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 in the neighborhood. Check out this list of all the virtual and in-person events happening in Montclair, Bloomfield, and beyond this weekend (September 15th – 19th).
Disclaimer: Events are subject to change and some may be weather dependent. For the most up-to-date info, please contact the host directly.
Featured Events
AC Dance’s Open House Event + Free Youth Trial Classes
Free Trial Classes on October 4th – October 7th from 5:00PM-9:00PM and Open House Event on October 8th from 5:00PM-9:00PM| REGISTER FOR CLASSES NOW
AC Dance at 71 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, is bringing ballet to Bloomfield this season with an open house event and free youth trial classes. Free trial classes for youths will take place from October 4th – October 7th from 5:00PM-9:00PM. AC Dance’s Open House event will take place on Friday, October 8th, where prospective students can view the facility and learn more about dance classes offered for ages 7 to adult. RSVPs are preferred for the open house event, so please email [email protected] directly. Plus, new studio class packages for adults will be available during the month of October, and if you register your dancer by October 8th, the registration fee will be waived. Make sure you let them know The Montclair Girl sent you.
Email [email protected] to RSVP for AC Dance’s Open House event and click here to register for classes and learn more about AC Dance.
Local Montclair (+ Beyond) Events
Hispanic Heritage Month 5K
Wednesday, September 15th-October 17th
Sign up for the Hispanic Heritage Month 5K. Log solo miles at a time and date you choose between September 15th-October 17th. Latinos Run is teaming up with Fleet Feet and On Footwear to bring you a hybrid 5K with virtual and in-person fun run options. The group will host an in-person meet-up and celebration on September 26th at 8:30AM. Learn more here.
South Orange Downtown Farmer’s Market
Wednesday, September 15th | 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.
Outdoor Yoga at Van Vleck House
Wednesday, September 15th | 6PM-7PM | Every Wednesday in September
Join an outdoor yoga session at Van Vleck House every Wednesday at 6PM. This class welcomes all levels from beginner to experienced yogis. Please note mats will be spaced at least 6 feet apart, and participants required to practice social distancing and wear a mask at all times except while practicing on your mat. In case of inclement weather, the class will be cancelled and participants will be notified. Registration is required by the Tuesday before class. Learn more here.
Fall Cornhole League at Montclair Brewery
Wednesday, September 15th | 7PM-8PM | Every Wednesday
Join the second season of Montclair’s own cornhole league hosted at Montclair Brewery, Wednesday nights 7-8PM. Learn more here.
Newark Downtown District Market
Thursday, September 16th | 11AM-3PM | Every Thursday in September
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.
Meditation Workshop
Thursday, September 16th | 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 insights with you. Learn more here.
Beginners Flow Yoga
Thursday, September 16th | 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.
1st Annual Community Resource Day
Friday, September 17th | 10AM-4PM
Greater Essex Counseling Services is holding its 1st Annual Community Resource Day in Downtown Newark. The event is Friday, September 17th from 10AM to 4PM. The event will be held at 23 Branford Place in Newark. Learn more here.
Montclair Brewery at Highland Park Farmer’s Market
Friday, September 17th | 11AM-5:30PM
Visit Montclair Brewery at the Highland Park Farmer’s Market. Learn more here.
Classes in Mixed-Media Abstract Art
Friday, September 17th | 1PM
Every Friday, Award-winning Roseland artist Evan Stuart Marshall will teach a class on mixed-media abstract art. The topics covered include design and composition, classic abstract layouts, working with shapes, intuitive painting, and more. Learn more here.
All Points West Distillery Tour + Tasting
Friday, September 17th + Saturday, September 18th | 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.
Dinner Under the Stars in Bloomfield Center
Friday, September 17th | 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.
Anberlin at The Wellmont Theater
Friday, September 17th | 6PM
Alternative rock band Anberlin will play at The Wellmont Theater on Sept. 17th and will feature NJ natives The Early November. Learn more here.
