December has arrived in Essex County and the agenda for the next few weeks is full of holiday happenings. This week’s local Montclair + North Jersey area events guide has you covered with the Dickens Village tree lighting in Maplewood, a winter art market at Montclair Art Museum, the Out Montclair Teens Holiday Party, and more. Check out the list of all the events + things to do in North Jersey this weekend, December 1st – December 4th, 2022.
Disclaimer: These events are included editorially as a community resource, and The Montclair Girl is not affiliated with hosting unless explicitly stated. For the most up-to-date and accurate info including inclement weather cancellations, please contact the host directly.
The Lane Team is a family-run Montclair Real Estate business that offers a customized real estate experience. You can schedule an appointment and start your home search in the Montclair and/or North Jersey area here.
The Montclair Girl’s Best of Montclair 2022 Guide Finalists
Ongoing until December 9th | VOTE NOW
The finalists for the Best of Montclair 2022 Guide are in! MG readers have collectively chosen the top three finalists based on who received the most noms in each category — and now it’s your chance to vote for your favorites. You can vote once per day in all categories, now through Friday, December 9th at 11:59PM. The winners will be announced in mid-December once the categories are tallied.
Click here to vote for your favorite businesses and to learn more about MG’s Best of Montclair 2022 Guide finalists.
The Montclair Girl’s Holiday Shopping Deals Guide 2022
Ongoing until December 25th | BROWSE HOLIDAY DEALS
As we approach the holiday season, we’ve put together a North Jersey shopping guide so our readers can get acquainted with local businesses in the area — from fitness spots to restaurants, beauty, shopping, wellness, + beyond. All the deals are valid now through Sunday, December 25th at 11:59PM, so make sure to book, buy, + schedule your appointments now — and don’t forget to mention The Montclair Girl so they know we sent you.
Click here to browse the deals and learn more about MG’s Holiday Shopping Deals Guide.
StoutFest at Montclair Brewery
Thursday, December 1st – Sunday, December 18th | All Day
Celebrate the start of winter by choosing two specialty flights or pick-your-own stouts. This event will be held at 101 Walnut Street in Montclair. Learn more here.
Codey Arena Senior Skating Session
Thursday, December 1st | 10:45AM – 12:15PM
This event will be held at 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange. Learn more here.
Fall 2022 MILL Classes at Van Vleck House + Gardens
Thursday, December 1st | 11:30AM – 12:30PM
Create a nature-inspired holiday card at 21 Van Vleck Street in Montclair. Learn more here.
Free First Thursdays: Winter Art Market at Montclair Art Museum
Thursday, December 1st | 5PM – 9PM
Celebrate the holiday season with more than 24 artists + artisans selling fine art and hand-crafted gifts at 3 South Mountain Avenue in Montclair. Learn more here.
Holiday Wood Wick Candle Making Workshop at The Eclectic Chic Boutique
Thursday, December 1st | 6PM – 7:30PM
Make a holiday-scented wood wick candle at 547 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair or virtually. Learn more here.
Holiday Kickoff Party at The Vine Room
Thursday, December 1st | 6PM – 7PM
Sip, sparkle, and shop at this boutique shopping experience with local vendors. This event will be held at 329 Bloomfield Avenue in Caldwell. Learn more here.
History at Home: The Toll of the Garden State Hosted by Montclair History Center
Thursday, December 1st | 7PM
Historical Society of Bloomfield Trustee Rich Rockwell will present a new program on the history of the Garden State Parkway. This event will be held virtually. Learn more here.
Hot Sardines Holiday Stomp at SOPAC
Thursday, December 1st | 7:30PM
Join the Hot Sardines for classic Jazz and Swing holiday favorites. This event will be held at 1 SOPAC Way in South Orange. Learn more here.
Morrissey at NJPAC
Thursday, December 1st | 8PM
This rock + pop musician will be performing at 1 Center Street in Newark. Learn more here.
Thursday Trivia Night at Pineapple Express BBQ
Thursday, December 1st | 8PM
Win prizes and enjoy food and drink specials at 1 Lackawanna Plaza in Montclair. Learn more here.
