Historic Irvington Halloween Festival
An 80th annual week-long community Halloween celebration with a street fair.
37 family-friendly fall activities near Passaic.
Passaic-area families have many ways to celebrate Halloween. Some events, like the Historic Irvington Halloween Festival, offer large-scale attractions, while others, such as the Free Children's Halloween Parade at Washington Square Park, provide accessible community gatherings.
Consider if you prefer events closer to home in towns like Hackensack or Paramus, or if a drive to a larger celebration in cities like New York or Hoboken is part of your plan. Indoor crafting parties and outdoor farm festivals are just some of the ways to mark the season.
VIP second-floor and gated outdoor viewing of the Village Halloween Parade.
Drive through 32 acres of brilliant Halloween light displays.
Terrifying new Broadway thriller inspired by the iconic film series.
Nation's wildly creative public event where anyone in costume can march.
See all trunk-or-treats, pumpkin patches, and kid-friendly events nearby.
Look for daytime hours, words like "lights-on," "boo-tacular," or "little goblins," and photos showing costumed staff without masks. Red flags: chainsaws in the trailer video, teen-focused marketing, or a shared site with a nighttime haunt where sets stay visible. Reviews from parents mentioning specific ages are gold. When unsure, email and ask whether characters jump-scare or just wave.
Layer like an onion: t-shirt, zip hoodie, and a packable shell beats one heavy coat, because farm mornings can be chilly while afternoons hit t-shirt warm. Sunscreen still matters at daytime patches, hats work for both sun and cold, and gloves live in the bag after mid-October evenings. Dress costumes over base layers so warmth doesn't ruin the look.
Increasingly yes: look for daytime sensory hours with no strobes, sirens, or costumed characters approaching kids, often on weekend mornings at farms, museums, and trunk-or-treats. Practical fallbacks work too: arrive at opening when crowds and noise are lowest, bring ear defenders, preview the event with photos the night before, and agree on a quiet-spot signal. Call ahead; many venues accommodate if asked.