Halloween Fun For Everyone

From parades and costume contests to horror movie screenings and scares, you can make the most of the season right here in Bergen.
Cheryl De Leon,
1 Halloween Fun

If you feel the hairs on the back of your neck rising, it’s because something is sneaking up on you—Halloween is only a week away!

Whether the kids in your life are itching to start their trick-or-treating and show off their costumes, or you’re ready to indulge in some horror movies, you don’t need to wait. All over Bergen are festivities waiting for you to join. Here are some of our favorite options:

For families 

Oct. 24

  • Get those costumes on and head over to Waldwick’s Ragamuffin Parade & Borough Trunk or Treat, perfect for school-aged children to dress up, show off and grab some candy. Start time is 10 a.m.
  • Woodcliff Lake’s Tice’s Corner holds its Fall Harvest Festival 2026 starting at 10 a.m. Stop by for a day of family-friendly activities like trick-or-treating, face painting, a bounce house and much more.
  • Celebrate your four-legged family members as well at Overpeck County Park in Leonia, where 4 Paws in the Park will be in full swing. From 11 a.m. on, you can meet adoptable cats and dogs, dress your pooch up for a pet parade, enjoy puppy yoga and browse local vendors.
  • The always popular Halloween in the Park returns to Van Neste Square in Ridgewood. The day includes a kids’ parade, a pet parade, live music, games treats and much more. The fun starts at 11 a.m. (the kids’ parade starts at noon!).
  • In Paramus, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center hosts a Trunk or Treat where kids can collect candy while also visiting emergency and construction vehicles such as fire trucks and ambulances. The fun starts at 2 p.m.
  • At 3 p.m. sharp, you can take part in Park Ridge’s 2026 Ragamuffin Parade! The day includes a costume contest, cider, donuts and music. Bring a food item to donate to the Tri-Boro Food Pantry, at meet at Depot Square.

Oct. 25

  • The Bergen County Historical Society hosts The Baron’s Oktoberfest & Harvest Homecoming at Historic New Bridge Landing in River Edge. Enjoy colonial games, free pumpkin picking and decorating, scarecrow making, and trick-or-treating at the historic buildings. Grownups can also sample local beer and wine. Everything kicks off at noon.
  • Mahwah’s Halloween Spooktacular, which begins at 2 p.m. at Commodore Perry Field, will consist of a trunk or treat, decorated trucks, costumes, a petting zoo, donuts, cider and lots of fun.

Oct. 31

  • Bergen Town Center in Paramus hosts its Halloween Party! You and the kids can take part in face painting, balloon artists and seasonal crafts. The fun starts at 11 a.m.

For you and the crew

Weekends through Oct. 31

  • Pantophobia’s Haunted Attraction, The Wrath of Cyrus Grain: Terror on the Trail, returns to Darlington County Park in Mahwah. This outdoor scare-fest includes live actors and is sure to have you screaming. Timeslots begin at 8 p.m.

Oct. 26-Nov. 14

  • If you’re looking for seasonal laughs and hilarious twists, Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors is a show you don’t want to skip. Bergen County Players in Oradell with stage this genre-bending farce, which includes a flamboyant vampire, over-the-top tunes and mile-a-minute jokes that will have you rolling in the aisles. Multiple seatings are available, including matinees.

Oct. 25-31

  • The Williams Center in Rutherford is screening seasonal movie favorites all week, from Terence Young’s nail-biting Wait Until Dark to the black-and-while Nosferatu (with a live piano player providing the soundtrack) to beloved animated flick The Nightmare Before Christmas. On the day of Halloween, you can catch Night of the Living Dead and a midnight screening of Trick ‘r Treat. See website for showtimes.

Oct. 30

  • See the cult spectacle (and maybe do the time warp) at the Barrymore Film Center in Fort Lee with a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. A shadow cast will lead the interactive elements, complete with singalongs, shout-backs and games. This event starts at 8 p.m.

Oct. 31

  • Five Dimes Brewery in Westwood goes all out with its Halloween Costume Party. Starting at 7:30 p.m., you’ll enjoy live music by The Exits, a costume contest (complete with prizes), great beer and better vibes.

How are you spending Halloween in Bergen County? Tell us all about it on Instagram @bergenmagnj.

 

Categories: Bergen Health & Life