Happy August! Whether you’re heading out or staying in, this week’s Montclair, Bloomfield, and beyond events guide has you covered with kid-friendly activities, performances, farmers’ markets, and much more happening locally in the neighborhood. Check out this list of all the virtual and in-person events happening in Montclair, Bloomfield, and beyond this weekend (August 11th – August 18th).
Disclaimer: Events are subject to change and some may be weather dependent. For the most up-to-date info, please contact the host directly.
Local Montclair (+ Beyond) Events
South Orange Downtown Farmer’s Market
Wednesday, August 11th | 2PM-7PM
Check out the South Orange Farmers Market every Wednesday in the Sloan St. Lot from 2PM-7PM. Please remember to bring your reusable shopping bags with you. Learn more here.
Fireworks Spectacular at Weequahic Park
Wednesday, August 11th | 7:30PM | Recurring
Watch some fireworks and enjoy some tunes provided by the band Smooth at Weequahic Park. Learn more here.
Zoo-vies + Family Nights at Essex County’s Turtleback Zoo
Wednesday, August 11th + Thursday, August 12th
Essex County offers free activities this month on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 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, August 12th | 11AM-3PM
The NDD Downtown Market is a newly imagined version of the NDD Common Greens Farmers Market and will be back at the PSE&G Plaza on Thursdays through September 30th. Learn more here.
Goffle Brook Park: A Wellspring of Creativity
Thursday, August 12th | 11AM-4PM
View Goffle Brook Park: A Wellspring of Creativity, Journeys by Michael Gabriel, and Watercolors by Christine Calandra. These exhibits are currently on view through September 5th at the Passaic County Arts Center at the John W. Rea House. Learn more here.
Open Mic at Montclair Brewery
Thursday, August 12th | 7:30PM-9:30PM | Recurring
Head over to Montclair Brewery for an open mic night. There will be music, comedy, poetry, and drama. The event is family-friendly and all ages are welcome. Learn more here.
Essex County Summer Concert Series at Brookdale Park
Thursday, August 12th + Friday, August 13th | 7:30PM | Recurring
Essex County is hosting a Summer Concert Series every week. On Thursday, August 12th, Stoneflower Soul: A Santana Tribute band will perform and Friday, August 13th, Eaglemania takes the stage. Learn more here.
Classes in Mixed-Media Abstract Art
Friday, August 13th | 1PM
Every Friday, Award-winning Roseland artist Evan Stuart Marshall will teach a class on mixed-media abstract art beginning in mid-July 2021. The topics covered include design and composition, classic abstract layouts, working with shapes, intuitive painting, and more. Learn more here.
Wine + Wheel at Montclair Art Museum
Friday, August 13th | 4PM
Gather your friends to try your hands at the potter’s wheel in a relaxed and fun environment. Participants will make wheel-thrown objects such as cups, bowls, or vases. The event is BYOB, 21 and over. All supplies are provided for this program. Learn more here.
Dog Days of Summer Exhibit & Music on Main
Friday, August 13th | Every Friday
There are over 120 dog and cat sculptures exhibited up and down the entire length of Main Street, Boonton. Learn more here.
Dinner Under the Stars in Bloomfield Center
Friday, August 13th | 6PM-10PM
The Bloomfield Center Alliance invites you to come out for al fresco dining and live entertainment on Washington Street in Bloomfield Center every Friday through October 8th. Learn more here.
Life Is Good Art Show
Friday, August 13th | 6PM
All Points West Distillery Tour + Tasting
Friday, August 13th + Saturday, August 14th | 5PM-9PM
Join All Points West every Friday and Saturday for a 20-minute tour with spirit samples and a house cocktail. A 10% discount on bottles and additional cocktails are included with the ticket. Learn more here.
Live Music at Montclair Brewery
Friday, August 13th + Saturday, August 14th, + Sunday, August 15th | 7PM-9:30PM
Head over to Montclair Brewery for live music every Friday, Saturday + Sunday provided by local artists. Learn more here.
Montclair Farmers Market
Saturday, August 14th | 8AM-2PM
Stop by the Montclair Farmers Market every Saturday at the Walnut Street Train Station in Montclair. It features local farmers and food artisans, offering fresh fruits & vegetables, meats, poultry, fish, cheeses, prepared foods, baked goods, and so much more. Learn more here.
College Women’s Club of Montclair Used Book Sale
Saturday, August 14th | 9:30AM | Every Saturday through September
College Women’s Club of Montclair is hosting a used book sale every Saturday through September. Learn more here.
Saturday Skate Sesh with Boardroom Skate
Saturday, August 14th | 10AM-12PM | Every Saturday
Join Boardroom Skate for a skate session every Saturday at Rand Courts. Beginners are welcome. Learn more here.
