A compilation of events highlights various family-friendly activities available this weekend, October 24-26, 2026, across New Jersey, as well as in neighboring New York and Pennsylvania. Residents planning outings are advised to always verify times, dates, and weather updates before departing.
Key Halloween-themed events for the weekend include Trick-or-Treat Around the Park at iPlay America in Freehold, the Asbury Park Halloween Food & Music Festival, and the Halloween Fall Fest & Horse Show at Grindstone Stables in Shamong. Other seasonal festivities include Ridgewood’s Halloween Haunted Harvest and Spooky Spiotta in South Orange. For those interested in parades, Halloween processions for children are scheduled in Freehold, Cape May, and Lambertville. Pet owners can also involve their costumed companions in events like 4 Paws in the Park in Ridgefield Park and the Howl-o-Ween Parade in Cranford.
Beyond Halloween, a variety of performing arts options are available. Music enthusiasts can attend the Exit Zero Jazz Fest in Cape May, Africa on Stage: FELA! The Concert in Newark, or the Here Come the Mummies concert in Carteret. Other performances include Flip Circus in Paramus, a Swan Lake presentation in New Brunswick, and the Coco Live-to-Film Concert in Morristown. Additional fall celebrations feature the BaronFest Oktoberfest at Historic New Bridge Landing in River Edge and the Tices Corner Fall Festival in Woodcliff Lake. Diwali parties are also scheduled at The Commons in Bridgewater and at MarketFair in Princeton.
The diverse range of activities includes both indoor and outdoor events, such as shows, markets, museums, flower shows, and festivals. Event coverage extends throughout North, Central, and South Jersey, as well as into parts of New York and Pennsylvania. While some major attractions, like musicals and theme parks, may require tickets and could sell out during popular times, many events are available without an admission charge. Free options can often be found at local town festivals, libraries, and parks.
Throughout the fall season, additional activities include opportunities for apple and pumpkin picking, visits to corn mazes, and various local fall festivals and Halloween parties, alongside other haunted attractions. Year-round family activities frequently encompass fairs and festivals, such as food truck events and street fairs. Educational field trips to museums, historical sites, planetariums, and indoor play centers are also common, as are day trips to downtown areas. Some locations also welcome pets.
Editors' selections for activities are refreshed weekly, with event listings consistently updated from a comprehensive events calendar, ensuring dates, venues, and prices remain current. Residents looking for more options can browse an updated events calendar or subscribe to a newsletter for direct updates. Information is also shared on social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram. For those planning ahead, events for October 30-November 1 are also typically available. Organizations and individuals can submit their own events through an online calendar for potential inclusion.