Good morning Monmouth County! This one’s a lot. You might want to sit down.

🎃 Halloween Fun

🎤 Monmouth County Back on The Voice

🍁 Fall Fun

❓ Did You Know - Distillery License No. 1

🍔 Freddy’s Debuts in Freehold

🍺 SquantoberFest

🥧 Asbury Park Fall Bazaar

👻 Brookdale Haunted Theater

👻 Allaire Ghost Tours

🥞 The Gatsby Brunch

🪴 Fall Wild Edible Plant Walk

🎭 Oliver!

🎸 Neil Young by Decade

🦴 Skeleton Run

🏒 Titans Hockey

🌊 Ocean Temp/Tides

Monmouth County’s rich musical legacy took center stage on national television this season as two local vocalists—Middletown native Connor Closs and Holmdel High School sophomore Mia Leberknight—punched their tickets through successive rounds on NBC’s hit singing competition The Voice. Standing out to a celebrity coaching panel that includes Adam Levine, Kelly Clarkson, Queen Latifah, and Riley Green, both Shore artists delivered standout blind auditions, with the 15-year-old Leberknight displaying remarkable vocal maturity and Closs, a Mater Dei Prep alumnus and lead singer of local rock outfit The Cliffs, earning a coveted spot on Team Adam. Closs cemented his staying power during the high-stakes Battle Rounds with a gripping falsetto performance that won over Levine, ensuring Monmouth County’s presence in the knockout stages as hometown crowds from Holmdel to the Bayshore tune in each week to rally behind two distinct local voices chasing a breakthrough national title.

Storytime & Craft | 10/23 | 11am | Monmouth Museum, Lincroft | info

Free Weekend Workshop | 10/24, 10/25 | 11am-2pm | Monmouth Museum, Lincroft | info

Fall Fun Fest | 9/12-10/31 | Sat/Sun 9:30am-4:30pm | Maple Leaf Farms, Manalapan | info

Fall Festival | 9/19-11/1 | Various times | Twin Pond Farm (49 Howell Rd, Freehold), Freehold | info

A. Casola Farms Fall Fest | 9/19-10/31 | Sat/Sun 9am-5pm | A. Casola Farms, Holmdel | info

2026 Fall Festival | 9/19-11/8 | Various times | Happy Day Farm, Manalapan | info

Fall Craft Show | 10/24 | 9am-3pm | Taylor Pavilion, Belmar | info

1st Annual Fall Car Show | 10/24 | 9am-1pm | Sorrentino Park, W. Long Branch | info

Spring Lake Heights Fall Festival | 10/24 | 10:00 AM | Joseph E. Robertson Park, Spring Lake Heights | info

Fall Craft Show | 10/24 | 10am-3pm | 600 9th Ave, Belmar | info

Squantoberfest Festival | 10/24 | 10am-4pm | Squan Plaza, Manasquan | info

Fall Festival | 10/24 | 12pm-3pm | The Grove at Shrewsbury, Shrewsbury | info

Asbury Park Fall Bazaar | 10/24, 10/25 | 12pm-5pm | Grand Arcade at Convention Hall, Asbury Park | info

Fall Festival at The Asbury | 10/25 | 12pm-4pm | Baronet Rooftop- The Asbury, Asbury Park | info

Paranormal Museum Tour: Private Experience | 10/23 | 12pm, 1:15pm, 2:30pm | The Paranormal Museum, Asbury Park | info

Trunk or Treat | 10/23 | 4pm-6pm | iPlay America, Freehold | info

Brookdale Haunted Theater | 10/23-10/25 | Fri 6pm-10pm, Sat 2pm-10pm, Sun 6pm-10pm | Brookdale Performing Arts Center, Lincroft | info

Dia de Muertos: DIY Skull Makeup Workshop | 10/23 | 6pm-8pm | ArtSpace, Red Bank | info

Night of Frights | 10/23, 10/24 | 6pm-9pm | The Historic Village at Allaire, Farmingdale | info

Paranormal Investigation | 10/23 | 7:30pm | The Paranormal Museum, Asbury Park | info

Ghosts & Legends of the Downtown Tour | 10/23, 10/24 | 8pm | The Paranormal Museum, Asbury Park | info

Rocky Horror Picture Show | 10/23 | 11pm | Brookdale Performing Arts Center, Lincroft | info