Buzzfest @ the Essex County Environmental Center
Saturday, August 14th | 10AM-2PM
Come join the local beekeeper at the Essex County Environmental Center and see a real hive. You’ll even get a sample taste. Learn about bees, their current challenges, and how we can all help. Take home a bee-themed craft. Learn more here.
Butterfly Tent Safari at Essex County’s Turtleback Zoo
Saturday, August 14th | Now-Labor Day | 12PM-3PM
The public is invited to experience the “Butterfly Tent Safari” at the Essex County Environmental Center. It’s an interactive display where visitors can observe hundreds of butterflies while walking through a tent. The exhibit will be available until Labor Day. Learn more here.
Family Roller Skating at Branch Brook Park
Saturday, August 14th | 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.
Music at the Mansion: Marissa Mulder
Saturday, August 14th | Every Saturday | 7PM-9:30PM
Join award-winning singer, Marissa Mulder, for a live performance presented by Nicori Studios and Productions. Performances happen every Saturday. Learn more here.
Passaic County Fair
Saturday, August 14th + Saturday, August 15th | 3PM-11PM
Passaic County will be hosting the annual county fair at Garret Mountain Reservation. Festivities will include fireworks on Friday and Saturday nights, carnival rides, an array of food vendors, 4-H tent, face painting, beer garden, touch-a-truck, chess tournament (register here), pony rides + petting zoos, and many other activities for families and children. Learn more here.
Montclair Jazz Festival: Lackawanna Block Parties
Saturday, August 15th | 12PM-9PM | Through September
Irwin Hall Organ Trio and Lauren Sevian Quartet will perform as well as Jazz House emerging musicians. From 6PM-9PM, vibe with DJ Brother Mister. Learn more here.
Poetry Open Mic Pop-Up Shop
Sunday, August 15th | 6PM-10PM
Join this pop-up shop for a night of food, prizes, poetry, jazz and more. Learn more here.
Motown Sunday Brunch at Sweet Southern Eatery
Sunday, August 15th
Head over to Sweet Southern Eatery every Sunday for live music during brunch. 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.
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.
Kid-Focused Events
Music with Michaela: Outdoor Music Class for Little Ones
Saturday, August 14th | 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.
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.
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 melts into crayons. Register here.
Upcoming Weekday Events
Essex County Summer Concert Series
Monday, August 16th | 7PM | Recurring
Essex County is hosting a Summer Concert Series every week. On Monday, August 16th, head over to Veterans Memorial Park to see Bradford Hayes perform. Learn more here.
South Orange Downtown Farmer’s Market
Wednesday, August 18th | 2PM-7PM | Every Wednesday
Check out the South Orange Farmers Market every Wednesday in the Sloan St. Lot from 2PM-7PM. Please remember to bring your reusable shopping bags with you. Learn more here.
Free Community Knitting Virtual Class
Wednesday, August 18th | 7PM-9PM | Every Wednesday
Join a free community knitting virtual class every Wednesday. All fiber crafts are welcome. Register here.
Ways to Give Back Locally
Montclair Community Farms | 108 Orange Road, Montclair
The Montclair Community Farms mission is to educate and engage the community through farms, food, and health. The community has come to love their volunteer opportunities to learn more about urban farming and help make healthy food accessible to those in the area. Opportunities to volunteer have been scarce in the past year, but ongoing opportunities are beginning again soon. Email head farmer Lana at [email protected] to learn about current opportunities. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
Teen Volunteer Opportunities at the Montclair Public Library | 50 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair
During the pandemic volunteer opportunities have been difficult to come by, especially for teens in search of projects to fulfill school requirements or to simply have something to do after school hours. The Montclair Public Library saw this concern and created new opportunities. For those looking for virtual volunteer opportunities, sign up to be a Reading Buddy from now until May. For those comfortable with in-person volunteering, opportunities to be involved with the Summer Reading Program are now available. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
Toni’s Kitchen | 73 South Fullerton Street, Montclair
Serving food to the community is a daily ongoing effort. Toni’s Kitchen in Montclair is available for this support. However, they can stay in operation with the support of ongoing volunteers. Those high school age and up are eligible to help with serving food to guests. Opportunities are available for individuals and groups daily. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
Articles to Help You Plan Your Weekend
Intramural Sports Leagues for Adults in Montclair + Beyond
Books to Binge on National Book Lovers Day
A Guide to Dog-Friendly Beaches in NJ
Remember to tag us on Instagram in your adventures @themontclairgirl or #MontclairGirl for a potential repost. xo
Where to Visit Santa in Montclair + Beyond for 2024
It's Christmas season, which means Santa has arrived in New Jersey and is ready for photo ops. From local restaurants hosting holiday brunches to malls across Northern New Jersey providing visits with Santa, there are plenty of opportunities for families (and pets) to take photos with the big guy himself. Read on for a list of places to visit Santa in Northern New Jersey for 2024.
