Dog Friendly Events in NJ: October 2026

If your dog has a Halloween costume this year, there is no shortage of places to show it off. Here are 25 of the best dog events in New Jersey this October, listed by date with everything you need to know before you go.

 

Friday Night Bites Yappy Hour

📅 Fridays through October 30

Free BYOB Yappy Hour in The Hungry Puppy's double-gated dog park. Dogs play while their people meet other dog owners with free snacks, soft drinks, and treats from a sponsoring pet food maker.

• When: 4 PM to 7 PM
• Where: The Hungry Puppy, 1288 NJ-33, Farmingdale
• Cost: Free
• Good to know: BYOB
• Details: thehungrypuppy.com

 

Bone Run & Walk

📅 Saturday, October 17

Halloween 5K, 1.5-mile walk, and Howl-O-Ween Dog Walk, with a costume contest and cash prizes. Dog walkers get a pet swag item, and part of the proceeds go to the South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter.

• When: Starts at 8 AM
• Where: Parvin State Park, 701 Almond Road, Pittsgrove
• Cost: Registration from $30
• Good to know: Dogs must stay on a leash no longer than 6 feet and remain calm.
• Details: runsignup.com/bonerun

 

Strut Your Mutt: Branch Brook Park

📅 Saturday, October 17

Essex County's free canine Halloween costume contest and parade, with prizes for top costumes.

• When: Check-in 9:30 AM, parade 10 AM (rain date Sunday, October 18)
• Where: Branch Brook Park, West Drive near Heller Parkway, Newark
• Cost: Free, register on site
• Details: NJ Family listing

 

Happy Pet Expo & Happy Wellness Expo

📅 Saturday, October 17

About 140 vendor, rescue, and adoption booths covering food, treats, training, grooming, and wellness, plus speakers, demos, and a dog obstacle course.

• When: 10 AM to 5 PM
• Where: Morristown Armory, 430 Western Avenue, Morristown
• Cost: $10 adults, kids under 13 free
• Good to know: Leashed dogs welcome.
• Details: happypetexpo.com

 

Fort Lee's Halloween Dog Park-Tacular

📅 Saturday, October 17

Costume parade and contest with local vendors, raffles, and a kids' activity area. Proceeds benefit local animal shelters.

• When: 11 AM to 3 PM (rain date Sunday, October 18)
• Where: Fort Lee Dog Park, 519 Stillwell Ave, Fort Lee
• Cost: Free
• Details: Fort Lee Dog Walking & Pet Sitting

 

Historic Smithville Costume Pet Parade

📅 Saturday, October 17

Costumed pets and their people parade around the Village Green, hosted by Paw Dazzle Pet Bakery & Boutique. Prizes include $100 for Best in Show, and there are vendors and a raffle.

• When: 11 AM to 3 PM
• Where: Village Green, Historic Smithville, 615 East Moss Mill Road, Smithville
• Cost: $20 per pet, autumn pet portraits $15
• Good to know: Benefits Atlantic County Canines.
• Details: historicsmithville.com

 

Winky's Pet Boutique Halloween Costume Party

📅 Saturday, October 17

Photos and a costume contest with prizes at Winky's in Chester, raising money for NJSH Pet Rescue.

• When: 11 AM to 3 PM
• Where: Winky's Pet Boutique, 15 Perry Street, Chester
• Cost: Free
• Details: Facebook event

 

Lambertville's Halloween Howl

📅 Saturday, October 17

Costumed Four Paws Parade in Mary Sheridan Park, with live music from All Winter Long Band, food, and baked goods.

• When: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
• Where: Mary Sheridan Park, 56 George Street, Lambertville
• Cost: Free
• Good to know: Benefits SoCo Rescue and the Delaware Valley Food Pantry for Pet Food.
• Details: SoCo Rescue

 

Long Branch Fall Festival & Pooch Parade

📅 Saturday, October 17

Pier Village fall festival with live music, a Bavarian band and dancers, pumpkin carving demos, and trick-or-treating at the shops. The Pooch Parade benefits Pick Your Paw Rescue, followed by Yappy Hour and dog trick-or-treating at Carousel Bar.

