We rounded up the best things to do in Bergen County and beyond on our weekend PLAYlist!
Events Not To Miss:
Why: Dinner, costume contest, games and more.
When: Friday October 26, 6-8 pm, $10
Where: 628 River Vale Road, River Vale
What: The Dinner Detective
Why: Solve a murder case while dining on a four-course dinner during a hilarious adult night out.
When: Friday October 26, 6-9 pm, $67.95
Where: DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton Hotel Fort Lee-George Washington Bridge, 2117 Route 4 Eastbound, Fort Lee
Why: Come hungry for the food crawl, plus special activities on Halloween.
When: Friday October 26-Sunday November 4, Parade Saturday October 27, $5
Where: Participating locations, Bergenfield
What: Dinosaurs After Dark
Why: Search for dino surprises after dark, then gather around the campfire for songs and s’mores.
When: Friday October 26-Saturday October 27, 7-9:30 pm, $24
Where: Field Station Dinosaurs, 40 Fort Lee Road, Leonia
What: Halloween in Hillsdale
Why: Watch the parade, decorate a pumpkin and have some fall fun.
When: Saturday October 27, 10 am-12 pm
Where: Veteran’s Park, Hillsdale
Why: Pumpkin painting, petting zoo, train rides and horse and buggy rides.
When: Saturday October 27, 1 pm
Where: Town Hall, Delafield Ave., Lyndhurst
Why: March in the parade then continue the celebration with Halloween games and hayrides.
When: Saturday October 27, 1 pm-5 pm
Where: Oakes Park, Old Tappan
Why: Explore the haunted graveyard or visit participating stores for arts and treats.
When: Saturday October 27, 12-3 pm
Where: Memorial Park at Van Neste Square, E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood
Why: Bring the whole fam – including your pup – for face painting, live music and a pet parade.
When: Saturday October 27, 11 am-3 pm
Where: Fort Lee Dog Park, 519 Stillwell Ave., Fort Lee
What: Halloweenie
Why: Delish gourmet hot dogs to sink your teeth into.
When: Saturday October 27, 12-3 pm
Where: Fresh & Fancy Farms, 575 River Rd., New Milford
What: Halloween Pumpkin Hunt
Why: Carnival games, bouncing and a costume contest follow the hunt.
When: Saturday October 27, 12:30-2 pm
Where: Petruska Park, Paramus
What: Halloween Treat Street
Why: Show off your creative costume at this parade.
When: Saturday October 27, 10 am
Where: 100 Highland St., Leonia
Why: Prepared to be spooked by ghost stories, poems and music, plus FREE cider and donuts.
When: Saturday October 27, 7-8 pm
Where: Haworth Pond, Haworth
What: Halloween Trunk-or-Treat
Why: Dress in costume for a safe and fun trick-or-treating experience, then hop on a hayride.
When: Saturday October 27, 9-11 am
Where: Abmas Farm, 700 Lawlins Road, Wyckoff
Why: A night of frightful fun filled with a hay maze, outdoor Halloween walk and crafts.
When: Saturday October 27, 4-6 pm, child/$5, family/$20
Where: Bergen County Horse Rescue, 350 Ramapo Valley Rd., Mahwah
What: Zackyard Backyard Sale
Why: Sell your items or shop for hidden treasures.
When: Saturday October 27, 9 am-4 pm
Where: River Vale Town Hall, 406 River Vale Road, River Vale
What: Fall Harvest Event
Why: Spend the day at the shops trick-or-treating and enjoy a bounce house, balloon artist and costume contest.
When: Saturday October 27, 10 am-2 pm
Where: Tice’s Corner Marketplace, 441 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Woodcliff Lake
Why: Come in costume to walk the haunted house, play carnival games and make crafts.
When: Saturday October 27, 11 am-12:30 pm
Where: Bogota Public Library, 375 Larch Ave., Bogota
Why: Have a wicked good time dancing in costume, and enjoy spooktacular games and music.
When: Saturday October 27, ages 3-7: 12-2 pm, ages 8-11: 2:30-5 pm, ages 12 and up: 6-9 pm, $15 in advance, $18 at door
Where: Progressive Dance Studio, 27 South Van Brunt Street, Englewood
Why: Meet the staff and students, and experience first-hand a range of activities and academics.
