NJIB’s Guide to New Jersey Halloween Parades
New Jersey Halloween parades are a vibrant and cherished tradition that brings communities together in the Garden State to celebrate the spookiest season of the year. From the northern reaches of the state to its southern shores, New Jersey towns and cities come alive with a dazzling array of costumed participants (including dogs!), elaborately decorated floats, and an infectious spirit of Halloween fun.
These parades serve as a testament to the creativity and enthusiasm of New Jersey residents, offering a thrilling spectacle for participants and spectators alike. Whether you’re a fan of ghouls and ghosts or simply enjoy the festive atmosphere, New Jersey Halloween parades are an enchanting way to experience the magic of the season.
New Jersey Halloween Parades:
October 14:
The Wild Walk Pet Parade, Costume Contest and Adoption Event
October 14, 1 pm – 3 pm
Calling all dogs, cats, and crocodiles (hey, this IS AddamsFest, after all)! Dress up Rover in their most frightening frock and join us for our pet parade and costume contest! While there, guests can meet their newest best friend at the pet adoption event, hosted by Wise Animal Rescue. It’s going to be a doggone good time!
Downtown Westfield, NJ
October 21:
Costume Pet Parade
October 21, 1 pm
Paw Dazzle will host the Annual Costume Pet Parade starting at 1:00 pm. This is, by far, Historic Smithville’s cutest event. Spectators can watch 100+ pets show off their unique Halloween costumes! To enter your pet, you must be pre-registered by calling Paw Dazzle at 609-748-7110. Historic Smithville offers 60 Shoppes, 7 eateries, a carousel ride, train ride, paddle boats and arcade, on site lodging at the Colonial Inn, and over 26 free weekend events!
615 East Moss Mill Road, Galloway, NJ
Dover Trunk-or-Treat and Halloween Parade
October 21, 1 pm, rain date October 28
The Town of Dover celebrates Halloween with its 13th annual trunk-or-treat and parade. The parade begins at 1pm and concludes with the trunk-or-treat at Crescent Field Parking Lot. Don’t miss the costume and trunk-decorating contests.
South Morris Street, Dover, NJ
HSOC “Howl-O-Ween” Parade
October 21, 3 pm
HSOC “Howl-O-Ween” Parade Hosted by the Humane Society of Ocean City. Contestants are encouraged to dress themselves and their pooch in zany, fun Halloween costumes in the spirit of the season. Registration begins at 2:00 p.m. at the Sports & Civic Center. The parade begins at 3:00 P.M. and the procession is from 6th to 14th Street on the Boardwalk.
Asbury Ave. from 6th – 11th Street, Ocean City, NJ
Rumson Halloween Parade
October 21, 3 pm
The Halloween Parade and Egg Hunt will take place on Saturday, Oct. 21, at Riverside Park at 3 p.m. In addition to the parade and egg hunt, the PTO will be doing their table-or treat event.
Riverside Park, Rumson, NJ
Monroe Township Halloween Parade
October 21, 7 pm (Rain Date October 22)
Come join us for a fun, family evening at the annual Halloween Parade! Enjoy Halloween themed floats and much more.
Main St (Between CVS and Church St, Williamstown, NJ
October 22:
Doggy Day Paw-rade and Family Fun Day
October 22, 12 pm – 4 pm
There will be games, a doggy parade, a dog costume contest, face painting for people, food trucks, vendors and more.
City Hall, 210 Chestnut Street, Roselle, NJ
Linden Halloween Parade
October 22, 1 pm
Come out and join the Linden Halloween Parade Committee for the 7Oth Annual Halloween Parade on Sunday, October 22, 2023. The rain date will be Sunday, October 29, 2023. The parade line-up will begin at 1 p.m. on Wood Ave. and begin promptly at 2 p.m.
