The weekend is here! Are you ready for some family-friendly fun? We’ve got you covered! Don’t miss all the fall festivals this month and next and check out some of these events happening in and around town.
Montclair Public Library (50 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair) will host Masks of the Americas: Workshop for Kids on Saturday with sessions at 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM. Learn about masks used in Latin American celebrations, ceremonies, and rituals. Kids will see examples from the Americas and decorate their own with paint, beads, feathers, and paper. They’ll incorporate them with favorite Latin American elements like animals, flowers, and carnival characters. Monica Chavarria leads this workshop, highlighting the importance of cultural preservation and celebrating diversity through art. From Medellin, Colombia (the city of “Eternal Spring”), Chavarria has been teaching art for 23 years and creates works expressing memories of her homeland. View her art at monicachavarriaart.com. This workshop is for children ages 6 and up. Registration is required.
Glen Ridge Public Library (240 Ridgewood Avenue, Glen Ridge) will host LEGO Day on Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Th library has the LEGOs, so all the kids need to bring is their creativity! Duplos for younger children will also be provided.
Wellmont Theater (5 Seymour Street, Montclair) will present The Wiggles: Ready, Steady, Wiggle! on Saturday with performances at 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM. With their first shows in the USA since 2019, the “Ready, Steady, Wiggle!” Tour is a high-energy celebration of music, dancing and endless fun leaving children inspired, enthralled and eager for more! Get ready to sing, dance and wiggle your way through an unforgettable musical extravaganza of beloved Wiggles hits including ‘Rock-a-Bye Your Bear’, ‘Hot Potato’ and ‘Do the Propeller’, guaranteed to have children and parents alike singing and dancing along. Audiences will be treated to an interactive and engaging experience with the new extended line up featuring Anthony, Simon, Tsehay, Lachy, Caterina, Lucia, John & Evie. It’s double The Wiggles, double the fun! The Wiggles are joined on stage by all their Wiggly friends including Dorothy the Dinosaur, Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus, and Captain Feathersword! Tickets start at $45.
Comic book-loving families should head to East Side Mags for the Montclair Zine Fest on Saturday! Meet artists and score some great zines.
Circus Vazquez will be held at Garden State Plaza (One Garden State Plaza, Paramus) now through September 25. Performances will be Friday at 7:30 PM and Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM, and 7:00 PM. The Circus Vazquez performing artists come from different parts of the world. Bringing magic and joy. The show is filled with non-stop thrills and unforgettable acts. Tickets are $30-$80.
Royal Canadian International Circus Under the Big Top will be held at American Dream Mall (1 American Dream Way, Lot 27, East Rutherford) now through September 23. Royal Canadian International Circus 2023 is about giving children and adults alike a glimpse into a traditional world where “10th generation circus families are performing for your families”, and where everyone can enjoy a truly affordable show together regardless of age. Because of the uncompromising quest for excellence, you’ll be amazed by this year’s all-new Royal Canadian International Circus 2023. Times vary by date, so check the website for details.
Fosterfields Living Historical Farm (73 Kahdena Road, Morristown) will host Sensory Friendly Saturday on Saturday from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Visit Fosterfields during our Sensory Friendly Saturdays. This event is designed to be less overwhelming to those with sensory sensitivities. This hour-long program allows families to come to the farm and enjoy the open, quiet spaces with no crowds. This activity is suitable for all ages. The cost is $5 per person, and pre-registration is required.
Macculloch Hall Historical Museum (45 Macculloch Avenue, Morristown) will host At Your Own Pace: A Sensory Friendly Tour on Saturday from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. For families and care partners with neurodiverse children and teens – experience the historic house with plenty to touch and time for questions and explore the new garden sensory pathway through sight, sound, touch, and smell. This activity is free with museum admission.
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center (247 Southern Blvd, Chatham) will host Kids in the Wild: Amazing Plants on Saturday from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Get into the woods, learn different outdoor skills, meet other like-minded kids, and build confidence. In this lesson, earn how to identify some common plants using a field guide with a focus on useful plants and those to avoid. The cost is $10 per child. This activity is suitable for children ages 8-13. Pre-registration is required.