AP Halloween Food Truck & Music Festival | 10/24, 10/25 | 11am-7pm | Bradley Park, Asbury Park | info

Fall Spooktacular Market | 10/24 | 11am-5pm | Pyanoe Plaza, Belmar | info

Ocean Grove's Halloween Trick-or-Treat | 10/24 | 1pm-3pm | Main Ave & Pilgrim Pathway, Ocean Grove | info

Lights on, Scares Off | 10/24 | 2pm-4pm | Brookdale Performing Arts Center, Lincroft | info

Trunk or Treat | 10/24 | 2pm-4pm | Jersey Shore Arts Center, Ocean Grove | info

All Hallow's Eve Along Burlington Path | 10/24 | 5pm-8pm | Colts Neck Firehouse #1, Colts Neck | info

Halloween Hullabaloo | 10/24 | 5pm-8pm | Poricy Park, Middletown | info

Twin Frights & Wicked Pints Halloween Party with Patty C & The Pints | 10/24 | 6pm-9pm | Twin Lights Brewing, Tinton Falls | info

Emergency Lights and Little Frights Trunk or Treat | 10/24 | 7pm-9pm | Shrewsbury Aquatic Center, Shrewsbury | info

Trunk or Treat | 10/25 | 10am-1pm | FSOS Club parking lot- 815 16th Ave, Belmar | info

Middletown Elks Halloween Party | 10/25 | 11am-1pm | 251 Church Street, Belford | info

All Hallow's Eve Trick-or-Treating Celebration | 10/25 | 11am-4pm | The Historic Village at Allaire, Farmingdale | info

Allaire Pumpkin Carving Contest | 10/25 | 11am-2:30pm | The Historic Village at Allaire, Farmingdale | info

Pumpkin Painting for All Ages | 10/25 | 12pm-4pm | Asbury Park Brewery, Asbury Park | info

Trick-or-Treat at Historic Walnford | 10/25 | 12pm-2pm | Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold | info

Halloween Spooktacular Costume Parade | 10/25 | 1pm | Main Street, Freehold | info

Family Pumpkin Carving | 10/25 | 1pm-3pm | Camp Zehnder, Wall | info

Halloween in Bradley Beach- Truck or Treat | 10/25 | 1pm-3pm | Various locations, Bradley Beach | info

Bricks & Brews | 10/25 | 3pm-6pm | Twin Lights Brewing, Tinton Falls | info

Ghosts of the Boardwalk Tour | 10/25 | 6pm | The Paranormal Museum, Asbury Park | info

Allaire Ghost Tours! | 10/25 | 6pm, 8pm | The Historic Village at Allaire, Farmingdale | info

Zumbathon for Breast Cancer Awareness! | 10/23 | 9am-12:30pm | Freehold Family YMCA, Freehold | info

Fighting Pretty Fridays in October | 10/23 | 12pm-10pm | Bakes Brewing Co, Wall | info

Boots, Brews & Two-Steppin' Tunes | 10/23 | 6pm-9pm | Tall Oaks Farm & Brewery, Farmingdale | info

The Revolution Will Be Xeroxed: Zine & Book Fest | 10/24 | 10am-3pm | Cat's Luck Vegan, Neptune City | info

The Amazing V. Magic Show & Terry Bean | 10/24 | 10:30am | Tinton Falls Library, Tinton Falls | info

Be-Witched, Town Wide Vendor Pop Up | 10/24 | 12pm-6pm | Sun Moon Studio, Keyport | info

Dead Gorgeous Drag Brunch | 10/25 | 11am-2pm | The Black Swan, Asbury Park | info

The Gatsby Brunch | 10/25 | 11am-3pm | Asbury Social, Asbury Park | info

Electrix Vintage Fill-a-Bag Sale | 10/25 | 11am-4pm | House of Independents, Asbury Park | info

The Breasties Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser | 10/25 | 1pm-7pm | Beach Haus Brewery, Belmar | info

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers officially opened its newest Monmouth County outpost on Tuesday, October 20, bringing its vintage Americana fast-casual concept to Freehold Marketplace at 310 W. Main Street. Situated in a 2,365-square-foot endcap space near Walmart, the new 44-seat restaurant marks the brand’s seventh New Jersey location and features a full-service drive-thru alongside mobile ordering options. The kitchen specializes in Midwest-style, cooked-to-order smash steakburgers pressed thin with crispy edges, seasoned shoestring fries, and Vienna Beef hot dogs, capped by rich, freshly churned vanilla and chocolate frozen custard served as sundaes, concretes, and shakes. Operating daily starting at 10:30 a.m.—with late-night drive-thru service running until 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on weekends—the opening delivers a major national boost to western Monmouth County's quick-service dining corridor.

