What’s Halloween without a costume party…or two…or eight. From Halloween tiki drinks at Cellar 335 to See Spot Rescued’s annual pet costume party — we present our top picks for what to see, eat, and do in Jersey City this Halloween weekend.
What: Halloween Weekend at LITM
When: Friday 28 – Monday 31
Where: LITM at 140 Newark Avenue (btwn Grove & Erie)
Halloween meets modern art during LITM’s 4-day Halloween celebration. Festivities kick off Friday night with LITM’s Mad Wonderland Tea Party, a night of tea-based cocktail specials and tarot card readings. Saturday night LITM will host a Halloween Masquerade karaoke party, followed by trivia and a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Sunday. Finally, on Halloween night LITM will throw its official Halloween Costume Party.
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What: Día de Los Muerto at Orale
When: Friday 28 – Sunday 30
Where: Orale at 341 Grove Street (btwn Morgan & Bay)
Orale’s Día de Los Muertos celebration kicks off Friday night with live music and Orale’s Día de Los Muertos costume contest, in which the crowd picks out the best costume. Sunday there will be a special brunch with a live mariachi band.
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What: Jersey City Record Riot
When: Saturday, October 29 from 9am – 6pm
Where: Grove PATH Plaza
Give your vinyl collection a boost during Iris Records’ final vinyl party of the season. Browse through hundreds of records and CDs from all music genres. The all-day event will feature live DJs and is located right outside the PATH Grove station.
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What: Pumpkin Painting Party at New Heights Art Supply
When: Saturday, October 29 from 1pm – 2.30pm
Where: New Heights Art Supply at 345 Central Avenue
Join recently opened New Heights Art Supply for its first Kids Pumpkin Painting Party. New Heights Art will provide the pumpkins, paint, snacks, refreshments, and music. The event costs $12 per child if you pay online or $15 per child at the door. Costumes are encouraged and all attendees will receive 10% off any purchases made at the shop that day.
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What: Spot Rescued’s Halloween Hangout
When: Saturday, October 29 from 4pm – 6pm
Where: K9dergarten at 173 Newark Avenue (btwn Barrow & Jersey Ave)
Jersey City’s best-dressed pooches will congregate at K9dergarten for See Spot Rescued’s annual Halloween Hangout — a costume party for you and your four-legged friends. The event runs from 4pm to 6pm and includes prizes for the best-dressed pooch.
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What: South House Halloween Party
When: Saturday, October 29 from 4pm – close
Where: South House at 149 Newark Avenue
Music, whiskey, and costumes: welcome to South House’s Greasers Halloween Costume Party. The party starts at 4pm and runs through closing. Cash prizes will be given to the top 3 best costume winners.
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What: Addams Family Screening & Masquerade Party
When: Saturday, October 29 at 6pm
Where: Landmark Loew’s Theater
To kick off Halloween, the Loew’s Theater will screen the Oscar-nominated comedy, The Addams Family (1991). Following the movie, there will be a Masquerade After-Party in the Grand Lobby with music, dancing, a cash bar, and a costume contest. Admission to the movie is $8. Tickets for the after-party cost $25 online or $30 at the door.
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What: Jersey City Ballroom Halloween Party
When: Saturday, October 29 from 7pm – 10pm
Where: Jersey City Ballroom at 189 Brunswick (btwn 7th & 6th Streets)
Celebrate Halloween with your best dancing shoes on. Jersey City Ballroom’s Halloween party will feature a group Thriller class, costume contest, and a ghoulish dance show. The party is open to all; admission is $15 per person or $10 if you arrive in costume. Refreshments and wine will be provided.
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What: Spectral Gala Halloween Ball at Cathedral Hall
When: Saturday, October 29 from 8pm – 1am
Where: Cathedral Hall at 380 Montgomery (corner of Brunswick Street)
Beautifully creepy, creepily beautiful: that’s the motto of Cathedral Hall’s Spectral Gala, a Halloween ball held inside a converted church. The party kicks off at 8pm with a cash bar and live DJ. Tickets cost $45 and a portion of sales will benefit 4th Street Arts and the York Street Project.
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What: Shipwrecked Soiree at Cellar 335
When: Saturday, October 29 from 9pm – 1am
Where: Cellar 335 at 335 Newark Avenue (btwn 5th & 4th Streets)
Cellar 335 is hosting its first Halloween party/costume contest. The Shipwrecked Soiree will feature specialty Caribbean cocktails, guest DJ, and multiple contests for best pirate costume, most creative costume, and best overall costume.
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What: Terminal of Terror at Liberty State Park
When: Saturday, October 29 from 9pm – 2am
Where: Central Railroad at 1 Audrey Zapp Drive
Liberty State Park’s Central Railroad is the backdrop for the Terminal of Terror — a Halloween party for kids and adults. The first portion of the party — from 4pm to 8pm — is the family-friendly part, with a haunted bouncy house for kids, costume party, and other kid-friendly activities. The adults-only party starts at 9pm and runs to 2am.
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What: Shocktoberfest at Zeppelin Hall
When: Saturday, October 29 at 9.30pm
Where: Zeppelin Hall Biergarten at 88 Liberty View Drive
Shocktoberfest is being described as the unholy child of Oktoberfest and Halloween. The events kicks off at 9.30pm and includes live music and a costume party. The winner of the best costume takes home $500, which might be the biggest costume party payout in all of downtown.
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What: 6th Borough Market Pop-Up at The Morgan
When: Sunday, October 30 from 11am – 5pm
Where: 160 Morgan Street
The final 6th Borough Market of the season has arrived. Join veteran vendors and newcomers alike at the outdoor pop-up market located just steps away from the Grove PATH station. Plus, enjoy group dance classes and shows courtesy of the Jersey City Ballroom.
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What: Have A Night Launch Party at The Brightside Tavern
When: Sunday, October 30 from 12pm – 8pm
Where: Brightside Tavern at 141 Bright Street
Have A Night is celebrating the official launch of its Jersey City-based site at the Brightside Tavern. The party starts at noon with a brunch and mimosa (or Bloody Mary) special for only $20. Plus, enjoy oyster shooters courtesy of VDKA 6100, all-day drink specials and free giveaways. An RSVP is required, which you can do here.
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Monday – Halloween Day:
What: 3rd Annual Halloween Family Bash
When: Monday, October 31 from 3pm – 6pm
Where: Pedestrian Plaza at Grove
The Pedestrian Plaza will be transformed into a Halloween wonderland during the 3rd Annual Family Halloween Bash. The event runs from 3pm to 6pm with local vendors like Bambino Chef, Gia Gelato, and Gymboree Play & Music lining up the streets of the Plaza.
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What: Masquerade Party for Haiti
When: Monday, October 31 from 7pm – 11pm
Where: Madame Claude Bis at 390 4th Street (off Newark Avenue)
Madame Claude Bis is throwing a Masquerade Party for Haiti. The costume party includes a 2-hour open bar (from 7pm to 9pm) and a full buffet dinner. Tickets are $50 in advance or $55 at the door. Half of all proceeds will help the victims of Haiti recently affected by Hurricane Matthew.
(Image: LITM)
