Happy Halloween Ocean County!

The costumes are ready, the candy bowls are full, and somehow we lucked into a pretty gorgeous weekend for all the spooky fun.

There’s plenty happening around the county, from Halloween parties and costume contests to live music, fall festivals, and a few events that are just weird enough to feel appropriate for the weekend.

So grab a hoodie, raid the kids’ candy when they’re not looking, and let’s get into it.

P.S. Know someone still looking for Halloween weekend plans? Forward this their way!

This week, the spotlight is on TR Vintage, a Toms River shop built around old clothes, local creativity, and giving people a place to hang out.

TR Vintage is at 313 W Water St a, Toms River, NJ 08753.

Jayce (the owner) grew up in Toms River and started out buying vintage pieces he liked for himself. That eventually turned into selling from his school locker, then his car, then his parents’ garage, and finally, an actual storefront.

Today, TR Vintage curates clothing from the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s, with everything from band tees and Harley shirts to surf, skate, and sportswear.

What we love about TR Vintage:

And TR Vintage is not just about shopping. Jayce wants the store to feel like a true local third space, which means hosting events, supporting local creatives, and giving people a place to promote shows, bands, art, and whatever else they are working on.

Got old shirts sitting around? TR Vintage is always looking for old concert tees, especially metal, punk, hardcore, classic rock, grunge, and alternative, along with vintage skate and surfwear.

You can send photos directly by text to 848-240-1889 if you have something you think they may want to buy.

Keep an eye out on their instagram for updates on new arrivals and events.

MORNING

Trick or Treat at the Brick Library Kids can dress up, bring their candy bags, and trick-or-treat around the library during this free Halloween celebration sponsored by the Friends of the Brick Library. Find out more here...

Toddler Costume Party Little ones through age five can celebrate Halloween early with costumes, games, crafts, and candy at the Tuckerton Library; registration is requested. Find out more here...

Carrying Basket Workshop Learn to make a sturdy, decorative two-bushel basket at Cloverdale Farm County Park during this Ocean County Parks workshop, with a $95 materials and instructor fee plus a $5 registration fee. Find out more here...

AFTERNOON

Fossil's South Jersey Trunk-or-Treat Cruise Night Classic cars and Halloween fun come together at Jackson Premium Outlets, with decorated vehicles, treats, and music from DJ Wolfman Jerry during this season-ending cruise night. Find out more here...

Halloween Crafts, Trick-or-Treating & Scooby-Doo Movie Kids ages 2–12 can enjoy Halloween crafts, trick-or-treat around the Plumsted Library, and watch Scooby-Doo solve a mystery. Find out more here...

Documentary Fridays: Satan Wants You Explore the origins of the 1980s Satanic Panic during a free documentary screening at the Point Pleasant Borough Library, with popcorn provided. Find out more here...

Sparks's Cup Mario Kart Race Day Challenge friends to Mario Kart in the Toms River Library's makerspace, or enjoy Mario-themed coloring while waiting for your turn. Find out more here...

Perler Bead Buddies Get creative with colorful Perler beads during a drop-in crafting session at the Stafford Library's Sparks's Lab makerspace. Find out more here...

EVENING

The Lizzie Rose Halloween Spectacular featuring The Wag The Wag performs Halloween favorites like "Monster Mash," "Ghostbusters," and "Time Warp," with a costume contest and a planned Rocky Horror Picture Show screening afterward. Find out more here...

Decades Dance Party Dress for your favorite decade and dance to hits from the '70s, '80s, and '90s at Laurita Winery's retro-themed party. Find out more here...

Hallowine & Dine Dolce Liberta hosts a Halloween dinner party featuring a three-course meal, DJ Tommy Smooth & Company, dancing, singing, and costume prizes for $45.99 per person. Find out more here...

Where the Hell Is Waldo? Halloween Party Mac's Pub invites everyone to dress as their own version of Waldo for a Halloween party filled with hidden clues, interactive games, surprises, and prizes. Find out more here...

Chef's Masterclass: Turkey 101 Get a head start on Thanksgiving with a chef-led demonstration at LBI National Golf & Resort covering how to prepare, season, and roast a turkey. Find out more here...

Slap Happy at Beach Haven Moose Local party band Slap Happy brings live music to the Beach Haven Moose Lodge for a Friday night out. Find out more here...

Songwriters in the Pines Albert Music Hall hosts six local and regional acts performing original songs and sharing the stories behind their music during this free, donation-supported showcase. Find out more here...

Trivia Night by Quizzoholics Bring your smartest friends to Ship Bottom Brewery for five rounds of trivia, prizes, and a relaxed Friday night competition. Find out more here...

Here’s one for Halloween week that sounds made up, but isn’t.

Just south of Long Beach Island once sat Tucker’s Island, a small barrier island that became a seaside resort in the 1800s. It had hotels, cottages, a lifesaving station, and its own lighthouse. Stockton University wrote up a pretty great overview of the island’s history here…

Then the ocean started taking it back.

Years of storms and erosion slowly ate away at the island. In 1927, the surf finally reached the lighthouse, and the structure collapsed into the sea. The Ocean County Historical Society also documents the island’s resort era, lighthouse, and eventual disappearance.

Over the next few decades, storms and erosion kept eating away at what was left. By the early 1950s, Tucker’s Island had disappeared.