Wood Ave, Linden, NJ
Red Bank’s 75th Halloween Parade
October 22, 2 pm
The timeless tradition of Red Bank’s Halloween Parade is about to grace Broad Street for its 75th annual appearance. The lineup kicks off at 1 p.m. near Hudson Avenue and East Bergen Place, followed by the parade’s commencement at 2 p.m., winding its way through the heart of downtown before concluding at the White Street parking lot, where the first 250 children will receive delightful goodie bags. This festive gathering is set to offer a melodious backdrop with music and the much-anticipated costume awards to add to the excitement.
Red Bank, NJ
Cape May’s Annual Halloween Parade
October 22, 3 pm
Cape May’s Annual Halloween Parade is scheduled for Sunday, October 22, 2023, beginning at 3 PM. The parade route begins at Perry Street and Carpenters Lane, proceeds down Carpenters Lane to Ocean Street, travels down Washington Street and ends at the Emlen Physick Estate located at 1048 Washington Street. Parade registration is free and begins at 1:30 PM on the corner of Perry Street and the Washington Street Mall. Judging takes place at 2:30 PM.
Cape May, NJ
October 25:
Bell Works Fresh Market and Pup Parade
October 25, 11 am – 4 pm
Visitors are invited to the weekly market at the Main Atrium, running every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., where they can explore and support local artisans and bakers. Live music will be a regular feature from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. During the Bell Works Fresh Wednesday market on October 25th, attendees can also participate in the annual Pup Parade. Registration for the parade commences at 1:30 p.m., and the procession begins at 3 p.m.
Bell Works, Holmdel, NJ
October 26:
Ocean City Halloween Parade
October 26, 7:15 pm
This Ocean City nighttime tradition remains one of longest-running Halloween parades in the tri-state area. The parade will march along Asbury Avenue from 6th to 11th Streets.
Asbury Ave. from 6th – 11th Street, Ocean City, NJ
October 27:
Stangl Witch Walk and Moon Market
October 27, 5 pm – 10 pm
Stangl Road will be decorated on the theme of…..cemetery…this year! Join for open container, food vendors, DJ Lawless, the “traditional witches’ dance”, adult costume contest and so much more! This year they are hosting a new “Moon Market!” With approximately 25-30 vendors with all things Halloween, Witchy, Woo-woo, Wonderous and the beat goes on…
Stangl Rd, Flemington, NJ
Princeton’s Hometown Halloween Parade
October 27, 5:15 pm
Don your best costume for the Arts Council of Princeton’s Hometown Halloween Parade! Gather with your friends and neighbors on Palmer Square Green to enjoy a Halloween-themed performance by Jeff (of fan-favorite Storytime with Jeff!) before we depart promptly at 5:45pm. The festivities will continue at the YMCA with circus entertainment and free family fun!
Palmer Square Green, Princeton, NJ
October 28:
Hillsborough Howl-O-Ween
October 28, 9 am
Pups are the stars of this Halloween parade at Ann Van Middlesworth Dog Park. Cheer on costumed dogs as they compete for prizes. Vendors round out the fun.
Ann Van Middlesworth Park. 17 Pleasant View Rd, Hillsborough, NJ
Strut Your Mutt: Canine Halloween Costume Contest
October 28, 9 am
The annual Strut Your Mutt: Canine Halloween Costume Contest lets local dog owners show off their creative talents, celebrate their pets, and share a happy occasion with other dog owners. Bring the entire family to this fun event, and let your dog prove its star power. Registration starts at 9am; the parade steps off at 9:30am.
Brookdale Park Dog Park, Grove Street, Montclair, NJ
Historic Smithville’s Monster Bash
October 28, 10 am – 6 pm
This Halloween event features the areas largest Zombie Walk. That’s not the undead walking the streets of Galloway Twp.. it’s Smithville’s annual Zombie Walk!, People from south Jersey and the surrounding areas find their way to Smithville either in full zombie gear or ready to be painted to look like a zombie (for a small fee)
Historic Smithville, 615 E. Moss Mill Rd, Smithville, NJ
Zombie Walk Montclair
October 28, 2 pm
The event kicks off at 2 pm where they’ll have make-up artists on hand to help give you a good gash, slash or some general damage to “zombify” you and get you ready for the walk around Montclair! At 4 pm, the zombies hit the streets! As a giant Zombie horde, you’ll walk around Montclair and spread the spooky spirit to patrons, businesses, looky-loos and casual walkers. The event concludes at East Side Mags where you’ll rock out with a rendition of the Monster Mash followed by a Zombie/Costume contest with prizes for: Best Baby Costume, Best Kids/Youth Costume, and Best Adult Costume.
