We rounded up the best things to do in Bergen County and beyond on our weekend PLAYlist!
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Save the Date:
Why: Shop ‘til you drop for you and the kids from a number of stylish designers.
When: Sunday November 3, 10 am-7 pm
Where: Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, 411 East Clinton Ave., Tenafly
Events Not To Miss:
What: Carly Simon
Why: The Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter signs her new book Touch by the Sun.
When: Thursday October 24, 6 pm
Where: Bookends, 211 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood
What: Ellie Krieger
Why: Meet the Food Network star and author of Whole in One.
When: Thursday October 24, 7 pm
Where: Books and Greetings, 271G Livingston St., Northvale
Why: Stylist and personal shopper Mary O’Reilly lets you shop some of her favorite pieces.
When: Open Thursdays-Saturdays in October, 10 am-6 pm by special appointment
Where: GLOW by Mary Shop My Closet Pop-Up, 1 Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood
What: Zoo Boo 2019
Why: Get into Halloween-mode with a spooky train ride, mad science and trick-or-treating.
When: Friday October 25-Saturday October 26, 6-9 pm, $6
Where: Bergen County Zoo, 216 Forest Ave., Paramus
What: Spooky Story Time
Why: Spooky (but kid-friendly) stories, doughnuts and a nighttime hayride.
When: Friday October 25, Saturday October 26, 6:30 pm, 7 pm, 7:30 pm and 8 pm, $15
Where: Abma’s Farm, 700 Lawlins Rd., Wyckoff
What: Zoo Boo 2019
Why: Eerie train rides, mad science and more at this super popular Halloween event.
When: Friday October 25-Saturday October 26, 6-9 pm, $6
Where: Bergen County Zoo, 216 Forest Ave., Paramus
Why: Kids – and pets – can march in the costume parade or journey through the haunted grave yard and hay maze.
When: Saturday October 26, 12-3 pm
Where: Memorial Park at Van Neste Square, S. Walnut St., Ridgewood
Why: Get an up-close look at animals and reptiles.
When: Saturday October 26, 10 am-1:30 pm
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, 1 Garden State Plaza Blvd., Paramus
What: Paramus Fall Festival
Why: Get outside and enjoy bounce houses, food trucks and a pumpkin patch.
When: Saturday October 26, 11 am-3 pm
Where: Petruska Park, 475 North Farview Ave., Paramus
What: Halloween Family Fun Day
Why: Bubbles, balloons, crafts and more, plus a costume contest for the kids.
When: Saturday October 26, 3:30-6:30 pm
Where: Bergen Town Center, Route 4 East & Forest Ave., Paramus
Why: Take a bite out of authentic mediterranean food, plus music, games and a reptile show.
When: Saturday October 26, 12-8 pm-Sunday October 27, 12-7 pm
Where: St. Thomas Armenian Church, 174 Essex Dr., Tenafly
What: Haunted House
Why: Get spooked courtesy of Troop 259 and fright artist Michael Yannette.
When: Saturday October 26, 6-9 pm, $5
Where: 1059 MacArthur Blvd., Mahwah
Why: Check out the camp and enjoy a fun fall family day of face painting, pumpkin decorating, bouncing and more.
When: Saturday October 26, 10 am-1 pm
Where: Palisades Country Day Camp, 248 Herbert Ave., Closter
What: Halloweenie
Why: Bite into a fresh hot dog and other sweet and savory bites.
When: Saturday October 26, 12-3 pm
Where: Fresh and Fancy Farms, 575 River Rd., New Milford
What: Halloween Workshop
Why: Mix up mummy cupcakes and craft a mummy tealight holder while they bake.
When: Saturday October 26, 1-2:30 pm, $30
Where: The Crafty Kitchen, 51 Prospect Pl., Hillsdale
What: Stew Leonard’s Barkfest
Why: It’s your pups turn to get in the Halloween spirit.
When: Saturday October 26, 4-5 pm
Where: Stew Leonard’s Paramus Park, 700 Paramus Park, Paramus
What: Haunted Forest
Why: Take a guided walk through the trail and meet animals along the way.
When: Saturday October 26, 3:30-8 pm, 90 minute sessions every 15 minutes, $16
Where: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly
What: Halloween Trunk-or-Treat
Why: Wear your costume and bring a bag of candy for a sweet, spook-free day on the farm.
When: Saturday October 26, 9 am-12 pm
Where: Abma’s Farm, 700 Lawlins Rd., Wyckoff
Why: Pick a perfect pumpkin and finish with apple cider and fresh donuts.
When: Now through October 26, 9 am-4 pm, $5
Where: Abma’s Farm, 700 Lawlins Rd., Wyckoff
What: Dinosaurs After Dark
Why: Tour the park in the dark and hunt for a T-Rex in the shadows, the enjoy s’mores and a sing-along.
When: Now through Saturday October 26, 7-9:30 pm, $24
Where: Field Station: Dinosaurs, 40 Fort Lee Rd., Leonia
Why: Get into Halloween mode watching a FREE showing of Hocus Pocus or The Wizard of Oz.