• When: 12 PM to 4 PM, parade at 12:30 PM
• Where: Pier Village, Long Branch
• Cost: Free entry, Pooch Parade $5
• Good to know: Pre-register by 12:15 PM and check in at Doggie Sweets from 11 AM to noon. Dogs must be licensed and leashed. No female dogs in heat. Parking is paid and fills fast.
• Details: piervillage.com

 

Marty's Place Howl-O-Ween Family Fest

📅 Saturday, October 17

K9 costume contest, pie-eating contests for dogs and people by size group, and mini swim sessions in the sanctuary pool. Food trucks, a vendor fair, and raffles round it out, and resident senior dogs come out to say hello.

• When: 12 PM to 5 PM
• Where: Marty's Place Senior Dog Sanctuary, 118 Route 526, Allentown
• Cost: Entry and activity fees vary
• Good to know: Costume contest registration closes at 2:15 PM. Swim sessions require proof of rabies vaccination.
• Details: Event page

 

Florham Park Rotary Halloween Dog Parade & Costume Contest

📅 Saturday, October 17

Dog parade and costume contest at the gazebo, raising money for the Rotary Scholarship Fund. Enter your dog or come to watch.

• When: 1 PM to 4 PM
• Where: Florham Park Gazebo, Ridgedale Avenue, Florham Park
• Cost: Entry fee not posted, email info@florhamparkrotary.org
• Details: florhamparkrotary.org

 

Collingswood Howl-O-Ween Pup Parade & Costume Contest

📅 Saturday, October 17

Evening Yappy Hour with seasonal treats, live local music, games, a photo booth, and a spooky pet parade. Categories are Funniest, Scariest, Pop Culture, Homemade, and Best in Show.

• When: 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
• Where: Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Courtyard, 839 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood
• Cost: $10 in advance, $15 at the door
• Good to know: Registration required. Dogs must be leashed, and bring proof of current rabies vaccination. Shelter supply donations welcome.
• Details: Facebook event

 

Bark for Life

📅 Sunday, October 18

Annual dog walk and festival at Bell Works for the American Cancer Society. This year's theme is Howllywood, with an opening ceremony and walk, dog contests and a parade, photo ops, themed activities, and a vendor village.

• When: 9 AM to 12 PM
• Where: Bell Works, 101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel
• Cost: $15
• Good to know: Leashed dogs welcome. On-site parking and restrooms.
• Details: Bark Central NJ

 

Howl-O-Ween Pawty at El Nacho's Cantina

📅 Sunday, October 18

Pup parade, a costume contest with prizes for best, funniest, and cutest, dog-friendly trick-or-treat stations, a spooky agility course, and Halloween photo ops.

• When: 11 AM to 3 PM
• Where: El Nacho's Cantina, 746 Carlton Street, Elizabeth
• Cost: Tickets through Eventbrite, refundable up to 7 days before
• Good to know: Dogs must be vaccinated, friendly, and on a standard 6-foot non-retractable leash. Costumes can't restrict sight, breathing, or movement.
• Details: Eventbrite

 

Howl'oween: Doggie Costume Parade & Contest

📅 Sunday, October 18

Seventh annual costume parade and contest with a doggie obstacle course, food trucks, exhibitors, presentations, and live music. Raises funds for families fighting pediatric cancer through the Fighting Children's Cancer Foundation.

• When: 12 PM to 3 PM
• Where: Malapardis Park, 193 Malapardis Road, Cedar Knolls
• Cost: Register on the foundation's site, fee not posted
• Details: fccf.info

 

Paws & Pumpkins at Maxwell & Molly's Closet

📅 Sunday, October 18

Complimentary pumpkin treats and pup lattes for dogs, seasonal treats for people, and time to browse the boutique.

• When: 12 PM to 3 PM
• Where: Maxwell & Molly's Closet, 4 N Village Blvd, Suite D, Sparta
• Cost: Free
• Details: maxwellandmollys.com

 

Ocean City Dog Day & Howl-O-Ween Parade

📅 Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25

The one weekend a year leashed dogs can walk the Ocean City Boardwalk. Saturday is the main event, with dog vendors, photo stations, and free photos with Santa from 11 AM to 1 PM under the Music Pier Loggia. The Howl-O-Ween Parade benefits the Humane Society of Ocean City.