491 Bloomfield Avenue Montclair, NJ
Maple Shade Halloween Parade
October 28, 2:15 pm
Maple Shade Parade invites attendees to partake in an afternoon of scares and celebration. The event’s schedule includes a Costume Contest at Steinhauer Elementary at 1:15 PM, where participants are encouraged to unleash their creative spirits, with on-site registration for those eager to display their costume prowess. At 2:15 PM, the excitement reaches its peak as the Parade commences from Main Street at Columbia Bank and concluding at N. Lippincott.
Main St, Maple Shade, NJ
North Wildwood Trunk-or-Treat Halloween Block Party
October 28, 5:30 pm
The annual family fun event! features Music, Magic, Balloon Twisting and more! Families are encouraged to bring their vehicles decorated for Halloween. Children will come in costume and visit each car where families will provide treats from the trunks of their cars. There will be no judging of the children’s costumes, but prizes will be awarded to the best-decorated vehicles. Registration is free and forms are available at 900 Central Avenue in North Wildwood or at City Hall.
Olde NJ Avenue, North Wildwood, NJ
October 29:
Clifton Halloween Parade & Harvest Fest
October 29, 11:30 am
Halloween Parade followed by costume judging and then the Harvest fest featuring rides, games, vendors and more!
Van Houten Ave. to Clifton City Hall Municipal Complex, 900 Clifton Ave, Clifton, NJ
Witches Day Out
October 29, 12 pm – 5 pm
Enjoy some magical shopping and scary good deals. Enjoy shop treats and discounts for anyone wearing a witches hat. This year expect activities, specials, and lots of fun will be going on all day long including a scavenger hunt, raffles and parade.
615 East Moss Mill Road, Galloway, NJ
Freehold Spooktacular Halloween Parade
October 29, 1 pm
Guests are encouraged to don their favorite costumes, participate in the costume contest, and join the parade, or simply enjoy the spectacle from the sidewalk as the procession winds through town. Exciting prizes await the winners of the costume contest.
Main St, Freehold, NJ
October 30:
Mays Landing 68th Annual Halloween Parade
October 30, 6:30 pm
On the 30th of October 2023, join or participate in the parade. Be among thousands entertained by the array of costumes, floats, and performances. The parade has something for everyone of all ages. Hosted by the Rotary Club of Mays Landing-Egg Harbor City. The parade usually runs from 6:30 pm – 9 pm.
Main St, Mays Landing, NJ
October 31:
Hoboken Ragamuffin Parade and Costume Contest
October 31, 4 pm
The Hoboken Parade features local live music, floats, lots of great costumes and so much more. Wear your Halloween best!
Washington Street. between 13th & 14th Street, Hoboken, NJ
Annual Toms River Halloween Parade
October 31, 7 pm
Reported to be the 2nd largest Parade of its type in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records! It’s a parade with plenty of floats and decorative Halloween-themed attractions. Arrive early. It is recommended you arrive about 2 hours prior to the start of the parade. This allows time to get settled and comfortable so the parade can begin on time. In the past, people have put chairs out even earlier. The parade starts at 7:00 pm, from the Toms River Center located at Main Street and Route 37, proceeding South on Main Street, then east on Washington Street, and concludes at Hooper Avenue. Most trophies will be distributed at 101 Hooper Avenue, Ocean County Administration Building.
Toms River Center, Main Street and Route 37, Toms River, NJ
