Halloween is just right around the corner and many are looking for ideas to celebrate. Whether it’s by putting together your best costume or going trick or treating, there are many ways to get into the Halloween spirit. For those looking to celebrate locally, there are many events for everyone of different age groups. Read on for the events happening this Halloween in Hoboken, Jersey City, and beyond for 2023.
Kid-Friendly Events
Spooktacular Halloween Event | 30 Mall Drive West, Jersey City
Saturday, October 21st | 12PM – 2PM
Kids are welcome to participate in a costume contest, games, fun activities, and light bites from participating retailers. This event will be held at the Center Court located in Newport Centre.
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics | 337 Newark Avenue, Jersey City
October 26th | 6:30PM – 8:30PM
This event is a bit different than the rest but it’s still Halloween-themed. It is a candlelight concert that brings a live music experience. In the spirit of Halloween, Halloween classics will be played from songs like Thriller by Michael Jackson to the Ghostbusters theme song by Ray Parker Jr.
Halloween Party | 1140 Maxwell Lane, Hoboken
October 27th | 3:30PM – 5:30PM
Children can come dressed in fun costumes and join in the activity lineup. There will be a dance party, themed crafts, pizza, and balloons. Entry for children costs $10 and can be purchased here.
Read More: Haunted Attractions in Northern New Jersey
Hudson County Family Fun Halloween Fest | 101 Pacific Avenue, Jersey City
October 28th | 12PM – 5PM
902 Brewing Co. hosts its own Halloween celebration. It will be a day filled with family-friendly fun. Live music will be played all day long. There will be pumpkin decorating, trick-or-treating, a costume contest, and delicious food. Adults can enjoy brewed beers from 902. The event is free but registration is required.
HoBOOken 5K Race | Pier A Park, Hoboken
October 28th
This event will be bringing two fall favorites in one: a 5k race and Halloween. Feel free to come dressed up in a comfortable costume to be able to make it through the course. There will be a kids’ race for little ones to participate.
Zombie Opera | Hamilton Park, Jersey City
October 28th | 4PM
For its fourth year, the Zombie Opera will make its way back to the Hamilton Park neighborhood. The theme is “80s prom” so guests should choose Halloween costumes accordingly. The event will be divided into three different sections. At 4PM, there will be food and face painters on-site. Then at 6PM, the highlight feature, Zombie Opera will begin. To end the event, there will be a “Prom in The Park” to meet other residents and have a good time. It will be an event fun for the whole family and guests can bring their own chairs to watch the Zombie Opera session.
Mall-O-Ween | 30 Mall Drive West, Jersey City
October 31st | 3PM – 6PM
Kids are welcome to take part in a trick-or-treat-themed event. Participating retailers will have a “Treats Here” sign by its store’s window to show their participation in the event.
HDSID Halloween Family Bash | 134-158 Newark Avenue, Jersey City
October 31st | 3PM – 8PM
Newark Street Pedestrian Plaza will be transformed into a Halloween “town” for the night. It is a free event to attend with many activities on-site. Games, corn maze, bouncy house, and face painting are open to the public. Since no Halloween celebration is complete without candy — so, there will be lots to indulge in. This event will also be held rain or shine.
Ragamuffin Parade | Washington Street, Hoboken
October 31st | 4PM
This annual celebration is coming back to the Hoboken neighborhood. The parade lineup will begin at 3:15PM between 13th and Washington Streets. Later, it will begin down Washington to Fifth Streets, and end at the Hoboken Little League Field. There will be a family-friendly celebration at Stevens Park featuring music, games, and other activities.
Pet-Friendly Events
Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest + Parade Fundraiser | 400 Garden Street, Hoboken
October 28th | 2PM – 4PM
Our furry friends can get in on the fun this Halloween season. Church Square Park will host a pet-friendly event. Pets can dress up and participate in a special costume contest with a parade to follow. Music, prizes, and other activities will be lined up for the event. Only one pet is allowed when registering for this event.
Spooky Walks + Pints | 1034 Willow Avenue, Hoboken
October 23rd | 6:30PM
Join Doggie Road Trippin’ for a spooky-themed walk with your furry friend. The group will take a look at Uptown Hoboken’s Halloween decor. After the walk, The Ale House welcomes guests to enjoy drink specials and a football game with their furry friends. Also, the first 30 dogs to show up will get a Halloween-themed bandana.
*Note: The following dog-friendly events are not in Hoboken + Jersey City, but are a quick ride away!
These events are courtesy of Doggie Road Trippin’. Check out more dog-friendly happenings via @doggieroadtrippin on Instagram.
- GROW”-O-Ween at The Pig and Parrot — Brielle | October 21st; Learn more here.
- Canines and Cocktails Halloween Edition Jenks Club — Point Pleasant | October 21st + October 22nd; Learn more here.
- Halloween Pet Photos at The Asbury Hotel — Asbury Park | October 22nd; Learn more here.
- HOWL-O-Ween Pawty at The Regal Begal — Astoria, Queens | October 22nd; Learn more here.
- Spooky Walk + Pints with Doggie Road Trippin’ at The Ale House — Hoboken | October 23rd; Learn more here.
- Halloween Trick or Treat at Bell Works Fresh — Holmdel | October 25th; Learn more here.
- Howl-O-Ween Dog Parade Church Square Park — Hoboken | October 28th; Learn more here.
- Washington Square Park Dog Halloween Parade — NYC | October 28th; Learn more here.
- Halloween Dog-Parktacular — Fort Lee | October 28th; Learn more here.
- Halloween PAWty at Woof Gang Bakery — Bridgewater | October 28th; Learn more here.
- Halloween Food Truck Festival — Hillsborough | October 28th; Learn more here.
