Taylor Dennis 
It’s officially spooky season, and that means dog costume contests and Halloween parades have begun. It’s that time of year to grab your pet, grab a costume, and head on over to win some great prizes, shop local vendors, enjoy delicious food, spend time with your dog, and enjoy the sight of adorable dogs in incredibly creative costumes. Read on to find out when and where these dog costume contests and parades are taking place around New Jersey for the 2025 Halloween season.
8th Annual Bark for Life of Central NJ│101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel
October 12th
The 8th annual Bark for Life will be held on October 12th from 9AM to 12PM. This carnival-themed event includes carnival games, dog-friendly games, a dog costume contest with prizes, food trucks, and a variety of local vendors. Proceeds will go toward fighting against canine cancers. Find out more about this great event here.
Bonfire & Howl-O-Ween│39 Leocadia Court, Hazlet
October 18th
The Hazlet Township Recreation is hosting a Bonfire + Howl-O-Ween event this October 18th from 4PM to 7PM. This fun, family and furry-friendly event will include a warm bonfire, Trunk or Treat, bouncy castles, pumpkin picking, a petting zoo, food trucks, and a dog costume contest. This event is completely free to attend; don’t forget your costumes. For more information, click here.
Read More: October 2025 Events in Bergen County, NJ
Alex’s Paw Park 5th Annual Howloween K9 Costume Contest and Parade│41 Middletown Road, Holmdel
October 18th
Grab your pup and join this year’s 5th annual Howloween K9 Costume Contest on October 18th from 2PM to 4PM. This contest is completely free to enter, with costume winners being announced at 3PM. Special prizes will be given out to costume winners, and guests can enjoy vendors, delicious dog treats for your pups, raffles, photo-ops, games, face painting, and adoptable dogs. This year, the event will also be partnering up with the Animal Welfare Club at Holmdel High School and William R. Satz Middle School to collect new toys and unopened treats for local animal shelters and rescue centers. If you’re feeling generous, please bring new items to donate at the event.
Lambertville’s Halloween Howl│37 York Street, Lambertville
October 18th
SoCo Rescue is hosting this year’s Lamberville’s Halloween Howl Costumed Four Paws Parade on October 18th from 11:30AM to 1:30PM. Those who’d like to attend and be part of the costume contest will have to pay a $25 registration fee for each pet. All proceeds go to SoCo Rescue and The Pet Pantry at Fisherman’s Mark. This paw-some event includes a Wag Bag for the first 50 registered contestants, prizes for costume winners, free games for kids, a bake sale, and a silent auction. Find out more about this event here.
Long Branch Fall Festival + Pooch Parade│Pier Village, Long Branch
October 18th
The Long Branch Fall Festival + Pooch Parade includes a variety of family-friendly and pooch-friendly activities. The Pooch Parade begins lining up at noon, with the parade following thirty minutes later, including a costume contest so make sure your pooch is dressed to impress. After the parade, festival goers can enjoy live entertainment, pumpkin carving, bracelet making, face painting, henna art, rides, fall games, pet massages, dog treats and baked goods, pumpkin patch photo opportunities, and Dog Trick-or-Treating. Find more information on this event here.
Howl-O-Ween Pet Costume Contest + Fundraiser│1916 New Jersey 57, Hackettstown
October 18th
The Howl-O-Ween Pet Costume Contest + Fundraiser is being held Saturday, October 18th, in Hackettstown. Those who’d like to participate in the costume contest will pay a $10 entry fee, with half the proceeds going to the Pet Adoption League and the other half to the winner. Those attending can also enjoy delicious meatballs, pup cups, a bunch of themed cocktails, and mocktails. To learn more about this event, click here.
