Looking for some scary fun Halloween events in New Jersey? You’re not alone — so grab your best costume, pick your pumpkin and let’s explore your options!
Everyone’s looking for fun ways to celebrate this spooky holiday. Statista reports that over 70% of Americans took part in Halloween activities last year, spending over $11 billion in the process. (That’s a lot of hayrides and candy bars!)
A lot of Halloween event lists provide one type of experience — either scream-worthy, family-friendly, or town-focused. We wanted to give you a complete list of the best Halloween haunts New Jersey has to offer of every variety in one place.
There are 3 kinds of Halloween activities — scary haunted attractions, kid-friendly events, and Halloween parades and walking tours. We broke our list of 21 NJ Halloween events into 3 categories:
- Terrifying NJ Haunted Attractions
- Fun & Spooky Family Halloween Activities
- NJ Halloween Parades and Tours
Whether you like a little more “trick” or a lot of “treats” in your Halloween, there’s something on this list for everyone.
Terrifying NJ Haunted Attractions
13th Hour Haunted House
105 W Dewey Ave., Wharton, NJ
Ranked one of America’s best haunted house and escape room experiences, 13th Hour offers 3 haunted houses, 8 escape rooms and Haunted Hatchets glow-in-the-dark axe throwing.
The 3 haunted houses are the highlight, of course. Each involves unique special effects and movie quality sets. Explore Two Floors of Fear in the House of Nightmares and the terrifying Attic.
If you’re brave enough, check out The Darkside — 13th Hour’s newest haunted experience. It’s a pitch black haunted house with live actors, animatronics and special effects.
Bloodshed Farms Fear Fest
2919 Route 206, Columbus, NJ
Billed at “The Last Haunted Drive-Thru”, Bloodshed Farms allows you to experience “twisted creatures and menacing characters” as you drive through theatrical Halloween displays in your vehicle.
If you’re daring, upgrade to the “Psycho Pass” — an enhanced ticket that allows the actors to approach your vehicle, interact with your passengers, and squirt foam, water and fake blood on your car.
There are interactive events to make Bloodshed Farms more fun. Sundays are Pickup Truck Nights, where guests can experience the Fear Fest in the flatbed of their pickup. There are also costume contests and vehicle decoration nights — check the website for details.
https://bloodshedfarmsfearfest.com/
Brighton Asylum
2 Brighton Ave, Passaic, NJ
Can you escape Brighton Asylum? The legendary haunted asylum attraction in Passaic returns for another Halloween season of scares, screams and terrifying fun.
Enjoy 6 Brighton Asylum attractions — Brighton Asylum, the Bleeding Grounds, and Sub Culture return. They’re joined by Fear Pressure, The Hack Shack, and the Twitching Hour (a paranormal experience).
It’s advisable to get your tickets in advance for this extremely popular attraction. Fast Pass holders may skip the entrance line, which is usually very long.
C. Casola Farms Haunted Attractions
131 South Main Street, Marlboro, NJ
C. Casola Farms Haunted Attractions packs 4 nightmarish attractions into one experience. Take the Haunted Hayride of Terror, enter the scary 3D Haunted Barn, try to escape the Living Maze, and survive the Marlboro Zombie Breakout.
The Marlboro Zombie Breakout is a fun, interactive paintball experience. Shoot paintballs from the back of a military-style truck and try to help C. Casola Farms exterminate its zombie infestation.
Tickets are ONLY sold in person at the box office window. Military and law enforcement members get $5 off every Sunday night.
Field of Terror
831 Windsor-Perrineville Rd, East Windsor, NJ
Legend has it that Farmer Frank bought 100 acres of farmland in East Windsor, and secretly used the location to experiment on “human crops”. A century later, the haunts and wild experiments continue every Halloween at Field of Terror.
There’s plenty to do at Field of Terror, if you dare! Explore the Kornfield of Karnage, board the haunted hayride, or wander the terrifying Karnival and Timmery Manor.
The Creepy Carnival paintball ride is a real blast. Board a tractor-pulled wagon and shoot paintballs at scary clowns who emerge from the cornfield.
https://www.fieldofterror.com/index_default.html
Hayride of Horrors & Corn Maze
671 Mt. Bethel Rd, Hackettstown, NJ
The scariest hayride in Warren County takes visitors on a tour through some pretty scary Halloween farm grounds. Enjoy a classic haunted hayride complete with jump scares and unexpected surprises.
For a more relaxed version, take a cozy “dayride” through the Corrado Family Farm that ends with a walk through the pumpkin patch. (Don’t expect the “ghoul squad” to let you walk the grounds in peace at night, though!)
All in-person tickets for the Hayride of Horrors are currently cash-only.
https://www.hayrideofhorrors.com/index.html
Night of Terror at Creamy Acres Farm
448 Lincoln Mill Rd, Mullica Hill, NJ
Creamy Acres Farm is one of NJ’s best farms for apple picking, pumpkin picking and family fun. But when the sun goes down in the fall, Night of Terror takes over the farm.