La Tradizione Food Truck | 10/23 | 5pm-8pm | Tall Oaks Farm & Brewery, Farmingdale | info

Supper Club: Ghosts & Goblins- Kids Class WAITLIST | 10/23 | 5:30pm-7:30pm | Taste and Technique, Fair Haven | info

Highlands Farmers Market | 10/24 | 8:30am-2pm | Huddy Park, Highlands | info

Hazlet Farmers Market | 10/24 | 9:30am-1:30pm | Veterans Park, Hazlet | info

A Cook and a Book: Spooky Snackin’ | 10/24 | 9:30am-11am | Taste and Technique, Fair Haven | info

Frankenwine Farmstand Sangria Pouring | 10/24 | 12pm | Cream Ridge Winery, Cream Ridge | info

Bakes Gone Wild Food Truck | 10/24 | 12pm-6pm | Tall Oaks Farm & Brewery, Farmingdale | info

Soup and Sip! | 10/24 | 12pm-5pm | 4JG's Vineyard, Colts Neck | info

Sweet Carolina Food Truck | 10/24 | 1pm-5pm | Screamin' Hill Beer Farm, Cream Ridge | info

LAST Marlboro Farmers Market! Halloween at The Market | 10/25 | 9am-1pm | 444 Route 520, Marlboro | info

Fall & Winter Fresh | 10/25 | 10am-1pm | Jersey Shore Arts Center, Ocean Grove | info

LAST Howell Farmers Market | 10/25 | 10am-2pm | Echo Lake Park, Howell | info

Roy's Deli Food Truck | 10/25 | 12pm-4pm | Screamin' Hill Beer Farm, Cream Ridge | info

What The Fork Food Truck | 10/25 | 12pm-6pm | Tall Oaks Farm & Brewery, Farmingdale | info

High Tide Oyster Pop Up | 10/25 | 1pm-5pm | Bakes Brewing Co, Wall | info

Monmouth County’s storied ties to American history run deep through the rural crossroads of Colts Neck, where the historic hamlet of Scobeyville serves as the ancestral headquarters of Laird & Company—the oldest commercial distillery in the United States. Tracing its roots back to 1698 when Scottish immigrant William Laird began distilling local apples into applejack, the enterprise formally established commercial ledger sales in 1780 and holds distinction as the recipient of federal Distillery License No. 1. The spirit became deeply woven into early American lore when Robert Laird and his family supplied "cyder spirits" to George Washington’s Continental Army troops to boost morale during the Revolutionary War, prompting Washington to personally request the family's distilling recipe for his own private use. More than 300 years and eight generations later, the family-owned company still operates its historic administrative and barrel-aging facilities along Route 537, forever anchoring Monmouth County at the foundational roots of American spirits.

Daniel Johnston: I am a Baby in My Universe II | 9/14-12/15 | Mon-Fri 10am-5pm | DiMattio Gallery at Rechnitz Hall- MCA, W. Long Branch | info

Jonas Mekas Film and Art Exhibit | 9/14-12/15 | Mon-Fri 10am-5pm | Rotary Ice House Gallery- MCA, W. Long Branch | info

Raw Power: Shepard Fairey Exhibit | 9/17-11/30 | Wed-Sun 11am-6pm | The Art Spot, Asbury Park | info

Raw Power: Shepard Fairey Exhibit | 9/17-11/30 | Mon 12pm-5pm, Thur 12pm-7pm, Fri/Sat 12pm-9pm, Sun 11am-7pm | Parlor Gallery, Asbury Park | info

Greetings From Asbury Park Exhibit | 9/18-11/2 | Thur/Fri 3pm-7:30pm, Sat 11am-6pm, Sun 12pm-5pm | Art629 Gallery, Asbury Park | info

The Grind We Live In Exhibit | 9/27-11/8 | 4pm-6pm | Nilson Gallery- Monmouth Museum, Lincroft | info

