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 18th – August 25th).
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
Newark Restaurant Week
Now-August 22nd
Invest Newark is hosting the first Newark Restaurant Week with eateries and restaurants offering prix fixe lunch and dinner menus through August 22nd. With over 50 Newark restaurants currently registered to participate, Newark Restaurant will provide something for everyone from trying new exotic cuisines to savoring old favorites. Highlights include: Sigri Indian BBQ, Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea, Jollof & Grill, The Green Chicpea, Blimpie, Queen Pizza, Teriyaki Madness, Ark Deli, Burger Bound, Blue Print Cafe, The Weekend Spot and more. Learn more here.
South Orange Downtown Farmer’s Market
Wednesday, August 18th | 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.
Zoo-vies + Family Nights at Essex County’s Turtleback Zoo
Wednesday, August 18th + Thursday, August 19th
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.
Coffee + Conversation
Thursday, August 19th | 9AM-11AM
“Coffee with a Cop” is the perfect opportunity for citizens and members of the Bloomfield Division of Public Safety to speak with each other and learn more about each other in a friendly, low key environment. Come out to Hot Bagels Abroad on Thursday, August 19th from 9AM-11AM and enjoy a complimentary cup of coffee and conversation with BPD. Learn more here.
Newark Downtown District Market
Thursday, August 19th | 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 19th | 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.
City Green’s Twilight Farm Fest
Thursday, August 19th | 5:30PM
Stop by the City Green’s Twilight Fest on Thursday, August 19th. Doors open at 5:30PM and the festivities will begin shortly after at 6PM. Learn more here.
Essex County Summer Concert Series at Brookdale Park
Thursday, August 19th + Friday, August 20th | 7:30PM | Recurring
Essex County is hosting a Summer Concert Series every week. On Thursday, August 19th, Constantine and the Frequency will perform and Friday, August 20th, New Power Soul: Classic Rock takes the stage. Learn more here.
Montclair Brewery @Highland Park Farmer’s Market
Friday, August 20th | 11AM-5:30PM
Catch Montclair Brewery at Highland Park Farmer’s Market on Friday, August 20th. Learn more here.
Lunch + Learn with Local Bloomfield Health Officer
Friday, August 20th | 12PM
Join health officer + epidemiologist, Sarah Peramant, this Friday for an open discussion on covid. Listen in during your lunch break or a just half hour break to learn about updated guidance, the Delta variant, and any other questions you may have. Learn more here.
Classes in Mixed-Media Abstract Art
Friday, August 20th | 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.
Dog Days of Summer Exhibit & Music on Main
Friday, August 20th | 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 20th | 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.
All Points West Distillery Tour + Tasting
Friday, August 20th + Saturday, August 21st | 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 20th + Saturday, August 21st, + Sunday, August 22nd | 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 21st | 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 21st | 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 21st | 10AM-12PM | Every Saturday
Join Boardroom Skate for a skate session every Saturday at Rand Courts. Beginners are welcome. Learn more here.
Butterfly Tent Safari at Essex County’s Turtleback Zoo
Saturday, August 21st | 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.
Jamaica Independence Day Celebration at Montclair Brewery
Saturday, August 21st | 12PM-11PM
Join Montclair Brewery for the 3rd Annual Jamaica Independence Day Celebration on August 21st. Join in as they celebrate Jamaica’s 59th anniversary with DJ Ritters from 1:00-5:00PM and live music by 5 Outa12 from 6:00-9:00PM, and overall Caribbean ambiance in the outdoor beer garden. Learn more here.
Music at the Mansion: Ty Stephens
Saturday, August 21st | Every Saturday | 7PM-9:30PM
Join award-winning singer/songwriter, Ty Stephens, for a live performance presented by Nicori Studios and Productions. Performances happen every Saturday. Learn more here.
Montclair Film Festival Summer Series: Dirty Dancing
Saturday, August 21st | 7PM
Stop by the Montclair Film Festival Summer Series for a free screening of Dirty Dancing. Learn more here.
Karaoke, Paint, Pots + Sip Night
Saturday, August 21st | 7PM
Join in on a karaoke, paint, pots and sip event for a night of singing and painting. Learn more here.
Family Roller Skating at Branch Brook Park
Saturday, August 21st | 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.
Motown Sunday Brunch at Sweet Southern Eatery
Sunday, August 22nd
Head over to Sweet Southern Eatery every Sunday for live music during brunch. Learn more here.
Essex County to Administer Covid-19 Booster Shots
Ongoing
Essex County announced that it will administer booster shots to those who are immunocompromised by appointment only at its vaccination centers at Kmart in West Orange and Essex County College in Newark. According to the CDC and FDA, people are considered to have a compromised immune system if they are fighting a disease, undergoing medical treatments or have received an organ transplant. Appointments can be made at EssexCOVID.org or 973-877-8456. 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 21st | 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.
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 23rd | 7PM | Recurring
Essex County is hosting a Summer Concert Series every week. On Monday, August 23rd, head over to Ivy Hill Park to see Layonne Holmes perform. Learn more here.
South Orange Downtown Farmer’s Market
Wednesday, August 25th | 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 25th | 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
Animal Fostering at Pound Animal Welfare Society
Fostering a pet could save the animal’s life. PAWS in Montclair is consistently looking for loving foster parents to provide a safe environment for cats until they find a forever home. Fostering allows for a less stressful environment than a shelter and also starts the socialization process with humans earlier. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
Catholic Charities of Newark | 976 Broad Street, Newark
A variety of options are available to support the community. Please contact Sharon Reilly-Tobin via email at stobin@ccannj.org to learn about the greatest needs. Learn more about this opportunity here.
Communities Promoting Animal Welfare in NJ | 41 Watchung Plaza, Montclair
An opportunity for even the busiest volunteer. 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 about this volunteer opportunity here.