Night Forms: Infinite Wave Exhibition at Grounds for Sculpture
Various Dates + Times
This site-specific, multi-sensory experience will kick off and run until April 2, 2023. This event will be held at 80 Sculptors Way in Hamilton. Learn more here.
Friday, December 2nd | Various times
Films like Nanny, The Eternal Daughter, and more are playing this weekend. These events will be held at 486 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair. Learn more here.
Codey Arena Public Skating Session + Family Stick + Puck
Friday, December 2nd | Various times
These events will be held at 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange. Learn more here.
New Jersey Symphony: Hugh Wolff Conducts Beethoven + Mozart at NJPAC
Friday, December 2nd – Sunday, December 4th
These events will be held at 1 Center Street in Newark. Learn more here.
Rapid Ride with Matthew at Ride It Fitness
Friday, December 2nd | 7:30AM – 8AM
This workout class will be held at 50 Upper Montclair Plaza in Montclair. Learn more here.
Mindful Self-Compassion Course with Marcie Handler + Beth Sandweiss
Friday, December 2nd | 9:30AM – 12PM
This empirically supported online training is designed to help participants cultivate self-compassion. Learn more here.
Cornerstone Café at Montclair Art Museum
Friday, December 2nd | 10AM – 4PM
Explore the MAM’s new in-house coffee shop at 3 South Mountain Avenue in Montclair. Learn more here.
Chair Yoga on Zoom Hosted by Verona Public Library
Friday, December 2nd | 11AM
This is a virtual event. Learn more here.
Intermediate Ukulele at Montclair Public Library
Friday, December 2nd | 1PM – 2PM
This class will be held at the Bellevue Avenue Branch, 185 Fullerton Avenue in Montclair. Learn more here.
Holiday Lights 2022 at the Turtle Back Zoo
Friday, December 2nd – Sunday, December 4th | 5PM – 9PM
Take a stroll under the sparkling lights at 60 Northfield Avenue in West Orange. Learn more here.
One Life to Love Charity Social at J. Nunez Gallery
Friday, December 2nd | 6PM – 8PM
Guests can enjoy cocktails + conversations for a worthy cause — One Life to Love’s abandoned children fund. This event will be held at 343 Millburn Avenue in Millburn. Learn more here.
Rick Springfield “Stripped Down” Live at The Wellmont Theater
Friday, December 2nd | 7PM
Over the past four decades, Rick Springfield has worn many hats as an entertainer and performer — see him live at 5 Seymour Street in Montclair. Learn more here.
C. Lilley at Montclair Brewery
Friday, December 2nd | 7:30PM – 9:30PM
This NYC-based singer/songwriter and spoken word poet will be performing at 101 Walnut Street in Montclair. Learn more here.
Judy Collins: Holiday + Hits at SOPAC
Friday, December 2nd | 8PM
Celebrate Christmas with grammy award-winning singer, Judy Collins. This event will be held at 1 SOPAC Way in South Orange. Learn more here.
Man Down at Just Jakes
Friday, December 2nd | 10:30PM – 1:30AM
This event will be held at 30 Park Street in Montclair. Learn more here.
Readings with Ari at Houss Freya
Saturday, December 3rd
Ari Selene is an Akashic Records practitioner. This event will be held at 547 Valley Road in Upper Montclair. Learn more here.
Codey Arena Public Skating Session + Family Stick + Puck
Saturday, December 3rd | 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, December 3rd | 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.
Kwanzaa Community Celebration at Montclair Public Library
Saturday, December 3rd | 10AM – 3PM
Enjoy a community celebration of Kwanzaa and a winter market with local businesses at 50 South Fullerton Avenue in Montclair. Learn more here.
Dickens Village — Tree Lighting + Santa Arrives
Saturday, December 3rd | 11AM – 5PM
The houses will be open for viewing and Santa will be in Dickens Village for visits and photos. This event will be held at Ricalton Square — Maplewood Village in Maplewood. Learn more here.
Batman Returns Showing at The Clairidge
Saturday, December 3rd | 11AM
As part of the Clairidge Classics series, Batman Returns will be playing, in which the criminal genius The Penguin threatens Gotham City – and, helpless, the entire city can only pray that Batman Returns. This event will be held at 486 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair. Learn more here.