Freedom's Battleground: A Traveling Exhibit of Monmouth 250 celebration | 9/30-10/31 | Wed/Thur 9am-9pm | Shrewsbury Library, Shrewsbury | info

The Heart is Revealed in the Deed | 10/1-11/4 | Thur 9am-9pm | Shrewsbury Library, Shrewsbury | info

Festival of Lights Exhibit | 10/2-11/15 | Tue-Sun 10am-4pm | Monmouth Museum, Lincroft | info

Historic Portland Place Tours | 10/21-10/25 | 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, 2:30pm | Historic Portland Place, Middletown | info

The Brookdale Slavery Project Symposium 2026 | 10/23 | 8:30am-2pm | Brookdale CC, Lincroft | info

On Display Rose Reilly Leonard Annual Student Art Show | 10/23, 10/24 | Fri 1pm-5pm, Sat 9am-5pm | Wall Library, Wall | info

Fall Wild Edible Plant Walk | 10/23 | 5:30pm-7pm | American Littoral Society HQ, 18 Hartshorne Dr, Highlands | info

Fall Morning Warbler & Shorebird Migration | 10/24 | 8am-10:30am | Lot M Parking Lot, Lot M, North Bragg Road, Sandy Hook | info

Grade 4/5 ELA/MATH Tutor By Appointment | 10/24 | 10:30am | Tinton Falls Library, Tinton Falls | info

Tech Help | 10/24 | 10:30am | Tinton Falls Library, Tinton Falls | info

Mill Demonstration at Historic Walnford | 10/24, 10/25 | 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm, 3:30pm | Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold | info

All About Bats | 10/24 | 1pm-3pm | Cheesequake State Park, Matawan | info

Kurt Vonnegut's Player Piano & AI: A Conversation About The Future | 10/24 | 5pm-6:30pm | Asbury Park Cooperative, Asbury Park | info

Blood & Belonging: Taylor Grothe in-conversation with K.M. Enright | 10/24 | 7pm | Wolfe & Krone Books, Asbury Park | info

Poetry in the Port | 10/24 | 7pm-10pm | Brew Coffee Bar, Matawan | info

Artist Talk with Jude Harzer: It's Never Too Late to Create | 10/25 | 1pm-3pm | ArtSpace, Red Bank | info

Nacho Ate Spiderman | 10/1-10/25 | Fri 2pm, 7pm, Sun 2pm | NJ Repertory Company, Long Branch | info

Our Town | 10/9-10/24 | Fri/Sat 7:30pm, Sun 2:30pm | First Avenue Playhouse, Atlantic Highlands | info

Gypsy, A Musical Fable | 10/16-10/25 | Fri/Sat 7pm, Sun 2pm | Middletown Arts Center, Middletown | info

Oliver! | 10/16-10/25 | Fri 7:30pm, Sat 2pm, 7:30pm, Sun 3pm | Algonquin Arts Theatre, Manasquan | info

Ghostbusters (1984) | 10/23-10/25 | Fri/Sat 7pm, Sun 1pm | SModcastle Cinemas, Atlantic Highlands | info

Dinner & Comedy Show | 10/23 | 8am-10am | The Bar at Wave Resort- Pier Village, Long Branch | info

Joe DeVito | 10/23 | 7pm | The American Hotel, Freehold | info

Comedy Night with Next Stop Comedy | 10/23 | 7pm-9pm | Twin Lights Brewing, Tinton Falls | info

Nena Productions Presents, "Evita" | 10/23 | 7:30pm-9:30pm | Ocean Grove Arts Center, Ocean Grove | info

Lemonade Blessing | 10/23 | 7:30pm | SModcastle Cinemas, Atlantic Highlands | info

Comedy Night at Wave Resort | 10/23 | 8pm | Wave Resort Pier Village, Long Branch | info

Cruising (1980) | 10/23 | 8pm | The Showroom Cinemas, Asbury Park | info

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (The Movie) | 10/23 | 11pm | Brookdale Community Arts Center, Lincroft | info

Thom Zimny Vault Series: Selections from The Bottom Line | 10/24 | 6pm, 8:30pm | Bruce Springsteen Center for American Arts, W. Long Branch | info

ComedySportz Improv | 10/24 | 7pm-9pm | Jersey Shore Arts Center, Ocean Grove | info

Chris Covert and Russ King: Drooling Pianos | 10/24 | 7:30pm | Count Basie- The Vogel, Red Bank | info

