Whether you’re heading out or staying in, this week’s Montclair + beyond events guide has you covered with kid-friendly activities, performances, and much more happening. Check out this list of all the virtual and in-person events happening in Montclair, Bloomfield, and beyond this weekend (July 7th – July 13th).
Disclaimer: Events are subject to change. For the most up-to-date info, please contact the host directly.
In-Person Events
Wellness on the Waterfront: Yoga, Workouts + More
Thursday, July 8th | Weekly events this summer
Essex County is celebrating Parks and Recreation Month with free weekly activities this summer including yoga, workouts, dancing and more. Learn more here.
Zoo-vies + Family Nights at Essex County’s Turtleback Zoo
Thursday, July 8th | Every Wednesday + Thursday this summer
Essex County is offering free activities this month, including movies at Turtle Back Zoo. Films start at dusk. The zoo hours will be extended to 8:30PM with the last admission being at 8PM. Learn more here.
Newark Downtown District Market
Thursday, July 8th | 11AM-3PM | Every Thursday through September 30th
The NDD Downtown Market is coming. It is a newly imagined version of the NDD Common Greens Farmers Market and will be back at the PSE&G Plaza on Thursdays from June 24th to September 30th from 11:00AM to 3:00PM. Learn more here.
Goffle Brook Park: A Wellspring of Creativity
Thursday, July 8th | 11AM-4PM | Through September 5th
Head over to Passaic County Arts Center to view Goffle Brook Park: A Wellspring of Creativity, Journeys by Michael Gabriel, and Watercolors by Christine Calandra. These exhibits are currently on view and will run through September 5th at the Passaic County Arts Center at the John W. Rea House. Learn more here.
Montclair Jazz Festival: Lackawanna Soundcheck Series
Thursday, July 8th + July 22nd | 6PM | Through September
Join in on thesw two summer evenings of free family-friendly concerts featuring regional jazz band favorites peppered with an accomplished jazz house professional teaching artists and alumni. Story Teller’s featuring Alex Laurenzi and Cocomama’s 9-piece all-female Latin jazz orchestra. Learn more here.
MSU Department of Theatre & Dance Presents Spring 2021 Virtual Festival
Friday, July 9th-July 18th | 8PM
The Department of Theatre and Dance Virtual Festival presents a collaborative effort between the Department of Theatre and Dance, the Cali School of Music, the School of Communication and Media, and Arts and Cultural Programming at the College of the Arts. Learn more here.
Dog Days of Summer Exhibit & Music on Main
Friday, July 9th | 5PM-9PM | Every Friday
Take in an amazing night of art, music, shopping at unique independent shops, and eclectic dining at the Dog Days of Summer mural located at Church and Main Street. Learn more here.
Dinner Under the Stars in Bloomfield Center
Friday, July 9th | 6PM-10PM | Every Friday through October 8th
The BCA invites you to come out for Al Fresco dining and live entertainment on Washington Street in Bloomfield Center. The Charlie Sigler Trio from the New Brunswick Jazz Project will perform. Learn more here.
All Points West Distillery Tour + Tasting
Friday, July 9th + Saturday, July 10th | 5PM-9PM | Every Friday + Saturday
Join All Points West for a 20-minute tour with spirit samples and a house cocktail. 10% discount on bottles and additional cocktails included with ticket. Learn more here.
Live Music: Ruby Bones at Montclair Brewery
Friday, July 9th | 7PM-9PM | Every Friday
Head over to Montclair Brewery for some live music from 6:00PM-9:00PM provided by Ruby Bones. Learn more here.
Vanguard’s Perfectly Cast Cabaret
Friday, July 9th + Saturday, July 10th | 8PM
Vanguard is changing the narrative to make non-traditional perfect. Join them Friday, July 9th at 8PM and Saturday, July 10th at 8PM at The Vanguard (180 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair) for a student run Fundraiser Concert for the Erica Branch-Ridley Scholarship Fund. Learn more here.
Saturday Skate Sesh with Boardroom Skate
Saturday, July 10th | 10AM-12PM | Every Saturday
Join Boardroom Skate for a skate session every Saturday at Rand Courts. Beginners are welcome. Learn more here.
Book a Photo Shoot in Montclair
Saturday, July 10th | Multiple Times
Book an affordable photoshoot this weekend with SHOOTT! SHOOT is a female-run company that offers 30-minute Insta-worthy outdoor photo sessions with local professional photographers. Sessions are free to book and you only have to pay for photos you want at $15 or less. There are events every weekend with a variety of locations around NJ. Learn more here.
DJ Ritters at Montclair Brewery
Saturday, July 10th | 3PM-8PM | Every Saturday
Head over to Montclair Brewery for some live music from 3:00PM-8:00PM provided by DJ Ritters. Learn more here.
Music at the Mansion: Porch Performances – Ami Brabson
Saturday, July 10th | 7PM | Recurring until September 25th
Join Ami Brabson for a performance on Saturday, July 10th. Ms. Brabson is an accomplished soprano and cabaret singer who has performed at multiple New York City venues. Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center is located at 240 Belleville Avenue, Bloomfield. Learn more here.
Family Roller Skating at Branch Brook Park
Saturday, July 10th | Multiple Times Available | Every Saturday
Head over to Branch Brook Park for family roller skating every week. It’s open to all ages. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Sign up here.
Verona Seafood Fest
Now-Sunday, July 11th
Head over to Verona for the annual Seafood Fest. Seafood Fest is an opportunity for Verona’s participating restaurants to get creative and showcase their best seafood options all week long! Seafood Fest will kick off on Wednesday, July 7th and run through Sunday, July 11th. Each participating restaurant will come up with their own seafood preparations to offer throughout the week. Learn more here.
