and light spooky themes.

Brookdale Haunted Theater

October 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, 29 & 30 2026
Brookdale Community College Performing Arts Center, 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ
A long running, student designed immersive haunt known for its theatrical sets, dark maze-like passages, and high energy actors. The experience blends classic haunted house scares with creative stagecraft—fog, strobe lighting, tight corridors, and sudden character encounters—making it one of New Jersey’s most atmospheric college run Halloween attractions.
Recommended Ages: Ages 12+, depending on comfort with darkness and jump scares.

Historic Village - Night of Frights

Friday, Saturday Nights, October 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 2026: 6pm - 9pm
Historic Village at Allaire, Wall Township, NJ
Night of Frights transforms Allaire’s historic 19th century village into a lantern lit Halloween experience filled with spooky vignettes, costumed characters, and atmospheric storytelling. Guests wander through the grounds as the blacksmith shop, general store, chapel, and pathways come alive with eerie scenes, seasonal décor, and family friendly frights. It’s immersive without being overwhelming—more spooky than scary—making it one of New Jersey’s gentler Halloween attractions set in a beautifully preserved historic setting.
Recommended Ages: Ages 8+. Ideal for most children who enjoy Halloween and can handle mild spooky themes, costumed characters, and dim lighting.

Boo at the Boardwalk

October 17, 18, 24, 25, 2026
Jenkinson's Boardwalk, 300 Ocean Avenue Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
A friendly, Halloween themed seaside celebration. Kids can trick or treat along the boardwalk, meet costumed characters, enjoy crafts and games, and take part in light, not too spooky activities designed to keep the day fun rather than frightening. Expect a lively, colorful atmosphere with plenty of photo ops and easygoing entertainment that works beautifully for families.
Recommended Ages: Ages 2–10, though older siblings and parents will enjoy the festive boardwalk setting.

Asbury Park Halloween Food Truck and Music Festival

Saturday, Sunday, October 24, 25, 2026
Bradley Park, 101 5th Ave, Asbury Park, NJ
A lively, family friendly Halloween weekend filled with food trucks, live music, and festive fall activities. Set across Bradley Park, the festival blends seasonal treats, costume fun, and an easygoing outdoor vibe that works well for all ages. Kids will enjoy the costumes, sweets, and open park space; teens and adults tend to gravitate toward the music lineup, food vendors, and the overall Asbury Park energy.
Recommended Ages: Ages 3+ plenty of costumes, treats, and daytime activities.

Spooky Halloween at Northlandz

October, 2026
Northlandz, 495 US-202, Flemington, NJ
Spooky Halloween at Northlandz turns the famous model train wonderland into a festive, family friendly Halloween experience. The event typically blends seasonal décor, gentle spooky elements, themed displays, and walk through areas that keep the atmosphere fun rather than frightening. Guests explore the massive indoor layout—miniature towns, tunnels, bridges, and whimsical scenes—enhanced with Halloween touches that add charm without pushing into true scare territory.
Recommended Ages: Ages 4+ The event is designed to be light, playful, and non scary, perfect for kids who enjoy Halloween without intense frights

Toms River Halloween Parade

Saturday, October 31, 2026
Downtown Toms River, NJ
One of New Jersey's largest and most spirited Halloween parades, the Toms River Halloween Parade fills downtown with floats, marching bands, costumed families, community groups, and plenty of festive Shore town energy. The atmosphere is upbeat, colorful, and celebratory rather than scary, making it a favorite for families who enjoy classic Halloween fun. Crowds can be large, but the vibe stays friendly and community focused, with lots to see along the route.
Recommended Ages: All ages. The parade is designed to be family friendly and welcoming to everyone.

Top Haunted Houses & Scary Attractions in Southern New Jersey for 2026

Discover Southern New Jersey's top haunted houses and scary attractions for 2026, featuring frightening experiences, haunted trails, spooky events, and Halloween thrills for brave visitors of all ages 13+

Terror in the Junkyard

Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday during October, 2026
Fleming's Junkyard, 353 Zion Rd., Egg Harbor Twp. NJ
Terror in the Junkyard transforms a working junkyard into a gritty, high intensity Halloween experience. Expect dark, industrial themed scare zones, tight corridors, loud effects, and actors who lean into jump scare energy. The setting itself adds an extra layer of unease—rusted metal, abandoned vehicles, and shadowy corners create an atmosphere that feels raw and unpredictable. Guests typically move through multiple attractions, including a haunted hayride and walk throughs designed to keep adrenaline high from start to finish.
Recommended Ages: Ages 13+. Best suited for teens and adults who enjoy intense scares, loud environments, and close up actor interaction.

Night of Terror at Creamy Acres Farm

Selected nights from October 2 thru October 31, 2026
Creamy Acres Farm, 448 Lincoln Mill Road, Mullica Hill, NJ
Night of Terror is one of New Jersey's longest running and most elaborate haunted attractions, transforming the farm into a high intensity Halloween destination. The experience features multiple attractions—such as haunted hayrides, themed walkthroughs, pitch black indoor scares, and actor driven zones—built with professional level sets, pyrotechnics, fog, strobe lighting, and aggressive jump scare choreography. The overall tone is dark, loud, and adrenaline heavy, designed for guests who want a full scale fright night rather than a family friendly Halloween outing.
Recommended Ages: Ages 13+. Best suited for teens and adults who enjoy intense scares, loud effects, and close up actor interaction.

