Even though it’s cold outside, Essex County still has a bunch of activities to offer. This week’s local Montclair + beyond events guide has got you covered with a winter farmer’s market, ice skating sessions, Turtle Back Zoo events, a distillery tour and tasting, and more. Check out this list of all the virtual + in-person events happening this weekend, January 20th – 23rd.
Disclaimer: Events are subject to change. For the most up-to-date info, please contact the host directly.
Drawing with Colored Pencils at Congregation Shomrei Emunah
Thursday, January 20th | 10AM – 12PM
This class will explore various techniques, including types of mark-making, shading, texture, and how to blend and create vibrant color, no matter your skill level. This event will be held at 50 South Fullerton Avenue in Montclair. Learn more here.
Personalized Help from the Access Navigator at the Montclair Public Library
Thursday, January 20th | 10AM – 4PM
Montclair Public Library’s Navigator will be meeting with individuals to help improve their digital literacy, guide them towards new employment, or develop new skills in general. Learn more here.
Codey Arena Senior Skating Session
Thursday, January 20th | 10:45AM – 12:15PM
A skate session for seniors who are 40 years and older. This event will be held at 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange. Learn more here.
Zumba Hosted by Beyond The Boogie Dance Company
Thursday, January 20th | 6:30PM – 7:30PM
This event will be held at 604 Valley Road in Montclair. Learn more here.
Adult Night Roller Skating in Newark
Thursday, January 20th | 7PM – 10PM
Adult Night Roller Skating is Back at Branch Brook Park Roller Skating Rink. This event will be held at 7th Avenue in Newark. Learn more here.
Showings at The Clairidge
Friday, December 21st
Movies like Parallel Mothers, Belle and The Velvet Queen will be showing this weekend at The Clairidge, 486 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair. Learn more here.
Codey Arena Public Skating Session
Friday, January 21st | 4:45PM – 6:15PM
A skate session for people of all ages. This event will be held at 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange. Learn more here.
Indoor Live Music Night with Sheik’s Garage at Montclair Brewery
Friday, January 21st | 7:30PM – 9:30PM
A local New Jersey band that plays covers and originals and is inspired through funk, blues, improvisational, rock, and reggae music will be performing at 101 Walnut Street in Montclair. Learn more here.
Newark Winter Village
Ongoing
Experience the beauty of Newark at this open-air winter festival with curbside eats, ice skating, and a marketplace. This event will be held at Mulberry Commons Park, 162 Mulberry Street in Newark. Learn more here.
Montclair Farmers’ Market at the Walnut Street Train Station
Saturday, January 22nd | 8AM – 1PM
The Montclair Farmers’ Market brings together an array of local farmers and food artisans, offering fresh fruits & vegetables, meats, poultry, fish, cheeses, prepared foods, baked goods, condiments, honey, flowers, wine, pickles, and much more. This event will be held at 86 Walnut Street in Montclair. Learn more here.
Codey Arena Learn to Skate
Saturday, January 22nd | 11:15AM, 1:30PM
A skate session for people who are looking to learn how to skate. This event will be held at 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange. Learn more here.
Codey Arena Public Skating Session
Saturday, January 22nd | 11:45AM, 2:30PM
A skate session for people of all ages. This event will be held at 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange. Learn more here.
Salsa Saturday Hosted by Beyond The Boogie Dance Company
Saturday, January 22nd | 12PM – 1PM
This event will be held at 604 Valley Road in Montclair. Learn more here.
Sophisticated Science at the Turtle Back Zoo
Saturday, January 22nd | 1PM – 3PM
A conservation program that covers topics such as animal anatomy, habitats and conservation, animal careers, and more. Learn more here.
Wonders of the Wild at the Turtle Back Zoo
Saturday, January 22nd | 1PM – 3PM
An opportunity to participate in supplementary science and nature-themed programs and projects that facilitate scientific literacy and life-long environmental stewardship. Learn more here.
Virtual Reiki Healing Circle Hosted by The Eclectic Chic Boutique
Saturday, January 22nd | 2PM
A Reiki Share or Healing Circle invites everyone to align with their natural healing energy. You will experience shielding, raising your vibration and giving and receiving Reiki, virtually on Zoom. Learn more here.
Distillery Tour + Tasting in Newark
Saturday, January 22nd | 6PM & 7:30PM
A history and technique-filled tour followed by cocktails at All Points West Distillery located at 73 Tichenor Street in Newark. Learn more here.
Wavey Saturdays at The ZuluBa
Saturday, January 22nd | 7PM
Groove to a night of Afrobeats, Kompa, Soca, Dancehall, and music by Jhasirpow, Russian, and Ruthetruth. This event will be held at 437 Main Street in West Orange. Learn more here.
New Jersey Symphony at NJPAC
Saturday, January 22nd | 8PM
Xian Zhang conducts the Symphony showcases the brass and woodwind sections. Learn more here.