When: Sunday October 27, 10 am-1 pm
Where: Washington Township Cinemas, 249 Pascack Rd., Washington Township
What: Family Feud Live!
Why: Join Chris Kattan and Pauly Shore on stage to win cash and prizes.
When: Sunday October 27, 7:30 pm, $29-$79
Where: bergenPAC, 30 N Van Brunt St., Englewood
Why: Make a splash in the new pool complete with halloween music and treats.
When: Sunday October 27, 1:30-3:30 pm
Where: Wyckoff Family YMCA, 691 Wyckoff Ave., Wyckoff
Why: A perfect fall day on the farm with a corn maze adventure, pumpkins and more.
When: Now through Sunday October 27, 10 am-5 pm
Where: Lupardi’s Nursery, 75 Blanch Ave., Closter
What: Boo Bounce Candy Hunt
Why: Dress up for special Halloween bounce with games and treats.
When: Tuesday October 29, 5-6:45 pm, $19.95
Where: Bounce U, 70 Eisenhower Dr., Paramus
Why: Meet the staff, tour the campus and learn how the program can work for your child.
When: Lower School: Wednesdays October 30, November 6, 20, December 4, 9-11 am; Lower Middle School and Upper School Open House: Saturday October 26, 9-11 am
Where: Dwight-Englewood School, 315 East Palisade Ave., Englewood
What: Mad Science Spooktacular
Why: Enjoy some safe indoor trick-or-treating, then stay for a spook-free science experiment.
When: Thursday October 31, 3-5 pm trick or treating, 5-7 pm show
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, One Garden State Plaza Blvd., Paramus
What: Ridgewood Halloween Maze
Why: Take a stroll through this intricate (and wildly popular) maze set up by a local family in their backyard. At night, this maze is haunted, so daytime is best if you have little ones!
When: Now through Thursday October 31, weekdays 4-9 pm, weekends 12-9 pm
Where: 124 Sheridan Terrace, Ridgewood
Why: Take a haunted journey with ghosts and ghouls in the orchard.
When: Thursdays-Saturdays through November 2, check schedule for times, $25-$30
Where: Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Rd., Hillsdale
What: Fall Farm Fun
Why: Hayrides, pumpkin picking, donut, wine and plenty more!
When: Now through Thursday October 31, weekdays 3:30 pm, weekends 10 am, 1 pm, 3 pm
Where: Stokes Farm, 23 DeWolf Rd., Old Tappan
What: Pick Your Own Pumpkins
Why: Find the perfect pumpkin and take a hay ride and enjoy a corn box and more Halloween fun.
When: Now through Sunday November 3, Weekends 9 am-4:30 pm, Weekdays 3-4:30 pm, $7
Where: Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Rd., Hillsdale
If you’re heading out of Bergen:
Why: Fight zombies, mix magic potions and go safe trick or treating at this spooky night.
When: Friday October 25, 5:30-10 pm, ticket prices vary
Where: Liberty Science Center, 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City
What: Halloween Celebration
Why: A special day at the museum with Curious George and Clifford the Big Red Dog, Gazillion Bubble Show, magic show and more.
When: Saturday October 26, 2-6 pm, $16
Where: American Museum of Natural History, 200 Central Park West, NYC
What: Giant Pumpkin Weekend
Why: The world’s largest pumpkins fill the garden.
When: Saturday October 26-Sunday October 27, 10 am-6 pm
Where: New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx
Why: Ages 3-8 play mad scientist conducting spooky experiments and more scare-free fun.
When: Saturday October 26, 11 am-3 pm
Where: Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Rd., Morristown
What: Nyack Halloween Parade
Why: Enjoy Halloween all day with a trick-or-treat trail, music festival and parade.
When: Saturday October 26, 1-8 pm
Where: Memorial Park, Nyack
Why: Check out the beloved Halloween flick plus the Sanderson sisters actress shares secrets in a live Q&A.
When: Saturday October 26, 8 pm
Where: Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South St., Morristown
What: Harvest Festival
Why: A fun fest filled with pumpkin picking, games, face painting and more.
When: Saturday October 26, 12-5 pm
Where: 125 Fairview Ave., Cedar Grove
What: Spooky Storytime
Why: Meet a special guest animal and Halloween character and enjoy a festive story – costumes welcome!
When: Saturday October 26, 10 am-5 pm, $10
Where: Turtle Back Zoo, 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange
Why: Join local avid hiker Roger Dubin on a family-friendly walk through Harriman State Park.
When: Saturday October 26, 10 am-2 pm, kids/$10, adults/$25
Where: Bear Mountain, Harriman State Park, Seven Lake Dr., Ramapo
What: Harvest Festival
Why: Check out this FREE fest with PYO pumpkins, crafts and games.
When: Saturday October 26
Where: City Green, 171 Grove St., Clifton
Why: Have a fun fall blast exploring the maize maze and haunted farmhouse or taking a hayride.
When: Sunday October 27, 11 am-4:30 pm, $20
Where: The Queens County Farm Museum, 7350 Little Neck Pkwy., NYC
What: Festifall
Why: The fam will love playing games, hanging with the animals and listening to live music.