So yes, Ocean County has its own vanished island.

And somehow, that feels appropriately spooky for this week.

Learn more about Tucker’s Island and see NOAA’s historical maps here…

MORNING

Fallfest New Jersey Halloween Showdown A Halloween-themed automotive showcase brings car enthusiasts together for a Saturday morning event in Lakewood. Find out more here...

A Decade of Movement: Pilates for $10 Coastline Pilates and Wellness celebrates its tenth anniversary with a special discounted Pilates experience at its Route 166 studio. Find out more here...

Halloween Putt Putt Families can play Halloween-themed miniature golf throughout the Manchester Library during this free program, with advance registration required. Find out more here...

String of Purls: Knitting & Crochet Adults can bring a current project or learn the basics of knitting and crocheting with fellow crafters at the Stafford Library. Find out more here...

AFTERNOON

Bay Head Halloween Parade & Costume Contest Costumed kids and families parade from Mount Street and Lake Avenue through town to Centennial Park, where prizes are awarded for creativity, costumes, and age-group categories. Find out more here...

Halloween on the Farm Dancer Farm celebrates Halloween with pony rides, a petting zoo, a bounce house, pumpkin carving, a candy cannon, DJ music, and cash prizes for winning costumes. Find out more here...

St. Paul's Church 6th Annual Trunk or Treat Families can collect candy from decorated trunks, vote for their favorites, and enjoy Halloween fun at St. Paul's Church in Brick. Find out more here...

Trick-or-Treat Day at Bay Village & Schooner's Wharf Dress the kids in costume and visit participating waterfront shops around Ninth Street and Bay Avenue for an afternoon of trick-or-treating. Find out more here...

Dockside Cafe & Marina Trunk or Treat Enjoy waterfront trick-or-treating, face painting, pumpkin decorating, cider, donuts, a candy-corn guessing game, and spooky photo opportunities. Find out more here...

Spooky Stacks Bracelet Making Drop into Stafford Library's Sparks's Lab and create a Halloween-inspired bracelet during this free, all-ages craft session. Find out more here...

EVENING

87th Annual Toms River Halloween Parade One of Ocean County's biggest annual traditions returns on Halloween night with elaborate floats, marching bands, decorated vehicles, and thousands of costumed spectators in downtown Toms River. Find out more here...

Halloween Party & Parade Watch at the Mathis House Watch the Toms River Halloween Parade from the historic Mathis House property while enjoying an outdoor buffet, fall tea tastings, music, sweet treats, and a costume contest. Find out more here...

Coyote Jack Revue Coyote Jack Revue brings its blend of country-rock, folk, blues, and original Americana music to the intimate Lizzie Rose Music Room. Find out more here...

Jenks Club Halloween Party & Costume Contest Jenks Club celebrates Halloween with DJ Encore, costume contests for the scariest and most original looks, and a prize pool advertised at more than $20,000. Find out more here...

Friday is looking like the winner this weekend, with sunshine and highs around 70 to 72.

Saturday cools down quite a bit, with highs closer to the low 60s, but it should still stay mostly sunny. Sunday warms back up a little into the mid-60s with partly sunny skies.

So…pretty solid Halloween weekend weather overall. Just plan on layers once the sun goes down.

Tide Predictions

Full Weather Report

Full Traffic Report

MORNING

Run the Vineyards: Laurita 5K Run or walk through Laurita Winery's scenic vineyard course before enjoying a post-race celebration with live music, food, and wine, with proceeds benefiting Mary's Place by the Sea. Find out more here...

37th Annual Holiday Gifts, Crafts & Collectibles Faire The Ocean County Historical Society brings more than 80 vendors, handmade gifts, collectibles, baked goods, books, and historical displays to Toms River High School South for its free annual fundraiser. Find out more here...

VFW Post 8867 Holiday Craft Show Shop handmade gifts, jewelry, home decorations, baked treats, and holiday goodies while supporting the VFW, with raffles and Santa photos available. Find out more here...

Solving STEM Problems with LEGOs Families can use LEGOs to build simple contraptions and solve creative engineering challenges during this free Ocean County Parks program at Cloverdale Farm. Find out more here...

AFTERNOON

Dancer Farm Fall Fair Enjoy pony rides, a petting zoo, a bounce house, live accordion music, seasonal food, pumpkin painting, carving demonstrations, and local vendors during this fall celebration. Find out more here...

Bay Head Mayor's Chili Cook-Off Sample chili recipes from town employees, first responders, and community members at the Bay Head Firehouse, then vote for your favorite with a $5 donation or nonperishable food supporting St. Gregory's Pantry. Find out more here...

Music B-I-N-G-O with DJ Trina Test your music knowledge, sing along to familiar hits, and compete for prizes during Laurita Winery's free music bingo afternoon, with RSVP required. Find out more here...

We hope your weekend is full of good costumes, questionable amounts of candy, and at least one event that makes you say, “Wait…that’s happening here?”

Enjoy Halloween weekend, Ocean County. We’ll be back next week with more local finds, fun facts, and things worth getting out of the house for.

See you then!

Know a local business, maker, restaurant, nonprofit, or hidden gem we should feature? Send them our way at [email protected].

We continue to have a string of great local spotlights lined up, and we want to keep introducing you to the people and businesses that make Ocean County special.