Yes, we love pumpkin spice lattes and cozy sweaters. But what we're most excited for at the start of fall are all the exciting — and spooky or spook-free — events happening in the area. Whether you enjoy bringing the family for a day searching for the perfect pumpkin at the patch or you're looking to send shivers up your spine with some Halloween haunts, the good news is there are plenty of options to do both — and everything in between. While it's still September, now is the perfect time to get into the scary, and not-so-scary, spirit. Grab your boo crew, and head to one of these fall-bulous spots for celebrating the season and Halloween. Orange you glad it's fall?
NOT SO SCARY
Halloween Light Show, Demarest Farms For safe and spook-free festive fun, take a drive through this Halloween light display — the largest of its kind in NJ. Enjoy 32 acres of Halloween-themed lights from the comfort of your car, then stop at the farm for baked goods and s'mores. 244 Wierimus Rd., Hillsdale, open September 27 through October 31
Fall Hayrides & Pumpkin Picking, Secor Farms Weekend hayrides and pumpkin picking are on tap at Secor Farms, which also has different areas of the farm set up for fall fun. Pop your head through a photo stand-in and say cheese, then pick your perfect pumpkin by taking a hayride or browsing their selection on the field. Be sure to leave room for fall treats like apple cider donuts and candy apples. Secor Farms, 85 Airmont Ave., Mahwah, open through Sunday November 2
Great Pumpkin Festival, Heaven Hill Farm The annual fall fun-on-the-farm event is back with its 35+ highly anticipated events like pig races, a corn maze, giant sling shot, boo barn, and new this year, the baseball speed throw. While you're there, be sure to grab some pumpkins and gourds, and come with a hungry stomach to enjoy apple cider donuts, kettle corn, and other delicious fall treats. Heaven Hill Farm, 451 State Route 94, Vernon, open now through Sunday November 2
Skylands Stadium Jack O’Lantern Experience, Augusta, NJ This popular walk-through experience is back after its successful opening run last year, and better than before. More than 6,000 Jack O'Lanterns will light up the stadium along the 45-minute walk. When you're done, enjoy their fall festival filled with cider, s'mores, rides, pumpkin picking, music, and more. Skylands Stadium, 94 Championship Place, Augusta, open Friday September 26 through Sunday November 2
Sesame Place The Count's Halloween Spooktacular There are tons of kid-friendly Halloween happenings around Sesame Place, perfect for the littlest ones. Their Halloween Spooktacular features a Halloween Dance Party, Costume Contest, not-too-spooky performances, Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt, trick-or-treating, and more. Sesame Place, 100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, PA, Spooktacular open now through Sunday November 2
Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze is guaranteed to sell out, so grab your tickets soon. Walk along Pumpkin Promenade on Van Cortlandt Manor and the surrounding historic 18th century landscape and marvel at the Jack O’Lantern Statue of Liberty, dinosaurs, the Pumpkin Zee Bridge, and the twirling pumpkin ferris wheel and circus sideshow. And new this year, check out the Wicked-inspired emerald pumpkin dreamscape. 525 S. Riverside, Croton-on-Hudson, open now through Sunday November 16
The Great Pumpkin Train, Phillipsburg, NJ Hop aboard a vintage steam engine train and take the 90 minute, round trip ride to the pumpkin patch. Along the way, try out the corn maze or explore the Susquehanna Mine (additional charges apply). Everyone gets to pick a pumpkin on this scenic trip. Delaware River Railroad Excursions, 100 Elizabeth St., Phillipsburg, open Saturday October 4 through Sunday October 26
Pumpkin Trains, Black River & Western Railroad, Climb aboard for a scenic train ride to Everitt Farms at Pumpkin Junction. While at the farm, you’ll find a corn maze, wagon ride, pumpkin picking, corn box activities and games. Black River & Western Railroad, departs Flemington Station, 80 Stangl Rd., Flemington, open Saturday September 27 through Sunday October 26
Zoo Boo, Bergen County Zoo, Van Saun Park At Zoo Boo, hop on the train for a friendly ride during the day. Then have fun trick-or-treating in the zoo and enjoy other activities during this three-day event. If you prefer more of a scare, grab your tix for the scary night train with unexpected frights. 216 Forest Ave, Paramus. Friday October 17-Sunday October 29