City Green will host Open Saturday at the Learning Garden (Eastside Park, Paterson). This free activity will take place on Saturday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The theme this month is All About Apples. Children and their grown-ups can water and dig in the gardens, harvest from the gardens, and explore our favorite fruit: Apples! You’ll get to make fresh apple cider, explore the Eastside Park apple orchard, learn about the variety of apples, and take home a fun apple craft.
Reeves-Reed Arboretum (165 Hobart Avenue, Summit) will host a Free Saturday Tour at 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Free guided tours of the Arboretum take place on Saturdays at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm from May 6 through October 7. Tours begin at the Visitors Center. No reservations are required, and tours are on a first-come, first-served basis for individuals who would like to learn more about the current season’s highlights. Limit of 10 people per tour. Anyone under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. No groups. Tours last approximately 30 minutes.
Passaic County Arts Center (675 Goffle Road, Hawthorne) will present the Art in the Park Festival on Saturday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Enjoy music, vendors, public art projects, activities for children of all ages, food, demonstrations, and more. Visit the website for a schedule.
STEAM Urban will host Family Fun Saturday on Saturday from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Harriet Tubman Square (501-551 Broad Street, Newark). Enjoy a variety of activities that are perfect for the whole family. From exciting games to delicious food, there’s something for everyone! This month’s theme is Bon Appetit. This activity is free. Reserve a spot online.
Newark Museum of Art (49 Washington Street, Newark) will host Community Day: Fiesta Latina on Saturday from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. This lively event will feature an incredible lineup of Latinx performers and artmaking activities that pay tribute to Hispanic culture. Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant rhythms, captivating dances, and rich traditions of Latin America. Come join us for a day filled with music, dance, art, and community as we celebrate the diversity and contributions of the Hispanic community. This activity is free.
Mayo Performing Arts Center (100 South Street, Morristown) will present Disney Junior Live on Tour: Costume Palooza on Saturday at 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Disney Junior Live On Tour: Costume Palooza brings beloved Disney Junior characters and favorite Marvel Super Heroes live on stage for a jam-packed, concert-style show with singing, dancing, acrobatics, and more. Come join the costume party and see Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Doc McStuffins, the Puppy Dog Pals, Bo from Firebuds, Ginny from SuperKitties, and Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends LIVE on stage! Tickets are $39-$69.
Montclair Public Library (50 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair) will host Viva Vallenato! Cumbia Band – Folk Music of Colombia on Saturday at 4:30 PM. Viva Vallenato! Cumbia Band electrifies crowds with the folkloric music of Colombia. Lead singer-percussionist Hugo Lascarro Sr. hails from Barranquilla, Colombia where he performed for many years. His son Hugo Jr. sings and plays traditional handmade drums, the caja vallenata and tambora costeña. Bassist-singer Jose Borney hails from richly musical Tolima, Colombia. New Jersey native Accordionist Phil “Felipe” “Caballo” Passantino formed the band after falling in love with vallenato music, the local storytelling songs of Colombia’s Atlantic coast, sung over shimmering accordions and pulsating rhythms; and Colombian cumbia, a hypnotic courtship dance created in cultural exchange between indigenous cultures and Africans fleeing enslavement. Salvatore Carollo brings the thunder on timbales, and he will make sure you’re dancing! This program includes folkloric Cumbia dancer Joelis Lascarro to bring the dancer out in you! Registration is recommended. This all-ages event will be held outdoors.
Turtle Back Zoo (560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange) will host Turtle Back Hatchlings on Sunday from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM. Learn how to meet and greet some of our small, friendly animals up close in the classroom and learn how to touch animals gently. Your child will also enjoy sensory interactions with feathers, turtle shells, puppets, and more in a lightly structured program. All children must be accompanied by an adult who is prepared to take part in the activities. The cost is $25 per child. This activity is for children ages 12-24 months old with a caregiver.
Turtle Back Zoo (560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange) will host Turtle Back Zoo Tots on Sunday from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM. This program is designed for toddlers and adults to discover the natural world together. We will use the alphabet to explore different animals in our zoo. Each day you will discover a different animal type such as mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects. Stories, projects, and special animal visitors in the classroom enhance your class experience. All children must be accompanied by an adult who is willing to take part in the activities. The cost is $25 per child. This activity is for children ages 2 and 3 years old with a caregiver.