Live Music at Montclair Brewery
Friday, September 17th + Saturday, September 18th, + Sunday, September 19th | 7PM-9:30PM
Head over to Montclair Brewery for live music every weekend provided by local artists. Learn more here.
S.O.F.I.A. 11th Annual Walk Against Domestic Violence
Saturday, September 18th | 9AM-1PM
Start Out Fresh Intervention Advocates (S.O.F.I.A.) will host the 11th Annual Walk Against Domestic Violence in Montclair’s Canterbury Park on Sept. 18th. Participants unable to pre-register online can do so at Canterbury Park. Masks, social distancing, and other safety protocols will be strongly encouraged for participants. Learn more here.
Scholarship Saturday at Morgan’s Farm Stand
Saturday, September 18th | 9AM-1PM
Scholarship Saturday at Morgan’s Farm Stand is happening on September 18th. The entire day’s sales will be used to provide scholarships for graduating seniors in Cedar Grove and Verona. Along with the weekly selection of organic fruits and vegetables, there will also be gift sets and t-shirts. Be sure to stop by to contribute to scholarships that will benefit local students. Learn more here.
45th Annual Upper Montclair Sidewalk Sale
Saturday, September 18th | 9AM-5PM
Stop by the 45th Annual Sidewalk Sale where you can find bargains, meet your neighboring retail stores, restaurants, fitness + nutrition businesses and local non-profits. Learn more here.
Saturday Skate Sesh with Boardroom Skate
Saturday, September 18th | 10AM-12PM | Every Saturday
Join Boardroom Skate for a skate session every Saturday at Rand Courts. Beginners are welcome. Learn more here.
Branch Brook Park Fest
Saturday, September 18th | 10AM-4PM
Stop by the Branch Brook Park Fest on Sept. 18th for a day full of music, arts, food, vendors, crafts, fitness and more. Learn more here.
MAM Fall Fest
Saturday, September 18th | 10AM-10PM
Chinese Cooking Classes with Chef Gilley
Saturday, September 18th | 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.
Music at the Mansion: Natalie Douglas
Saturday, September 18th | Every Saturday | 7PM-9:30PM
Join internationally-acclaimed vocalist Natalie Douglas for a live performance presented by Nicori Studios and Productions. Performances occur every Saturday. Learn more here.
Family Roller Skating at Branch Brook Park
Saturday, September 18th | 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 19th
Head over to Sweet Southern Eatery every Sunday for live music during brunch. Learn more here.
Maplewood Village’s Latin Restaurant Week
Sunday, September 19th-25th
Enjoy Latin-inspired food and drink in the Village during Hispanic Heritage Month Latin Restaurant Week! Sept. 19th-25th, with a DJ dance party on Sept. 24th. Learn more here.
Fleet Feet Montclair’s Supported Long Run
Sunday, September 19th | 7AM-11AM
If you’re training for a Half or Full Marathon, Fleet Feet Montclair is here to help you get started. Join for a Supported Long Run on September 19th from 7AM to 11AM. There will be water stops, hydration, snacks, and some cheerleaders to support you along the way. Learn more here.
Boys & Girls Club of Newark 5K to Wellness
Sunday, September 19th | 8AM-11AM
The Boys & Girls Club of Newark 5K to Wellness will take place on September 19th at Branch Brook Park in Newark at 8AM. The race is $30 and when you register for BGCN’s 5K to Wellness, you are supporting the efforts to raise funds to serve Newark’s youth and their families. Funds will provide more youth and families access to services like dental and eye care, stress management activities such as meditation, as well as crisis support to address mental and behavioral health challenges. You will receive a t-shirt and a 5K run/walk finisher medal. The race will take place on a USATF certified course and is sanctioned. Sign up here.
Open Book/Open Mind Online
Sunday, September 19th | 4PM-5:30PM
Bestselling science writer, Mary Roach, will discuss her new book, “Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law,” with Lulu Miller of NPR. Virtual audience Q&A to follow. This program is sponsored by the Montclair Public Library Foundation. Learn more here.
