Thousands of Halloween fans descended on Egg Harbor Township Saturday morning as Spirit Halloween officially opened its flagship store for the 2026 season at Harbor Square, turning the shopping center into one of South Jersey's biggest summer events.
Organizers said approximately 2,000 people preregistered for the free grand opening celebration, with another 2,000 to 3,000 visitors expected throughout the day. Long lines wrapped around the Harbor Square shopping center hours before the 10 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony, with some fans arriving early in the morning to secure their place in line.
The annual kickoff, which returned this year after a one-year hiatus, featured games, entertainment, prizes, food vendors and exclusive giveaways before customers were allowed inside the store in groups. Spirit Halloween also distributed hundreds of limited-edition swag bags to lucky attendees.
Many visitors traveled from well outside New Jersey to attend the opening. Some arrived in full costume, while Halloween enthusiasts from across the country made the trip specifically to experience the company's flagship location and be among the first to see this year's new costumes, animatronics and decorations.
Stacy Davidsen and her sons from Belmawr, NJ shared their excitement, “We have a countdown calendar on our refrigerator…we couldn’t wait for this day!”
The flagship store, located at Harbor Square on the Black Horse Pike in Egg Harbor Township, serves as Spirit Halloween's showcase location each season and has become a destination event for Halloween fans nationwide. The retailer, which is headquartered in Egg Harbor Township, uses the annual celebration to unofficially kick off the Halloween shopping season, even though the calendar has just turned to August.
The event was held rain or shine, with free admission and designated parking for visitors. By late morning, thousands of shoppers had packed the store and surrounding shopping center, making it one of the largest seasonal retail events in South Jersey.
Spirit Halloween operates more than 1,600 seasonal stores across the United States and Canada each fall, but its Egg Harbor Township flagship remains the centerpiece of the company's annual launch.
About the Author
Karen Johnson
With over 30 years of news experience in major markets like Los Angeles, Denver, and Columbus, Karen now covers our area for South Jersey NewsBeat. She also brings her articulate and conversational news delivery to WOND radio listeners every weekday. Her background includes work with the NBC Radio Network, and she thrives in fast-paced news environments.
