How about a trick and a treat this Halloween? North Jersey restaurants are hosting a wide variety of festive events this October ranging from spooky to kitschy, crafty to boozy.
From movie trivia nights to costume parties, elevated theme dinners, eerie brunches and more, you've got options to revel in the mischief and fun that comes with Halloween. You can even solve a murder while eating penne alla vodka.
Here's a chance to experience a foodie Halloween experience that isn't just buying a bag fun-size Snickers in September "to be prepared" only to down it all in a week. No? That's just me?
Check out this North Jersey Halloween (and Day of the Dead) themed food events this year.
October 11
Nightmare on Meadow Lane Dinner , Carlstadt. Join Underground Supper Club for this six-course vegan dinner with a macabre theme and art from a "spooky" photographer. 435 Meadow Lane, Carlstadt; 908-442-2120, sojfoodco.com .
October 12
Halloween Drag Brunch , Fair Lawn. Craft beverages, good food and a Halloween-themed drag show. The Craftsman, 1609 Maple Ave., Fair Lawn; 201-773-8985, thecraftsmannj.com .
October 14
Halloween Cookie Night , Lake Hopatcong. Sweet Blessings hosts this cookie swap at Charley's Tavern. Eat some sweets, get some drinks and pub grub and celebrate Halloween. Charley's Tavern, 57 Route 81, Lake Hopatcong; 973-663-2007, charleystavernnj.com .
October 19
Arabian Horror Story Dinner Party, Basking Ridge. A night of music, dance and horror with appetizer, entree and dinner included in the ticket price ($50). Hills of Herat, 665 Martinsville Road, Basking Ridge; 609-309-7597, hillsofherat.com .
Pumpkin Painting Party , Dumont. Paint some pumpkins (bringing your kids is encouraged) and get good food and drink in the QB's Bar and Grill. 49 West Madison Ave., Dumont; 201-414-9090, instagram.com/qbsbar .
Halloween Party at Fat Cactus , Parsippany. Live music and dance lessons at this party where costumes are encouraged. Food and drink available all night. Fat Cactus, 707 Route 46, Parsippany; 973-585-7170, fatcactuscantina.com .
October 24
Halloweed Murder Mystery Dinner , Hackensack. You'll find yourself in the middle of a "hilarious homicide investigation" and eat Maggiano's food while you help solve it. (Unless you're the murderer!) Maggiano's Little Italy, 70 Riverside Square Mall, Hackensack; 201-221-2030, maggianos.com .
Halloween Chocolate Lollipop Making Workshop , Montclair. Learn the art of creating delicious and decorative chocolate lollipops, and leave with six lollipops of your own design in a paper coffin box. MC Hotel, 690 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair; 973-329-5500, themchotel.com .
October 25
Halloween Costume and Dance Party at Redd's , Carlstadt . Drink specials throughout the evening with a costume contest and live DJ music. Redd's Bar and Restaurant, 317 Washington Ave., Carlstadt; 201-933-0015, reddsrestaurant.com .
Halloween Party at Calandra's , Fairfield. A costume party with prizes and music from DJ Singer Drew. Cucina Calandra Executive Lounge, 216 Rte 46 East, Fairfield; 973-575-7720, cucinacalandra.com .
October 26
Halloween Disco Party at Il Vecchio Cafe , Caldwell. Halloween drink specials, an a la carte themed dinner, entertainment and a costume contest. Il Vecchio Cafe, 234 Bloomfield Ave., Caldwell; 973-226-8889, ilvecchiocafe.com .
Death of a Gangster Murder Mystery Dinner, Whitehouse Station. Become a “dinner detective” and work alongside fellow guests to solve the crime as you eat and drink. 1920s attire suggested. Brass Knob Tavern Room, 667 Route 22 East, Whitehouse Station; shoppesatthefarm.com/event/death-of-a-gangster-murder-mystery-dinner .
Halloween at the Pub , Clifton. Hit up the Shannon Rose Irish Pub for its annual Halloween bash. Drink specials, live music and a costume contest. Shannon Rose, 98 Kingsland Road, Clifton; 973-284-0200, theshannonrose.com .
Halloween Rock and Roll Bash , Bloomingdale. Head to River of Beer for craft beer, great gastropub food and music. River of Beer, 133 Main St., Bloomingdale; 973-750-1820, riverofbeer.com .
Halloween Party at FC Tacos , Kendall Park. The vibey taco spot hosts a Halloween party with food, fun and "frightful festivities." There'll also be a kids party on Oct. 27 from noon to 3 p.m. FC Tacos and Cantina, 3010 Rte 27, Kendall Park; 732-960-1402, fctacosandcantina.com .
October 27
Halloween Brunch at the Grain House , Basking Ridge . Costumes encouraged at this "spooky" a la carte brunch with specials like Bat Wings: Wing with a "bewitched" blue cheese, "Frankenstein glaze" and fall vegetables. 225 Route 202, Basking Ridge; 908-221-1100, oldemillinn.com/event/halloween-ala-carte-brunch-at-the-grain-house .
October 28
Tail and Treats , Caldwell. Get your dog in the Halloween fun; there'll be a dog costume contest and treats for them, but also for you: it's all day happy hour for eats and drinks. Il Vecchio Cafe, 234 Bloomfield Ave., Caldwell; 973-226-8889, ilvecchiocafe.com .
October 30
Day of the Dead Cocktail Class , Hackensack. Test your bartending skills as you learn how to make some of Rosa's new and signature cocktails and eat some good, too. Come in costume, if you'd like. Rosa Mexicano, 60 Riverside Square Mall, Hackensack; 201-489-9100, rosamexicano.com/location/riverside-square .
'Hocus Pocus' Trivia at Blue Moon , Wyckoff. Test your knowledge of this witchy classic and have some good Mexican food and drinks. Blue Moon, 327 Franklin Ave Suite J, Wyckoff; 201-891-1331, bluemoonmexicancafe.com .
October 31
Halloween Party , Wharton. Wear your best costume and celebrate with fun, food and drink. Knotty Pine Pub, 242 E. Union Turnpike, Wharton; 973-361-3879, knottypinepub.com .
Lola's Halloween Bash, Hopatcong. Live music from Whiskey Crossing and Tex-Mex food and drink all night long. Lola's Waterfront Tex-Mex, 300 Lakeside Ave., Hopatcong; 973-264-4231, eatlolasnow.com .
November 3
Haunted Brunch , Montclair. Put on your coolest costume and head to the Alto Rooftop for brunch favorites like smoked salmon, quiche and French toast plus mimosas and creepy cocktails. Alto Rooftop, 690 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair; 973-329-5574, themchotel.com/food-drink/alto .
Matt Cortina is a food reporter for NorthJersey.com /The Record. Reach him at mcortina@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Spooky North Jersey food events in October include murder mysteries, haunted brunch, more
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