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, and much more happening locally. Check out this list of all the virtual and in-person events happening in Montclair, Bloomfield, and beyond this weekend (July 28th – August 3rd).
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
Zoo-vies + Family Nights at Essex County’s Turtleback Zoo
Wednesday, July 28th + Thursday, July 29th
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, July 29th | 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.
Wellness on the Waterfront: Yoga, Workouts + More
Thursday, July 29th
Essex County celebrates Parks and Recreation Month with free weekly activities this summer including yoga, workouts, dancing, and more. Learn more here.
Goffle Brook Park: A Wellspring of Creativity
Thursday, July 29th | 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.
Classes in Mixed-Media Abstract Art
Friday, July 30th | 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 includes design and composition, classic abstract layouts, working with shapes, intuitive painting, and more. Learn more here.
Dog Days of Summer Exhibit & Music on Main
Ongoing
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, July 30th | 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, July 30th + Saturday, July 31st | 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 included with ticket. Learn more here.
Live Music at Montclair Brewery
Friday, July 30th, Saturday, July 31st, + Sunday, August 1st | 7PM-9:30PM
Head over to Montclair Brewery for live music every Friday, Saturday + Sunday provided by local artists. Learn more here.
Free In-Person Dance Concerts
Saturday, July 31st | 6PM
Ballet Hispánico, the nation’s renowned Latinx dance organization, presents a series of free, in-person dance concerts with the Young Dancemakers Company, July 21, 23, 27, 28, 31, at various locations. Reservations are required for the livestreamed finale concert. To reserve tickets, email [email protected]. Learn more here.
Montclair Farmers Market
Saturday, July 31st | 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.
Saturday Skate Sesh with Boardroom Skate
Saturday, July 31st | 10AM-12PM | Every Saturday
Join Boardroom Skate for a skate session every Saturday at Rand Courts. Beginners are welcome. Learn more here.
Arts in the Garden: Peter and the Wolf Family Concert
Saturday, July 31st | 10AM
Experience Prokofiev’s classic tale about an adventurous boy and a hapless wolf. Instruments portray the duck, bird, cat, wolf, hunters, Peter, and his Grandfather, making an introduction to the orchestra. Learn more here.
Butterfly Tent Safari at Essex County’s Turtleback Zoo
Now-July 30th | 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. Learn more here.
Music at the Mansion: Porch Performances – Nicolas King
Saturday, July 31st | 7PM
Actor + singer Nicolas King will perform live at Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center located at 240 Belleville Avenue. Learn more here.
Family Roller Skating at Branch Brook Park
Saturday, July 31st | 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 1st
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
Summer Soccer Camps
Thursday, July 29th-Sunday, August 1st
A six-week summer camp program open to players aged 7-15 years old is being held at the Sofive facility in Carlstadt. This event is open to all children looking to have a great time whether they have experience playing soccer. Learn more here.
Music with Michaela: Outdoor Music Class for Little Ones
Saturday, July 31st | 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
Out Montclair’s Teen Social
Wednesday, August 4th | 6PM-8PM
Out Montclair’s teen social will have music, painting, and snacks. Register here.
Free Community Knitting Virtual Class
Wednesday, August 4th | 7PM-9PM | Every Wednesday
Join a free community knitting virtual class every Wednesday. All fiber crafts are welcome. Register here.
NiCori Teen Performance Ensemble of Seussical the Musical
Thursday, August 5th, Friday, August 6th + Saturday, August 7th | 7PM-9PM
Nicori Studios and Productions presents the NiCori Teen Performance Ensemble of Seussical the Musical. Learn more here.
Ways to Give Back Locally
Cultural Academic Student Exchange | 211 Bellevue Avenue, Montclair
Become a host family for the Cultural Academic Student Exchange (CASE) and house a student studying abroad. The CASE program is always in need of families of all backgrounds to help immerse international students into the culture of the area and to help navigate everyday life during their stay. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
First Seventh-Day Adventist Church Soup Kitchen | 15 Elmwood Avenue, Montclair
Every Sunday from 12:00PM-2:30PM the soup kitchen at the First Seventh-Day Adventist Church is available to those in need in the community. Join as a volunteer to this ministry that has been in and of service for over a decade. Volunteers are needed to prepare and serve food. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
Human Needs Food Pantry | 9 Label Street, Montclair
Opportunities to give back to the community are always available here. As a necessary component to the operation of the food pantry, volunteers are needed to do tasks from packaging fruits and vegetables to sorting donated clothes. For those who would like to interact with the community, the opportunity to deliver food to homebound clients is available. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