When: Saturday October 27, 10 am-12 pm
Where: Dwight-Englewood School, 315 East Palisade Ave., Englewood
Why: Check out a FREE flick, donations welcome for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
When: Saturday October 27, 10:00 am-1:15 pm
Where: Washington Township Cinemas, 249 Pascack Rd., Washington Township
What: Haunted Forest
Why: Nocturnal animals come out to play during the walk, which ends by the campfire.
When: Saturday October 27, 4-6:45 pm, tour leaves every 15 minutes for 1.5 hours, member/$11, non-member/$16
Where: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly
Why: Hitch a hayride to pick a perfect pumpkin and enjoy cider and donuts.
When: Saturday October 27, 10:30 am-4 pm, $5
Where: Abmas Farm, 700 Lawlins Road, Wyckoff
Why: Feed the animals, run through the corn maze or explore the haunted greenhouse.
When: Open weekends through Sunday October 28, 10 am-5 pm, $15 wristbands plus add-ons available
Where: Lupardi’s Nursery, 75 Blanch Ave., Closter
What: Apple Cider Making
Why: Press your own apple cider in this cider making 101.
When: Sundays October 28, 12:30-1:30 pm, 2-3 pm, 3:30-4:30 pm, member/$5, non-member/$10
Where: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Avenue, Tenafly
Why: Food trucks, bounce castles, face painting and costume contests for ALL ages.
When: Sunday October 28, 11 am-5 pm
Where: Liberty School, 12 Tenafly Rd., Englewood
What: Martina McBride
Why: Meet the country singer and author of Martina’s Kitchen Mix.
When: Tuesday October 30, 7 pm
Where: Books and Greetings, 271G Livingston St., Northvale
Why: No tricks, just treats -- plus crafts.
When: Wednesday October 31, 11 am-4:45 pm
Where: Ridgewood YMCA, 112 Oak St., Ridgewood
What: Annual Halloween Fest
Why: Celebrate with open play, a pizza party and visit with Cookie Monster.
When: Wednesday October 31, 10 am and 3:30 pm, $9
Where: The Big Playhouse, 316B Kinderkamack Rd., Westwood
What: Safe Trick or Treat
Why: Stroll the mall shops for treats.
When: Wednesday October 31, 3:30-7:30 pm
Where: The Outlets at Bergen Town Center, Route 4 East & Forest Avenue, Paramus
Why: Fill your pumpkins with candy while you shop, then put on a lab coat for spooky science experiments at the Mad Science show.
When: Wednesday October 31, 4-6 pm, 5-6 pm Mad Science Spooktacular, $10 VIP package
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus
What: Ridgewood Halloween Maze
Why: Explore this backyard maze set up by a Ridgewood fam, but beware of spooky surprises along the way.
When: Open through Wednesday October 31, weekends 12-9 pm, weekdays 4-9 pm
Where: 124 Sheridan Terrace, Ridgewood
Why: Get Halloween-ready with pumpkin picking and enjoy fall treats at the market.
When: Weekdays 3-5 pm, Weekends 10 am-4 pm through October 31, $4 hayride
Where: Secor Farms, 85 Airmont Ave., Mahwah
What: Pick Your Own Pumpkins
Why: Get in the fall spirit with hay rides, a corn box and adventure playground.
When: Open through Monday November 5, Weekends 9 am-4:30 pm, Weekdays 3-4:30 pm, $7
Where: Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale
Why: Have a roaring good time with the dinos.
When: Open through Sunday November 11, 10 am-5 pm, $16.75
Where: Field Station Dinosaurs, 40 Fort Lee Road, Leonia
If you’re heading out of Bergen:
What: Harvest Moon Hayride
Why: Cider and s’mores by the campfire and a wagon ride to the corn maze by flashlight.
When: Friday October 26-Saturday October 27, 6-10 pm, $15.99
Where: Alstede Farms, 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester
What: Doom Zoo
Why: Enter the haunted laboratory at your own risk.
When: Saturday October 27-Sunday October 28, 9 am-5:30 pm, recommended for ages 13 and older.
