Parisa Burton 
July is arguably the best month of summer, with Fourth of July festivities, cookouts, gardens in bloom, and peak summer weather. School is out for some, while others are taking their much-needed two weeks to relax. But if an out-of-town getaway isn’t in the cards for you, we’ve got just the fix to help you turn your extra free time into a new skill, a reunion with friends, a chance to get active, or a well-deserved self-care day. We’ve created a bucket list with 30+ things to do this July. Keep reading for a bucket list of things to do in the Montclair Area for July 2026.
Your July 2026 Bucket List in North Jersey:
- Catch a fireworks show
- Unleash your inner child at a local playground
- Volunteer with a local organization
- Plan a picnic at the park with friends
- Watch a free outdoor movie with Montclair Film
- Have a French shopping day in Montclair on in honor of Bastille Day
- Bust out your moves at Dance Haus
- Play pickleball at a local court
- Take a Pilates class
- Cool off with an ice cream cone
- Grab a pizza slice
- Get a drink at a rooftop bar
- Eat brunch with your besties at a cute spot
- Visit your local farmers market
- Attend Maplewoodstock Music and Art Festival on 7/11 + 7/12
- Shop the Montclair Flea Market on 7/25 + 7/26
- Kickstart your day at 787 Coffee
- Go second-hand shopping
- Get in a good read at an indie bookstore
- Rent a swan boat at Verona Park
- Visit the Van Vleck Historic Gardens
- Learn to sew at Newark Public Library
- See a show at one of Montclair’s many live music spots
- Bring the little ones to a public pool
- Put your adventure skills to the test with rock climbing at Gravity Vault
- Perfect your cooking skills with a class at Montclair Culinary Academy
- Create your own scent at Alchemy Scent Bar
- Enjoy a much-needed self-care day at the spa
- Get a fresh blow-out
- Buy flowers for yourself or a loved one
- Grab a matcha and do Pilates at Qumi
- Visit the Turtle Back Zoo
See More: New Jersey Summer Bucket List: 25 Must-Try Activities for 2026
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