Halloween Happenings Around Northern New Jersey: 2026 Guide
October in Northern New Jersey is filled with plenty of ways to celebrate Halloween, from downtown trick-or-treating and costume parades to haunted attractions, fall festivals and family-friendly events. Whether you’re looking for something festive to do with the kids, a spooky night out or simply an excuse to explore one of our favorite local downtowns, we’ve rounded up some of the Halloween happenings taking place across the communities we serve. Please note that event details are subject to change, so we always recommend confirming directly with the organizer before heading out.
Millburn / Short Hills
Halloween in Downtown Millburn
Friday, October 30 | 2:30–6:00 PM | Downtown Millburn
The event is scheduled from 2:30 to 6:00 PM, with Trick-or-treating at local businesses, costume contest, pumpkin painting, DJs, face painting and games. Visit Explore Millburn-Short Hills for more information
Livingston
Halloween Party for People with Special Needs and Their Families
Saturday, October 24 | 12:00–2:00 PM | Livingston Senior/Community Center
The Livingston Advisory Committee for Disabilities and Livingston Recreation & Senior Services are hosting a free Halloween party featuring food, a DJ, dancing and arts and crafts. Costumes are encouraged but optional, and advance RSVP is required. More information here
Annual Trunk or Treat
Friday, October 30 | 3:30–5:30 PM | Eastman Building Parking Lot
Livingston’s annual Trunk or Treat returns with trick-or-treating from decorated cars, a Halloween costume contest, family photo booth and food trucks. Admission is free. More information here
South Orange / Maplewood
Spooky Spiotta
Sunday, October 25 | 11:00 AM–1:00 PM | Spiotta Park, South Orange
South Orange Downtown’s Spooky Spiotta brings free Halloween fun to the center of town with a costume contest, Halloween obstacle course, face painting, fairy hair, trick-or-treat stations and more. More information here
Halloween in the Village
Friday, October 30th | 3:00PM –5:00 PM | | Downtown Maplewood
Maplewood has confirmed the return of Halloween in the Village, featuring trick-or-treating, family activities and festive decorations throughout downtown Maplewood. More information here
Springfield
Halloween Spooktacular at Fallapalooza
Sunday, October 18 | 11:00 AM–5:00 PM | Hannah Street at Mountain Avenue
Springfield’s Halloween Spooktacular is joining the township’s Fallapalooza celebration this year. The day includes DJ music, pumpkin painting, lawn games and an escape room truck, followed by Halloween activities from 12:30 to 3:30 PM including a strolling magician, inflatable maze and costume contest. Winners will be announced at 3:30 PM. The rain date is Sunday, October 25. More information here
Summit
Scream on the Green
Sunday, October 18 | 6:00 PM | Village Green
Summit kicks off one of its biggest Halloween celebrations on the Village Green with a Monster Mash dance party, bonfires, s’mores and an outdoor movie at dusk. More information here
Halloween Parade
Saturday, October 24 | 3:00–5:00 PM | Downtown Summit to the Village Green
Participants line up at 25 Deforest Avenue before marching to the Village Green, where the celebration continues with music, entertainment, snacks and a costume contest with categories including scariest, cutest, most original, best group and more.
Downtown Trick-or-Treat
Friday, October 30 | 2:30–4:00 PM | Downtown Summit
Participating downtown businesses welcome costumed trick-or-treaters for an afternoon of Halloween fun.
Montclair
Murder at the Museum
Saturday, October 17 | Montclair History Center
For something geared more toward grown-ups, the Montclair History Center is hosting its annual murder mystery fundraiser at the Crane House & Historic YWCA Museum. More information here
Montclair Book Center Haunted Funhouse
October 23–25 | Montclair Book Center
The Montclair Book Center transforms into a Haunted Funhouse for three nights of Halloween scares.
Adult haunted-house nights take place Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24 from 7:00 to 11:30 PM. A preteen-friendly version for guests over age 8 takes place Sunday, October 25 from 5:30 to 8:30 PM. More information here
Rosedale Cemetery Carriage Route Tour
Sunday, October 25 | 1:30–3:30 PM | Rosedale Cemetery
For a different take on spooky season, the Montclair History Center leads a guided tour through the historic carriage routes of Rosedale Cemetery, sharing local stories, gravestone history and notable figures buried there. Advance tickets are required. More information here
Westfield
Halloween is especially big in Westfield thanks to AddamsFest, the townwide celebration honoring Westfield native Charles Addams, creator of The Addams Family. The annual festival takes place throughout October with events, exhibits and activities across town. More information here
Wicked Windows of Westfield
Throughout October | Downtown Westfield
Local storefronts transform into spooky and whimsical works of art inspired by Halloween and the world of Charles Addams. It makes for an especially fun walk through downtown throughout the month.
Addams Family Fun Day
Sunday, October 18 | 10:00 AM–1:00 PM | Downtown Westfield
Quimby Street closes to cars for a family-friendly celebration featuring Addams Family characters, pumpkin decorating, music, entertainment and activities with local merchants. No tickets or registration are required.
Charles Addams Heritage Trail Tour
Saturday, October 17 & Saturday, October 24 | 11:00 AM
Retrace Charles Addams’ footsteps through Westfield and learn more about the places and experiences that helped inspire his famously macabre imagination. Tours begin at the Rialto Center for Creativity.
The Addams Family Movie Screening
Friday, October 23 | 7:30 PM | Foundation Park
Bring a chair or blanket for an outdoor screening of the 1991 classic The Addams Family. Advance reservations are required but are free.
Halloween Family Fun & Parade
Sunday, October 25
Westfield’s October lineup also includes a Halloween Family Fun & Parade hosted by the Westfield Police Department and Optimist Club of Westfield.
Madison
Halloween Parade & Magic Show
Saturday, October 24 | 12:30–3:00 PM | Downtown Madison
One of Madison’s favorite Halloween traditions returns with a costume parade beginning at the Hartley Dodge Memorial Building, followed by a magic show and trick-or-treating at participating downtown businesses. The parade begins at 12:30 PM, the magic show runs from 1:00 to 1:30 PM and downtown trick-or-treating follows from 1:30 to 3:00 PM. More information here
Spooky Halloween Crafts
Thursday, October 29 | 3:00–6:00 PM | Museum of Early Trades & Crafts Education Annex
Kids can stop by after school for an afternoon of Halloween-themed crafts. Admission is $5. More information here
Make the Most of Halloween in Northern New Jersey
One of our favorite things about living in Northern New Jersey is how each community puts its own spin on the season. From Westfield’s month-long celebration of Charles Addams to downtown trick-or-treating in Summit and Millburn, family events in Livingston and South Orange, and Halloween traditions throughout Madison, Montclair and Springfield, there is no shortage of ways to enjoy October close to home.
Bookmark this page and check back as Halloween approaches. We’ll continue updating the guide as additional events and details are announced.
Happy Halloween from The Saritte Harel Team! 🎃