Disclaimer: Many of these events require reservations, please call ahead to confirm before showing up.
Brunch with Santa at Gioia Mia | 331 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
December 8th | 10:30AM
On Sunday, December 8th Gioia Mia in Montclair will host a brunch with Santa. At this event, priced at $60 per adult, guests can enjoy a pre-fixe holiday menu, which consists of three courses and features options like avocado toast, eggs benedict, panettone bread pudding, and more. Children, for $50 a ticket, will receive a breakfast menu, which includes milk and cookies, a Christmas gift, and a photo with Santa. Children can also enjoy holiday arts and crafts. To make a reservation, call the restaurant at 973-233-0350. See this Instagram post for more information.
Read More: These Restaurants in the Montclair Area Have the Best Holiday Decor
Breakfast with Santa at RoofTop at Exchange Place | 1 Exchange Place, Jersey City
December 21st | 11AM-3PM
Breakfast with Santa returns to RoofTop at Exchange Place for the holiday season. On December 21st, guests can experience a morning of family-friendly holiday fun, which includes a packed brunch buffet and a photo with Santa. For breakfast, options like scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, turkey sausage, Parisienne-style breakfast potatoes, pastries, a waffle station, a hot chocolate station, and more will be available. Tickets are priced at $50+ for adults and $25 for children. To make a reservation, visit this website or call 551-256-7850.
Santa at Freehold Raceway Mall | 3710 US-9, Freehold
Ongoing until December 24th
Guests can visit Santa’s winter wonderland at the Raceway Mall, located on the lower level at Zara Court. There are various featured events, depending on the day, like a pet night, where canine friends can take a photo with Santa, and Santa Cares, a holiday event where people of all ages can meet Santa in a sensory-friendly environment. Although a visit with Santa is free, photo packages must be purchased. Reservations are also encouraged. To view the different packages and schedule a reservation, see here.
Santa at The Commons | 400 Commons Way, Bridgewater Township
Ongoing until December 24th
Santa has arrived at The Commons in Bridgewater, located in Center Court on the lower level, and is available until Christmas Eve. In addition to ongoing photo opportunities for the kiddos, there are also pet photo days, where guests can bring their furry friends for a photo with Santa. For more information see here.
Photos with Santa at Willowbrook Mall | 1400 Willowbrook Mall, Wayne
Ongoing until December 24th
Santa is available for photos and a meet and greet at Willowbrook Mall in Wayne until December 24th. In addition to photos with children, there are also scheduled pet nights, where pets and their owners have the opportunity to take a photo with Santa. Walk-ins are welcomed, but reservations are encouraged. To see the schedule of events and make a reservation, visit Willowbrook Mall's website.
Santa's Flight Academy at The Mall at Short Hills | 1200 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills
Ongoing until December 24th
Santa's Flight Academy is an interactive holiday experience featuring a 22-foot tall sleigh, a snowfall dance party, and, of course, photo opportunities. Although walk-ins are welcomed, reservations are highly encouraged. See here to make a reservation and to see the different photo packages available.
The Santa Photo Experience at Simon Malls | Multiple Locations
At The Santa Photo Experience, kids and families can take a holiday photo with the big man himself. The following Simon Malls in New Jersey are participating in this event:
Menlo Park Mall | 55 Parsonage Road, Edison | Ongoing until December 24th
For more information click here.
Newport Centre | 30 Mall Drive West, Jersey City | Ongoing until December 24th
For more information click here.
Ocean County Mall | 1201 Hooper Avenue, Toms River | Ongoing until December 24th
For more information click here.
Quaker Bridge Mall | 3320 US-1, Lawrenceville | Ongoing until December 24th
For more information click here.
Rockaway Townsquare | 301 Mount Hope Avenue, Rockaway | Ongoing until December 24th
For more information click here.
The Mills at Jersey Gardens | 651 Kapkowski Road, Elizabeth | Ongoing until December 24th
For more information click here.
The Shops at Riverside | 390 Hackensack Avenue, Hackensack | Ongoing until December 24th
For more information click here.
See More: Newport Skates in Jersey City Opens for the 2024-25 Season
Photos with Santa at Westfield Garden State Plaza | 1 Garden State Plaza Parkway, Paramus
Ongoing until December 24th
Located near the Planet Playskool on level one, Santa is available for photos at GSP. There are also special events scheduled for certain nights, like a pajama party, an ugly sweater party, and more. Reservations are encouraged, as space is limited. Times also vary depending on the date, so check out the website for more information here.
