October Fall Events Across Essex County
By Sorelle Crooks, Realtor® | Real Broker LLC | NJ License #2185837
Published October 16, 2026 · Last updated October 16, 2026
It's a busy stretch across Essex County. Here are the events coming up this October, from free pet costume parades in three county parks to an art show in Bloomfield, an electronics recycling day in Cedar Grove, an open house at an artist community perched on a Livingston mountain, an anniversary party in West Orange, and a Halloween week full of pumpkins.
Whether you already live here or are just getting to know the area, this is your quick calendar for the next few weeks, with details on each event and where to check before you head out.
Strut Your Mutt Pet Costume Parade
The Strut Your Mutt Pet Costume Parade is hosted by the Essex County Executive and the Board of County Commissioners. Entry is free, and prizes are awarded. The parade runs on three dates across three county parks, each with its own registration time and rain date.
Branch Brook Park: Saturday, October 17
Saturday, October 17 at Essex County Branch Brook Park, West Drive near Heller Parkway. Registration begins at 9:30am and the parade steps off at 10am. The rain date is Sunday, October 18.
Brookdale Dog Park: Saturday, October 24
Saturday, October 24 at the Essex County Brookdale Dog Park, Grove Street Entrance. Registration begins at 9am and the parade steps off at 9:30am. The rain date is Sunday, October 25.
Grover Cleveland Park: Saturday, October 24
Saturday, October 24 at Essex County Grover Cleveland Park, near Pond House. Registration begins at 1pm and the parade steps off at 1:30pm. The rain date is Sunday, October 25.
More at essexcountynj.org.
27th Rose Squared Art Show
The 27th Rose Squared Art Show runs Saturday and Sunday, October 17-18, from 10am to 5pm at Brookdale Park, 473 Watchung Avenue, Bloomfield. It is free and open to the public, rain or shine.
More at RoseSquared.com.
Essex County Recycling Day: Computers and Electronics
Essex County Recycling Day: Computers and Electronics runs Saturday, October 17, from 9am to 3pm at Essex County Public Works, 99 West Bradford Avenue, Cedar Grove. It is free to all Essex County residents.
Accepted items include computers, monitors, printers, fax machines, scanners, telecom equipment, speakers, televisions, keyboards, VCRs, stereos, DVD players, toasters, irons, and old cellular phones. Not accepted: smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms.
Info: 973-792-9060 or ecuanj.com.
Essex County Riker Hill Art Park Open House
The Essex County Riker Hill Art Park Open House runs Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8, from 11am to 5pm at 284 Beaufort Avenue, Livingston, NJ 07039.
The former United States Army Nike Missile Base became an art park in 1974, and more than thirty artists work there in painting, fine metal jewelry, ceramics, pottery, glass-blowing, printmaking, photography, weaving, fiber arts, mixed media, and sculpture. Studios are perched high atop the mountain with scenic views.
McLoone's Boathouse 15th Anniversary Party
McLoone's Boathouse celebrates 15 years on Saturday, October 17, from 1pm to 5pm, outdoors on the patio and front lot at McLoone's Boathouse in West Orange. The afternoon includes a farmers market, local vendors, a bounce house, face painting, a pumpkin patch with carving and painting, a fall photo op, and a s'mores station, plus visits from the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo and Essex County Community Engagement.
The party features $15 food and cocktail specials, $1.50 oysters, and $15 beer buckets, with live music from the Mina Greiss Band, plus giveaways and raffles. Visit Turtle Back Zoo or the mini golf the same day and receive 10% off your check with proof of purchase.
More at mcloonesboathouse.com.
Halsey Fest
Halsey Fest returns Saturday, October 24 in Newark, filling the Halsey Street area with food vendors, live music, and more. It is a short drive or NJ Transit ride from Essex County's commuter towns, and it is a good way to spend the day exploring Newark's downtown.
Details come from Wander Jersey's fall events guide; check wanderjersey.com or the organizers before you head over for the full lineup and times.
Roseland Pumpkin Carving Contest
Roseland's community pumpkin carving contest takes place Friday, October 30, with pumpkin drop-off from 8:30am to 4:30pm or 6 to 7pm. Carved pumpkins go on display for the community in a contest open to Roseland residents.
Listed in NJ.com's fall events guide; confirm the drop-off details with the Borough of Roseland before you carve.
Fairfield Farms Fall Pumpkin Picking
Fairfield Farms Fall Pumpkin Picking runs through October 31 at Fairfield Farms & Greenhouses in Fairfield, with festival activities from 1 to 6pm on weekdays and 10am to 6pm on weekends and Columbus Day. Hayrides run until 5:30pm.
For the full farm-by-farm rundown, including drive times, hours, admission, and what to bring, see my Pumpkin Picking Near Bloomfield, West Orange & Montclair guide.
Listed in NJ.com's fall events guide; the farm's own site is fairfieldfarms.net.
Sources
Details above come from the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs, the Bloomfield Pulse Instagram account, McLoone's Boathouse, Wander Jersey's fall events guide (Halsey Fest), and NJ.com's fall events guide (the Roseland Pumpkin Carving Contest and Fairfield Farms Fall Pumpkin Picking). Event times and locations can change, so check the organizers' pages before you head out.
Talk soon,
Sorelle
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