Cinco de Mayo is here, Mother’s Day is this weekend, and Memorial Day is coming up on the horizon — which means Essex County and the North Jersey area is packed with happenings. This week’s local Montclair area events guide has got you covered with the Montclair Literary Festival, planetarium showings at Newark Museum of Art, open mic nights, and more. Check out this list of all the events happening this weekend, May 5th – May 8th, 2022.
Disclaimer: Events are subject to change. For the most up-to-date info, please contact the host directly.
The Lane Team is a family-run Montclair Real Estate business that offers a customized real estate experience. Schedule an appointment and start your home search in the Montclair and/or North Jersey area here.
Montclair Girl’s Real Estate Directory
Just Launched | BROWSE DIRECTORY
The Montclair Girl readers are always seeking recommendations on everything from real estate rental buildings and condos for sale in the North Jersey area, so we thought it’d be helpful to create a guide to these buildings and homes. Meet our new Real Estate Directory, a curated (and ever-growing) list of real estate buildings in the greater North Jersey area. Discover these local real estate properties, compare and connect for tours, and keep checking back as the directory will be updated on a routine basis with new listings.
Check out the directory and browse properties here, and to learn more about MG’s Real Estate Directory click here.
Open House Events Hosted by The Lane Team
Saturday, May 7th | LEARN MORE
The Lane Team is hosting three open house events this weekend for prospective home buyers in Montclair and Glen Ridge. Make sure you let them know The Montclair Girl sent you.
Open House #1: 129 Claremont, #1 in Montclair on Saturday, May 7th from 12:00PM-2:00PM
Open House #2: 19 Undercliff Drive in Montclair on Saturday, May 7th from 1:00PM-3:00PM
Open House #3: 56 Essex Avenue in Glen Ridge on Saturday, May 7th from 2:00PM-4:00PM
Call 973-738-6989 to chat with The Lane Team and click here to learn more about The Lane Team.
Montclair Girl’s Ultimate Mother’s Day Giveaway 2022
Enter by Saturday, May 7th | ENTER GIVEAWAY
The Montclair Girl team has partnered with local businesses in North Jersey to treat the mom, mom-figure in your life, or yourself this Mother’s Day. Make sure to enter the giveaway on Instagram by 11:59PM this Saturday, May 7th for the chance to win your mom, mom-figure in your life, or yourself some amazing prizes. The winner will be announced on Sunday, May 8th via IG stories.
To enter and learn more about MG’s Ultimate Mother’s Day Giveaway click here.
Tequila N’ Chill at The Zulaba
Thursday, May 5th | 4PM – 2AM
This event features DJs, $5 margaritas and tequila shots, and more, and will be held at 437 Main Street in West Orange. Learn more here.
Tequila Pairing Dinner at The Taphouse
Thursday, May 5th | 7PM – 9PM
This event features a four-course Mexican-themed dinner and a live performance by Gio + Wil, and will be held at 344 French Hill Road in Wayne. Learn more here.
Cinco de Mayo Laugh Fest at Bella Napoli
Thursday, May 5th | 48PM – 10PM
This event is hosted by Rob Stapleton and includes guests Cashmere Thoughts, JP Justice, and Aldo, with music by DJ Left, and will be held at 1640 Broad Street in Bloomfield. Learn more here.
Mother’s Day Paint + Sip Hosted by Montclair Brewery + Artviva Events
Sunday, May 8th | 1:30PM – 4:30PM
An outdoors afternoon of step-by-step painting accompanied with special Mother’s Day beer flight for each guest. This event will be held at 101 Walnut Street in Montclair. Learn more here.
Majah Hype Mother’s Day Comedy Show at NJPAC
Sunday, May 8th | 5PM, 7:45PM
The “Caribbean King of Comedy” will be performing at 1 Center Street in Newark. Learn more here.
Montclair Literary Festival
Thursday, May 5th – Monday, May 9th
This festival will include over 30 events and over 70 local, national, and international authors. The events will be held at venues throughout Montclair. Learn more here.
Jane Eyre, The Musical at SOPAC
Thursday, May 5th – Sunday, May 8th
This event will be held at One SOPAC Way in South Orange. Learn more here.
Thursday, May 5th | 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. This event will be held at 50 South Fullerton Avenue in Montclair. Learn more here.
Thursday, May 5th | 10:30AM – 12:30PM
Each week of this virtual event has a different theme. Learn more here.
Codey Arena Skating Session For Adults
Thursday, May 5th | 10:45AM – 12:15PM
A skate session for those who are 40 years old and up. This event will be held at 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange. Learn more here.
Wise Animal Rescue’s Cinco de Mayo Axe Throwing Event at Stumpy’s Hatchet House
Thursday, May 5th | 6PM – 8PM
WAR is raising money for the medical care of the “Days of the Week” chihuahuas the rescue has in its care. This event will be held at 107 Pleasant Avenue in Upper Saddle River. Learn more here.