Fear in the Forest

Friday and Saturday nights, October 23, 24, 2026
Blueberry Farm, 1 Pasadena Road, Browns Mills, NJ
Fear in the Forest is a classic outdoor haunt set deep in the woods of Blueberry Farm, where narrow trails, eerie lighting, and committed scare actors create an atmosphere that feels isolated, unpredictable, and adrenaline heavy. Guests wind through dark forest paths filled with jump scares, themed scenes, and close up interactions that lean more toward psychological tension than gore. It's a shorter experience than some large multi attraction farms, but the intensity of the wooded setting makes it a memorable, raw, immersive scare.
Recommended Ages: Ages 13+. Best suited for teens and adults who enjoy strong scares, darkness, and outdoor haunted trails.

Southern New Jersey 2026 Family-Friendly Halloween Events & Not-So-Scary Fun

Southern New Jersey’s 2026 family-friendly Halloween events offer festive, kid-friendly fun, with parades, block parties, and village strolls that focus on family fun.

Witchcraft

Friday, Saturday, October 9,10, 2026
Route 206 & West Mills Rg. Hammonton, NJ
A compact, atmospheric Halloween attraction, Witchcraft leans into eerie woodland vibes, spell casting themes, and moody lighting rather than extreme gore. Expect a walk through or staged experience built around witches, rituals, and suspenseful storytelling. It's designed to feel spooky and immersive without pushing into the most intense horror territory.
Recommended Ages: Ages 10–12. Suitable for kids who enjoy Halloween scares and can handle dark settings, jump moments, and witch themed theatrics.

Annual Ghoul Spring Village

October 17-18, 24-25, 2026
Historic Cold Spring Village, 720 US Route 9, Cape May, NJ
Annual Ghoul Spring Village turns Historic Cold Spring Village into a charmingly spooky autumn walk through filled with lantern lit paths, costumed interpreters, and gentle Halloween vignettes set among the 19th century buildings. Visitors explore the grounds at their own pace, encountering seasonal décor, folklore themed scenes, and light atmospheric frights that lean more whimsical than intense. The event preserves the Village’s historic character while adding just enough Halloween flair to feel festive.
Recommended Ages: Ages 7+. Ideal for most children who enjoy Halloween but prefer mild, story driven spooky elements.

Alloway Halloween Parade

Saturday, October 24, 2026
Downtown, Alloway, NJ
A charming small town tradition, the Alloway Halloween Parade brings together families, local groups, floats, costumes, and plenty of seasonal spirit. The atmosphere is upbeat and neighborly rather than spooky, making it one of Salem County's most approachable Halloween events. Expect classic parade fun—marching units, decorated vehicles, kids in costume, and friendly community energy along the downtown route.
Recommended Ages: All ages. The parade is gentle, festive, and community‑focused, suitable for everyone from toddlers to grandparents.

Monster Bash at Historic Smithville

Saturday, October 24, 2026: (Rain date Nov 1st)
Historic Smithville, 615 E. Moss Mill Rd, Smithville, NJ
Monster Bash brings a lively, family friendly Halloween vibe to Historic Smithville, filling the village with costumed characters, music, trick or treating stops, and playful spooky décor. The event leans festive rather than frightening, making it a great option for families who want seasonal fun without intense scares. Kids can wander the shops in costume, enjoy themed activities, and take in the cheerful Halloween atmosphere while adults appreciate the historic setting and easygoing pace.
Recommended Ages: Ages 3–10. The event is designed with young children in mind: colorful costumes, gentle Halloween themes, and approachable activities.

North Wildwood Trunk-or-Treat Block Party

Saturday, October 24, 2026
along Olde New Jersey Avenue, North Wildwood, NJ
A lively Shore style Halloween celebration, the Trunk or Treat Block Party turns Olde New Jersey Avenue into a festive, family friendly stretch of decorated cars, costumed kids, music, and community fun. Families stroll the avenue while children collect candy from creatively themed trunks, enjoy photo ops, and take in the upbeat fall atmosphere. It's a safe, walkable event with plenty of room for strollers and groups, making it one of the most accessible Halloween outings at the Jersey Shore.
Recommended Ages: Ages 2–10. The event is designed around young trick or treaters, with gentle themes, friendly volunteers, and easy candy stops.

Ocean City Halloween Parade

Thursday, October 29, 2026
Asbury Ave., Ocean City, NJ
Halloween Parade brings costumed families, local bands, community groups, floats, and plenty of festive energy to Asbury Avenue. It's a light hearted, community driven event with a classic small town feel—perfect for kids who enjoy dressing up and watching cheerful, not too spooky Halloween fun.
Recommended Ages: Ages 3+

Frequently Asked Questions About
New Jersey Halloween Events in 2026

What are the best haunted houses in New Jersey for 2026?

Popular haunted attractions in the guide include 13th Hour Haunted House and Brighton Asylum in Northern New Jersey, Nightmare at Gravity Hill and Field of Terror in Central New Jersey, and Night of Terror at Creamy Acres Farm in Southern New Jersey. Most of these attractions are recommended for teens and adults because they include darkness, loud effects, jump scares, or graphic themes.

What are the best family-friendly Halloween events in New Jersey?

Family-friendly options include the Jack O'Lantern Experience, Demarest Farms Light Show, AddamsFest, Boo at the Boardwalk, the Toms River Halloween Parade, Monster Bash at Historic Smithville, and North Wildwood's Trunk-or-Treat Block Party. These events focus on pumpkins, costumes, lights, parades, music, or mild spooky entertainment.

Which New Jersey Halloween attractions are suitable for young children?

The Jack O'Lantern Experience, Demarest Farms Light Show, Boo at the Boardwalk, Spooky Halloween at Northlandz, and family parades are among the gentler choices in the guide. Parents should review each event's age recommendation and official event details before buying tickets.

When do New Jersey Halloween events take place in 2026?

Many events begin in September and continue through October, while some run through November 1. Haunted attractions often operate on selected Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, so visitors should confirm the schedule and timed-entry requirements on the official event website.