FORT LEE, NJ — October 31, 2026. Abbott Boulevard came alive with costumes, music, laughter, and Halloween excitement on Saturday as Fort Lee hosted its Third Annual Trick-or-Treat Extravaganza, bringing a large crowd of families, children, and residents together for an afternoon of entertainment and community celebration.
From 2 to 6 p.m., the boulevard was transformed into a pedestrian-friendly Halloween festival, with people of all ages enjoying a colorful variety of activities. The street was filled with imaginative costumes, festive decorations, and a lively atmosphere that extended along the celebration route.
The Borough of Fort Lee closed Abbott Boulevard to vehicle traffic between Central Boulevard (Route 5) and Columbia Avenue, allowing visitors to enjoy the festivities throughout the afternoon.
The Highlight of the Day: Thriller Dance and Zombie Walk
While the celebration offered numerous attractions, one of its most memorable moments came at 5 p.m., when the Thriller Dance Party and Zombie Walk brought music, movement, and excitement to Abbott Boulevard.
The Source Dance Lab helped prepare participants for the performance by sharing step-by-step dance instructions ahead of the event, encouraging residents to learn the moves and join the fun.
Dancers in zombie costumes brought the Halloween spirit to life with a coordinated performance that soon became something even more entertaining.
As the dancers continued along Abbott Boulevard, several spectators joined them, turning the procession into a spontaneous community dance.
Moving down the street behind a vehicle, the growing group danced together, creating one of the afternoon’s most joyful scenes.
The excitement was not limited to those who had rehearsed the choreography. Members of the public became part of the performance, sharing the experience with the dancers.
It was precisely this spontaneous participation that made the moment special: the boundary between performers and spectators disappeared, and the street itself became a moving dance floor.
The program also featured a Best Zombie Costume competition, with Amazon gift cards of $100, $75, and $50 announced for the top three places.
The Quiet House: Making Halloween Accessible to Everyone
While Abbott Boulevard was filled with music, dancing, and excitement, the Borough of Fort Lee also made sure that visitors who needed a quieter environment had a place to go.
Recognizing that large crowds, loud music, and intense sensory experiences can be overwhelming for some visitors, the borough provided its Quiet House, a peaceful space where children and adults could take a break from the festivities.
Located on Abbott Boulevard just north of Central Boulevard, the Quiet House offered visitors an opportunity to rest and recharge before returning to the celebration.
The initiative was particularly important for children with sensory sensitivities, developmental differences, and other needs that can make large public celebrations challenging.
Rather than expecting everyone to experience Halloween in the same way, Fort Lee offered visitors the opportunity to enjoy the event at their own pace.
Alongside the Quiet House, the Fort Lee Health Department and Fort Lee Today supported the Teal Pumpkin Project, an initiative supporting children with food allergies, dietary restrictions, or other needs that may prevent them from enjoying traditional Halloween candy.
Non-food treats were offered as an alternative, helping make the celebration more welcoming to children with different needs.
These initiatives demonstrated that community festivities can combine excitement and entertainment with thoughtful attention to accessibility.
Together, they added an important message to the celebration: a successful community event is not only about how many people attend, but also about making sure everyone feels welcome.
Halloween Attractions Throughout the Boulevard
Beyond the dancing, visitors had plenty of opportunities to experience the Halloween spirit.
A brand-new Haunted Maze was among the featured attractions announced for this year’s event, offering an additional element of mystery and excitement to the celebration.
Families explored the boulevard, enjoyed the festive activities, and admired the wide range of costumes worn by children and adults alike.
The event also encouraged neighborhood participation through a Halloween Home Decorating Contest, inviting residents along Abbott Boulevard to decorate their properties.
The announced prizes included a $100 Amazon gift card for first place, $75 for second place, and $50 for third place.
Together, these activities helped make the celebration more than a traditional afternoon of trick-or-treating.
A Boulevard Full of Community Spirit
What made Saturday’s celebration particularly enjoyable was not simply the number of attractions but the atmosphere created by the people who attended.
Children in costumes, families walking together, and adults joining the entertainment brought a sense of energy and togetherness to Abbott Boulevard.
The Zombie Walk captured that spirit especially well. When spectators stepped into the street and began dancing alongside the performers, the celebration became something shared rather than simply watched.
Fort Lee’s Third Annual Trick-or-Treat Extravaganza showed how a familiar neighborhood street can become a lively community gathering place, bringing different generations together through music, creativity, and participation.
And although the afternoon featured costumes, decorations, contests, and Halloween attractions, the image of people dancing together down Abbott Boulevard may remain one of its most memorable moments.
For a few hours, Abbott Boulevard was more than a street. It was Fort Lee’s own Halloween stage, and everyone was invited to be part of the show.
Sources: Borough of Fort Lee official event announcements; Fort Lee Today; Fort Lee Health Department; event posters and program materials; NJ Radar Online eyewitness account.
Aziza Smailovic