When: Sunday October 27, 11 am-3 pm, $5-$15
Where: Greenburgh Nature Center, 99 Dromore Rd., Scarsdale
Why: Enjoy spooky stories and pumpkin carving, then stay for lit up jack o’lantern flotilla.
When: Wednesday October 30, 4-7 pm
Where: Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, 110th St. between Fifth and Lenox Aves., NYC
Why: Get Halloween-ready with pumpkin decorating, trick-or-treat goodie bags and games.
When: Saturday October 26, 12-3 pm
Where: George W Miller Elementary School, 50 Blauvelt Rd., Nanuet
What: Boo at the Zoo!
Why: Come in costume for goodies and a costume contest, and enjoy fun on the farm.
When: Saturday October 26, costume contest at 2 pm
Where: Space Farms Zoo & Museum, 218 County Rd. 519, Sussex
What: The Chocolate Expo
Why: Chocolate and wine, plus Halloween fun for the kids, from a magic show to free train rides.
When: Sunday October 27, 10 am-5 pm, kids/$10-$15, adults/$15-$20
Where: Museum Village, Monroe, NY
What: The Amazing Maize Maze®
Why: Cross the border for NYC’s only corn maze filled with puzzles, clues and challenges.
When: Weekends through Sunday October 27, 11 am-4:30 pm, kids/$8, adults/$15
Where: Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park
What: The Great Pumpkin Train
Why: Hop aboard for a trip to the pumpkin patch, enjoy a corn maze and gem mining.
When: Now through Sunday October 27, 11 am, 12:30 pm, 2 pm, 3:30 pm, kids/$12, adults/$18
Where: Delaware River Railroad Excursions, 100 Elizabeth St. Phillipsburg
Why: Pick your own, pony rides, corn cannon and maze and more farm fun.
When: Weekends through Sunday October 27, pricing per activity
Where: Donaldson Farms, 358 Allen Rd., Hackettstown
What: Diggerfest
Why: Pumpkin decorating, axe throwing and hay rides give a fall feel to the construction theme park.
When: Now through Sunday October 27, 10 am-6 pm, $29.95-$36.95.
Where: Diggerland USA, 100 Pinedge Dr., West Berlin
What: Fall Harvest Festivals
Why: Live music, painting, a corn maze, apples and more.
When: Now through Sunday October 27, 9am-5 pm
Where: Fishkill Farms, 9 Fishkill Farm Rd., Hopewell Jct., NY
Why: Put on your dancing shoes for a fun performance and costume parade with Scooby Doo and friends.
When: Tuesday October 29, 11 am-12 pm
Where: Palisades Center, 1000 Palisades Center Dr., West Nyack
What: Fall Fest
Why: Indoor and outdoor fall activities from pumpkin picking to a spider maze, plus new spooky Halloween adventures.
When: Now through October 31, 9 am-5:30 pm
Where: Liberty Science Center, 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City
Why: Over 7,000 spooky and silly jack o’lanterns light up the night, plus plenty of fall fun.
When: Now through Thursday October 31, Weekends plus some Fridays in November, kids/$22, adults/$29
Where: Van Cortlandt Manor, 525 S Riverside, Croton-on-Hudson
What: Spooky Pumpkin Garden
Why: The gardens get a ghostly makeover with a pumpkin trail, pumpkin activities and creepy creatures.
When: Now through Thursday October 31, 10 am-6 pm, kids/$12, adults/$28
Where: New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx
What: Boo at the Zoo
Why: Spooktacular fun at the zoo with animal magic, an animal graveyard, corn maze and more.
When: Weekends through Sunday November 3, check schedule for activity times
Where: Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx
What: Sleepy Hollow Experience
Why: Follow the story of Ichabod Crane with live music, seasonal drinks and treats.
When: Fridays-Sundays through November 3, 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm, kids/$35, adults/$55
Where: 3 W Sunnyside Lane, Irvington
What: Great Pumpkin Festival
Why: This HUGE pumpkin festival brings animals, rides, gem mining and tons more.
When: Now through Sunday November 3, 9 am-6 pm, $15
Where: Heaven Hill Farm, 451 State Route 94, Vernon
Why: Grab some apples and enjoy the corn maze and more fall farm activities.
When: Now through Monday November 11, 10 am-5 pm, $24.99
Where: Alstede Farms, 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester
Upcoming:
What: Halloween Party
Why: Pre-schoolers celebrate early with a scavenger hunt, pumpkin decorating and balloons.
When: Thursday October 31, 12-2:30 pm
Where: Thielke Arboretum, 460 Doremus Ave., Glen Rock
Why: Party with your kids’ Disney faves as they sing and dance to holiday classics.
When: Saturday November 2, 2 pm and 5 pm, $29.50-$89.50
Where: BergenPAC, 30 North Van Brunt St., Englewood
Why: Dig your Halloween costume out of the closet for trick-or-treating, costume contest, and plenty of kids activities.
When: Saturday November 2, 10 am
Where: Tice’s Corner Marketplace, 441 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Woodcliff Lake
