Parisa Burton Spooky season is here, and New Jersey’s dog Halloween events are back. From costume contests and pup parades to pet-friendly festivals, there are plenty of ways to celebrate with your four-legged friends. Read on for a list of Halloween costume contests, parades, and other pet-friendly events happening across New Jersey in 2026.
Alex’s Paw Park 6th Annual Howloween K9 Costume Contest + Parade│41 Middletown Road, Holmdel
October 3rd
The 6th Annual HOWLoween K9 Costume Contest + Parade is taking place at Alex’s Paw Park on Saturday, October 3rd from 2-4PM. The event will feature games, raffles, face painting, treats, and adoptable dogs from Castle of Dreams Animal Rescue. Pet costume sign-up begins at 2PM, followed by the parade at 2:30PM. The rain date for this event is October 4th.
Read More: New Jersey Lawmaker Proposes Pet Expense Tax Credit
Barktober Basket Bash│1290 Toms River Road, AMVETS Post 2 Jackson Township
October 11th
Pitties + Pals Rescue will host its 2nd Annual Barktober Basket Bash on October 11th at AMVETS in Jackson. While the event listing does not mention a pet costume contest, guests can expect a Halloween-themed afternoon with raffle baskets, a 50/50 raffle, food, a cash bar, and more. Proceeds will support the rescue’s work caring for dogs in need and helping them find homes.
Bergen Point Fall Festival│Broadway from 5th Street to Cottage Street, Bayonne
October 17th
The 2026 Bergen Point Fall Festival will take place on Saturday, October 17th from 12-6PM along Broadway in Bayonne. The family-friendly event will feature local merchants, free inflatable rides, face painting, vendor tables, live music, a pumpkin patch, food, and more. A dog costume contest will also take place during the festival.
Lambertville’s Halloween Howl | Mary Sheridan Park, 56 George St, Lambertville
October 17th
SoCo Rescue is hosting this year’s Lamberville’s Halloween Howl Costumed Four Paws Parade on Saturday, October 17th from 11:30AM-1:30PM at Mary Sheridan Park. The free event will feature a Halloween costume parade for dogs, live music from All Winter Long Band, food, and baked goods. The event will also support SoCo Rescue and the Delaware Valley Food Pantry for Pet Food.
Long Branch Fall Festival + Pooch Parade│Pier Village, Long Branch
October 17th
Pier Village will host its Long Branch Fall Festival + Pooch Parade on Saturday, October 17th from 12-4PM. The fall festival will feature live music, pumpkin carving, face painting, fall games, trick-or-treating, seasonal treats, and other family-friendly activities. The Pooch Parade + Costume Contest will kick off at 12:30PM, with prizes presented by Doggie Sweets, followed by Yappy Hour and dog trick-or-treating at Carousel Bar. Parade registration is $5, with proceeds benefiting Pick Your Paw Rescue.
Marty’s Place Howl-O-Ween Family Fest│Marty’s Place Senior Dog Sanctuary, 118 Route 526, Allentown
October 17th
Marty’s Place Senior Dog Sanctuary will host its annual Howl-O-Ween Family Fest on Saturday, October 17th from 12-5PM. The sanctuary’s largest annual fundraiser will feature a K9 costume contest, dog and human pie-eating contests, mini swim sessions, food trucks, a vendor fair, raffles, and more. The event will raise funds to support the care and medical needs of senior dogs at the sanctuary.
Howl’oween: A Doggie Costume Parade + Contest│Malapardis Park, 193 Malapardis Road, Cedar Knolls
October 18th
The Fighting Children’s Cancer Foundation will host its seventh annual Howl’oween Doggie Costume Parade + Contest on Sunday, October 18th from 12-3PM at Malapardis Park. The event will feature a doggie costume parade, obstacle course, food trucks, exhibitors, presentations, live music, and more. Proceeds will raise awareness and funds for children and families fighting pediatric cancer.
