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 (September 1st – 5th).
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, September 1st | 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.
Summer Concert Series at Independence Park
Wednesday, September 1st | 7PM
Stop by Independence Park on Wednesday, September 1st to see Nanny Assis, Brazilian Experience take the stage. Learn more here.
Fall Cornhole League’s First Meet at Montclair Brewery
Wednesday, September 1st | 7PM | Every Wednesday
Join the first meet of the second season of Montclair’s own cornhole league hosted at Montclair Brewery, Wednesday nights 7-8PM. Learn more here.
Zoo-vies + Family Nights at Essex County’s Turtleback Zoo
Wednesday, September 1st + Thursday, September 2nd
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, September 2nd | 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, September 2nd | 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.
Meditation Workshop
Thursday, September 2nd | 11:30AM | Every Thursday
Join Bindu Bhatt for a virtual meditation session. No experience necessary. Bindu has practiced meditation for over 30 years and would like to share her insight with you. Learn more here.
Beginners Flow Yoga
Thursday, September 2nd | 6PM | Every Thursday
This class, hosted by the Union Public Library, will lead you through the foundations of yoga postures, body awareness and alignment, relaxation of the mind and a connection with the breath. You will learn how to improve muscle strength, promote flexibility, and build your own yoga program specific for your mind and body. Learn more here.
Summer Concert Series at Eagle Rock Reservation
Thursday, September 2nd | 7PM
Stop by Eagle Rock Reservation on Thursday, September 2nd to see Beginnings: A Chicago Tribute take the stage. Learn more here.
Lamp for Haiti Fundraiser at Montclair Brewery
Thursday, September 2nd | 5PM-10PM
Stop by Montclair Brewery for the Lamp for Haiti fundraiser. Learn more here.
Montclair Brewery at Highland Park Farmer’s Market
Friday, September 3rd | 11AM-5:30PM
Stop by Highland Park Farmer’s Market to enjoy Montclair Brewery’s delicious brews. Learn more here.
Classes in Mixed-Media Abstract Art
Friday, September 3rd | 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, September 3rd | Every Friday
There are over 120 dog and cat sculptures on display up and down the entire length of Main Street, Boonton. Learn more here.
Dinner Under the Stars in Bloomfield Center
Friday, September 3rd | 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, September 3rd + Saturday, September 4th | 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, September 3rd + Saturday, September 4th, + Sunday, September 5th | 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, September 4th | 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, September 4th | 9:30AM | Every Saturday through September
The College Women’s Club of Montclair is hosting a used book sale every Saturday through September 4th. Learn more here.
Saturday Skate Sesh with Boardroom Skate
Saturday, September 4th | 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, September 4th | 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.
Chinese Cooking Classes with Chef Gilley
Saturday, September 4th | 5PM | Recurring
Enjoy an authentic Chinese culinary experience led by Chef Gilley. In these live online cooking classes, you’ll experience training from Chef Gilley as you prepare a variety of classic Chinese recipes completely from scratch. Learn more here.
Paterson’s Great Falls Festival
Saturday, September 4th-Monday, September 6th | 3PM-11PM
The Great Falls Festival will be held on Saturday, September 4th through Monday, September 6th from 3PM until 11PM. This year’s festival will feature rides, food, vendors, a motocross show, and a beer garden hosted by the Paterson Firefighters Association. Learn more here.
Music at the Mansion: Celia Berk
Saturday, September 4th | Every Saturday | 7PM-9:30PM
Join award-winning vocalist Celia Berk on her return to live performing presented by Nicori Studios and Productions. Performances occur every Saturday. Learn more here.
Family Roller Skating at Branch Brook Park
Saturday, September 4th | 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, September 5th
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 becoming available 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
Outdoor Storytime at Union Public Library
Wednesday, September 3rd | 10:30AM-11AM
Spend time in the outdoors, listening to stories and singing fun songs. This program will take place on the lawn between the library and town hall. Please bring a towel or blanket to sit on. All ages welcome. Learn more here.
Tween T-Shirt Decorating
Wednesday, September 3rd | 2PM-3PM
Jazz up your back-to-school wardrobe. Decorate t-shirts using fabric markers and other materials. There are a limited number of plain white t-shirts available and participants are encouraged to bring their own garments, including other items (socks, headbands) if desired. Learn more here.
Music with Michaela: Outdoor Music Class for Little Ones
Saturday, September 4th | 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.
Upcoming Weekday Events
South Orange Downtown Farmer’s Market
Wednesday, September 8th | 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, September 8th | 7PM-9PM | Every Wednesday
Join a free community knitting virtual class every Wednesday. All fiber crafts are welcome. Register here.
Essex County’s House Music Festival + A Splash of Caribbean
Saturday, September 11th | 11AM-8PM
Essex County will host the House Music Festival + A Splash of Caribbean on Saturday, Sept. 11th at Weequahic Park. Learn more 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.
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.
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, it can only 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.