Leave No Trace Play Reading at Montclair Brewery
Sunday, September 19th | 6PM-9:30PM
Stop by Montclair Brewery for a play reading by Leave No Trace Theatre Company. Learn more here.
MAM Premieres New Exhibits
Ongoing
Head over to Montclair Art Museum for the opening event of four exhibits including Color Riot! How Color Changed Navajo Textiles. With Diné perspectives and the technical mastery of weavers at the heart of Color Riot!, this exhibition, featuring 70 bold artworks from 1860–1930 and the present, celebrates the courage and vision to experiment. 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 the 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/Teen Focused Events
Storytime on the Green at Watchung Booksellers
Friday, September 17th | 4PM
Bring a Blanket and join Watchung Booksellers for Storytime + Activity with Laura Sassi as she reads from her new book, “Little Ewe”. Learn more here.
Listen on the Lawn
Tuesday, September 21st | 11AM | Every Tuesday
Join The Montclair Public Library for an in-person storytime on the lawn at the Bellevue Avenue Branch. Rain dates are scheduled for Thursdays at the same time. Social distancing required. Registration is not required but is recommended for scheduling updates. Learn more here.
Cuentitos: Bilingual Spanish Storytime (ages 2-5)
Tuesday, September 21st | 4PM
Join The Montclair Public Library for a fun, bilingual Spanish story time session with live music. Children’s books will be read in Spanish and English along with an acoustic guitar and songs in Spanish. Spanish speakers and non-Spanish speakers are invited to join. Learn more here.
Upcoming Weekday Events
South Orange Downtown Farmer’s Market
Wednesday, September 22nd | 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.
Outdoor Yoga at Van Vleck House
Wednesday, September 22nd | 6PM-7PM | Every Wednesday in September
Join an outdoor yoga session at Van Vleck House every Wednesday at 6PM. This class welcomes all levels from beginner to experienced yogis. Please note mats will be spaced at least 6 feet apart, and participants required to practice social distancing and wear a mask at all times except while practicing on your mat. In case of inclement weather, the class will be cancelled and participants will be notified. Registration is required by the Tuesday before class. Learn more here.
Free Community Knitting Virtual Class
Wednesday, September 22nd | 7PM-9PM | Every Wednesday
Join a free community knitting virtual class every Wednesday. All fiber crafts are welcome. Register here.
NiCori Kids Performance Ensemble Class: JAMES & THE GIANT PEACH
Wednesday, September 22nd | 5PM-6:30PM
NiCori Kids Performance Ensemble is dedicated to students ages 10-14 who love musical theatre. NiCori Studios & Productions will produce JAMES & THE GIANT PEACH which will feature the NiCori Kids Performance Ensemble. This skill-building course will focus on the core elements of musical theater with a specific focus on acting while singing. The class will culminate with performances of the musical JAMES & THE GIANT PEACH on December 10, and 11, 2021. No audition is required to be accepted into this program. Auditions for roles will happen on the first day of class, September 22nd. Audition materials will be provided. Learn more here.
Burn Phase One: Origins and Activism with Antoinette Ellis Williams
Saturday + Sunday, September 24th + 25th | 5PM-8PM
The BURN Project is a multi-disciplinary visual, poetic, literary and ethnographic study on how history, socio-political, cultural, economic, and familial relationships shape identity, reality and healing Black American women. The project is divided into three phases (1) Origin and Activism, (2) Representation, Body, Beauty & Girlhood, and (3) Healing & Memory. The opening reception will be on Sept. 24th and an artist talk with Antoinette Ellis Williams will be on Sept. 25th. Williams is the Chair of the Women’s and Gender Studies Department at NJCU. Learn more here.
