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Weekly Roundup 10/6/2026

Weekly Roundup 10/6/2026

Pumpkin Season Has Arrived at Happy Day Farm, Mark Your Calendar for Squantoberfest, Rock the House for a Good Cause, The Haunted Theater Returns for Another Year of Scares, Live Music Lowdown

Sophie Prince
October 06, 2026

Happy Tuesday, Monmouth County! I got my first apple cider donut of the season and picked up some pumpkins from a local farm this weekend, so I think it’s safe to say fall has officially arrived. The sunburn I somehow got while doing it says otherwise though…

On the docket:

Pumpkin Season Has Arrived at Happy Day Farm
Mark Your Calendar for Squantoberfest
Rock the House for a Good Cause
The Haunted Theater Returns for Another Year of Scares
Live Music Lowdown

Pumpkin Season Has Arrived at Happy Day Farm

Happy Day Farm is ready for fall, with pumpkin picking, corn mazes, tractor rides and plenty of seasonal activities happening throughout October.

Weekday visits offer a quieter trip to the farm, with pumpkin picking, a U.S. 250th Anniversary-themed corn maze, zinnias, cosmos and Pumpkinville, featuring pumpkin houses, installations and plenty of photo spots.

On weekends, there’s even more to do with 35+ activities, including an animal zoo, pig races, pedal carts, horse swings, a pirate ship and a Dolly Parton corn maze. Between the pumpkins, animals and two corn mazes, you can easily make a full day of it.

Weekend tickets must be purchased online and can sell out, so plan ahead, grab the family and prepare to fully lean into fall for the day.

Mark Your Calendar for Squantoberfest

Downtown Manasquan is getting the full fall treatment with Squantoberfest on Saturday, October 24 from 10 AM to 4 PM. Spend the day strolling through town while browsing local crafters and artists, grabbing something good to eat and enjoying special entertainment throughout the festival.

There will also be plenty of kids’ activities, making it an easy Saturday outing for the whole family. Admission is free, so you can save that money for the food and random fall purchase you definitely did not plan on making.

Grab a coffee, wander downtown and enjoy a few hours of peak October in Manasquan.

Rock the House for a Good Cause

Good music and a good cause are coming together at Rock the House on Thursday, October 15 at Whitechapel Projects in Long Branch. Shore House is bringing the community together for a concert-style evening supporting its work with adults living with mental illness.

Joe Bezzone & The Turnstyles will headline the night, with special guest Jon Bagnato kicking things off. There will also be light food and drinks, a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle, so there’s plenty happening between sets.

Proceeds support Shore House programs, meals, transportation and activities that help members build connections and greater independence. Basically, it’s a night out that does a little more good than your average Thursday.

Haunted Theater Returns for Another Year of Scares

Brookdale is turning off the lights and turning up the scares. The Brookdale Performing Arts Center Haunted Theater returns October 9 through 11, with multiple time slots beginning at 6 PM each night.

Celebrating its 23rd year, the award-winning indoor haunted house is designed, built and operated by more than 100 Brookdale students, staff, faculty, alumni and community members. Expect themed mazes, pitch-black zones, special effects and plenty of moments that will make you seriously reconsider volunteering to go first.

The haunt runs rain or shine with an indoor waiting area, plus food trucks and concessions on site. Tickets must be purchased online in advance, so grab your bravest friends and prepare to spend the evening pretending you’re not scared.

Live Music Lowdown