Monmouth GuideThe Weekend EditionIssue #5Oct 30–Nov 1, 2026
Welcome to Issue 5 of The Weekend Edition. It's Halloween weekend in Monmouth County, and the forecast is cooperating: sunny days in the 60s and 70s, with cold nights that call for a jacket over the costume. Whether you're heading to a farm festival, a parade or a tasting room, there's plenty happening between Friday and Sunday.
Inside this issue you'll find our top five picks, a day-by-day rundown from Friday through Sunday, free events, family-friendly options, a few places to eat, this week's local news headlines, and a closer look at Long Branch. Skim what fits your plans and skip the rest.
Weekend weather at a glance
Here's how the weekend is shaping up, so you can plan around the chilly nights and the mild afternoons.
- Overnight52°FMostly Clear
- Friday72°FPatchy Fog then Sunny
- Friday Night39°FMostly Clear
- Saturday61°FSunny
- Saturday Night34°FMostly Cloudy
- Sunday62°FPartly Sunny
Top 5 picks this weekend
If you only pick a few things this weekend, start here. Farm festivals and Saturday morning markets lead the list.
- Fall Harvest Festival- Happy Day Farm
Enjoy a full day of fall fun at happy Day Farm! From the pumpkin patch and giant corn maze to farm animals, fun games, picture-perfect photo… - Asbury Park Sunset Farmers Market
Community farmer’s market featuring seasonable fresh fruit and vegetables, cut flowers. Bread, cheese and Italian pastries and stuffed breads, - Highlands Farmers Market
The Highlands Business Partnership’s traditional 32nd Annual Farmers’ Market begins every Saturday morning from June 20 through November 21st, 2026.… - Hazlet Farmers Market
Get ready for the kickoff of a brand-new season. This Hazlet Township team is dedicated to fostering a vibrant community space and providing a… - Fall Festival - Twin Pond Farm
Fall festival activities like a 9-acre corn maze, pumpkin picking, a bounce pad, hayrides, pedal car racing, sunflower picking, and so much more!…
Friday, October 30
Friday mixes history, fitness and the start of Halloween weekend, with events running from morning through the afternoon.
- All day Historic Portland Place Tours Free
- All day Halloween Weekend - Kane Brewing Co.
- 9:00 AM Pinstripe World Founding Artists Open Call (online) Free
- 10:00 AM Senior Center's Oktoberfest
- 11:00 AM Friday Dance Fitness
Saturday, October 31
Halloween itself brings a parade in Atlantic Highlands, a Saturday morning 5K and a full day of farm activities.
- All day Halloween Parade
- 9:00 AM Shore AC Fall Adult XC Series — Wolf Hill Park
- 9:30 AM Fall Fun Fest - Maple Leaf Farms
Sunday, November 1
Sunday slows things down a bit, with an orchard stroll, a theater matinee and an open house in Eatontown.
- 8:00 AM Jetty Surf Club
- 12:00 PM Spooktacular Weekend - 4 JG's Orchard & Vineyard
- 1:00 PM Drag Brunch at Georgie’s Bar
- 1:00 PM Honoring the Service of Our Military Heroes
- 2:00 PM Stir - Two River Theater
Free things to do
These events don't cost anything to attend, from live music in Asbury Park to historic demonstrations at county parks.
- Sat · 10:00 AM Asbury Book Cooperative’s Halloween Writers Café Free
- Sat · 11:00 AM Cookstove Demonstration at Historic Longstreet Farm Free
- Sat · 1:00 PM Asbury Park PorchFest Free
- Sat · 1:00 PM Harvest Festival - Oceanport Free
- Sun · 12:30 PM Mill Demonstration at Historic Walnford Free
Family-friendly
Costumes, carriage rides and pumpkin painting fill out the family calendar, mostly on Friday evening.
- Fri · 4:30 PM Halloween at Tall Oaks Farm & Brewery
- Fri · 6:00 PM Haunted Halloween Horse Drawn Carriage Rides - Allentown
- Fri · 6:30 PM Jillian Rhys McCoy’s Wicked Waves – A Halloween Bash by the Sea
- Fri · 8:00 PM Georgies Halloween Party and Costume Contest!
- Fri · 9:00 PM Johnny Macs Halloween Party & Costume Contest!
Where to eat
A few spots to keep in mind when the day's plans leave you hungry, from coffee near the trail to sit-down dinners.
Asbury Park
- Hadaka
Intimate BYOB omakase counter serving 12- or 18-course sushi tastings, the first of its kind at the Shore. - El Rey Rosticeria y Restaurante
Relaxed BYOB Mexican spot known for birria tacos, tortas, huaraches and rotisserie favorites.
Middletown
- Jersey Shore Coffee Roasters Café
Local roaster's café near the Henry Hudson Trail with indoor seating and an outdoor patio. - Nicholas Barrel & Roost
Chef Nicholas Harary's casual successor to acclaimed Restaurant Nicholas, serving scratch-made comfort food and weekend brunch.
This week’s local news
A quick look at local headlines from this week, with each story attributed to the outlet that reported it.
- What $1 million can buy you in Monmouth County in the week of Oct. 19
NJ.com rounds up Monmouth County homes that sold for $1 million or less during the week of October 19 to 25.
- Red Bank: Irked by neglect, planners trim atlantic club rehab zone
- Rumson & Fair Haven Runners To Race In 2026 New York City Marathon
Rumson-Fair Haven Patch notes local runners among the more than 60,000 entrants in Sunday's New York City Marathon.
- Monmouth County Election Offices To Hold Extended Hours: See When
Manasquan-Belmar Patch reports Monmouth County election offices are adding hours to help voters before Tuesday's Election Day.
One town to explore: Long Branch
This week we're spending time in Long Branch, an oceanfront city with a county park, a promenade and a coffee stop.
- Rook Coffee (Long Branch)
Long Branch location of the local roaster known for New Orleans-style cold brew and seasonal drinks. - Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park
A 38-acre county oceanfront park with a guarded beach, the accessible Tony's Place playground and a year-round Skateplex. - Pier Village
An oceanfront promenade of 30+ restaurants, boutiques, a carousel and beach access right on the Long Branch boardwalk.
That's Issue 5. However you spend the weekend, whether it's a corn maze, a Saturday market or a quiet walk in Long Branch, we hope you find something worth your time. The Weekend Edition is posted every Friday. See you next Friday.
Quick answers
What is there to do in Monmouth County this weekend (Oct 30–Nov 1)?
Top picks include Fall Harvest Festival- Happy Day Farm (Friday, Manalapan), Asbury Park Sunset Farmers Market (Saturday, Asbury Park) and Highlands Farmers Market (Saturday, Huddy Park). The Weekend Edition lists 18 events for the weekend, plus 5 free things to do.