With the abundance of fall festivals and Halloween extravaganzas happening in New Jersey, there will never be a dull weekend in October. However, not every event is canine-friendly. That’s why The Montclair Girl has created a list of Halloween-themed parades, costume contests, and special events happening all around New Jersey that are specifically made for your furry friend. Read on to learn more about the dog-friendly events happening in Essex County + greater New Jersey for 2024.
Events in Essex County
McLoone’s Yappy Hour + Costume Contest | 9 Cherry Lane, West Orange
On October 12th from 3PM to 6PM, McLoone’s will be hosting a yappy hour and dog costume contest in the high-top bar patio. There will be prizes available for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. The restaurant is also serving separate menus, limited to this event only, for dogs and their owners.
Strut Your Mutt | Newark, Montclair, Bloomfield, Caldwell, + Essex Fells
Hosted by the Essex County Department of Parks Recreation and Cultural Affairs, Strut Your Mutt, a Halloween costume contest and parade for dogs, will be a free entry for all Essex County locals. This event will take place across different towns in Essex County, including Montclair + Bloomfield, Newark, and Caldwell, and Essex Fells during the last two weeks of October.
The first event will be on October 21st (rain date: October 22nd) at the Essex County Branch Brook Dog Park in Newark. Registration will begin at 9AM and the parade at 10AM. The next event will be in Montclair + Bloomfield, and will happen on October 26th at the Essex County Brookdale Dog Park. Registration will start at 9AM and the event itself at 9:30AM. The last event will take place in Caldwell + Essex Fells on Saturday, October 28th at the Essex County Grover Cleveland Park in Caldwell. Registration will be at 1PM and the parade will begin at 1:30PM.
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Tails + Treats | 234 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell
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Calandra’s Il Vecchio Cafe in Caldwell is hosting Tails + Treats on Monday, October 28th from 12PM to 9PM. During this event, Essex County locals can dine with their dogs on the cafe’s outdoor patio. The cafe will be serving dog treats and pumpkin puppachinos for all their canine friends. The event will also include a yappy hour with Terrie Carr from WDHA 105.5, a Dover radio station.
Events in Bergen County
Doggie Paw-Rade | 56 Elliott Place, Rutherford
Rutherford’s Doggie Paw-Rade will be happening on Saturday, October 26th, beginning at the front of the Rutherford High School and ending in Lincoln Park. Check-in is at 1PM and the parade begins at 1:30PM. With only 50 spots available, the parade is open to Rutherford residents only and pre-registration is required. The deadline to register is October 4th before 11:59PM. For more information and how to register, see the flier here.
Paws in the Park | 519 Stillwell Avenue, Fort Lee
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Located at the Fort Lee Dog Park, the 9th annual Paws in the Park will be happening on October 26th (rain date: October 27th) from 11AM to 3PM. Locals are encouraged to bring their families to enjoy live music, food, local vendors, face painting, pumpkin painting, a tricky tray raffle, and more. All proceeds will go to local participating shelters in the Northern New Jersey area.
Events in Passaic County
Barktober Fest | 1st Street + Lambert Road, Fair Lawn
The third annual Barktober Fest will take place on October 26th at 12PM in the dog park of Memorial Park in Fair Lawn. Passaic County locals can expect a doggie costume parade, food, giveaways, and more. Tickets are priced at $8 and can be found here.
Howl-o-ween Dog Parade | 537 Totowa Road, Totowa
Totowa’s fifth annual Howl-O-Ween Dog Parade will happen on October 20th at 10AM in the parking lot behind the Municipal Building on Peterson Road. Open to Totowa residents only, locals can expect a free raffle to win dog goodies. The deadline for pre-registration is October 11th. See more information here.
Events in Hudson County
Day of The Dead Celebration | 498 Palisade Avenue, Jersey City
Hosted by the Riverview Farmers’ Market, the annual Day of the Dead Celebration will be taking place on November 3rd. From 11PM to 3PM, Jersey City locals can enjoy live music, dancing, and a pet costume contest hosted by the Riverview Neighborhood Association. More details including how to register will be announced here.
Hound About Town Halloween Costume Contest | 218 Montgomery Street + 17 McWilliams Place, Jersey City
Hound About Town, a pet store with two locations in Jersey City, is hosting a pet costume contest via Instagram. Locals can enter by posting a picture of their furry friends in a Halloween costume, and tagging and direct messaging the pet store’s Instagram with “clean copies” of the photos. The deadline to enter is October 14th at 11:59PM. From October 17th to 26th, Hound About Town will be posting 10 of the best photos via Instagram. By the end of October 29th, whichever post has the most likes, comments, and shares will win. There will be prizes for first, second, and third place, and a list of the prizes can be found on the pet shop’s Instagram here.
Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest | 7100 River Road, North Bergen
On November 4th, the Town of Guttenberg, the Township of North Bergen, and Port Imperial Pooches will be hosting the annual Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest. Locals can expect a day filled with vendors, music, prizes, and tables providing goods and services to pets and their owners. The judging categories will include “Bone,” the scariest costume, “Funny Bone,” the funniest costume, “Do(G) It Yourself,” the best homemade costume, “Double Trouble,” the best canine + owner costume, and “Bone Fido,” the costume that is the best in show. Registration begins at 1PM and the contest starts at 2PM. More information can be found here.
Howl-O-Ween Pawty | 1034 Willow Avenue, Hoboken
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On October 4th from 6PM to 8:30PM, Hoboken locals can bring their furry friend to the Howl-O-Ween Pawty Yappy Hour, hosted by Doggie Road Trippin’, Groomington Eats, and The Ale House. There will be a Halloween bandana giveaway, a doggie treat truck, and a selfie station. With a $10 cash donation upon entrance, proceeds will go to Wise Animal Rescue, a New Jersey-based animal rescue organization.
Howl-O-Ween Pet Costume Contest + Parade | Church Square Park — 400 Garden Street, Hoboken
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Hosted by Hoboken Community Center, the third annual Howl-O-Ween Pet Costume Contest + Parade will take place on Saturday, October 26th at the Garden Street location in Hoboken. There will be different categories with prizes, such as the most original, scariest, funniest, and more. The goal of this event is to raise awareness around pet food insecurity, and help support the HCC Pet Pantry. Locals can purchase either the early bird ticket for $20 or the general admission ticket for $25, and can be found here.
Kearny Doggie Halloween Pawrade + Festival | 462 Elm Street, Kearny
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The 10th annual Kearny Doggie Halloween Pawrade + Festival, hosted by Kearny’s Urban Enterprise Zone, will take place at Arlington Depot Park on Saturday, October 26th from 11AM to 2PM. Hudson County locals can expect a dog costume contest, a parade, and a festival featuring pet specialty vendors, food, photo ops, and more. Registration for the costume contest will be from 11AM to 12:30PM, and will require proof of dog license and rabies vaccine. See how to register here. The flier, which includes a full schedule of the events, can be found here.
Events in Morris County
Barktoberfest | 20 1st Avenue, Denville
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From 10AM to 3PM on October 20th, Mutts on Main will be hosting Barktoberfest at the Denville location. Locals can expect a day filled with “pawsome activities and treats.” See here for more information, including a schedule of events.
Events in Union County
Halloween Dog Parade + Costume Contest | 1 Swanstrom Place East, Union
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Happening alongside a Haunted Halloween Food Truck Fest, Rabkin Park will be hosting a dog parade + costume contest on October 19th from 3PM to 7PM. With a free admission, the parade will begin at 5:30PM. Locals can expect the following judging categories: “Spookiest Costume,” “Most Creative,” and “Best Duo Costume.” See more information about the food truck fest, including the full list of activities, here and information about the parade + costume contest here.
Events in Monmouth County
Dog Costume Contest |105 Academy Street, Farmingdale
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On October 19th at 1PM (rain date: October 26th), Woody’s Roadside Tavern in Farmingdale will be hosting a dog costume contest, which will also feature an adoption event with Rescue Ridge. Those attending can expect prizes, food + drink specials, fall specialty cocktails, and a separate menu for canine friends.
Growl-O-Ween | 201 Union Lane, Brielle
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On Saturday, October 26th from 12PM to 3PM, Rescue Ridge, Pig + Parrot, and S. Bogetti Jewelry will be hosting Growl-O-Ween. Locals should expect giveaways, a doggie parade, treats, and prizes for best costumes. All proceeds will go to the homeless animals of Rescue Ridge.
Howl’oween K9 Costume Contest + Parade | 41 Middletown Road, Holmdel
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From 2PM to 4PM on October 5th (rain date: October 6th), Alex’s Paw Park will be hosting the 4th annual Howl’oween event. Locals can expect treats, prizes, raffles, vendors, and more. Costume check-in will be at 2PM and the parade at 2:30PM. See here for more information, including judging categories.
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Howl-O-Weiner Walk | 1300 Ocean Avenue North, Asbury Park
The 6th annual Howl-O-Weiner Walk, hosted by The Dachshund Doc on TikTok, will take place on Sunday, October 6th at 2PM at the Asbury Park Boardwalk. Locals are encouraged to dress up their Dachshunds and attend this free event.
Events in Ocean County
Canines + Cocktails: Howl-O-Ween Edition | 300 Ocean Avenue North, Point Pleasant Beach
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Jenkinson’s Boardwalk will be hosting a Canines + Cocktails event on Saturday, October 19th 12PM to 4PM. The event will be located on the beach behind Jenkinson’s Pavilion. For more information see here.