Live Music: Cover Story at Montclair Brewery
Sunday, July 11th | 6PM-8PM
Head over to Montclair Brewery for some live music from 6:00PM-8:00PM provided by Cover Story, Montclair’s favorite bluesy rock quintet, playing every one of your favorite tunes, with a soulful sound all its own. Learn more here.
State of the Art 2021
Now-Friday, July 16th
Studio Montclair presents “State of the Art 2021”, on exhibit from now to July 16 at Studio Montclair Gallery, 127 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair. An opening reception will take place on Sunday, June 13 from 2PM to 4PM. This exhibit, featuring the artwork of over 120 artists in Montclair and beyond, celebrates the talent and diversity of Studio Montclair members. Learn more here.
Point of Action: New Art Installation at Crane Park
Ongoing
Montclair residents and artists Nina Cooke John and Charlie Spademan bring this installation to Montclair at no cost to the township for about four to six weeks. Crane Park is located at 1-9 Greenwood Avenue in Montclair. Learn more here.
Tour Van Vleck House and Gardens
Open daily | 9AM-6PM
Take a free tour of Van Vleck House and Gardens, a center for horticulture, education, music, and art. The gardens are open to the public and the house is available to non-profits for meetings and events. Learn more here.
Virtual Events
Online Anti Racism Training for June and July
Friday, July 9th | 7PM-7PM | Through July
The Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey Anti-Racism Ministry invites you to enroll in 20 hours of virtual Anti-Racism Training streamed to your computer, tablet, or mobile phone. The course is a historical approach to help participants understand systemic racism and empower them to confront and organize against racism, inequality, and injustice. Learn more here.
Montclair Film’s Virtual Cinema
Ongoing
Montclair Film’s Virtual Cinema is the best way to watch the latest movies from home while supporting the non-profit organization. Films in the Virtual Cinema are new, independent releases, available for rent at home before they show up on other platforms, featuring new indies, documentaries, foreign films, and restored classics, with new selections available every Friday. Learn more here.
Kid-Focused Events
Crayon Workshop
Now-August 26th | 12PM-5PM
The Jewish Children’s Museum is inviting children and “children at heart” to travel through the colorful journey of crayon making. Participants will be able to collect carnauba wax, beeswax, and cacao butter from the fields, and watch as the wax is melted together turning into the vibrant colorful crayon that children all love. The discovery is educational and playful where each child takes home the crayon they created. Register here.
Music with Michaela: Outdoor Music Class for Little Ones
Saturday, July 10th | 11:15PM- 12PM | Every Saturday
Little ones will learn seasonal songs, play instruments, move their bodies, and have fun with Michaela. The event will take place in the grassy area on the corner of Essex Street + Chestnut Street in Montclair. Register here.
Upcoming Weekday Events
An Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation Hosted by The Montclair Public Library
Monday, July 12th | 10:30AM-11:30AM | Every Monday
Mindfulness is a meditation practice that cultivates a positive state of mind like gratitude, kindness, and compassion. The following topics will be covered: mindful breathing/body, mindful emotions, development of the heart, interpersonal mindfulness, everyday stress reduction, and empathy. Register here.
A Week of Giving
Monday, July 12th-July 18th
School of Rock Montclair is collecting canned and non-perishable goods for Toni’s Kitchen this week. An end-of-week benefit concert will take place on July 18th at 2PM at The Van Vleck House and Gardens. Learn more here.
Beginner Mah Jongg
Tuesday, July 13th | 6:30PM-8PM | Every Tuesday
Learn how to play the ancient Chinese game of Mah Jongg. Register here.
Poetry and Interpretive Movement Virtual Class
Wednesday, July 14th | 6:45PM-7:45PM | Every Wednesday
Join Simone Coonrod over Zoom for a three-part workshop incorporating poetry and dance. Each session will feature a poem that the participants will collaboratively interpret through creative movement. Register here.
Film Club Hosted by The Montclair Public Library
Wednesday, July 14th | 7PM-8PM | Every Wednesday
See assigned movies, which are on widely available streaming services, then join classmates to talk about themes, plot, characters, acting, directing, cinematography, costumes, score, trailers, and/or viewer’s expectations. Register here.
Free Community Knitting Virtual Class
Wednesday, July 14th | 7PM-9PM | Every Wednesday
Join a free community knitting virtual class every Wednesday. All fiber crafts are welcome. Register here.
Bloomfield Public Library’s Summer Reading Program
Now-August 14th | 4PM
Join the Bloomfield Public Library for children’s activities all week long including stories + snacks, Spanish storytimes, and takeaway crafts. Register here.
Ways to Give Back Locally
Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris | 33 South Fullerton Avenue
Mental health is often stigmatized in society and the media. The Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris is working to reverse this stigma and provide support to those living with mental illness as well as the caregivers. Through advocacy, education, prevention, early intervention, treatment, and services, the organization is working to achieve its mission. Learn more here.
Montclair Fund for Women | 41 Watchung Plaza
Originally known as the Young Colored Women’s Christian Association, this organization was founded by African American women who came to Montclair in search of education, employment, and opportunity. As time passed, the organization not only changed its name, it joined forces with women of all backgrounds and became a prominent force in the community. Learn more here.
Covenant House New Jersey
Covenant House began more than 40 years ago when six young runaways were given shelter from a snowstorm in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. In 1989, Covenant House began its work in New Jersey by providing basic services to homeless youth on the streets of Newark and Atlantic City. Learn more here.
