Jersey Shore things to do include Halloween food festival, parties

Lace up those skates and get ready to roll into a Halloween-themed roller-skating party this weekend.

United Skates of America in Jackson is hosting a “Not So Scary Halloween Party” on Sunday. Costumes are encouraged for the event, which is geared toward young skaters.

The fun includes trick-or-treating, meet and greets with “friendly monsters,” a haunted arcade, Halloween-themed food and drink specials, games and music.

Go: “Not So Scary Halloween Party,” 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, United Skates of America, 2270 West County Line Road, Jackson, $22 admission includes skate rental, a small drink, trick-or-treating and a slice of pizza ($5 non-skating admission for adults); 732-363-2222, unitedskates.com/jackson.

Here are more things to do this weekend, including Bradley Boo in Bradley Beach and a pet parade in Stafford.

Feed the Soul in Red Bank

Creative OPERAtions, a Monmouth County nonprofit, will host its fourth annual Feed the Soul event on Thursday evening at United Methodist Church of Red Bank.

This community performance and meal was “created to uplift and serve neighbors in need while bringing people together through the shared joy of food, music and compassion,” according to a release.

Professional musicians and community artists will perform, including Calpulli Mexican Folk Dance Company, singers Jonathan R. Green, Eliam Ramos, Corinne Schaefer, and Edward Washington II; and musicians Marel Hidalgo, David Maiullo, and Joseph Peterson.

Food will be donated by No Limits Café in Middletown, Tino’s Mexican Kitchen and The Greek Spot in Red Bank, Circus Foodtown, and Nick & Son’s Bakery of Red Bank and Spring Lake.

“Feed the Soul is about so much more than music and meals,” said Schaefer, who is Creative OPERAtions’ founder and artistic director, in the release. “It’s about connection, dignity and hope. I volunteer at BPC Food Pantry and JBJ Soul Kitchen, and every year I hear from community members who look forward to this event. It reminds them that they matter, and that art and compassion belong to everyone.”

Go: Feed the Soul performance and meal, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, United Methodist Church of Red Bank, 247 Broad St., Red Bank; creative-operations.org.

Bradley Boo in Bradley Beach

The borough of Bradley Beach will celebrate Halloween with its sixth annual Bradley Boo, featuring trick-or-treating, live music and a parade, on Sunday.

The fun begins with trick-or-treating at businesses along Main Street from noon to 4 p.m., then trunk-or-treat in the municipal parking lot from 1 to 3 p.m. A concert featuring local band Strumberry Pie takes place from 3 to 5 p.m. at Riley Park, and the parade kicks off at 5 p.m. All costumed participants are invited to participate.

“The Bradley Boo is a beloved tradition that truly brings our community together for a fun, safe, and memorable Halloween experience,” said Amy Baker, director of tourism and communications, in a news release. “We encourage everyone to come out, put on their best costumes, support our local businesses, and enjoy the great entertainment we have planned.”

Go: Bradley Boo and Halloween parade, beginning at noon Sunday, Main Street, Bradley Beach municipal lot and Riley Park, free; 732-776-2999, bradleybeachnj.gov.

The Wag’s Halloween Spectacular at the Strand

Get in the spooky spirit with a Halloween concert from The Wag.

The four-piece band from the Bayshore will perform songs like “The Monster Mash,” “Ghostbusters,” “Thriller” and songs from “Rocky Horror” during its Halloween Spectacular.

Saturday’s show at the Strand also will feature dance numbers, costume changes and comedy sketches, “along with some fun surprises,” according to a release.

Concertgoers also are invited to dress in costume and enter a costume contest.

Go: The Wag’s Halloween Spectacular, 7 p.m. Saturday, Strand Theater, 400 Clifton Ave., Lakewood, $23 to $28; 732-367-7789, thewagband.com.

FurFest and Halloween pet parade in Stafford

Adorable animals in costume?

What could be better.

See them in Southern Ocean County Animal Facility’s 17th annual Furfest and pet parade on Saturday. Pets will compete for prizes and ribbons in the costume catergories of scariest, best group, funniest, most original and best in show.

“Every year, dozens of creative costumes and handmade floats take center stage, and it’s always amazing to see how much fun people have celebrating with their pets,” said Jennifier Bacchione, Ocean County Commissioner and liaison to the Ocean County Board of Health, in a release.

In addition to the Halloween festivities, visitors are invited to meet cats, kittens and dogs available for adoption from the facility.

Go: 17th annual Furfest and pet parade, 1 p.m. Saturday, Southern Ocean County Animal Facility, 360 Haywood Road, Manahawkin section of Stafford; oceancountyhealth.gov.

Race for Recovery on the boardwalk

The Market Street Mission – Jersey Shore 5K Race for Recovery on the Boardwalk will celebrate recovery with more 350 participants on Saturday.

Children and adults will walk or run through Ocean Grove, Asbury Park and Bradley Beach. You can run the 5K Race as an individual or team, or enjoy the 2-mile Family Walk or Kids Fun Run.

There will be giveaways and prizes. Volunteers are also welcome.

“Our Race for Recovery isn’t just another run – it’s a movement of compassion and community,” organizers said. “When you join us, you’re supporting the work of the Market Street Mission and helping to provide meals, shelter and addiction recovery programs to neighbors who need them most. People like Mike, who graduated from the Mission’s Life Change Addiction Recovery Program and will be sharing his story of restoration at our race event.”

Go: The Market Street Mission – Jersey Shore 5K Race for Recovery, starts at 9:15 am. Saturday, Ocean Grove boardwalk; MarketStreet.org/5K.

Halloween food truck and music festival in Asbury Park

Enjoy good food, rocking music and holiday fun in Bradley Park at the two-day Halloween Food Truck and Music Festival in Asbury Park.

The event on Saturday and Sunday will feature more than 20 food trucks, costume contests for kids and adults, a shopping village, kids’ activities, live bands and more.

Go: Halloween Food Truck and Music Festival; 11 a.m to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Bradley Park, 101 5th Ave., Asbury Park (in front of Convention Hall), $5, free for children under 10; municipalevents.com/mc-events/asbury-park-halloween-food-truck-music-festival/?mc_id=18.

‘Phantom of the Opera’ in Allentown

Enjoy a classic spooky story with a screening of the 1925 silent film “The Phantom of the Opera,” accompanied by a live organ player.

The Allentown Village Initiative is hosting a movie screening at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Allentown Methodist Church.

Participants are encourgaed to wear costumes and enjoy a Halloween party in the church hall after the movie.

Go: “The Phantom of the Opera,” 7 p.m. Saturday, Allentown Methodist Church, 23 Church St., suggested donation of $5 per person; princetonentertain.com/events/2025-10-25/classic-silent-film-screening-the-phantom-of-the-opera.

Night Climb at Old Barney

Participants are urged to bring a sweatshirt and their curiousity for an LBI tradition − a night climb of the Baregat Lighthouse.

From 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, people are invited to climb the lighthouse and watch the sky transform from sunset to stars. The event is good for people of all ages.

Go: Night Climb at Barnegat Lighthouse, 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Barnegat Lighthouse, Barnegat Light; friendsofbarnegatlighthouse.org/Annual_Events.html.

Have an event coming up? Tell us about it. Email Ilana Keller at [email protected] or Sarah Griesemer at [email protected].