Where: Liberty Science Center, 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City
What: Nyack Halloween Parade
Why: Wear your Halloween best for costume and float contests, plus all-day music and trick-or-treating.
When: Saturday October 27, 2 pm, 5:30 pm parade, raindate Sunday October 28
Where: Memorial Park, 9 N Broadway, Nyack
What: The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular
Why: Not-too-spooky Halloween shows, a festive parade and dance parties to get into the Halloween spirit.
When: Saturday October 27-Sunday October 28, Fridays 4-8 pm, Saturdays 10 am-8 pm, Sundays 10 am-6 pm, $70, online/$49
Where: Sesame Place, 100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, PA
What: Boo at the Zoo
Why: Get spooked with a haunted pirate hayride, animal graveyard and animal treats.
When: Saturday October 27-Sunday October 28, kids/$26.95, adults/$36.95
Where: Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx
What: Pumpkin Trains
Why: Take a train to pick pumpkins, and enjoy a wagon ride, corn maze and more farm activities.
When: Saturday October 27-Sunday October 28, 10 am, 12:30 pm, 3 pm, ages 3-11/$14, ages 12 and up/$19
Where: Black River & Western Railroad, Flemington Station, 80 Stangl Road, Flemington
What: Fall Harvest Weekends
Why: Apple and pumpkin picking, corn maze and pony rides on the farm.
When: Saturday October 27-Sunday October 28, Activities available from 12-4 pm, price per activity, apples and pumpkins per pound
Where: Donaldson Farms, 358 Allen Road, Hackettstown
What: Oktoberfest 2018
Why: All-day live music, food trucks and party wagons.
When: Saturday October 27-Sunday October 28, 12-6 pm
Where: Anthony Wayne Recreation Area, Palisades Interstate Parkway, Bear Mountain
Why: All-day live music, food trucks and party wagons.
When: Saturday October 27-Sunday October 28, 12-6 pm
Where: Anthony Wayne Recreation Area, Palisades Interstate Parkway, Bear Mountain
What: The Great Pumpkin Train
Why: All aboard for a scenic ride to the pumpkin patch.
When: Saturday October 27-Sunday October 28, 11 am, 12:30 pm, 2 pm, 3:30 pm, kids/$12, adults/$18
Where: Delaware River Railroad Excursions, 99 Elizabeth Street, Phillipsburg
What: Halloween Celebration
Why: Meet Curious George, Clifford and more characters as you wander the frightfully fun halls.
When: Saturday October 27, 2-6 pm, $16
Where: American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West & 79th Street, NYC
Why: Spend the night in the haunted hallways with tons of Halloween activities around each corner.
When: Saturday October 27-Sunday October 28, 6 pm-10 am, ages 6 and up, $65
Where: Liberty Science Center, 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City
Why: Wizards are invited to watch the fourth Harry Potter film while the score is performed by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.
When: Saturday October 27, 2 pm and 7:30 pm
Where: NJ PAC, 1 Center St., Newark
What: Halloweekend
Why: A Halloween magic show, costume parade, crafts and spooky science throughout the day.
When: Saturday October 27-Sunday October 28, 10:30 am-4:30 pm, $14
Where: Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd St., NYC
What: Halloween Spooktacular
Why: Find hidden treasures in the trick-or-treat scavenger hunt experiment with weird science.
When: Saturday October 27, 11 am-2 pm, free with admission, kids/$7, adults/$10
Where: Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Rd., Morristown
Why: Pet costume contest, vendors, food trucks and the chance to meet a new furry family member.
When: Saturday October 27, 11 am-3 pm
Where: Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange
What: New Jersey Women’s Expo
Why: A day for YOU. Meet celebs from Teresa Giudice to Tori Spelling, plus beauty treatment, fashion, massages and shopping.
When: Saturday October 27, 10 am-5 pm-Sunday October 28, 11 am-5 pm, $10
Where: New Jersey Expo Center, 97 Sunfield Ave., Edison
What: Harvest Fest 2018
Why: Pumpkin spiced churros? Yes please. Plus trick-or-treat bags, food, crafts, art and activities.
When: Saturday October 27, 11 am-4 pm
Where: 14th Street Park, NYC
Why: Bring your jack-o’-lantern and watch it set sail, or just come for the pumpkin carving, crafts and stories.
