# Cape May Halloween Parade Brings Costumes, Creatures and Classic Cars Downtown Oct. 25 2026-10-07 · Washington Street Mall · Cape May, New Jersey · Event The annual all-ages tradition returns to the Washington Street Mall with costume judging, decorated vehicles and a full afternoon of Halloween in the heart of Cape May. The annual all-ages tradition returns to the Washington Street Mall with costume judging, decorated vehicles and a full afternoon of Halloween in the heart of Cape May. --- Cape May already has the architecture for a good Halloween story. Add costumes, ghosts, monsters, decorated antique cars and golf carts to its downtown streets, and the city gets one of its signature fall traditions: the annual Cape May Halloween Parade. The 2026 parade is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 25, beginning at 3 p.m. around the Washington Street Mall. The event is open to all ages and invites participants to arrive in costume, build a group theme, create a float or decorate a vehicle for the procession through the heart of downtown Cape May. The setting is a large part of the appeal. The Washington Street Mall, Cape May's pedestrian-friendly downtown district, is lined with shops, restaurants, brick walkways and seasonal decorations. By late October, the summer beach-town rhythm has given way to a different kind of Cape May weekend, cooler weather, fall displays and an old-fashioned downtown that works especially well as a backdrop for Halloween. According to the Washington Street Mall, the parade steps off along the Mall on Carpenters Lane, with ghosts and monsters of all ages joined by decorated antique automobiles and golf carts. Organizers are encouraging spectators to arrive early and make an afternoon of it, with shopping and dining available throughout the downtown district before the parade begins. How to Participate The City of Cape May's official 2026 registration form lays out eight competition divisions: age 3 and under; ages 4 to 6; ages 7 to 9; ages 10 to 12; ages 13 to 17; ages 18 and up; groups; and floats. That makes the parade as much a community costume contest as it is a spectator event, with room for everything from a toddler's first Halloween costume to elaborate group concepts and larger parade entries. The city's form asks participants to submit completed entry forms by Oct. 18. Forms may be dropped off at Cape May Convention Hall, 714 Beach Ave., or emailed to the contact listed on the city form. Registration numbers will be distributed beginning at 1:30 p.m. on parade day at Perry and Lyle Lane. Judging is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on South Lafayette Street, followed by the parade at 3 p.m. The Washington Street Mall's event page describes participation as free. Anyone planning to enter the judged parade should review the city's official form in advance so the entry is submitted by the stated deadline and the correct division is selected. Immediately after the parade, participants are directed to Cape May MAC at 1048 Washington St. for the trophy ceremony. The city also notes that there is no rain date for the 2026 event. A Cape May Fall Tradition The Halloween Parade fits naturally into Cape May's fall calendar because it does not require turning downtown into something it is not. The city's historic streets, storefronts and walkable center already provide the atmosphere; the parade simply fills that setting with costumes and a little organized weirdness for an afternoon. For families, it is an easy event to build a day around. Spectators can come early, walk the Mall, grab lunch or something sweet, find a place along the parade area and watch the costumes arrive. Participants get the additional experience of being part of the procession and costume judging rather than simply watching from the sidewalk. And because the parade includes adult divisions, groups, floats and decorated vehicles alongside the children's categories, it is not limited to a kids-only costume walk. The result is a community event that gives serious costume planners, families, local groups and spectators all a reason to show up. Cape May's Halloween Parade begins at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. For anyone looking for a distinctly Cape May way to spend a fall afternoon, the formula is straightforward: costumes, a downtown parade, a little friendly competition and one of New Jersey's most recognizable seaside towns dressed for October. Cape May Halloween Parade 2026: Quick Details DateSunday, Oct. 25, 2026Parade3 p.m.Registration numbersBeginning at 1:30 p.m., Perry & Lyle LaneJudging2:30 p.m., South Lafayette StreetLocationWashington Street Mall / downtown Cape MayParticipationFree; all agesEntry-form deadlineOct. 18, 2026AwardsTrophy ceremony immediately after the parade at Cape May MAC, 1048 Washington St.WeatherNo rain date Official information: Washington Street Mall Halloween Parade | City of Cape May Halloween Parade Source note: Event details verified from the Washington Street Mall and City of Cape May official 2026 event and registration materials on Oct. 6, 2026. --- ProbleMattic is written and maintained by Matthew Kulcsar, a software engineer, project manager, technologist, platform builder, emergency-services-trained helper, grandfather, and lifelong collector of broken systems, odd behaviors, and useful nonsense.