Ways to Give Back Locally
Salvation Army | 13 Trinity Place, Montclair
For 125 years, The Montclair Citadel Corps has been a beacon of hope and a model of ministry in the Name of Jesus in suburban Essex County. Whether it is housing a needy family at our Cornerstone House Shelter, feeding the homeless at our hot meal program, providing emergency assistance, building characters in future generations, or serving as a place of worship for those seeking spiritual nurture, Montclair Citadel provides something for everyone. Donation Drop-Off: Monday – Friday 9AM-4PM.
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.
Articles to Help You Plan Your Weekend
The Enchanting Greenwood Gardens in Short Hills
A Guide to Latin Restaurants in Montclair
Brunch Spots in Montclair + Beyond
Remember to tag us on Instagram in your adventures @themontclairgirl or #MontclairGirl for a potential repost. xo
Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival 2025 Kicks Off on 4/5
It's just about that time in New Jersey for the cherry blossom trees to start showing off. With the start of spring less than a week away, the Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival 2025 dates were recently announced, and locals can't wait to browse the snowfall-like cascading of petals at Branch Brook Park come peak bloom. This year's festival will take place from April 5th to 13th and include a variety of cherry blossom-themed events. Read on to learn more about the 2025 Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival, happening in Branch Brook Park in Newark, New Jersey.
The 2025 Details + Events
The 49th annual festival will take place at its usual in-person location — Branch Brook Park in Newark. Family-friendly events will run from April 5th to April 13th, making this over a week of cherry blossom fun. There will be over 5,300 cherry blossoms in 18 varieties to gaze at, per the Branch Brook Park Alliance. Branch Brook Park is also home to the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center — read all about it in our article here.
Read More: A Guide to Flower Farms in New Jersey
As for specific events, they are as follows:
April 5th — Cherry Blossom Challenge Bike Race
These races will run from 7AM-1PM, and will be held at Essex County Branch Brook Park, Northern Division Oval, Heller Parkway in Newark. The races are free for the public to watch, while race participants must register.
April 6th — Cherry Blossom 10K Run
This run is from 10AM-12PM, and will start at the Cherry Blossom Center at Branch Brook Park in Newark. All run finishers will receive a Cherry Blossom Run medal, and a part of each registration fee will be donated to the Special Olympics of New Jersey. You can sign up here.
April 12th — Essex County One-Mile Fun Run
This event is from 10AM-11AM, and is catered to young students. As the prequel to the Essex County Family Day, the run will go through Branch Brook Park. It is free of charge, and all paperwork and permission slips can be found here.
April 12th — Essex County Family Day
Family day will run from 11AM-3PM at Essex County Branch Brook Park, Concert Grove, Southern Division, Park Street Entrance in Newark. Visitors can explore using paddle boats, construct a craft, get their face painted, grab food from one of many vendors, jump in a bouncy house, and climb a rock wall at this free-of-charge event. Main stage entertainment will take place at 11:30AM and 1:30PM.
April 13th — Bloomfest
The final event of the 2025 festival will be held at Essex County Branch Brook Park, Oval, Northern Division, Newark + Prudential Concert Grove, Clifton Avenue Entrance in Newark from 11AM-5PM. This free family day includes multiple events like Japanese cultural demonstrations, children's activities, live music, a crafter's marketplace, food, and more. The full schedule of happenings can be found here.
See More: A Trip to Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit
Wednesdays + Saturdays in April — Cherry Blossom Talks
The Cherry Blossom Talks will take place on Wednesdays and Saturdays in April, and are 30-minute discussions with one of Branch Brook Park’s knowledgeable archivists. Topics include the history of the Branch Brook Park trees, the types of trees that have been used, how the trees have been incorporated into the landscape, and some exploration behind their meaning. These events will be held at the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center, Extension Division.
Keep up with Essex County Parks and the 2025 Cherry Blossom Festival online, on Facebook, and the Bloomwatch Webcam to see live footage of the trees from Branch Brook Park.
To stay up to date on the latest Montclair + Northern New Jersey news, follow @themontclairgirl on Instagram and TikTok, sign up for our newsletter that shares the top stories in your inbox here, and check out our events calendar.
