Halloween events in NJ to explore

Settling into a new home comes with a fun perk: you finally get to poke around the region you just landed in. Once the truck is unloaded and the last box is inside, New Jersey opens up for you to discover at your own pace. Time a fall relocation right and the calendar hands you a bonus, because October in the Garden State is stuffed with seasonal outings the whole household can enjoy. Even during a cautious year like this one, a handful of safe, festive gatherings are waiting nearby, and we put together this quick guide to point you toward a memorable end of the month.

Spooky attractions worth the drive

Here is the first thing to know: every county across the state hosts its own lineup of seasonal happenings. Even a short-distance move handled by our local moving team leaves you plenty of room to roam your new surroundings and turn up events you never knew existed. Love a good scare? You have picked the right state. Haunted mansions are scattered so thickly across New Jersey that a single October could never cover them all, and just about every town and county can point to one of its own. The real question is how far you are willing to travel to let a stranger jump out and rattle your nerves.

One standout rises above the rest of the pack: The 13th Hour Haunted House. Its weekend program opens its doors October 2nd and runs right through the 31st. What makes it different is the format, because it is really four distinct escape rooms, each built around its own Halloween theme, gathered under a single roof. Once the season is in full swing, live performers prowl each room, waiting to send a chill down your spine.

Gentler options the kids will love

Prefer something the youngest members of the family can enjoy? Head over to Westfield, where an Addamsfest takes over the whole of the month. All through 2020 the town celebrates the legacy of Charles Addams, honoring the mark he left on the place he once called home. Expect kid-friendly programming, film showings, and exhibits to browse, all arranged so you can keep your distance and stay comfortable.

Rather stay tucked inside the car for your outing? Point the wheel toward Augusta for a drive-through Jack O’Lantern spectacle. Rain or shine, this one carries on, much the way our crews keep working through every kind of weather. It opens September 25th and stays lit until November 1st, when the organizers pack Skylands Stadium with more than five thousand carved pumpkins glowing in the dark. It is a genuinely striking thing to witness from behind the windshield.

More to do than a single weekend allows

By now it should be clear that a trip to a local pumpkin patch is far from your only choice this season. Give yourself a moment to weigh what sounds fun and how much driving you are up for. Maybe you crave the goosebumps of a truly terrifying haunt, or maybe you have small children and would rather keep things low-key and spaced out. Either way, the state has something with your name on it. And whenever your next move rolls around, reach out to our team so the heavy lifting is one thing you never have to worry about.