5 Free Things to Do Around South Jersey This Halloween Season 🎃

 5 Free Things to Do Around South Jersey This Halloween Season 🎃

Halloween fun doesn’t have to come with an expensive admission ticket. From a haunted police station to an entire town embracing spooky season, here are five places to enjoy free Halloween activities around South Jersey this October 2026.

1. Riverside Police Haunted Station & Fall Festival — Riverside

The Riverside Police Department is bringing back its Haunted Police Station with this year’s theme, “Fractured Fairy Tales.” Expect a creepy twist on familiar stories as you make your way through the optional haunted walkthrough.

Outside, the Fall Festival and Night Market offers plenty to explore, including more than 50 vendors and crafters, music, inflatables and trunk-or-treating. Food trucks will also be on-site. You can enjoy the community celebration and decide whether you’re brave enough to step inside the haunted station.

📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026
🕕 6–9 p.m. — festival hours
📍 Riverside Police Department, 1 W. Scott Street, Riverside, NJ
🎟️ Free event admission
🌐 Event information

2. Trick or Treat on Main Street — Mullica Hill

Historic downtown Mullica Hill is hosting a free evening of trick-or-treating, giving families a chance to show off their costumes while exploring Main Street. Participating businesses along South Main Street will hand out Halloween goodies, and seasonal photo opportunities will give you a reason to stop and capture those costumes.

This is a good choice for anyone looking for a relaxed Halloween outing with small-town atmosphere. Bring a candy bag, walk through downtown and enjoy the decorations while checking out the local shops. Businesses will also offer shopping specials during the event.

📅 Thursday, October 15, 2026
🕔 5–8 p.m.
📍 Main Street, Mullica Hill, NJ
🎟️ Free to attend and trick-or-treat
🌐 Event information

3. Visit “Monsterville” — Merchantville

Every October, Merchantville becomes Monsterville, with residents and businesses decorating for Halloween. Take a free, self-guided stroll along Centre Street and through the surrounding neighborhoods to see decorated Victorian porches, historic homes and pumpkin displays. The decorations make the town a destination even when you aren’t attending a scheduled event. There are no published town-wide display hours; individual homes control their own lighting and decorations.

For a scheduled free stop, Storynook’s Monsterville Art Show takes place on Friday, October 16, from 6–9 p.m. Inside Ryan’s Retail, you can browse local artwork and vendors, enjoy light refreshments and join a friendly costume contest at 8 p.m. Admission is free, with an optional $5 donation encouraged. Registration is linked on the event page.

📅 Town decorations: throughout October 2026
🕕 Art show: Friday, October 16, 6–9 p.m.; costume contest at 8 p.m.
📍 Downtown Merchantville and surrounding neighborhoods
📍 Storynook: inside Ryan’s Retail, 22 N. Centre Street, Merchantville, NJ
🎟️ Free decoration viewing and art-show admission
🌐 Monsterville seasonal information | Art-show details

4. Halloween Spooktacular & Trunk or Treat — Lumberton

Lumberton’s annual Halloween Spooktacular brings together costumes, candy and fall activities at the township’s municipal complex. Families can explore the decorated trunks, collect treats and enjoy children’s activities throughout the evening. Prizes are also planned for costumes and groups, so dressing up is part of the fun.

The important detail for candy hunters: trunk-or-treating runs from 5–7 p.m., while the overall celebration continues until 8 p.m. Food trucks will be available if you want to purchase dinner or a snack during your visit.

📅 Friday, October 16, 2026
🕔 5–8 p.m.; trunk-or-treat from 5–7 p.m.
📍 Lumberton Municipal Complex, 35 Municipal Drive, Lumberton, NJ
🎟️ Free community activities and trunk-or-treat participation
🌐 Event information

5. Animal Welfare Association’s Howl-O-Ween Bash — Voorhees

The Animal Welfare Association is celebrating spooky season with its annual Howl-O-Ween Bash. The evening includes free activities and crafts for children, trunk-or-treating, music and Halloween vendors, offering several ways to enjoy the season in one stop.

The event also supports AWA’s work helping animals in need. Browse the vendors, let the kids enjoy the crafts and candy, and spend an evening celebrating Halloween with the community. Admission is listed as free; vendor purchases and drinks are separate.

📅 Friday, October 16, 2026
🕔 5–8 p.m.
📍 Animal Welfare Association, 509 Centennial Boulevard, Voorhees, NJ
🎟️ Free admission, with free children’s activities and crafts
🌐 Event information

All times are Eastern. Check the event pages before heading out for weather updates and schedule changes.