Avoid the clowns in The Playground, try to survive your Dark Dreams, and evade the evil creatures of the night during Harvest. If you’re up for it, the Ride of Terror covers 25 acres in about half an hour. It’s the area’s longest, darkest hayride.
End your night with a haunted paintball ride, and take out your stress and fright on some creepy zombies.
https://www.nightofterror.com/index_default.html
Norz Hill Scare Farm
120 South Branch Rd., Hillsborough, NJ
Norz Hill Scare Farm offers 4 haunted attractions in one bundled experience — all for one price (tickets start at $50). Do you have what it takes to do them back to back to back?
This year’s edition of Scare Farm includes the Slayride hayride, Madderbaby Lane, Atrum Manor and Chaotica+. These attractions form one long, continuous experience that will keep your head on a swivel all night.
Events at Norz Hill are dependent on the weather. If it’s raining, check with the farm organizers or Norz Hill social media to see if Scare Farm is open that evening.
https://norzhillfarm.com/scare-farm
Fun & Spooky Family Halloween Activities
Demarest Farms Halloween Light Show
244 Werimus Rd, Hillsdale, NJ
Demarest Farms is renowned for their holiday light show, Orchard of Lights. They’ve extended the fun into a family-friendly Halloween Light Show — the largest of its kinds in New Jersey.
Your vehicle will take a guided tour through 32 acres of Demarest Farm. Arrive 10 minutes before your reservation time, then tune your car radio to 107.9 FM and enjoy the light show!
All reservations for the Demarest Farms Halloween Light Show must be made online, in advance. There are no tickets sold at the farm market.
https://halloweenlightshows.com/
Jack O’Lantern Experience at Skylands Stadium
94 Championship Pl, Augusta, NJ
Nothing says Halloween like a Jack O’Lantern — and Skylands Stadium has over 6,000 of them! From September to November, the Jack O’Lantern Experience takes over this Sussex County ballpark.
There are great perks for kids and adults alike at this event. Kids under 36” enter free, and adults can enjoy live music and a beer garden. VIP ticket holders can enter at any time and receive a complimentary beer, wine or apple cider — plus, no waiting in line!
See jack o’lanterns, light displays, large visual exhibits, and fun fall decorations. This event is appropriate for all ages.
http://skylandsstadium.com/jackolantern/
Happy Haunts at Haunted Red Mill
56 Main St, Clinton, NJ
Plenty of NJ residents know the Haunted Red Mill attraction, which is great for grown-ups. But on Saturdays in October, Happy Haunts is a kid-friendly version of the same great experience.
Tickets are $10 apiece and include a “less frightening” haunted mill experience that’s kid-friendly. Visitors also receive a hayride, cider and donuts, and one pumpkin per family.
Happy Haunts takes place on Saturdays in October with rain dates on Sundays — check the website for specific details and times.
https://theredmill.org/haunted-red-mill/
Halloween House Paramus
Paramus Park Mall, 700 Paramus Park, Paramus, NJ
Haunted House Paramus bills itself as “more fun, less fear, and more WOW than a haunted house”. This haunted attraction in Paramus Park Mall offers completely immersive Halloween experiences in multiple rooms.
Choose from Dracula’s Lair, a Trick or Treat room, the Glow in the Dark room, and pop culture Halloween rooms inspired by Stranger Things and The Nightmare Before Christmas.
If you love Halloween but hate extreme scares, this is a great option for you. There are no actors, no jump scares, and no disorienting strobe lights. General admission tickets start at $29.99 for adults and $24.99 for teens.
https://halloweenhouseparamus.com/
Six Flags Fright Fest (and Boo Fest for Kids)
1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson, NJ
Six Flags Fright Fest at Great Adventure is an annual event that packs extra nighttime frights into the theme park. Experience your favorite rides and roller coasters at night, but watch out for Scare Zones — zombies and witches await to scare you and your friends.
Upgrade your Six Flags admission ticket with a Haunted Attractions pass and gain VIP access to 8 premium haunted houses. These include new The Conjuring and Saw X experiences.
Fright Fest is recommended for guests over 13 years old. If your kids are younger, come during the day for Six Flags Boo Fest — it’s a far more family-friendly experience.
https://www.sixflags.com/greatadventure/events/fright-fest-2023
Spooky Fest at Liberty Science Center
222 Jersey City Blvd, Jersey City, NJ
Does your child like a little “spooky science”? Then Spooky Fest at Liberty Science Center is a great way to spend a fall day.
Start your day at the Boneyard and see real animal skeletons, then go on a scavenger hunt for skeletons and creepy spiders. Watch a 3D Halloween movie in the 3D science theater, or enjoy a laser show at the planetarium.
Make sure your whole family comes in costume — you’ll have a photo opportunity at the daily Halloween Dance Party!
The Great Pumpkin Train
38 Market St., Phillipsburg, NJ
All aboard the Great Pumpkin Train in Phillipsburg! This fun Delaware River Railroad Excursion is much more than a train ride — it’s a day of multiple family activities with a fun Halloween twist.
