From family-friendly events to 21+ festivities in the nightlife scene, Asbury Park and the surrounding beach towns have plenty of opportunities to celebrate Halloween. The Jersey Shore takes costume contests very seriously. Local bars, restaurants, and community organizers host costume contests for various ages and categories, offering up some insanely huge cash prizes and giveaways, not to mention bragging rights. If dressing up or getting scared isn’t the vibe, there are plenty of laid-back fall festivals that celebrate the simpler aspects of the season, such as pumpkin spice-flavored goodies, apple picking, corn mazes, and more. Pet owners have a plethora of parades and costume contests to enter their fur babies in all month long. There is no shortage of ways to get into the Halloween spirit. Read on for the schedule of festive fall and Halloween-themed events happening in Asbury Park and beyond.
Asbury Park
Friday, October 20th, 2023 — The Reggaeton Graveyard
Location: Asbury Lanes
Time: 10PM – 2AM
Ana Vee presents “The Reggaeton G|RAVE|Yard” – a thrilling fusion of bowling, live DJs, electrifying performances, and much more! The non-stop dance party will have a vibrant blend of Reggaeton and Latin tech house music. Doors open at 9:30PM and, best of all, there is absolutely no cover charge. Click here for more information and to RSVP.
Read More: A Guide to Asbury Park Concert Venues
Saturday, October 21st, 2023 – Fall Fun Day
Location: Sunset Park at Main Street and Fifth Avenue
Time: 1PM – 4PM
The City of Asbury Park’s Departments of Community + Cultural Affairs, Recreation, Fire, and Police will host Fall Fun Day on Saturday, October 21st at Sunset Park. The fall celebration will have free food and giveaways, plus an appearance from fan favorite, the Mister Softee truck.
Sunday, October 22nd, 2023 — Halloween Horror Bazaar
Location: Bond Street Complex Basement, 639 Cookman Avenue
Time: 12PM – 5PM
The Halloween Horror Bazaar is taking over the Bond Street Basement on Sunday, October 22nd. From squishy knits to soy candles and beard balm, check out the best creepy and horror-themed merch, art, jewelry, and oddities from tri-state area vendors. There is no entry fee, and you must be 21+ to drink. Click here for more information.
Saturday, October 28th, 2023 — Howl-O-Ween Bark Bash
Location: Bradley Park, 101-199 Fifth Avenue
Time: 11AM – 4PM
Asbury Park’s first-ever Howl-O-Ween Bark Bash is scheduled for Saturday, October 28th. Dog owners and spectators are invited to meet at Bradley Park for a dog Halloween parade down the boardwalk followed by a vendor fair, food trucks, games, prizes, contests, and more. The Bark Bash will be raising money for the Associated Humane Societies. The bash is offering an array of fundraising incentives. The top fundraiser will get to be the Grand Marshall of the parade and have a special feature on next year’s logo. Other incentives include commemorative bandanas, t-shirts, baseball hats, hoodies, Popcorn Park Zoo passes, Amazon gift cards, and more. All dogs attending must be on a 6ft leash. Retractable leashes will not be allowed. All dogs must be up to date on vaccines and must have proof of a current rabies vaccination. All dogs must be spayed/neutered. Any dogs showing signs of being uncomfortable, aggressive, or extremely fearful will be asked to leave for the safety of all. Click here to register your dog for the Howl-O-Ween Bark Bash parade.
Saturday, October 28th, 2023 — Cosmic Jerry Band Halloween Party + Costume Contest
Location: Asbury Lanes, 209 4th Avenue
Time: 7:30PM – 12:00AM
The Cosmic Jerry Band will host a spooktacular evening of music inspired by the Grateful Dead and mayhem at Asbury Lanes on Saturday, October 28th. There will be a costume contest with chances to win prizes. Judges will be looking for the freakiest, funniest, coolest, and most creative costumes. Doors open at 7:30PM with two sets of otherworldly jams happening from 8PM to 12AM, with costume contests happening during set breaks. Tickets are on sale now — click here for more information.
Saturday, October 28th, 2023 — Hell in Paradise
Location: Paradise, 101 Asbury Avenue
Paradise, Asbury Park’s premiere LGBTQ nightlife destination, will host Hell in Paradise, the 24th annual Halloween Ball and Costume Pageant. Hell in Paradise will have DJs, dancefloors, and drink specials. Ages 21 and up with proper ID Required for entry. Click here for more information.
Saturday, October 28th, 2023 — Graveyard Groove at Over The Moon
Location: Over The Moon, 808 Springwood Avenue
Time: 8PM – 12AM
Join “Make Jersey House Again” for the Graveyard Groove Halloween Party at Over The Moon art studio in Asbury Park. Spend “Halloweekend” dancing with friends to live DJs, while competing to win cash prizes for best sexy and spooky costumes, plus special giveaways. DJs will be spinning live house music all night long. Snacks and beverages are included with the ticket purchase. Must be 21 and older to attend. Tickets can be purchased here.
Sunday, October 29th, 2023 — Lovely Lioness Studios Presents: Pole-O-Ween
Location: House of Independents, 572 Cookman Avenue
Time: Doors: 4:15PM, Show: 5PM
Lovely Lioness Studios presents “Fatal Beauties: A Murder Mystery Pole + Aerial Show” for Pole-O-Ween live at House of Independence on Cookman Avenue. Lovely Lioness promises a pole and aerial studio showcase like no other. Fatal Beauties is a murder mystery night hosted by the amazing Lovely Lioness Instructors and students. The show is 18+. Tickets can be purchased here.