When: Sunday October 28, 4-7 pm
Where: Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, Central Park, 110th St. between Fifth and Lenox Aves., NYC
Why: Wear a costume for horse-drawn hayrides, balloon artists, live music and trick-or-treating.
When: Sunday October 28, 10 am-3 pm
Where: Bleecker Street Playground, Bleecker and W 11th St., NYC
Why: Watch student performances, meet the faculty and learn about the school.
When: Upper School: Sunday October 28, 1-3 pm, Primary School: Tuesday October 30, 9-11 am
Where: Upper School: 6 Lloyd Road, Montclair, Primary School: 224 Orange Road, Montclair
What: Malloween Trick or Treating
Why: Stay indoors this Halloween with plenty of festivities and treats in the stores.
When: Wednesday October 31, 5-7 pm
Where: Palisades Center, 1000 Palisades Center Drive, West Nyack
Why: Stay indoors this Halloween with plenty of festivities and treats in the stores.
When: Wednesday October 31, 5-7 pm
Where: Palisades Center, 1000 Palisades Center Drive, West Nyack
What: The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze
Why: Thousands of hand-carved jack o’lanterns on display, plus plenty of pumpkin-themed activities.
When: Through Wednesday October 31, Thursday November 1-4, 7-11, 15-17, 23-24, kids/$16 (Friday-Saturday, $20) adults/$22 (Friday-Saturday $27), check schedule to reserve time
Where: Van Cortlandt Manor, 525 S Riverside, Croton-on-Hudson
What: Spooky Pumpkin Garden
Why: Explore hundreds of scarecrows and pumpkins, watch pumpkin carving demos and visit with slithering creatures.
When: Open through Wednesday October 31, 10 am-6 pm, kids/$12, adults/$28
Where: New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx
What: The Spider Maze
Why: Get lost in the webby maze filled with puzzles and spider facts.
When: Open through Wednesday October 31, 10 am-4 pm, free with admission
Where: Liberty Science Center, Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City
Why: Your fave Disney characters hit the ice as they search for Tinker Bell.
When: Thursday November 1-Sunday November 4, showtimes vary each day, $25-$220
Where: Prudential Center, 25 Lafayette St., Newark
Why: Chefs team up to cook a Kenyan-inspired feast, hosted by Kiwimbi International.
When: Saturday November 3, 7 pm, under 30/$75, individual/$125
Where: Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Rd., Morristown
Why: This huge fall festival brings hayrides, pony rides, races and carnival rides.
When: Through Sunday November 4, 10 am-6 pm, $12
Where: Heaven Hill Farm, 451 State Route 94, Vernon
What: Corn Maze & Fun Park
Why: Huges mazes, hayrides and gemstone mining make the perfect fall day.
When: Open through Sunday November 11, 10 am-5 pm, $6.99-$16.99
Where: Stony Hill Farms, 15 North Road, Chester
Why: Explore the giant corn maze, take a wagon ride to the orchard and get down to live music.
When: Open through November 11, 9 am-5 pm, $12.99
Where: Alstede Farms, 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester
What: Candytopia
Why: Visit this sweeeeeet wonderland of tasty delights, brought to life through art installations.
When: Opens through Thursday November 15, 10 am-8:30 pm, kids/$26, adults/$34
Where: Candytopia @ Penn Plaza, 145 W 32nd Street, NYC
Why: The Doc is in! Kids step into the doctor’s role as they perform check-ups and groom toy pets.
When: Open through Sunday January 27, free with admission
Where: Liberty Science Center, Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City
Upcoming:
Why: Interactive games and lots of snorts in this action-packed show.
When: Sunday November 4, 1 pm and 4 pm, $29.50-$59.50
Where: Bergen PAC, 30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood
Why: Live music plus plenty of mouth-watering food and drink.
When: Sunday November 4, 11 am-5 pm
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, Nordstrom Lot, 1 Garden State Plaza, Paramus
What: Posh Boutique
What: Posh Boutique
Why: Spend the night shmoozing and shopping for gifts – and for yourself.
When: Wednesday November 14, 4-9 pm, rsvp required
Where: Temple Emanu-El, 180 Piermont Road, Closter