Take a train ride along the Delaware River to the Susquehanna Mining Company, where your family pans for gems that you can take home. Then, weave your way through 2 corn mazes with kid-friendly puzzles to solve along the way.
On your ride back, the train stops at a beautiful pumpkin patch. Every child on the train gets to pick a pumpkin for free. Book your tickets online in advance.
https://877trainride.com//pumpkintrain.htm
Zoo Boo (Bergen County Zoo)
216 Forest Ave., Paramus, NJ
The Bergen County Zoo offers two ways to have Halloween fun with their Zoo Boo Fundraiser event. Tickets are very reasonable — $8 for zoo entry, and $5 for train rides. All guests 2 and older must purchase tickets.
Zoo Boo features “mad science” shows, trick or treating, music, train rides, and animal artifact displays. It’s a great way to take your kids to the zoo and go trick or treating all at once.
Tickets must be purchased in advance online — they’re generally in high demand. Zoo admission is organized in hourly time slots.
https://www.friendsofbergencountyzoo.org/events/zooboo.html
NJ Halloween Parades and Tours
Asbury Park Ghost Walking Tours
621 Cookman Ave. Asbury Park, NJ
Take one of 4 spooky walking tours through Asbury Park’s most haunted locations. Your guides from The Paranormal Museum and Paranormal Books & Curiosities lead you through crime scenes, pub crawls and downtown locations with a history of the macabre.
21+ guests can partake in private monthly Haunted Pub Tours. This guided indoor tour takes a pub crawl through some of Asbury Park’s most historic (and reportedly haunted) venues. Tickets for this particular tour start at $20.
Each Asbury Park ghost walking tour starts at a unique location, so visit the website below for further information and ticket reservations.
https://www.paranormalbooksnj.com/ghost-tours/
Atlantic City Ghosts
Outside 2201 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ
Atlantic City’s #1 rated ghost tour takes you through one of America’s most notorious casino towns — and shows you why AC’s history of despair and darkness made it one of NJ’s most haunted cities.
From historic lore about the Absegami tribe and Al Capone to the legends of the Lady in White and Jersey Devil, you’ll hear about AC’s spooky history as you travel between its most notorious, haunted locations.
All AC Ghost Tours begin outside Rainforest Cafe at 2201 Boardwalk in Atlantic City. The tours are held nightly at 8 pm and last roughly 1 hour. Ask your guide for an extended tour for access to 3-4 more locations.
https://usghostadventures.com/atlantic-city/
Cape May Halloween Tours and Events
Various locations, Cape May, NJ
Cape May features a collection of haunted Halloween tours, walks and events unparalleled by any other town in New Jersey. If you want a taste of the bizarre, visit the website link below for this year’s slate of over a dozen spooky activities.
Join a seance at the Physick Estate, or enjoy a three-course meal while you summon spirits at the Inn of Cape May’s channeling dinner. Explore strange Victorian obsessions, odd artifacts, and haunted Cape May homes on various tours.
Want to get outside? Take one of Cape May’s ghost walks and trolley tours. The Ghosts of Cape May Trolley Tour is hosted by a renowned psychic medium and emanates from the Ocean Street trolley stop.
https://capemaymac.org/experience/special-events/halloween-happenings/
Princeton Hometown Halloween Parade
Palmer Square, Princeton, NJ
The annual Princeton Hometown Halloween Parade is a popular annual tradition that fills the streets outside Princeton University. This free event takes place Saturday, October 27, 2023 at 5:15 pm, and begins on Palmer Square Green.
Over 1,000 people respond to the Princeton Halloween Parade’s event page every year, and the turnout is a wonderful blend of families, adults and college students dressed in their best Halloween costumes.
The parade route ends at the Princeton YMCA, but the fun is only beginning. Join the parade afterparty there for circus acts and free family entertainment.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1619605738533783
Toms River Fire Company #1 Halloween Parade
Main Street and Washington Street, Toms River, NJ
Toms River’s annual Halloween Parade is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the 2nd largest of its kind in the world. This massive festival takes place every year on Halloween night, and is organized by Toms River Fire Company #1.
Wondering just how big this parade is? People begin lining the streets with lawn chairs days before the parade to reserve front row seats. The parade winds its way down Main Street and Washington Street, with marching bands, floats, and local groups in spooky costumes.
Thousands attend the Toms River Halloween Parade every year. Registration takes place at Toms River Fire Company #1 on Halloween from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The parade begins at 7 p.m.
https://www.facebook.com/trfchalloweenparade/
Check Out Halloween Events in New Jersey
Whether it’s kid-friendly, spooky or downright terrifying, New Jersey’s got what you need for a scary fun Halloween. There are dozens of outstanding town Halloween parades, frightening haunted houses, and spooky family activities to enjoy.
New Jersey Halloween events are part of what makes fall great in the Garden State. Check out a broader list of the 20 best New Jersey fall activities.