Open Book/ Open Mind at Montclair Public Library
Thursday, May 5th | 7PM – 8:30PM
This virtual event includes author Katherine Heiny. Learn more here.
Open Mic Night at Montclair Brewery
Thursday, May 5th | 7:30PM – 9:30PM
Share your talent at 101 Walnut Street in Montclair. Learn more here.
Showings at The Clairidge
Friday, May 6th
Films like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Petite Maman, The Duke, Kiki, The Queen, and Desert Hearts are playing this weekend. These events will be held at 486 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair. Learn more here.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at NJPAC
Friday, May 6th – Sunday, May 8th
These artists will be performing at 1 Center Street in Newark. Learn more here.
Codey Arena Public Skating Session + Family Stick + Puck
Friday, May 6th | Various times
These events will be held at 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange. Learn more here.
Coffee, Tea, + Pastries at Reeves-Reed Arboretum
Friday, May 6th | 10:30AM – 12PM
Settle down with coffee or tea while overlooking the gardnes at 165 Hobart Avenue in Summit. Space is limited. Learn more here.
Beginning Ukulele at Montclair Public Library
Friday, May 6th | 1:30PM – 2:30PM
Learn basic chords and strums, and some fun, easy songs at 185 Bellevue Avenue in Montclair. Learn more here.
Live Music with Zuko, Phillips, Cohn, + Starr at Montclair Brewery
Friday, May 6th | 7:30PM – 9:30PM
These musicians will be performing at 101 Walnut Street in Montclair. Learn more here.
Adult Open Hockey at Codey Arena
Friday, May 6th | 8PM
This event will be held at 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange. Learn more here.
The Pulse at Just Jakes
Friday, May 6th | 10:30PM – 1:30AM
This band will be performing at 30 Park Street in Montclair. Learn more here.
Codey Arena Public Skating Session + Family Stick + Puck
Saturday, May 7th | Various times
These events will be held at 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange. Learn more here.
Montclair Farmers’ Market at the Walnut Street Train Station
Saturday, May 7th | 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.
Ride for Reproductive Rights at DFIT Montclair
Saturday, May 7th | 10:30AM
This event will be held at 4 Erie Street in Montclair. Learn more here.
Alice + Leonard Dreyfuss Planetarium at Newark Museum of Art
Saturday, May 7th | 11AM, 2PM, 3PM
An interactive theater for learning about astronomy, space, and planetary science. This event will be held at 49 Washington Street in Newark. Learn more here.
Quilled Cards at Montclair Art Museum
Saturday, May 7th | 12PM – 3PM
Learn the detailed art of paper quilling: rolling, gluing, and folding strips of paper to create a three-dimensional design. This event will be held at 3 South Mountain Avenue in Montclair. Learn more here.
Wonders of the Wild at the Turtle Back Zoo
Saturday, May 7th | 1PM – 3PM
An opportunity to participate in supplementary science and nature-themed programs and projects that facilitate scientific literacy and life-long environmental stewardship. This event will be held at 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange. Learn more here.
George Cables: Bethany Jazz Vespers at NJPAC
Saturday, May 7th | 6PM
This Jazz pianist will be performing at 1 Center Street in Newark. Learn more here.
Live Music With The Mighty Burners at Montclair Brewery
Saturday, May 7th | 7:30PM – 9:30PM
This event will be held at 101 Walnut Street in Montclair. Learn more here.
Get The Led Out at The Wellmont Theater
Saturday, May 7th | 8PM
This celebration of Led Zeppelin will be held at 5 Seymour Street in Montclair. Learn more here.
Jared Freid at NJPAC
Saturday, May 7th | 8PM
This comedian will be performing at 1 Center Street in Newark. Learn more here.
New Power Soul at Just Jakes
Saturday, May 7th | 10:30PM – 1:30AM
This band will be performing at 30 Park Street in Montclair. Learn more here.
Codey Arena Public Skating Session, + Family Stick + Puck
Sunday, May 8th | Various times
These events will be held at 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange. Learn more here.
Van Vleck House + Gardens Photography Contest
Ongoing until May 13th
A community photography contest for adult and youth amateur photographers. This is an online event. Learn more here.
Live Music With The Mighty Burners at Montclair Brewery
Sunday, May 8th | 4:30PM – 8:30PM
This reggae-pop band will be performing at 101 Walnut Street in Montclair. Learn more here.
NJPAC Legacy Ball
Sunday, May 8th | 5PM
An extravagant celebration of ballroom culture to honor the history of the LGBTQ+ community. This event will be held at 1 Center Street in Newark. Learn more here.
One Night With Nikki Glaser at The Wellmont Theater
Sunday, May 8th | 7PM
This comedian will be performing at 5 Seymour Street in Montclair. 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.
Thursday, May 5th | 11AM – 11:30AM
An in-person storytime for ages birth to age 5. This event will be held at 185 Bellevue Avenue in Montclair. Learn more here.