Scream (1996) | 10/24 | 8pm | The Showroom Cinemas, Asbury Park | info

The Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD- Cosí fan tutte | 10/25 | 1pm | Pollak Theatre, W. Long Branch | info

Harold and Maude (1971) | 10/25 | 3pm | The Showroom Cinemas, Asbury Park | info

Comedy Show | 10/25 | 7:30pm | First Avenue Playhouse, Atlantic Highlands | info

Tal Naccarato LIVE! Unplugged! | 10/23 | 2pm-3pm | Wall Library, Wall | info

Big D and The Kids Table | 10/23 | 6:30pm | Wonder Bar, Asbury Park | info

Neil Young by Decade | 10/23, 10/24 | Fri 7pm, Sat 3pm | Belmar Arts Center (BAC), Belmar | info

He Is Legend | 10/23 | 7pm | House of Independents, Asbury Park | info

Mike Dawes | 10/23 | 8pm | Count Basie- The Vogel, Red Bank | info

United Out Loud | 10/24 | 12pm-6:30pm | The Stone Pony, Asbury Park | info

Bradley Beach Fall Concert Series- Pat Roddy | 10/24 | 4pm-6pm | Riley Park, Bradley Beach | info

Chrissi Poland - Forever Muscle Shoals LIVE | 10/24 | 4pm | Transparent Clinch Gallery, Asbury Park | info

Spyro Gyra | 10/24 | 5pm, 8pm | Bell Theater, Holmdel | info

Quality Living | 10/24 | 7pm | Wonder Bar, Asbury Park | info

Marcus Miller | 10/25 | 7pm | Count Basie- The Vogel, Red Bank | info

Melvin Seals & JGB | 10/25 | 7pm | The Stone Pony, Asbury Park | info

Lil Skies | 10/25 | 8pm | House of Independents, Asbury Park | info

Gr8ful4life 5K Run/Walk | 10/24 | 9am | Dorbrook Park- Recreation Area, Colts Neck | info

5K Race for Recovery | 10/24 | 9:15am | Ocean Grove Boardwalk, Ocean Grove | info

5K Walk/Run for Education! | 10/24 | 10am | Monmouth University, W. Long Branch | info

The Skeleton Run | 10/24 | 10am | 114 Saltzman Ave, Oceanport | info

Mayor's Challenge 5K + 1 Mile Costume Run | 10/24 | 3pm | Poricy Park, Middletown | info

Fast Track to a Cure | 10/25 | 10am | Thompson Park, Lincroft | info

JSRC Deal Trick or Trot | 10/25 | 10am | The open field at Deal Casino, Deal | info

Monmouth U Men's Tennis vs Le Moyne | 10/23 | 11am | Monmouth University, W. Long Branch | info

Brookdale CC Baseball vs St. Elizabeth Universtity | 10/23 | 11am | Brookdale CC, Lincroft | info

Monmouth U Women's Tennis vs Le Moyne | 10/23 | 2:30pm | Monmouth University, W. Long Branch | info

Monmouth U Field Hockey vs Fairfield | 10/23 | 4pm | Monmouth University, W. Long Branch | info

Brookdale Softball vs Georgian Court University | 10/24 | 11am | Brookdale CC, Lincroft | info

Monmouth U Men's Swim, Monmouth Tri-Meet | 10/24 | 11am | Monmouth University, W. Long Branch | info

Monmouth U Men's Soccer vs Stony Brook | 10/24 | 1pm | Monmouth University, W. Long Branch | info

NJ Titans Hockey vs Danbury Hat Tricks | 10/24 | 4pm | Middletown Sports Complex, Middletown | info

Monmouth U Men' Basketball vs Seton Hall | 10/24 | 7pm | Monmouth University, W. Long Branch | info

Monmouth U Women's Soccer vs Towson | 10/25 | 1pm | Monmouth U- Hesse Field on the Great Lawn, W. Long Branch | info

Fri 10/23: High 5:36am | Low 11:46am | High 5:54pm | Low 11:59pm | Sunrise 7:16am | Sunset 6:06pm

Sat 10/24: High 6:18am | Low 12:34pm | High 6:39pm | Sunrise 7:17am | Sunset 6:05pm

Sun 10/25: Low 12:41am | High 6:59am | Low 1:21pm | High 7:22pm | Sunrise 7:18am | Sunset 6:02pm