Essex County Holiday House Tour Weekend at The Crane House Hosted by Montclair History Center
Saturday, December 3rd + Sunday, December 4th | 12PM – 3PM
Be among the first to see this year’s decorations as one of the Essex County Holiday House Tour sites. These self-guided tours will be held at 110 Orange Road in Montclair. Learn more here.
Alice + Leonard Dreyfuss Planetarium at Newark Museum of Art
Saturday, December 3rd | 12PM, 1PM, 1:30PM, 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.
Wonders of the Wild at the Turtle Back Zoo
Saturday, December 3rd | 1PM – 3PM
This event is 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.
Newark Winter Village at Prudential Center
Ongoing | 1PM – 8PM
Visitors of all ages can enjoy ice skating, go-karts various games + activities, and an open-air marketplace featuring local vendors. This event will be held at 25 Lafayette Street in Newark. Learn more here.
Swing Town at Burgdoff Center for Performing Arts
Saturday, December 3rd | 2PM – 3:30PM
This community band will be performing at 10 Durran Road in Maplewood. Learn more here.
Christmas Wreath Making Workshop Hosted by The Eclectic Chic Boutique
Saturday, December 3rd | 2PM – 3:15PM
Make a festive holiday wreath virtually. Learn more here.
Almost Queen — A Tribute to Queen Live at The Wellmont Theater
Saturday, December 3rd | 7PM
This cover band promises to be the most authentic Queen live show since the days of Queen themselves. This event will be held at 5 Seymour Street in Montclair. Learn more here.
A Magical Night in the Garden of Eden at Moss + More
Saturday, December 3rd | 7PM
Join author + astrologist Crystal B. as she tells the story of all that 2023 has to offer. This event will be held at 42 Upper Montclair Plaza in Montclair. Learn more here.
Russell Peters: Act Your Age World Tour at NJPAC
Saturday, December 3rd | 7PM, 10PM
This Canadian comic, actor, and producer will be performing at 1 Center Street in Newark. Learn more here.
Good Noise at Just Jakes
Saturday, December 3rd | 10:30PM – 1:30AM
This event will be held at 30 Park Street in Montclair. Learn more here.
Codey Arena Learn to Skate + Public Skating Session
Sunday, December 4th | Various times
These events will be held at 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange. Learn more here.
Museum Store Sunday at Nathaniel Crane House Hosted by The Montclair History Center
Sunday, December 4th | 10AM – 3PM
Browse Montclair-centric books, mugs, enamel pins, NJ potholders, and more. This event will be held at 110 Orange Road in Montclair. Learn more here.
Afternoon Tea on Sunday at Reeves-Reed Arboretum
Sunday, December 4th | 11:30AM, 12:30PM, 2PM
Enjoy afternoon tea with The Secret Tea Room whilst overlooking the gardens and grounds at 165 Hobart Avenue in Summit. Learn more here.
Sew a Christmas Stocking Workshop Hosted by The Eclectic Chic Boutique
Sunday, December 4th | 1PM – 2:15PM
Learn how to make your own unique Christmas stocking using your sewing machine at this virtual event. Learn more here.
Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song at The Woodland
Sunday, December 4th | 4PM – 6PM
This documentary will be shown at 60 Woodland Road in Maplewood. Learn more here.
Hello Honey Holiday Market at Hello Honey Hair Co.
Sunday, December 4th | 4PM – 7PM
Browse local vendors at 224 Lorraine Avenue in Montclair. Learn more here.
Yacht Rock Revenue Live at The Wellmont Theater
Sunday, December 4th | 7PM
Yacht Rock Revue trademarked the term “yacht rock,” both metaphorically and literally. This event will be held at 5 Seymour Street in Montclair. Learn more here.
Science Extravaganza at Newark Museum of Art
Saturday, December 3rd | 10AM – 5PM
Enjoy a variety of activities like MakerSPACE, a planetarium show, a fossil demo + activity, and more at 49 Washington Street in Newark. Learn more here.
Where the Wild Books Are at Montclair Public Library
Tuesday, December 6th | 4PM – 4:45PM
This event is for grades 2-5, and will be held at 50 South Fullerton Avenue in Montclair. Learn more here.
This dog-friendly events section is brought to you by Doggie Road Trippin’. Follow on Instagram here.