May Family Saturdays + Sundays at Newark Museum of Art
Saturday, May 7th + Sunday, May 8th
A day of family fun activities at 49 Washington Street in Newark. Learn more here.
Discovery Weekends at Reeves-Reed Arboretum
Sunday, May 8th | 9AM – 3PM
Explore the Arboretum when the gardens and grounds are alive with the sights and sounds of spring. This event will be held at 165 Hobart Avenue in Summit. Learn more here.
Sunday Studio at Montclair Art Museum
Sunday, May 8th | 1PM – 4PM
A family art-making activity inspired by current exhibitions. This event will be held at 3 South Mountain Avenue in Montclair. Learn more here.
Preschool Painters at Montclair Public Library
Tuesday, May 10th | 1:30PM – 2PM
Create fun art and read stories at 185 Bellevue Avenue in Montclair. Learn more here.
French Class at Montclair Public Library
Monday, May 9th | 1:30PM – 3PM
Participate in conversational classes on various aspects of everyday French life. This is a virtual event. Learn more here.
American Sign Language For Beginners Class at Montclair Public Library
Monday, May 9th | 6PM – 7PM
Learn fingerspelling, vocabulary, and ASL concepts, and become familiar with deaf culture. This event will be held at 185 Bellevue Avenue in Montclair. Learn more here.
Annual Spring Concert at SOPAC
Monday, May 9th | 7:30PM
This event is presented by the Seton Hall University Arts Council, and will be held at One SOPAC Way in South Orange. Learn more here.
Codey Arena Skating Session For Adults
Tuesday, May 10th | 10:45AM – 12:15PM
A skate session for those who are 40 years old and up. This event will be held at 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange. Learn more here.
Open Level Pilates on the Mat at Montclair Public Library
Tuesday, May 10th | 11AM – 11:45AM
A Classical Pilates series that follows the original blueprint created by Joseph Pilates over a century ago. This is a virtual event. Learn more here.
Spring Workshop + Watercolor at Montclair History Center
Tuesday, May 10th | 4PM
Learn about different spring flowers and fruits along with their historic importance and traditional medicinal properties. This event will be held at 110 Orange Road in Montclair. Learn more here.
Spanish Class at Montclair Public Library
Tuesday, May 10th | 6:15PM – 7:30PM
This event is for beginners, and will be held at 50 South Fullerton Avenue in Montclair. Learn more here.
Low Cost + No Cost Marketing Solutions at Montclair Public Library Adult School
Tuesday, May 10th | 6:30PM – 8:30PM
This event is presented by Jon Tully and will be held at the Montclair Center BID Office, 26 Lackawanna Plaza in Montclair. Learn more here.
Art in the Afternoon at Montclair Art Museum
Wednesday, May 11th | 2PM – 3:30PM
An artistic social gathering for adults at 3 South Mountain Avenue in Montclair. Learn more here.
Page to Screen: Paterson, Movie + Poetry at Montclair Public Library
Wednesday, May 11th | 5:30PM – 8PM
Paterson is a 2016 drama written and directed by Jim Jarmusch which stars Adam Driver as a bus driver and poet named Paterson. This event will be held at 50 South Fullerton Avenue in Montclair. Learn more here.
Cornhole League Meet at Montclair Brewery
Wednesday, May 11th | 6:30PM – 9:30PM
This event will be held at 101 Walnut Street in Montclair. Learn more here.
Tarot, An Introduction at Montclair Public Library
Wednesday, May 11th | 6:30PM – 8:30PM
Through the use of your personal Tarot deck as well as journaling on specific cards, students will acquire an objective and subjective introduction to this mystical philosophy. This event will be held at 185 Bellevue Avenue in Montclair. Learn more here.
House of Love Soup Kitchen/Pantry | Newark
The House of Love Soup Kitchen is run completely by volunteers and serves about 30 neighbors every Tuesday for two hours. In addition to a hot nutritious meal, guests receive spiritual guidance, connection to resources of other non-profits in the area, and ‘care packages’ of perishable and non-perishable goods. 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. Since its inception, the Montclair Fund for Women has given over $800,000 in grants to provide opportunities to women. Learn more here.
Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris | 33 South Fullerton Avenue
The Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris is working to reverse the stigma around Mental Health and provide support to those living with mental illness as well as their caregivers. Through advocacy, education, prevention, early intervention, treatment, and services, the organization is working to achieve its mission. Case management services, suicide prevention work, and housing opportunities are just a small sample of the community work of this organization. Learn more here.
Where to Eat Around the Prudential Center
How to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo Locally in the Montclair Area
Best Spots for a Mother’s Day Brunch in Montclair
Have an event you’d like included in our guide? Email it to events@themontclairgirl.com by Tuesday at 12PM each week. You can also email advertising@themontclairgirl.
Follow @themontclairgirl on Instagram and TikTok to keep up with all the fun happening around the area.
Have a great weekend, xo