Man Down at Just Jakes
Saturday, January 22nd | 10:30PM – 1:30AM
This band will be performing at 30 Park Street in Montclair. Learn more here.
Virtual Valentine Wreath Making Hosted by The Eclectic Chic Boutique
Sunday, January 23rd | 2PM
Learn how to create a handmade fluffy ribbon wreath for Valentine’s Day. Learn more here.
Mariza’s 20th Anniversary Tour at NJPAC
Sunday, January 23rd | 7PM
Listen to the Grammy nominee sing traditional Portuguese songs. Learn more here.
Adult Night Roller Skating in Newark
Sunday, January 23rd | 8PM – 11PM
Adult Night Roller Skating is Back at Branch Brook Park Roller Skating Rink. This event will be held at 7th Avenue in Newark. Learn more here.
Pop-Up Picnic in the Park Couple Date Night + 5 Love Languages (Self-Guided)
Ongoing
Enjoy a pop-up picnic sunset date with fun digital activities at Weequahic Park, Meeker Avenue in Newark. Learn more here.
The Whole Book Approach Online Story Time with Ms. Jessica
Thursday, January 20th | 11:30AM – 12PM
The Whole Book Approach acknowledges that while the adult reads text aloud, children are reading pictures and design. It gives children the time, space, and vocabulary needed to articulate their visual readings and bring them into dialog with the oral text. Learn more here.
Virtual Familytime at Montclair Public Library
Thursday, January 20th | 1PM – 1:30PM
These books, songs, and rhymes are good for children from birth to five years old. Learn more here.
Learn Filmmaking by Creating Videos for YouTube – Day 1
Friday, January 21st | 6PM – 6:50PM
Through this course, kids aged 6-10 years will go through the process of creating their own unique YouTube video. They will develop skills in all aspects of production, including shot design, video shooting, and editing. Learn more here.
French Speaking Class at Montclair Public Library
Monday, January 24th | 1:30PM-3PM
Participate in conversational classes on various aspects of everyday French life, moderated by a native French speaker Pierre Fabian. Learn more here.
American Sign Language Class for Beginners
Monday, January 24th | 6PM – 7PM
Learn finger spelling, vocabulary, and ASL concepts. This event will be held at the Bellevue Branch of Montclair Public Library. Learn more here.
NJPAC’s PSEG True Diversity Film Series: Environmental Justice
Monday, January 24th | 7PM
New Jersey Performing Arts Center invites guests to watch the documentary Environmental Justice and join a virtual panel discussion with Laura Lawson, the Interim Executive Dean of the School for Environmental and Biological Sciences and Interim Executive Director of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers. Learn more here.
North American Explorations at Montclair Public Library
Tuesday, January 25th | 10:30AM – 12PM
Join award-winning educator Judy Okun for an investigation of North America’s ancient beginnings. Learn more here.
Open Book, Open Mind With Caitlin Petre
Tuesday, January 25th | 7PM- 8:30PM
An assistant journalism professor at Rutgers talks about her new book on how “performance metrics” are affecting journalism with a New Yorker staff writer and author. Learn more here.
Gentle Yoga for Continuing Students organized by the Montclair Public Library
Wednesday, January 26th | 11:30AM – 12:45PM
This class focuses on safe approaches for students who prefer a gentle yoga class that includes breathing practices and stress relief. Open to anyone with some prior yoga experience. Learn more here.
Interior Design For Small Spaces
Wednesday, January 26th | 6:30PM- 8PM
Learn how to work with style, line, and color to make your small space the place you want to be with instructor Marcie Cooperman. Learn more here.
Film Club at Montclair Public Library
Wednesday, January 26th | 7PM – 8PM
Join classmates to talk about themes, plot, characters, acting, directing, cinematography, costumes, score, trailers and/or viewers’ expectations. Learn more here.
Van Vleck House & Gardens presents Virtual Meditation
Wednesday, January 26th | 7PM – 9PM
Join contemporary spiritual teacher and author Ramananda John E. Welshons (One Soul, One Love, One Heart, When Prayers Aren’t Answered and Awakening From Grief) for a series of evening meditation classes in the comfort of your own home. Learn more here.
Catholic Charities of Newark | Newark
A variety of options are available to support the community. Please contact Sharon Reilly-Tobin via email at [email protected] to learn about the greatest needs. Learn more here on how to get involved.
Communities Promoting Animal Welfare in NJ | Montclair
With options to help from home, at school, in-person, and virtually, the entire community can help save animals in the area. Volunteers are needed to help educate the community on animal welfare, help organize events, transport animals to and from doctor’s visits, and more. Learn more here on how to get involved.
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. Since its inception, the Montclair Fund for Women has given over $800,000 in grants to provide opportunities to women. Learn more here on how to get involved.
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Have an event you’d like included in our guide? Email it to [email protected] by Tuesday at 12PM each week. You can also email advertising@themontclairgirl.
Have a great weekend, xo