Hoboken Pup Crawl│105 9th Street, Hoboken
October 19th
If you enjoy drinking and your pups then this is the paw-fect event for you. Hoboken’s The Ale House is hosting their first ever Pup Crawl. Sniff, sip, and stroll on Sunday, October 19th from 11AM to 4PM. Those who wish to attend will check in, grab an official drink passport and enjoy a self-guided tour featuring Hoboken’s best dog-friendly bars. Attendees will get to drink locally, meet other pups, enjoy local vendors, join the chance to win giveaways and exclusive pup swag. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 the day of. Registration begins at Cornerstone Pets located at 105 9th Street. Dog-friendly bars will be announced shortly. Find out more here.
Barktober Basket Bash │2025 Church Road, Toms River
October 19th
The Pitties and Pals Rescue is hosting a Barktober Basket Bash on October 19th from 12 to 4PM. This event features over 100 different baskets that you can bid on, each one filled with a wide range of treats and goodies. All proceeds go directly to supporting the care of the dogs at the rescue. Attendees have the choice to purchase tickets ahead of time for $25 or at the door for $30. There will be food, vendors, a cash bar, and a 50/50 raffle.
Howl-O-Ween Costume Party at Pet Supplies Plus│1005 White Horse Avenue, Hamilton Township
October 19th
The Hamilton Pet Supplies Plus is hosting a Howl-O-Ween Costume Party on Sunday, October 19th. This event runs from 1PM to 3PM and is fun for the whole family. This Costume Party will include an awesome costume contest, free BadLands Ranch samples for your dog, hot chocolate and popcorn, face painting, bouncy houses, a photo booth, pumpkin bowling, and doggie bobbing for bones. Don’t miss this spooky event.
Bartober Fest 2025│Memorial Park River Walk, Fair Lawn
October 25th
This Halloween fest will include a dog costume contest, a bunch of fun prizes. This is the fourth year for this event and it will begin at noon. Contestants will have to pay a small, $7 ticket fee. To purchase tickets and find out more information, click here.
Strut Your Mutt: Canine Halloween Costume Contest│Essex County Brookdale Dog Park, West Circuit Drive, Montclair
October 25th
The Canine Halloween Costume Contest in Montclair will take place at the Brookdale Dog Park. This fun costume event will be an early morning activity, starting at 9:30AM and will include awesome prizes for the winners. Registration begins at 9AM. To learn more about this event click here.
Howl-O-Ween│21 Belle Mead-Griggstown Road, Unit 104, Belle Mead
October 25th
Held at The Modern Canine in Belle Mead is Howl-O-Ween. This event goes from 11AM to 2PM on October 25th and will include a dog parade at 1:45PM, fun treat bags for your dog, pup-kin spice puppaccinos, and plenty of photo-ops. A dog costume contest will begin on the 25th and end the following day. Contestants are encouraged to vote on their Instagram stories for this year’s winners. Costume contest categories include Most original/creative and best owner/dog duo or group.
Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade│OC Boardwalk on 6th Street, Ocean County
October 25th + 26th
On October 25th and 26th, Ocean County will host its 5th annual Howl-O-Ween. All along the Boardwalk, dog-specific vendors, food stations, photo-ops, including photos with Santa, and more will be set up. This event begins at 9AM and has a variety of events throughout the day. The pet parade will begin at 3PM on Sixth Street, both pets and their owners are encouraged to dress up. All proceeds from this event will go to the Humane Society of Ocean City to help animals in need. Sunday’s event, Dogs permitted on the Boardwalk, goes from 9AM to 3PM. If you’d like to learn more information on this event, including theischedule, you can check it out here.
See More: Hoboken Ragamuffin Parade 2025: What to Know
The Dog Market: Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade + Adoption Event│Maplewood Memorial Park, Maplewood
October 26th
On Sunday, October 26th from 10AM to 4PM is The Dog Market: Howl-O-Ween. This, pet-loving event includes a Pet Parade and Adoption Event. Starting in the morning, goers can enjoy dog-themed vendors, crafts, a dog costume contest, and maybe even find your next furry friend to join your family, so be sure to visit the adoption area. At 1PM join the Pet Parade, it’s $5 to enter with all money going toward a wonderful cause. This event is also still open and looking for vendors, so if you’re looking to sell some items from your local business, you can find more information here.
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