Frelinghuysen Arboretum (353 East Hanover Avenue, Morristown) will host Expressions of Nature Art Walk and Sale on Sunday from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Stroll through the gardens and meet local artists recreating the beautiful scenery through their art. Learn about their techniques, motivations, and styles. Artists display a variety of their works for viewing and purchase. This activity is suitable for all ages and is free.
Fosterfields Living Historical Farm (73 Kahdena Road, Morristown) will host Hitch a Ride on Sunday from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Take a wagon ride around the farm and see the sights! Learn some history of the farm and its residents from our educators. The wagon departs approximately every 15 minutes. This activity is suitable for all ages and is included with the cost of admission.
Montclair Art Museum (3 South Mountain Avenue, Montclair) will host Sunday Studio: Self-Portrait Collage with Emily Kenselaar on Sunday at 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 3:00 PM. Visit the museum each Sunday for a fun family art-making activity inspired by our current exhibitions. Explore materials, learn new techniques, and meet other community members while enjoying creative time with your family. Each week features a different project designed by MAM Teaching Artists to spark the imagination and encourage conversation in response to artworks on view in museum galleries. This program is aimed at families with children ages 5-12, but all are welcome. Inspired by the exhibition Taking Space: Contemporary Women Artists and the Politics of Scale, families will use collage techniques and explore texture and patterns to create unique self-portraits. This activity is free with museum admission.
New Jersey Botanical Garden will host Family Woodland Hike on Sunday from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Join NJBG hike leaders on an easy, child-friendly hike in the Garden’s woodlands, where you’ll learn a bit about the plants and animals around you in a hike designed to fit the group. Smaller children may need to be carried. Wear sturdy shoes. Meet at the Carriage House Visitor Center. This activity is free.
The Frelinghuysen Arboretum (353 East Hanover Avenue, Morris Twp) continues to host the Family Photo Scavenger Hunt. Held daily from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, bring your camera or phone for this month’s hunt. The theme for September is “Winding Down.” Summer is winding down, but the gardens and plants are still growing strong. Get your camera and search for signs that fall is coming while summer is still hanging on. The cost is $10 per family or group of 6 or fewer. Preregistration is required.
Reeves-Reed Arboretum (165 Hobart Avenue, Summit) brings back Discovery Weekends on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Explore the Arboretum’s gardens and grounds as autumn brings amazing changes! Drop by the Stackhouse Education Center on Saturdays and Sundays for this self-guided program for families and children 3 and older. Borrow a magnifying glass (please remember to return it once you’re done), grab an interactive activity guide, and head out to see what wonders big and small await. There may be a surprise, a clue to follow, a mystery to solve, a chance to create, and always an engaging nature activity. Each weekend is a new discovery!
Morris Museum (6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown) will host Spark!Lab on Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Spark!Lab will be closed on Sunday for the Labor Day holiday. Spark!Lab offers any child ages 5-12 (and accompanied by an adult) a new informal approach to hands-on learning. Created by the Smithsonian, Spark!Lab ignites kids’ ingenuity with fun, hands-on challenges. Instead of following instructions, kids tap into their natural creativity to tackle engineering and design challenges in Spark!Lab’s projects stations. Specially designed for our youngest inventors (Ages 1-4), Spark!Lab’s new Young Inventor Space features a train and an exploration table filled with unique tools to spark creativity and learning.
Field Station: Dinosaurs is back for another season at Overpeck Park (3 Overpeck Driveway, Leonia). The attraction is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM through November 12. Field Station: Dinosaurs is a world-class family attraction that combines cutting-edge science with the creative minds of great artists to create a one-of-a-kind experience that’s thrilling, educational, and fun. Explore scenic trails featuring over 30 moving and roaring life-size animatronic dinosaurs! Discover the story and science of Dinosaurs with live shows, games, and activities every day. Laugh with the fearless dinosaur wranglers and come face to face with The Mighty T-Rex.