NJIB’s Guide to New Jersey Halloween Parades 2024
New Jersey Halloween parades are a must-see for anyone looking to celebrate spooky season in style! Across the state, towns transform into Halloween havens, hosting vibrant parades filled with floats, marching bands, costumed participants, and local performers. From small coastal towns to bustling cities, these parades capture the festive spirit with community-wide trick-or-treating, themed events, and creative displays. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly event or something a little more haunted, New Jersey’s Halloween parades have something for everyone!
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NJIB’s Guide to New Jersey Halloween Parades 2024:
Howl-O-Ween
October 5, 3 pm – 6 pm
The Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest and Parade will take place on October 5, 2024, in Keyport, NJ, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The event will be held at 70 W Front Street and features a fun dog costume contest and parade, along with a rescue and vendor market. It’s a great opportunity for dog lovers to showcase their pets in Halloween costumes, meet adoptable dogs, and enjoy browsing through local vendors. Make sure to attend and enjoy the festivities!
70 W Front St, Keyport, NJ
Cost: Free
Halloween Parade & Dance Party in Sea Isle City
October 18, 7 pm
This lively local parade features music, strolling entertainers, floats, local organizations, and many well-costumed entertainers and revelers. Following the parade, stick around for the Halloween Family Dance Party.
Excursion Park, 45th to 40th St. & Landis Ave., Sea Isle City, NJ
Ocean Grove Halloween Pet Parade
October 19, 11 am
The Ocean Grove Halloween Pet Parade & Costume Contest will take place on Saturday, October 19, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Fireman’s Park in Ocean Grove, NJ. The event, which benefits Rescue Ridge, will feature a parade of pets in creative costumes, with prizes awarded for the best-dressed participants. It’s a fun event for both pet owners and spectators, supporting a great cause for homeless animals.
Firemans Park, Main Ave, Ocean Grove, NJ
Cost: Registration $10 per family
Smithville Costume Pet Parade
October 19, 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
Cost: Free
Red Bank Annual Halloween Parade
October 20, 1 pm – 3 pm
Now in its 76th year, Red Bank’s Annual Halloween Parade will take place on Sunday, October 20th. Line-up begins at 1 PM at the corner of Hudson Avenue and E Bergen Place, and the parade will start at 2 PM, making its way toward the White Street Parking lot. In case of rain, the event will be rescheduled for Sunday, October 27th. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes, with gift cards up for grabs. The event is sponsored by Red Bank River Center, and live music will be provided by the Red Bank School of Rock. Floats can be registered for a chance to win prizes, with float awards sponsored by the Red Bank Fire Department.
Downtown Red Bank, NJ
Hammonton Halloween Parade
October 23, 7 pm
The 48th Annual Kiwanis Halloween Parade will take place at 7 PM, offering a spooky celebration with cash prizes. Participants interested in entering a float or group can contact Bob Schenk at 609-517-4614. Individual participants can sign in at 6 PM at Orchard St. and North Egg Harbor Rd. The parade will travel up Bellevue Avenue, ending at 310 Bellevue Ave. In case of rain, the event will be rescheduled for October 24th.
Bellevue Avenue, Hammonton, NJ
Ocean City Halloween Parade
October 24, 7:15 pm
The Ocean City, NJ Halloween Parade is an annual event filled with spooky fun for all ages. The parade features creatively decorated floats, costumed marchers, and local performers showcasing their Halloween spirit. Held on the iconic Asbury Avenue, the event draws families and visitors to enjoy a festive evening of ghoulish entertainment. Participants often include local businesses, schools, and community groups, making it a highlight of the town’s fall celebrations. It’s a fun and festive way to celebrate Halloween by the shore. Sponsored by the Ocean City Exchange Club.
Asbury Ave. from 6th – 11th Street, Ocean City, NJ
Cost: Free
Belmar Recreation Costume Contest and Trunk-or-Treat
October 25, 5:45 pm
Double the Halloween fun with a parade and trunk-or-treat in the Dempsey Park lot. Prizes are awarded for the funniest, scariest, and most original costumes.
Dempsey Park, Belmar, NJ
Strut Your Mutt: Canine Halloween Costume Contest
October 26, 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.
Brookdale Park Dog Park, West Circle Drive, Montclair, NJ
Hillsborough Howl-O-Ween
October 26, 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
HSOC “Howl-O-Ween” Parade
October 26, 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
Downtown Cranford Howl-o-ween Pet Parade
October 27, 11 am
On Sunday, October 27th, head to Eastman Street for the Howl-o-Ween Pet Parade, starting at 11 AM, followed by the Thrills and Chills Halloween Dance Fest at 12 PM! The Howl-o-Ween Pet Parade is hosted in partnership with Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming Cranford-Westfield and The Barker Lounge – Cranford. Special thanks go to Julie Murphy of Coldwell Banker Realty for sponsoring both events. Please note that these activities are weather dependent, and in the case of rain, updates will be posted on social media Sunday morning, with participants notified via email.
Eastman St, Cranford, NJ
Witches Day Out
October 27, 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
Mays Landing Halloween Parade
October 30, 6:30 pm
Head over to Main Street and cheer on a stream of costumes, floats, and performances in the Mays Landing Halloween Parade. The performance area is in front of War Memorial Park. Don’t miss the float and costume contests, as well as a dance competition.
INTEX Millwork Solutions Parking Lot, 45 Mill Street, Mays Landing, 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
