Halloween in Rockaway Borough and Township 2026: Every Event

Halloween in Rockaway Borough and Rockaway Township starts well before Oct. 31 this year. Here is every confirmed Halloween event on the Rockaway News calendar for 2026, in date order, with links to the full details for each one. Updated Oct. 18, 2026, with the Marcella Community Club Trunk or Treat.

Every Friday and Saturday in October: Screamline Haunted Car Wash

Streamline Car Wash at 376 Route 46 turns its wash tunnel into a haunted ride every Friday and Saturday night in October, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. You stay in your car while live actors, lights, smoke and animatronics do their thing, and your car comes out clean. Admission is $40 per car, not per person, with tickets sold online through the car wash.

Oct. 16 to 22: Borough Halloween Decoration Contest judging and winners

Entries for the Rockaway Borough Mayor and Council’s Halloween Decoration Contest closed Oct. 15. The Mayor and Council judge entries Oct. 16 to 20, and winners will be announced at the Thursday, Oct. 22 Mayor and Council meeting and on social media, with prizes from local businesses for Best Overall, Best Yard Display and Spookiest Decorations. Borough Halloween Decoration Contest details.

Saturday, Oct. 24: Halloween Spooktacular at Park Lake

The big one. Rockaway Township’s Halloween Spooktacular returns to Park Lake, 8 Mount Hope Road, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. In past years families walked the lake path in costume and trick-or-treated at tables set up around the water, and last year’s crowd was one of the largest the event has ever drawn. Spooktacular details.

Saturday, Oct. 24: Halloween Trunk or Treat Car Show

Make it a double header. Unleashed Society’s third annual Trunk or Treat Car Show runs from 8 to 11:30 p.m. at Rockaway Lanes, 365 Route 46, right after the Spooktacular wraps up. Spectators are free, kids can trick-or-treat from decorated trunks, and show cars compete for trophies including Best Costume and Crowd Favorite. Car show details.

Sunday, Oct. 25: Marcella Community Club Trunk or Treat

The Marcella Community Club hosts a free Trunk or Treat from 1 to 4 p.m. at the club, 831 Green Pond Road in the Marcella section of Rockaway Township. Kids go car to car for candy from decorated trunks, and the club is serving free hot dogs and chicken nuggets for the kids. Want to decorate a trunk? Contact Dawn Skrinak at 973-271-0884 ahead of time. Marcella Trunk or Treat details.

Friday, Oct. 30: Rockaway Township Seniors Halloween Party

Rockaway Township seniors 55 and over are invited to the second annual Seniors Halloween Party at White Meadow Lake Country Club from 6 to 9 p.m., with a DJ, refreshments and a costume contest. Costumes are required, and you must RSVP by Oct. 23 at 973-400-6617. This one is for Township residents only. Seniors party details.

Know before you go

• Rockaway Borough and Rockaway Township are separate towns, and some events are for one town’s residents only. Check each listing.
• Details can change. Confirm with the organizer before you head out, especially if the weather turns.
• Planning a costume night out? Grab dinner first with our free Rockaway Eats List, 25 of the best bites in town.

Hosting a Halloween event in Rockaway that is not on this list? Send it to us and we will add it. Planning ahead for December? See our Christmas and holiday events guide for Rockaway Borough and Rockaway Township. For everything else coming up in town, see the Rockaway Events Calendar.