Happy Halloween Week! As we get ready for Halloween (and the end of Daylight Saving Time), we're excited to share some of our favorite spooky-season recommendations.
Due to some travel (which we look forward to reporting on next week), this will be a fun-size version of DTS.
Spooky Halloween Flicks
Last year, we rounded up some of our favorite fright-night flicks with a Jersey connection, and we're excited to update our list with a few more options.
And, like last year, we'll be enjoying Old Monmouth Candies courtesy of Delicious Orchards, specifically black licorice wheels and chocolate-covered peanuts!
The Shining: Stephen King's classic is set in Colorado, but stars Monmouth County's own Jack Nicholson. He was born in Neptune City and attended Manasquan High School, where the theater is named after him.
The Amityville Horror: The titular town may be on Long Island, but the 1979 horror flick was filmed in part in Toms River.
The Watcher: Based on a true story, a family moves into their dream home in Westfield, NJ, only to be plagued by some seriously creepy letters about their new house.
Jaws: The fictional Amity Island is supposed to be in New York, but did you know Matawan, Spring Lake, and Beach Haven had their own infamous shark attacks in 1916?
Severance: It's a little more sci-fi dystopian than outright jump-scare, but we had to shout out that Lumon Industries HQ is our very own Bell Works.
Widow's Bay: This Apple TV+ hit made history at this year's Emmys, winning a record 14 awards for a single season of a comedy series. But did you know it was inspired in part by a haunted house on the Long Branch boardwalk? Showrunner Katie Dippold, who grew up in Freehold, discussed the Jersey Shore origins with NJ Monthly. This was one of our favorite shows of the year and is a 10/10 Halloween-week binge.
Friday the 13th: The horror classic that launched the Jason Voorhees franchise was filmed right here in New Jersey in 1979! The camp scenes were shot at Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco, an active Boy Scout camp that's still open!
Crystal Lake: This Friday the 13th prequel series just premiered on Peacock. Like the original film, the show has Jersey roots, with filming in New Jersey and a story set in the fictional town of Crystal Lake. NJ Monthly did a great profile of the new series that's worth a read.
Halloween Happenings
Below we’ve rounded up 15 of our favorite Halloween happenings — these include several events from local historians, ghost tours, and some family fun.
We hope that everyone has a safe and fun Halloween and look forward to sharing a “regular sized” version of DTS next week!
Thursday, October 29
Holmdel: Disco After Dark Halloween Party at Bar Bella (6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. | Learn more)
Long Branch: A Haunted History: Tales from the Jersey Shore with local historian Lesley Schierenbeck at the Long Branch Arts and Cultural Center (6 p.m. | Learn more)
Red Bank: Haunted History of Monmouth County with Greg Caggiano (6 p.m. | Learn more)
Friday, October 30
Asbury Park: Asbury Park Ghost Tours (8 p.m. | Get tickets)
Holmdel: Trick-or-Treating Around the Block at Bell Works (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Learn more)
Sandy Hook: Haunted History of Sandy Hook with historian Greg Caggiano and Ghosts on the Coast (7 p.m. | Learn more)
Wall: Night of Frights at Allaire Village (6 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Get tickets)
Saturday, October 31
Asbury Park: Asbury Park Ghost Tours (8 p.m. | Get tickets)
Asbury Park: Second Annual Masquerade Party at Watermark (9 p.m. | Learn more)
Holmdel: Boos + Barks Yappy Hour at Bar Bella (5 p.m. to 8 p.m. | Learn more)
Holmdel: Hallo-Wine Spooktacular at Fox Hollow Vineyards (2 p.m. | Learn more)
Red Bank: The Blair Witch Project Film Screening and Q&A at the Count Basie Theater (8 p.m. | Get tickets)
Red Bank: Together for Andy: Halloween Concert & Fundraiser at Triumph Brewing (4 p.m. | Learn more)
Sandy Hook: Haunted History of Sandy Hook with historian Greg Caggiano and Ghosts on the Coast (7 p.m. | Learn more)
Sea Bright: Halloween Party at Brothers Daley (9 p.m. | Learn more)
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