Belmar
Friday, October 27th, 2023 — Movie in the Park: Hocus Pocus
Location: Belmar Memorial Fields
Time: 6:30PM
Belmar presents a special outdoor screening of Hocus Pocus. Meet at Belmar Memorial Field on Main Street between 12th and 13th Avenues at 6:30PM. Attendees are encouraged to dress warmly and to bring a chair and blankets to cozy up while watching a Halloween classic. This event is free to the public.
Bradley Beach
Sunday, October 29th, 2023 — The Annual Bradley Boo Halloween Parade and Trunk or Treat
Location: Main Street + Riley Park
Time: 12PM – 5PM
Locals are encouraged to start the day by trick or treating Bradley Beach Businesses from 12PM- 4PM. The Trunk or Treat Spectacular will happen in the municipal lot from 3PM – 5PM where there will also be free face painting. Registration for the Halloween Parade begins at 4PM at the Bradley Beach Firehouse with the parade starting at 5PM. The parade will go south from the firehouse to Riley Park. Awards for the best floats and costumes will be categorized into the following groups: Ages 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-14. Although prizes will not be given, adults are also encouraged to wear costumes.
Freehold
Friday, October 27th, 2023 — iPlay America’s Trick or Treat Around the Park
Location: iPlay America, 110 Schanck Road
Time: 5PM – 8PM
Guests can visit iPlay America on Friday, October 27th for a free night of Halloween-themed fun. iPlay America will have a Trick or Treat trail, costume contests, raffle giveaways, and more! All guests must pre-register online by Thursday, October 26 at 4PM. Costume contest winners will be picked from five categories: Funniest, Cutest, Most Creative, Scariest, and Best Group (max of 4 per group). Guests must register in the category they wish to compete in and will receive a registration number to be worn (visibly) on their costumes throughout the night. Click here for more information.
Long Branch
Sunday, October 29th, 2023 — The Bazaar Presents: Fall Fest 2023
Location: White Chapel Projects
Time: 12PM – 5PM
Neighbors and visitors are invited to join The Bazaar at White Chapels Projects on Sunday, October 29th from 12PM – 5PM for Fall Fest. The Bazaar is bringing festive Halloween activities, local vendors, craft beers, s’mores kits, firepits, kids’ face painting, delicious eats, music, photo ops, and more. Guests are encouraged to have their dog in tow, as there will be a Pet Halloween Costume Contest. Click here for more information.
Ocean Grove
Saturday, October 28th, 2023 — Ocean Grove Halloween Pet Parade
Location: Fireman’s Park
Time: 11AM
Ocean Grove’s Halloween Pet Parade will feature prizes, vendors, a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, live music by Band of Strays, free pet photos by Mary Laudise, Doggy Kissing Booth by Carl and Friends, and a Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office K9 Demo. Registration for the parade begins at 11AM at Fireman’s Park. The parade of pets begins at 11:45AM. The Parade route follows Main Avenue to Central Avenue and back. Parade entry is $10 per pet. Participants are asked to bring proof of vaccinations and rabies vaccination when registering and picking up numbers. All proceeds benefit Rescue Ridge.
Saturday, October 28th, 2023 — Ocean Grove’s Halloween Event
Location: Main Avenue
Time: 1PM – 3PM
After Ocean Grove’s Halloween Pet Parade, head down to Main Avenue to continue celebrating Halloweekend. Ocean Grove will have Trick or Treating, a photo booth, Halloween crafts, and festivities available for free presented by the Ocean Grove Chamber of Commerce.
Point Pleasant
Saturday, October 28th, 2023 — Halloween at Jenks
Location: Jenks Club
Time: 8PM
The Jersey Shore’s biggest and best Halloween Party and costume contest goes down at Jenks Club in Point Pleasant. With over $25,000 in prizes, attendees must come in costume to win. DJ Encore and MC HD will be on stage all night long. Doors are at 8PM, 21+ for entry.
See More: Jersey City’s Zombie Opera is Back for 2023
Red Bank
Sunday, October 22nd, 2023 — Red Bank 75th Halloween Parade
Location: Broad Street
Time: 2PM
Red Bank’s 75th Halloween Parade is set to roll down Broad Street on Sunday, October 22nd. Line-up begins at 1PM at Hudson Avenue and East Bergen Place while the parade begins at 2PM and travels through downtown to the White Street parking lot, where goodie bags will be available to the first 250 children. The parade will feature music and costume awards. A rain date is scheduled for October 29th.
Toms River
Thursday, October 26th, 2023 — Mall-O-Ween at the Ocean County Mall
Location: Ocean County Mall
Time: 4PM – 7PM
The community is invited to join B985 at the Ocean County Mall in Toms River from 4 PM to 7PM for a mall-wide Trick-or-Treat and Costume Contest (ages 3-12). There will be a plethora of family-friendly activities, plus candy, of course. All costume contest winners will receive a prize. Trick-Or- Treat will be from 4PM to 7PM and the Costume Contest will start at 5PM. Click here for more information.