• When: Saturday 9 AM to 5 PM, Sunday 9 AM to 3 PM. Parade Saturday at 3 PM.
• Where: Ocean City Boardwalk, starting at Sixth Street
• Cost: Free
• Good to know: Leashes required, and dogs are only allowed on the boardwalk during event hours. Parade registration opens at 1 PM Saturday at the Sports and Civic Center, Sixth Street and Boardwalk. The parade runs from Sixth Street to 14th Street.
• Details: ocnj.us/dogday

 

Strut Your Mutt: Brookdale Park

📅 Saturday, October 24

Essex County's free canine Halloween costume contest and parade, with prizes for top costumes.

• When: Check-in 9 AM, parade 9:30 AM (rain date Sunday, October 25)
• Where: Brookdale Dog Park, Grove Street entrance, W Circuit Dr, Montclair
• Cost: Free, register on site
• Details: Essex County Parks

 

4 Paws in the Park: Bergen County Pet & Adoption Festival

📅 Saturday, October 24

Adoptable cats and dogs from local rescues, pet vendors, an agility course, and puppy yoga, hosted by Tenafly Veterinary Center and Overpeck Creek Animal Hospital. The costume parade is at 12:30 PM with a Best Costume award, and the Best Trick in Bergen County contest follows at 1:30 PM.

• When: 11 AM to 3 PM. Puppy yoga at 11:30 AM and 2:15 PM.
• Where: Overpeck County Park, 40 Fort Lee Road, Leonia
• Cost: Free. Puppy yoga requires separate registration.
• Good to know: Leashes required, no retractables. Free parking.
• Details: Eventbrite

 

Barktober Fest at Memorial Park

📅 Saturday, October 24

Costume showcase along the river walk with prizes for the most creative looks, games, photo ops, and pet-friendly treats.

• When: 12 PM to 3 PM
• Where: Memorial Park River Walk, Fair Lawn
• Cost: Tickets through Eventbrite
• Good to know: Pets must be leashed or in a carrier.
• Details: Eventbrite

 

Growl-O-Ween at The Pig and Parrot Sandbar

📅 Saturday, October 24

Halloween costume pet parade with prizes, plus Halloween pet photos. Photo proceeds benefit Rescue Ridge.

• When: 1 PM to 3 PM
• Where: The Pig and Parrot Sandbar, 201 Union Lane, Brielle
• Cost: Pet photos $15
• Details: Facebook event

 

Strut Your Mutt: Grover Cleveland Park

📅 Saturday, October 24

Essex County's afternoon round of the free canine costume contest and parade.

• When: Check-in 1 PM, parade 1:30 PM (rain date Sunday, October 25)
• Where: Grover Cleveland Park, near the Pond House, Brookside Avenue, Essex Fells
• Cost: Free, register on site
• Details: Essex County Parks

 

JSRC Deal Trick or Trot

📅 Sunday, October 25

Jersey Shore Running Club's Halloween 4-mile run or walk, kids' races, and a costumed pet walk. Prizes go to the best pet costume, best team costume, and more.

• When: 9:30 AM to 12 PM
• Where: Deal Casino Beach Club, 125 Ocean Avenue North, Deal
• Cost: $15 to $35
• Good to know: Benefits the Deal Fire Company and Shore Saves Animal Rescue.
• Details: dealtrickortrot.com

 

Cranford Howl-o-Ween Pet Parade

📅 Sunday, October 25

Downtown pet parade run with Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming Cranford-Westfield and The Barker Lounge.

• When: Registration 10:30 AM, parade 11 AM
• Where: Post Office Plaza, Eastman Street, Cranford
• Cost: Entry fee not posted
• Good to know: Register through Downtown Cranford.
• Details: downtowncranford.org

 

HCC Howl-O-Ween Pet Costume Contest & Parade

📅 Sunday, October 25

Waterfront costume contest and parade with music and prizes, hosted by the Hoboken Community Center. Proceeds benefit the HCC Pet Pantry.

• When: 3 PM to 6 PM. Parade at 3 PM, judging at 3:30 PM.
• Where: Sinatra Park Amphitheater, 340 Sinatra Drive, Hoboken
• Cost: Ticket required for each pet, through Eventbrite
• Good to know: One pet per registration. Refunds up to 7 days before.
• Details: Eventbrite

 

Before You Go

• Bring proof of rabies vaccination and your dog's license. Several events check at registration.
• Standard 6-foot leashes are safest in parade crowds, and some events ban retractables.
• Pack water, a bowl, and bags.
• Check the organizer's page the morning of for rain dates and changes.