If you were thinking the Jersey Shore was starting to quiet down for the season, this weekend would like a word.
From Friday, October 23 through Sunday, October 25, Ocean County has one of those weekends where you could easily spend the morning at a fall festival, the afternoon by the water, and the evening listening to live music.
There’s even a 5K where the finish-line reward is pizza.
So if you’re searching for things to do in Ocean County or at the Jersey Shore this weekend, here are some of the events worth putting on your radar.
Friday Night: Start the Weekend on LBI
If you’re looking for an easy family-friendly Friday night, St. Francis Community Center in Long Beach Township is hosting a Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 23 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
The evening includes decorated trunks, treats, food, coffee, a 50/50 raffle and basket raffles.
It’s a simple way to start Halloween weekend without waiting until Saturday.
When: Friday, October 23 | 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Where: St. Francis Community Center, Long Beach Township
Run for Pizza on the Seaside Heights Boardwalk
Yes, this is exactly what it sounds like.
The 5K For Pizza starts at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 24 along the Seaside Heights Boardwalk.
It’s a flat run-or-walk course, and each registration includes two full-size slices of pizza at the post-race festival.
That may be one of the more convincing reasons we’ve heard to sign up for a 5K.
When: Saturday, October 24 | 10:00 a.m.
Where: Seaside Heights Boardwalk
If you’re less interested in setting a personal record and more interested in eating the pizza, we understand completely.
Downtown Toms River Has an Autumn Festival at Huddy Park
Saturday morning also brings the Autumn Lights Festival for Parkinson’s to Huddy Park in Downtown Toms River.
The family-friendly event runs from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and includes live music, food trucks, vendors, a pumpkin patch, face painting and an art expo.
That makes it an easy addition to a larger Toms River day.
Grab coffee downtown, spend some time at the festival and then keep exploring with our How to Spend a Day in Toms River, NJ guide.
When: Saturday, October 24 | 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Where: Huddy Park, Downtown Toms River
Bayville Is Celebrating a 100-Year-Old Locomotive
This might be the most unexpected event of the weekend.
The Berkeley Township Historical Society Museum is reopening on Saturday, October 24 with its first annual Railroad Fest, celebrating the 100th birthday and return to operation of Plymouth Locomotive #2173.
The event is scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and includes narrow-gauge locomotives in operation along with antique equipment, model trains, fire trucks and antique cars.
If you’re already familiar with our Bayville local guide, this is exactly the kind of local event we love finding: something specific to the community that you probably wouldn’t know about unless someone told you.
When: Saturday, October 24 | 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Where: Berkeley Township Historical Society Museum, Bayville
Trick-or-Treat Around the Boardwalk at Tuckerton Seaport
Tuckerton Seaport Museum is hosting its Trick or Treat around the Boardwalk event on Saturday from noon to 2:00 p.m.
It’s a free community event, making it an easy choice for families looking for a shorter Halloween outing.
The setting is what makes this one particularly fun.
Instead of trick-or-treating through a shopping center, you’re doing it around a museum devoted to Jersey Shore maritime history.
When: Saturday, October 24 | Noon–2:00 p.m.
Where: 120 West Main Street, Tuckerton
Head to LBI for Hayrides, Pumpkins and Pizza
Long Beach Township’s Harvest Hayride & a Slice of Fall Fun takes place Saturday from noon to 4:00 p.m. at Bayview Park.
The event includes hayrides, live music, pizza and pizza-themed foods, a pumpkin patch and children’s activities.
This is a nice option if you want something seasonal without making the entire day about Halloween.
And late October on LBI has a completely different pace than July.
When: Saturday, October 24 | Noon–4:00 p.m.
Where: Bayview Park Pavilion, Long Beach Township
Spend the Weekend at a Fall Festival in New Egypt
Laurita Winery is hosting Fall Fest on both Saturday and Sunday, October 24–25.
The weekend includes live music, food trucks, vineyard wagon rides, local vendors, pick-your-own pumpkins and flowers, apple cider donuts and even apple and pumpkin cannons. Guests under 21 are currently listed as free, while adult admission varies depending on advance or gate purchase.
This one works if different people in your group want different things.
Wine?
Yep.
Pumpkins?
Yep.
Food trucks?
Yep.
Launching pumpkins across a vineyard?
Apparently also yep.
When: Saturday & Sunday, October 24–25
Where: New Egypt
Boo at the Boardwalk Is Back in Point Pleasant Beach
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk is bringing back Boo at the Boardwalk on both Saturday and Sunday.