Howl-O-Ween Pawty: Halloween Pup Parade + Costume Contest│El Nacho’s Cantina, 746 Carlton Street, Elizabeth
October 18th
El Nacho’s Cantina will host its Howl-O-Ween Pawty on Sunday, October 18th from 11AM-3PM. The Halloween celebration for dogs and their humans will feature a pup parade, costume contest with prizes, dog-friendly trick-or-treating, a spooky agility course, photo ops, and more. All dogs must remain on a standard 6-foot non-retractable leash.
Bartober Fest 2026│Memorial Park River Walk, Fair Lawn
October 24th
The Howl-o-ween Costume Party is happening Saturday, October 24th from 12-2PM, with a costume showcase, games, photo ops, pet-friendly treats, special discounts, and more. Pets must be leashed or in a carrier, and attendees can also enter an Instagram contest for a chance to win a gift card worth up to $250.
Strut Your Mutt: Canine Halloween Costume Contest│Essex County Brookdale Dog Park, West Circuit Drive, Montclair
October 24th
Essex County Brookdale Dog Park will host its annual Strut Your Mutt Canine Halloween Costume Contest on October 24th in Montclair. Registration begins at 9AM, followed by the costume parade at 9:30AM. The free event gives local dog owners a chance to show off their pets’ Halloween costumes, with prizes awarded to some of the top looks.
Barktober Dog Costume Parade│Piscataway Little League Fields, Piscataway
October 24th
Piscataway will host its Barktober Dog Costume Parade on Saturday, October 24th. Online registration is open through October 17th, with onsite registration available from 10:30-11:30AM on the day of the event. Canine participants must have proof of a rabies vaccination and license, and all dogs must be licensed in Piscataway.
Strut Your Mutt: Canine Halloween Costume Contest│Grover Cleveland Park Pond House, Brookside Avenue, Caldwell/Essex Fells
October 24th
Grover Cleveland Park will host its annual Strut Your Mutt Canine Halloween Costume Contest on Saturday, October 24th. Registration begins at 1PM, followed by the costume parade at 1:30PM. The free event gives dog owners a chance to show off their pets’ Halloween costumes, with prizes awarded to some of the top looks.
4 Paws in the Park: Bergen County Pet + Adoption Festival│Overpeck County Park, 40 Fort Lee Road, Leonia
October 24th
4 Paws in the Park will take over Overpeck County Park on Saturday, October 24th from 11AM-3PM for a free pet and adoption festival. The event will feature adoptable cats and dogs, local pet vendors, an agility course, puppy yoga, and more. A Halloween costume parade will take place at 12:30PM, with a prize for Best Costume, followed by a pet contest at 1:30PM for Best Trick.
Howl-O-Ween Pet Costume Contest + Fundraiser│Sinatra Park Amphitheater, Hoboken
October 25th
On October 25th, the Hoboken Community Center will host a Howl-O-Ween Pet Costume Contest + Parade at Sinatra Park Amphitheater. The event will kick off with a pet parade at 3PM, followed by costume judging at 3:30PM, plus music, prizes, and more. Proceeds will support the HCC Pet Pantry and help raise awareness around pet food insecurity.
Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade│OC Boardwalk on 6th Street, Ocean County
October 24th + 25th
Ocean City’s 6th annual Dog Day will take place October 24th + 25th, with leashed dogs welcome on the Boardwalk during designated hours. On October 24th, the weekend will include dog-focused vendors, photo ops, Ocean City’s “Pet of the Year” announcement, and the Howl-O-Ween Parade at 3PM. Owners and their pups are encouraged to dress in Halloween costumes for the parade, which will run from Sixth Street to 14th Street.
See More: Dog-Friendly Pumpkin + Apple Picking Farms in North Jersey
Howl-O-Ween Dog Party│21 Belle Mead-Griggstown Road, Unit 104, Belle Mead
October 31st
The Modern Canine in Belle Mead will host its annual doggy Halloween celebration, featuring free treats for furry friends, a Halloween gift raffle, and a doggy costume contest. Attendees can make their own treat bags and enter their pups in the costume contest, with winners in each category receiving goodies.
Follow @thenewjerseygirl on Instagram + TikTok for the latest updates on Hoboken, Montclair, Bergen County, and more, sign up for our weekly newsletter here that shares everything you missed each week, and check out our events calendar, which has over 100+ events weekly to peruse.