The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail, New York Botanical Garden Tim Burton's movie is back in NYC. Join Jack Skellington and friends as you walk through the trail with realistic displays, loads of lights, 3D sculptures, and so much more. Be sure to grab your tickets as the popular event is bound to sell out quickly. 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx. Thursday September 25-Sunday November 30
Boo at the Zoo, Bronx Zoo For all the animal lovers, the Bronx Zoo Boo at the Zoo is sure to be your Halloween go-to. Magic shows, a spider maze, pumpkin trail, Halloween shows, extinct animal graveyard, candy trail and costume parade are just some of the activities heading your way. You can also visit the zoo's brand new Pumpkin Garden with super-sized animal displays plus an expanded candy trail. Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, open Saturday September 27 through Sunday October 26
Home Irving's 'Legend' Join master storyteller Jonathan Kruk as he offers a 45-minute dramatic performance of Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Organ music enhances this performance of Ichabod Crane, the Headless Horseman and all the other characters in this unforgettable tale. 381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, Fridays-Sundays starting October 3 through Saturday November 1
Six Flags Boo Fest / Fright Fest Silly by day, spooky by night, Boo Fest for Kids and Fright Fest for the older ones is back this year with new attractions for all ages. Visit their haunted houses, rides in the dark and scare zones for frightful nights. Littler ghouls can visit the Trick or Treat trail, have a friendly monster dance party or visit Cornstalk National Park. 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson Township, Open now through Sunday November 2
SCARY
Brighton Asylum, Brighton Industrial Complex Legend has it that hundreds of inmates lost their minds amidst the harsh living conditions and grotesque medical experiments conducted at the Brighton Asylumin the 1940s. Now you can visit and see the place where insane patients still roam the halls and descend in an old elevator to The Tunnel where more horrors await. This attraction is not for the faint of heart. 2 Brighton Avenue, Passaic, open Fridays-Sundays (and select Thursdays) through Saturday November 1, times vary by day
Pantophobia Haunted Attraction Bergen County's own Halloween frights land in Mahwah, where the Legend of Cyrus Grain takes over as Cyrus will do whatever it takes to keep trespasser's off his family's land. Hop on a haunted hayride for this outdoor attraction, if you dare. Expect new attractions this season. Darlington Lake, 600 Darlington Ave., Mahwah, open Fridays-Sundays starting Saturday September 27 through Saturday November 1, times vary by day
Pure Terror Scream Park, Monroe, NY Pure Terror Scream Park is really 10 terrifying experiences in one. Come face to face with vampires as you venture through The Crypt, explore haunted cemetaries and woods, or grab a hand and hold on tight as you walk through Monster Midway, filled with large-and-in-charge monsters. 299 Museum Village Road, Monroe, NY, open now through Sunday November 2, times vary by night
Scare Farm, Hillsborough Four attractions for the price of one on this “terrorized” piece of land. Take a chill-inducing hayride through Madderbaby Lane, go on a ghostly walking trail at Atrum Manor, take another haunted hayride, aka The Slayride, and check out the "psychological rollercoaster" of Chaotica. 120 South Branch Rd., Hillsborough, open Fridays-Sundays starting September 26 through October 26, times vary by night
The 13th Hour Haunted House Step inside a haunted house, throw glow-in-the-dark hatchets or solve clues in the private escape room at these three spooky attractions. Each is filled with special effects, live actors movie-quality sets for a riveting and fully immersive experience. 105 W Dewey Ave., Wharton, open now through Saturday November 1, times vary by night
Headless Horseman Hayrides & Haunted Houses This number 1 nightmare brings 13 attractions, including Night of the Blood Moon, new for 2025. Talk a walk through Jacko's Inferno or Widow's Walk or head into the Skinner Motel haunted house, which is new this year. This popular event is only for the bravest souls. Bonus! The park becomes more family-friendly on children's days, October 4 and October 18 from 11:30 am-2:30 pm. Headless Horseman Hayrides & Haunted Houses, 778 Broadway, Route 9W, Ulster Park, NY, open Fridays-Sundays through Saturday November 1, times vary