The event runs from noon to 4:00 p.m. and includes trick-or-treating, character appearances, live entertainment, Halloween activities and limited amusement rides. Available rides are offered for half the normal credit amount during the event.
The Saturday schedule includes Halloween concerts, underwater pumpkin carving and creepy-crawler activities at the aquarium, while Sunday adds Halloween magic shows and the Monster Slime Lab. Aquarium activities require aquarium admission where noted.
It’s probably one of the most classically Jersey Shore Halloween experiences on the calendar.
When: Saturday & Sunday, October 24–25 | Noon–4:00 p.m.
Where: Point Pleasant Beach
Outdoor activities are weather permitting, so check Jenkinson’s current updates before leaving.
Forked River Still Has Plenty of Fall Left
Argos Farm is still in full fall mode.
Its Fall Festival continues through November 1, with the farm open this weekend on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Attractions include the pumpkin patch, corn maze and more than 30 farm activities.
Live music is also scheduled this weekend, with Nikki Briar on October 24 and Pickin Pair on October 25.
If you’re spending more of the day nearby, use our Forked River local guide to find a few more places worth knowing.
When: Saturday & Sunday | 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Where: 1250 Lacey Road, Forked River
Sunday Brings a Waterfront Fall Festival to Barnegat
Sun Harbor Seafood & Grill has a Fall Festival scheduled for Sunday, October 25.
The day includes trick-or-treating with vendors, children’s activities, pumpkin painting, craft vendors, live music and a screening of Hocus Pocus around sunset.
This one is especially interesting because you’re combining fall festival activities with a Barnegat Bay setting.
When: Sunday, October 25
Where: East Bay Avenue, Barnegat
If you’re curious about more places to eat near the water, take a look at our waterfront restaurants around Barnegat Bay guide.
Waretown Has a Hometown Halloween Parade on Sunday
The Waretown Volunteer Fire Company Annual Halloween Parade takes place Sunday afternoon.
Costumed participants line up at the Waretown Branch of the Ocean County Library between 12:30 and 12:45 p.m., with the parade stepping off at 1:00 p.m. toward the firehouse.
This isn’t the giant Toms River Halloween Parade coming the following weekend.
That’s exactly why it’s worth including.
Smaller community traditions are part of what makes these town-by-town Jersey Shore guides interesting.
When: Sunday, October 25 | Parade steps off at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Main Street, Waretown
So, What Should You Do This Weekend?
If you’re trying to narrow it down, here’s how I’d think about it.
For families with younger kids:
Boo at the Boardwalk, Tuckerton Seaport, Argos Farm or the Long Beach Township Harvest Hayride.
For something genuinely unusual:
The Bayville Railroad Fest.
For food:
The 5K for Pizza requires some effort first, while Laurita’s Fall Fest gives you food trucks without the running.
For a classic fall day:
Argos Farm or Laurita.
For a local community event:
Huddy Park’s Autumn Lights Festival or the Waretown Halloween Parade.
And if your answer is “Why choose one?”
Fair point.
Is the Jersey Shore Still Busy in Late October?
Not summer-busy.
But definitely not closed.
That’s something we’ve been seeing over and over while building these local guides.
The Shore doesn’t simply stop after Labor Day. Instead, the calendar shifts toward fall festivals, farms, downtown events, community traditions, live music, Halloween activities and outdoor destinations that are arguably more comfortable once the summer heat disappears.
We explored that more fully in The Jersey Shore After Summer.
For the broader year-round picture, there’s also our Best Things to Do in Ocean County, NJ guide.
One Weekend. A Lot of Options.
Maybe the hardest part about this weekend isn’t finding something to do.
It’s choosing.
You can run for pizza in Seaside Heights.
Watch a 100-year-old locomotive come back to life in Bayville.
Go trick-or-treating on a Jersey Shore boardwalk.
Spend the day among pumpkins in Forked River.
Head to the vineyard.
Watch a hometown Halloween parade.
Or simply pick one town and see where the day takes you.
That’s the thing about late October around the Jersey Shore.
Summer may be gone.
The weekend plans definitely aren’t.
About Michael Tumminelli
Michael Tumminelli is a Broker Associate serving Ocean and Monmouth Counties and regularly shares local events, restaurants, history, attractions and places worth knowing throughout the Jersey Shore.
Michael Tumminelli | Broker Associate
📞 848-333-3420
📞 732-473-1700
📧 [email protected]
Event schedules, admission details and outdoor activities may change. Check directly with organizers before heading out.