- Back to Nature Home + Garden Market — Basking Ridge | Ongoing; Learn more here.
- Winter Walk Holiday Lights in Taylor Park — Millburn | Ongoing; Learn more here.
- Patio Pups at Mainbrook Tavern — Manalapan | December 1st; Learn more here.
- HDSID Christmas Tree + Menorah Lighting at Newark Ave Pedestrian Mall — Jersey City | December 1st; Learn more here.
- Winter Wonderland + Holiday Village Hosted by Township of Union, New Jersey – Government — Union | December 2nd + December 3rd; Learn more here.
- Columbus Park Christmas Tree Lighting — Hoboken | December 2nd; Learn more here.
- Holiday Photo Booth + Cookies with Santa + The Grinch at Coffee Corral — Red Bank | December 3rd; Learn more here.
- Hoboken Uptown Farmers Market — Hoboken | December 3rd; Learn more here.
- A Truly Unique Pet Boutique Santa Photos at Winky’s Pet Boutique — Chester | December 3rd; Learn more here.
- Weekly Dog Moms Meetup at Glen Rock Dog Park Hosted by Women of Bergen County – Friendship + Activity Buddies — Glen Rock | December 3rd; Learn more here.
- Summit Farmers Market — Summit | December 4th; Learn more here.
- Photos with Santa Hosted by Wise Animal Rescue — Hoboken | December 4th; Learn more here.
- NorthStar Pet Rescue Howliday Affair — Boonton | December 4th; Learn more here.
French Class at Montclair Public Library
Monday, December 5th | 1:30PM – 3PM
This virtual event is for students who are fluent in French. Learn more here.
Senior Craft Club at Montclair Public Library
Tuesday, December 6th | 2:30PM – 3:30PM
This event will be held at 50 South Fullerton Avenue in Montclair. Learn more here.
New Jersey Devils vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Tuesday, December 6th | 7PM
This NHL game will be held at 25 Lafayette Street in Newark. Learn more here.
Out Montclair Teens Holiday Party at The Clubhouse
Wednesday, December 7th | 5:30PM – 11:30PM
Meet, mingle, dance, and more at 131 Glenridge Avenue in Montclair. Learn more here.
Trivia Night at The Fox + Falcon
Wednesday, December 7th | 7PM – 9PM
This event will be held at 19 Valley Street in South Orange. Learn more here.
Sons of Serendip Christmas: Beyond the Lights at SOPAC
Wednesday, December 7th | 7:30PM
Skilled on the harp, cello, and piano, this quartet of lifelong instrumentalists and vocalists brings a harmonious synergy to the stage by melding classical and pop music. This event will be held at 1 SOPAC Way in South Orange. Learn more here.
Hot Tuna: Acoustic + Electric at The Wellmont Theater
Wednesday, December 7th | 7PM
Starting out as an acoustic spinoff of the band Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna eventually emerged as a popular blues rock touring act of the 1970s. This event will be held at 5 Seymour Street in Montclair. Learn more here.
Lindsey Stirling: Snow Waltz Tour at NJPAC
Wednesday, December 7th | 8PM
This pop violinist will be performing at 1 Center Street in Newark. Learn more here.
First Seventh-Day Adventist Church Soup Kitchen | 15 Elmwood Avenue, Montclair
Every Sunday from 12PM-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 in this ministry that has been in and of service for over a decade. Volunteers are needed to prepare + serve food. Learn more here.
Kids Helping Kids | 229 Midland Avenue
The name of this non-profit is really all that needs to be known to understand the scope of the work. Kids Helping Kids engages middle + high school students in service projects that directly support underserved kids in the area. Since its inception, over 65,000 students have benefited from this partnership across 139 schools through the help of over 5,200 volunteers. Learn more here.
National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals | Northern New Jersey
This national organization has made itself available to real estate agents in various areas of the country. Its north New Jersey chapter is dedicated to championing homeownership for Latinx individuals in this covering region. Thanks to the Board of Directors, community events that support both homeowners, as well as Hispanic real estate professionals, are available. Learn more here.
Local Beauty Brands in North Jersey
Where to Take Your Parents Out to Eat in North Jersey
Shop Small this Holiday Season in Essex County
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