- Doggie Halloween Parade + Festival — Kearny | October 28th; Learn more here.
- HOWL-O-Ween at the Seafarer — Highlands | October 28th; Learn more here.
- Howling Halloween Pup Cruise with Circle Line — NYC | October 29th; Learn more here.
- Port Imperial HOWL-O-Ween Dog Costume Pawty — North Bergen | October 29th; Learn more here.
- HOWL-O-Ween Parade — Cranford | October 29th; Learn more here.
- Pup Halloween Contest at South 40 Brewing Company — Edison | October 29th; Learn more here.
- Tails + Treats at Calandra’s II Vecchio Cafe — Caldwell | October 30th; Learn more here.
- Dia Los Muertes — Asbury Park | November 1st; Learn more here.
21+ Events
Hoboken Halloween Bar Crawl | Multiple Locations
October 21st, October 27th, + October 28th | Various times
Participants will explore the various bars within the neighborhood from Fat Taco Tequila Bar to The Ainsworth. There will be a total of ten participating bars. Each of these locations will have drink and food specials to enjoy. Dressing up in a costume is a must but be sure to wear comfortable shoes — as the event requires walking.
The Ghost of Uncle Joe’s: Halloween Benefit Masquerade Ball | 435 Newark Avenue, Jersey City
October 20th + October 21st | Various times
To benefit Historic Jersey City and Harsimus Cemetery, this annual fundraising event takes place in the cemetery and has adult-themed night sessions on Friday and Saturday with a family showcase on Saturday afternoon. Local bands will dress up and cover their musical idols, such as Tina Turner, Guns N’ Roses, The Killers, and others. Tickets are required and more information can be found here.
The Shepard + The Knucklehead’s Hocus Pocus Trivia | 1313 Willow Avenue, Hoboken
October 25th | 8PM
For any Hocus Pocus fans, test your knowledge at The Shepard + The Knucklehead. Reservations should be made in advance. To register, learn more here.
Rooftop at Exchange Place’s Views Beyond the Graveyard | 1 Exchange Place, Jersey City
October 27th – Cctober 31st | 4PM
In this three-day celebration, Jersey City’s rooftop will be getting spooky. There is free entry but an additional cost for its Halloween-themed drinks. Event-goers are welcome to dress up and take part in the costume contest.
Birch’s Fright Fest Friday | 92 River Street, Hoboken
October 27th | 10PM
To kick off the first night of “Halloweekend,” Birch will be hosting a Fright Fest Friday. There will be a costume contest with a grand prize of $10,000. Awards will be given to the “Scariest,” “Most Original, ”Best Group,” and others. Live music will be played by Dario Valli and DJ TMO.
Day of the Dead Brunch | 499 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City
October 28th | 12PM – 5PM
Celebrate the Mexican celebration Day of the Dead with a brunch-style event. Activities will include face painting, sugar skull decorating, prizes, salsa dancing, and flower crown building. To bring a piece of Mexican culture, there will be mariachis performing and a live DJ playing music for guests to dance along to.
Carpe Diem’s Halloween Party | 1405 Grand Street, Hoboken
October 28th | 9PM
Many say that Halloween started in Ireland, so naturally Irish pub Carpe Diem will be celebrating the holiday. There will be a DJ who will play all kinds of music. If feeling hungry, a complimentary buffet will be available. Also, cash prizes will be up for grabs, and costumes are welcome.
Zeppelin Hall’s Halloween Bash | 88 Liberty View Drive, Jersey City
October 28th | 9PM
Guests should come in with their most creative costumes at this celebration. The 1st place costume will be given a $1000 cash prize. DJ Mike Mariano will be playing tunes for everyone to dance. There is no cover fee and parking is available on-site. The Halloween bash will be held both inside and outside of Zepellin Hall’s haunted-themed garden.
Healy Tavern’s Halloween Dance Party | 374 Newark Avenue, Jersey City
October 28th | 10PM
Be sure to bring comfortable shoes with you for a night filled with dancing. A DJ will be playing songs all night starting at 10PM. There will be a costume party and the top three will be given prizes.
See More: Halloween in the Montclair Area: Fun Local Traditions + A Brief History
Boots + Bones Halloween Party | 116 Newark Avenue, Jersey City
October 28th | 10PM
As a pre-Halloween celebration, Boots + Bones will be having one on the Saturday before the holiday. Costumes are welcomed and the “best” costume has the chance to win a $100 cash reward. Reservations can be made by calling (201)-710-0147 or emailing Boots + Boots at events@bootsjc.com.
Willie McBride’s Halloween Party | 616 Grand Street, Hoboken
October 28th | 10PM
Bring your most unique and best costumes to Wille McBride’s Halloween Party. Event-goers will be able to have the chance to win prizes. There will be a value of $500 in prizes for the best costumes of the night.
Mikie Squared’s Halloween Party | 616 Washington Street, Hoboken
October 28th
Known for its burgers, sandwiches, and other eats, Mikie Squared will be turned into Halloween mode. On the Saturday before Halloween, a costume party will be set in place. Drink specials will also be available all night long.
Madd Hatter’s Nightmare on Washington Street | 221 Washington Street, Hoboken
October 31st | 7PM – 2AM
For a late-night celebration, Madd Hatter will host a Halloween-themed party. The venue will be transformed into a spooky environment with fog machines and creepy decorations. There will be drink specials to enjoy and guests can participate in a costume contest. To level up the event, Halloween music will be played and performances will be held.
Texas Arizona’s Halloween Party | 76 River Street, Hoboken
Event-goers will have the chance to enjoy music from a DJ at this Halloween event. No tickets are necessary for this event. To learn more about exact dates or details, check out Texas Arizona’s Instagram page here.
