New Jersey had a ton of headlines to read through in 2024. Drones were visiting, actors and actresses turned cities and suburbs into movie sets, and even astronomical events happened. Here are some of the wildest stories we covered around New Jersey in 2024.
The Solar Eclipse
People around Northern New Jersey donned special sunglasses and stared straight into the sun for the Solar Eclipse on April 8th, 2024. The Moon passed between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow on Earth that either fully or partially blocks the Sun’s light, according to NASA. In some parts of the country, it was like nighttime briefly in the afternoon. In New Jersey, it just looked like a big shadow. Giving people an excuse to take a long lunch also brought us some great memes.
Read More: New Businesses Coming to Montclair + Essex County in 2025
East Coast Earthquake
Photo Credit: U.S. Geological Survey
An earthquake sent shockwaves throughout Northern New Jersey in April 2024. A 4.8 magnitude earthquake sent tremors throughout the state and the shaking was even captured on some Ring cameras. Aftershocks came in the following days, something people on the West Coast may be used to, but not Jersey residents. NJ Transit had several delays and Newark Airport limited how many planes could land and depart while officials ensured there wasn’t major infrastructure damage. The best news: no injuries were reported.
New Jersey Goes Hollywood
Dozens of celebrities were seen around New Jersey shooting movies throughout 2024. Timothee Chalamet turned into Bob Dylan while shooting the biopic A Complete Unknown in Cape May, Hoboken, and Jersey City. Blake Lively turned Hoboken into Boston for the Colleen Hoover book adaptation It Ends With Us. Jeremy Allen White has been turning back the clock in Asbury Park, Bayonne, and Montclair while shooting Deliver Me From Nowhere, a biopic about Bruce Springsteen. A movie starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson was spotted shooting in Montclair, including at Tierney’s Tavern, in December 2024.
The Drones
It seems like all of New Jersey is looking up lately due to the many drone sightings across the state. As of December 2024, we still don’t know where or why they are hovering over the Garden State. Now the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued several updates prohibiting the use of drones in parts of northern New Jersey, including Elizabeth, Camden, and Jersey City along with Evesham and Bedminster through mid-January.
Sonic Boom
Residents all over New Jersey reported hearing an extremely loud bang in July of 2024. NASA reported it may have been a meteor. The fireball was seen over New York City moving 34,000 miles per hour. It reportedly passed over the Statue of Liberty before it disintegrated 29 miles above Manhattan. Residents from Montclair to The Shore reported seeing and hearing a loud noise.
2024 Paris Olympics
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Over 20 athletes from New Jersey helped bring home Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals from the 2024 Paris Olympics this summer. From the track to several different courts to the pool, these Jersey athletes gave it their all to help bring home some of the 40 Gold Medals for Team USA.
NJ Transit Headaches
Each month brought a new story about NJ Transit in our slice of New Jersey. There were delays and cancellations all winter and summer. Fare hikes took effect over the summer bumping up bus and train tickets. The clouded windows commuters would try to see out of are being replaced. To cap it off, the CEO of NJ Transit announced his resignation in December of 2024.
The Northern Lights
Photo Credit: Jordan + Joelle Hernandez
The magic of an Aurora Borealis visited New Jersey in October 2024. While the Northern Lights are commonly seen in Scandinavian countries, for a brief moment this fall it could be seen over parts of New Jersey. Mostly with the help of a camera lens, hues of purple and pink and a touch of green glowed in the sky. The phenomenon is caused by geomagnetic activity or geomagnetic storms, and could also be seen in different parts of the Northeast.
The Boss’s Homecoming
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band headlined the music festival Sea. Hear. Now. in Asbury Park in September of 2024. The New Jersey native played some of his classics and a few deep cuts while reminiscing on his start down the shore. Tens of thousands of festival-goers took over the beach to hear classics like Thunder Road and Born To Run. The concert and a special interview about Bruce’s New Jersey background were also featured in Bruce Springsteen: Backstage and Backstreets, an interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos.
Martha Stewart Shouts Out New Jersey
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The cultural icon Martha Stewart reflected on growing up in New Jersey in the Netflix documentary, Martha, released in November 2024. Her family emigrated from Poland to Jersey City, where Martha spent the first few years of her life. Then they made the switch from city living to the suburbs where she spent most of her childhood in Nutley. When she left for college, she never moved back to New Jersey, but did visit her childhood home while shooting a Food Network show in 2018.
See More: MOJO Coffee Opening Jersey City Location
Plenty more headlines are sure to come in 2025. 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.
Things to Do Between December 26-January 1 in Montclair + Northern NJ
We're on a break and it's the in-between of the holidays — but don't worry, there is still SO much to do locally over the next few days and we're sharing our full events calendar for easy browsing. Below is the linked list of Montclair and Northern New Jersey events happening from December 26th, 2024 through January 1st, 2025. Don’t forget — you can also submit your events to our community guide HERE (we approve pending events daily).
Disclaimer: This is a community resource. Submit events HERE and view the full calendar HERE.
The Montclair Girl is not affiliated with hosting unless explicitly stated.
Usually, we put out a weekly events guide showcasing 100+(!!) events happening throughout the current week in Montclair, Essex County, and greater New Jersey. This week, we're changing things up a bit and linking our full events calendar so you can peruse all of the local events happening at your convenience while we're away until 1/6.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR EVENTS CALENDAR
Don't forget — you can submit your own event at any time to our calendar HERE.
See below for a few other fun things to keep you occupied while we're away.
Best of Montclair 2024 Winners Announced
We asked, you voted + nominated. The winners for our Best of Montclair 2024 Guide are here! With over 75+ categories, see the restaurants, shops, hair salons, and other local businesses Montclair + Essex County locals favored this year.
Hanukkah Events + Treats in New Jersey for 2024
Skating, Bumper Cars, Private Igloos: Inside the Newark Winter Village Holiday Pop-Up
CASA for Children of Essex County | 212 Washington Street #912, Newark
CASA for Children of Essex County specializes in serving children placed in foster care. CASA aka “Court Appointed Special Advocates” helps children find safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible. CASA’s values are rooted in believing that children in foster care deserve equal opportunities to thrive. Learn more here.
Kids in Cleats | Montclair
While this organization houses its roots here in New Jersey, its effects are felt globally. Over 46% of children living in the African country of Cameroon live below the poverty line, living with HIV/AIDS, and/ or experiencing malnutrition. Kids in Cleats was created by Julio Tasse, a native of Cameroon who was able to overcome the odds of success through the sport of soccer. He now uses his talents and love for the sport as a vehicle to help children rise out of the current situation. Proper soccer fields, community centers, and coaching staff are provided to help break the cycle of poverty. Support is needed locally and internationally. Learn more here.
Mental Health Association of Essex + Morris | 33 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair
Mental health is often highly stigmatized in society and the media. The Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris is working to reverse this stigma 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.
Have an event you’d like to include? Submit it to our events calendar here. You can also email advertising@themontclairgirl.
To stay in the know with all the Montclair and Northern New Jersey happenings, follow @themontclairgirl on Instagram and TikTok, and sign up for our weekly newsletter that shares the top stories to your inbox here.
Have a great weekend, xo
