Kerrie Joyce 
For those seeking a Monster Mash-style Halloween bash, the annual graveyard masquerade ball in Jersey City may be the perfect fit. This spooky season, the Ghost of Uncle Joe’s will be making its comeback on October 24th and 25th at Harsimus Cemetery, located at 435 Newark Avenue. The festival includes live music featuring tribute bands consisting of local performers, drinks, food, and after parties. Proceeds from the event will also contribute towards preserving the historic site. Read on for more about the history of the Ghost of Uncle Joe’s and this year’s iteration of the event in Jersey City.
About the Ghost of Uncle Joe’s
The Ghost of Uncle Joe’s Festival first took place in 2010, honoring the former rock music club Uncle Joe’s and raising funds for the historic cemetery. The annual event is produced by event planner Anthony, “Dancing Tony,” Susco, who was one of the founders behind the first rendition of the festival. Every year, the cemetery becomes a music festival ground celebrating local musicians who give live performances of punk, rock, metal, and hip-hop genres. Notably, on this year’s line-up, there will be some folk and jazz performances featuring songs from Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, and Fiona Apple.
The festival also highlights one local artist each year to design the advertisements for the event. Per Dancing Tony’s Instagram, the Ghost of Uncle Joe’s 2025 artist is Alex Shammas. “His penchant for dystopian imagery and scary scribblings makes a great addition for this year’s event,” the post stated.
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The Historic Jersey City and Harsimus Cemetery is the oldest cemetery in the entire state of New Jersey. Among its many atypical events as far as cemeteries are concerned are its annual rock music masquerade ball, goat yoga, the Living Dead Market, birdwatching, and community gardening events. The cemetery was incorporated in 1831 in response to a deadly cholera epidemic. Among its many famous residents is Charles Ferson Durant, who achieved the first American hot-air balloon ascension in 1833.
Read More: A Comprehensive Guide to Hoboken + Jersey City Live Music Spots
2025 Lineup
The lineup for the 2025 Ghost of Uncle Joe’s Festival includes main festival days at the cemetery on Friday, October 24th, and Saturday, October 25th. The “Horrific Weather Date” is set for October 26th. There will also be dress rehearsal events on Thursday, October 16th, at Pet Shop Jersey City and on Friday, October 17th, at Ghost Hawk Brewery. Tickets for the festival are priced per session; there are also tickets available for full festival access priced at $90. There is a host of after parties for the weekend, most of which are free entry with a festival wristband.
Friday, October 24th
The first official night of the festival at Harsimus Cemetery will kick off at 6PM. Advance tickets are priced at $30, and tickets purchased at the gate will be $40. The lineup for Friday night’s bands is as follows:
- 6PM: Red Hot Chili Peppers by Mothers Magik
- 6:50PM: Yeah Yeah Yeahs by JoY Control
- 7:40PM: Viagra Boys by Blue House
- 8:30PM: Fall Out Boy by A Little More ‘Smooch
- 9:20PM: Black Sabbath by Uncle Ozzy
Saturday, October 25th
The second date of the festival will have both a day session and a night session, showcasing musical performances from 1PM to 8:30PM at Harsimus Cemetery. The cost of attendance for both sessions is $50; for the day session only, tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for teens, and $5 for kids under the age of 12. Tickets for the night session only are $30 for advance tickets and $40 at the gate. The lineup is as follows:
Day Session
- 1PM: Willie Nelson by Mama’s Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to by Dust-Ups
- 1:50PM: Guardians of the Galaxy by JC Resistance Choir
- 2:40PM: Fiona Apple by Paper Band
- 3:30PM: Cake by The Italian Leather Sofa’s
- 4:20PM: Pavement by A Special New Band
Night Session
- 5:10PM: Bob Dylan by FloJoeCo
- 6PM: Beck by Los Peradores!
- 6:50PM: Spinal Tap by The New Originals
- 7:40PM: Aretha Franklin and the Blues Brothers by Forget the Whale
- 8:30PM: The Eurythmics by Here Comes Martin Howth Again
- 9:20PM: The Rolling Stones by Jewel Thief Soup
- After Parties
Friday, October 24th
Sip Studios After Party | 140 Sip Avenue
- 9:30PM: Suede by Christian Dryden and the Beautiful Ones
- 10:20PM: Alkaline Trio by Caustic Boys
- 11:10PM: Bouncing Souls by Olé-permutt
- 12AM: Suicidal Tendencies by The Free-dumbasses
Saturday, October 25th
Lo-Fi After Party | 328 Palisade Avenue
- 9:30PM: Third Eye Blind by Never Let You Ghost
- 10:20PM: Pavement by A Special New Band
- 11PM: Spoon by Metal Detektors
Sip Studios After Party | 140 Sip Avenue
- 9:30PM: Vampire Weekend by The Oxford Commas
- 10:20PM: The Deftones by Daimond Eyes
- 11:00PM: Heuy Lewis The Nowsterday of Love
- 12:00PM: Lenny Kravitz by Freedom Train
Pet Shop After Party | 193 Newark Avenue
- 9:20PM: Tom Petty by Jacob Treemont and the Great Wide Opens
- 10:10PM: Iron Maiden by Hallowed by Thy Name
- 11PM: Viagra Boys by The Blue House
Porta After Party | 135 Newark Avenue
- 9:30PM: Sharp Lana Del Rey by Jamythist
- 10:20PM: Jonas Brothers by These Guys
- 11:10PM: Cher by Cherish
- 12:00PM: Charlie XCX by MaidinXCX
- 12:50AM: Soda Stereo by Gracias Totales
See More: Halloween Events Happening in Montclair + Essex County for 2025
PS Wine Bar After Party | 193 Newark Avenue
- 9PM: Willie Nelson by Mama’s Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Dust-Ups
- 9:50PM: Leonard Cohen by the Cohenistas
- 10:10PM: St. Vincent by Teen Idol
- 11PM: Tenacious D by Don’t Blow it Gavin and Ian!
The Statuary After Party | 53 Congress Street
- 9:30PM: El Nordzo
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