Some frighteningly fun Halloween events to enjoy in New Jersey

Spooky season has officially arrived, which means it’s time to embrace all things Halloween.

Whether it’s for the faint of heart or those looking for a thrill, New Jersey is full of Halloween-themed events all October long. Here are a few of the events that the ghosts, goblins and ghouls can look forward to.

Parades

From the Southern Shore to Central Jersey, a parade is the perfect family-friendly way to get in on the Halloween fun. Grab your kids, dress in your creepiest, coolest or most creative costumes, and come watch spooky floats go by — some events will be hosting costume contests, too. To find a parade closest to you, costume contest entry information, event pricing and more, go to visitnj.com.

Six Flags Kids Boo Fest

It’s that time of year again for the annual Six Flags Kids Boo Fest! Six Flags Great Adventure (1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson) will transform into a Halloween destination for the whole family to enjoy. There will be Halloween-themed festivities, costumed characters, a Trick-or-Treat Trail and other games. Most activities are included with park admission. Food and drinks are available for purchase separately. Boo Fest takes place on select dates from Sept. 13 through Nov. 2. Visit sixflags.com for additional information.

Jack-O’-Lantern Experience at Skylands Stadium

From the end of September through early November, Skylands Stadium (94 Championship Place, Augusta) will be lit up with the faces of over 6,000 hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns. Event attendees can take a 45-minute walk to see all the jack-o’-lanterns, pick and paint pumpkins, or stop to enjoy a treat from one of the food or drink vendors. There will be live music on Fridays and Saturdays, in the Professional Tire & Auto Beer Garden, which features over 30 craft beers, ciders, wine and cocktails. Tickets must be purchased online at skylandsstadium.com in advance: Standard admission is $20 and VIP tickets are $39. Kids under 36 inches tall enter for free.

Brighton Asylum Walk-through

For the brave souls looking for a scare, take a walk through New Jersey’s infamous Brighton Asylum (2 Brighton Ave., Passaic). According to the legend detailed on its website, a psychiatric institution on the grounds closed its doors in 1952 due to staff and patient disappearances and deplorable living conditions. Get your heart racing wandering through the halls of the asylum, which will have live actors, jump scares and special effects. For tickets, go to brightonasylum.com.

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” 50th-anniversary screening

Grab a friend for a special 50th-anniversary screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” The event takes place on Oct. 30 at 9 p.m. in the State Theatre New Jersey (15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick). Attendees are encouraged to dress up for a costume contest and sing along to the songs that made the film a cult classic. Event organizers will be handing out free goodie bags full of props, while supplies last. Tickets are $22 and available online at stnj.org. Arrive early at 7 p.m. to enjoy a full-service bar and live music.

The New Jersey Zombie Walk

Are you ready to walk among the undead? If you answered yes, then the New Jersey Zombie Walk is right for you.

The annual, record-breaking (as the website says, “for ‘WORLD’S LARGEST GATHERING OF ZOMBIES’ in 2010 AND THEN AGAIN IN 2013!”) event will kick off on Oct. 4 at 4 p.m. at the Asbury Park Boardwalk (1300 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park). The zombie walk is open to all ages and is free for participants. Walkers are welcome to attend in their own makeup or pay a fee to have theirs done by professional makeup artists who will be available in the park beginning at 11 a.m. The walk also includes a costume contest for cash prizes and a new golden zombie trophy. For additional details, visit asburyparkzombiewalk.com/.

Monsterville

One New Jersey town loves Halloween so much, it changes its name every year. For the month of October, the borough of Merchantville becomes “Monsterville,” a community filled with exciting Halloween activities, including a costume swap on Oct. 4, the Harvest and Haunts Festival on Oct. 11, and a haunted walking tour on Oct. 25. The celebration of Monsterville was begun with a city ordinance that declared that the borough’s name would be changed for 31 days every October to embrace the bewitching charm of its Victorian homes, residents say. To find a full list of Monsterville activities, check out the Borough of Merchantville Facebook page.