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Weekly Roundup 10/14/25

Weekly Roundup 10/14/25

Seafood, Sounds, and Shoreline Vibes at Bell Works, Celebrate the Season at Heartstrings Fall Festival, Spooky Fun on Main: Ocean Grove’s Halloween Celebration, The Skeleton Run Haunts Fort Monmouth, Live Music Lowdown

Sophie Prince
October 14, 2025

Happy Tuesday, Monmouth County! Looks like Mother Nature is throwing a little drama our way this week with that nor’easter rolling in. Rain, wind, and a whole lot of cozy-couch energy ahead.

While some of us are navigating puddles like pros, I was just trying to keep my umbrella from turning inside out for the 15th time yesterday. Either way, here’s to surviving the storm, curling up with a good show on and hoping the Wi-Fi holds up through the wind.

On the docket:

Seafood, Sounds, and Shoreline Vibes at Bell Works
Celebrate the Season at Heartstrings Fall Festival
Spooky Fun on Main: Ocean Grove’s Halloween Celebration
The Skeleton Run Haunts Fort Monmouth
Live Music Lowdown

Seafood, Sounds, and Shoreline Vibes at Bell Works

The New Jersey Seafood & Music Festival drops anchor at Bell Works in Holmdel on Saturday, October 18 (11 AM to 7 PM), with $5 entry, kids under 5 free, and a day that’s basically surf, turf, and good vibes rolled into one.

Dig into lobster rolls, crab cakes, shrimp, and all the seaside classics from favorites like Cousins Maine Lobster, Angry Archies, and Shore Fresh Catering, then top it off with something sweet from Cold Stone, Johnny Zeppoli, or House of Cupcakes.

Between bites, catch live sets from Mighty Spectrum Band (11 AM) and Mr. LoveJoy (3 PM), or test your courage on the 35-foot-high, 250-foot-long zip line cutting through the festival. There’s also a beer, margarita, and sangria garden, plus kids’ fun like pony rides, inflatables, and mini golf.

Come hungry, stay awhile, and let this October FISHtival reel you in, no bait required.

Celebrate the Season at Heartstrings Fall Festival

Bring the whole family out to Colts Neck Firehouse Grounds on Saturday, October 18 from 12:30 to 6 PM for the Heartstrings Fall Festival, a day packed with games, crafts, and fall fun for all ages.

Kids can enjoy a petting zoo, inflatables, face painting, and bracelet making, while everyone else can browse local vendors and grab a bite to eat.

The festival is free to attend, with a rain date set for Sunday, October 19. Check the flyer above for more details and make a day of it celebrating fall, fun, and community!

Spooky Fun on Main: Ocean Grove’s Halloween Celebration

Get your costumes ready! Ocean Grove’s Halloween Event is taking over Main Avenue on Saturday, October 25 from 1 to 3 PM for an afternoon of treats, tricks, and picture-perfect fun.

Stroll downtown for trick-or-treating at local shops, snap a complimentary costume photo at Goodwin’s Good Time Photo Booth, and stop by the Main Avenue Galleria for some enchanting Halloween crafts.

It’s a family-friendly (and pet-friendly) celebration that’s all about small-town charm and big Halloween spirit. See you there for a truly spooktacular time!

The Skeleton Run Haunts Fort Monmouth

Get ready for a spooky sprint. The Skeleton Run takes over Fort Monmouth on Saturday, October 25 at 10 AM, bringing fun, costumes, and plenty of Halloween spirit to the historic grounds.

Each runner gets their own skeleton suit, so you’ll get to be part of the skeleton army as you make your way through the course. Costumes of all kinds are encouraged, so whether you’re more ghost or ghoul, you’ll fit right in.

After crossing the finish line, celebrate with a beer or soft drink at Baseline Social or Birdsmouth Brewing, plus a live performance by the Ocean Avenue Stompers to keep the energy undead.

A portion of proceeds supports Lunch Break’s Family Promise Center right on Fort Monmouth…because even skeletons have big hearts

Live Music Lowdown

Sunday, October 19
The Sandbox, Highlands | Not Leaving Sober | 2-6 PM
The Proving Ground, Highlands | BD Lenz | 5-8 PM