It’s spooky how many free and inexpensive activities there are to enjoy with your family and friends this October. We promise this list is full of treats and absolutely no tricks!

October 1

Pick-Your-Own Pumpkins & Apples (Colts Neck) – Every weekday from 9am-4:30pm, and every weekend from 9am-5:30 pm through October 31st, join Eastmont Orchards for apple and pumpkin picking. Admission is free and you will only pay for what you pick. Eastmont Orchards encourages visitors to check their social media or call ahead before visiting, as well as bring their own bags. Find more details here.

October 5

Fall Harvest Festival Arts & Crafts Show (Ocean Grove) will take place from 10am-4pm at Auditorium Square Park, rain or shine. This event will feature crafts, art, live music, and food. Admission is free. Additional information can be found here.

Oktoberfest (Seaside) – Island Beach State Park welcomes you to celebrate fall at Oktoberfest, taking place at Swimming Area 1 for the entire day. For a suggested donation of $8 – you can bring your family, friends, and furry friends on a leash – to enjoy food, brews (ages 21+), vendors, live music, and a pet costume parade and contest. For more information, click here.

October 6

Oktoberfest (Freehold) – Freehold Borough will be shutting down West Main Street so you and your family can enjoy a wide array of activities from 12pm-5pm. Oktoberfest will bring together the community to celebrate Bavarian culture through unique vendors, food, games and more. The Beer Garden will have tables and seating to enjoy the fare, and there will be live music on the Main Stage and in the Beer Garden throughout the day. Admission is free and all ages are encouraged to come take part in the festivities, although you must be 21+ to purchase and taste any alcoholic beverages. You can find out more details here.

October 7

Teen Pumpkin Painting (Howell) – The Howell Branch of the Monmouth County Library System invites your 6th-12th graders to paint a pumpkin from 7pm-8pm. While the pumpkin and materials are supplied, registration is required since there are limited spaces available. To register your teen and learn more about the event, visit the Monmouth County Library Calendar of Events.

October 8

Fall Flavor of Freehold – From 5pm-8pm join in an evening of exploring what the downtown area has to offer. You’ll be equipped with an event passport to use as a guide, as you embark on your walking tour to check out the restaurants, bars, and shops. Tickets are $25 per person, and they come with signature samples of what some of these beloved Freehold Borough establishments have to offer. Check out past participants, as well as additional information for this year’s event here.

October 12

Fall Arts & Crafts Festival (Middletown) will take place from 10am-4pm at the Middletown Arts Center. This inaugural event will feature local artisans and crafters, food trucks, and more for the whole family to enjoy. Admission is free, with free parking for visitors across the street. The event takes place outdoors, so we encourage you to check the weather before heading over! You can find additional information here.

Fall Food Truck Festival (Neptune City) – Head over to Memorial Park for a day of family fun at the 3rd Annual Fall Food Truck Festival. While admission is free, local food trucks will be selling refreshments, and there will be beer/wine to purchase for tasters 21+. Aside from the food and beverages, there are still plenty of free activities to enjoy – such as live music, games, a petting zoo, a light show, and more. Learn more here.

October 13

Halloween Fun Fest (Long Beach Island) will take place October 13th from 10am-2pm and October 19th from 4pm-8pm at Fantasy Island Amusement Park. There are countless family friendly activities to enjoy, including a trick or treat trail, pumpkin patch, costume contest, face painter, family photos, and more. Select rides, boardwalk games, and the arcade will be open. Tickets are $15/adult and $20/child (ages 1-17) and includes a $10 Fun Card and access to all activities. Registration is required for the session you and your family wish to attend. For more event information, click here.

October 19

Halloween Bonfire & Doggie Costume Contest (Hazlet) will take place at Leocadia Court Park from 4pm-8pm (rain date is Sunday, October 20^th). Although it is free to come enjoy the bonfire and Halloween activities with your family and friends, Hazlet encourages you (and your dog!) to wear your Halloween costume. There will be a Howl-o-ween doggie costume contest as well. You can find more information here.

Harvest Festival (Little Egg Harbor) – Get in the fall spirit at the Harvest Festival, taking place from 10am-4pm at Pinelands Regional High School. Admission is free for all ages, and you’ll want to take advantage of it with all of the fun family activities taking place throughout the day. There are free family photos, giant inflatables, craft vendors, live entertainment, a petting zoo, and more. Find more information here.

October 21

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Howell) will be told at the Howell Branch of the Monmouth County Library System at 6pm. This one-man-show will feature the classic horror tale and a fully staged presentation sure to entertain all ages, followed by a short historical information session and light refreshments. Admission is free, and we are sure the whole family will get in the Halloween spirit by listening to the tale of the Headless Horseman! Find more details here.

October 24

Trunk or Treat (Wall Township) – The Annual Trunk or Treat will take place rain or shine in the Wall Municipal Complex Parking Lot from 6pm-8pm. Bring your family and friends from infants to 13 years old, to check out the decorated trunks, show off your best Halloween costume, and go trick or treating. Admission is free. Don’t hesitate to ask the owners of a trunk for allergy-friendly options, too! You can find more information here.

October 25

Halloween Hullabaloo (Middletown) – Join Middletown for a spook-tacular night of Halloween fun at Poricy Park from 5:30pm-8pm. The Hullabaloo will feature a costume contest, trick or treating, hayrides, an inflatable corn maze, and more. Admission is free for residents, and registering prior to the event is recommended here. Make sure your loved one is one of the first 300 kids at the event, as they will get a special treat. Check out this website for more details.

October 26

Halloween Event (Ocean Grove) – Join Ocean Grove in celebrating Halloween a few days early from 1pm-3pm. Head on over to Main Avenue for free trick or treating, Halloween crafts and festivities, and a photobooth. With free admission, you’ll definitely want to break out your best Halloween costume for this event! For more information, click here.

October 27

1830s All Hallows Eve Trick-or-Treating Celebration (Wall Township) – Ever wondered how they celebrated Halloween in the 19th century? You don’t have to wonder any longer after attending this event at the Historic Village at Allaire from 11am-4pm. This event allows you to step back in time while still enjoying the Halloween activities of today, including live demonstrations, spooky storytelling, craftmaking, and a carved pumpkin contest. Tickets are $10/adult and $5/child (ages 4-12). For more information about the event and the carved pumpkin contest, as well as purchasing tickets – click here.

October 31

Jacks and Lights (Lacey) – Celebrate the spirit of the season from 6pm-9pm at Argos Farm, when you walk through a trail of hundreds of lit jack o’ lanterns carved into amazing designs. You’ll find a lit pumpkin trail, a pumpkin patch, photo ops, a flashlight corn maze, tasty treats, and much more. Don’t miss out on this magical adventure, perfect for those of all ages! For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

First Financial hopes you and your family take time to ‘Trick-or-Treat Yourself’ with these fun activities this October. We hope you have a wonderful Halloween!