Happy weekend, and happy May! If you’re looking for some things to do around town that the whole family can enjoy, we’ve got you covered. Check out these activities for some weekend family fun!
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace at The Clairidge
486 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Various times throughout the weekend
Celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Phantom Menace by catching it on the big screen!
Watchung Park & Plaza Mapmaking Workshop
Judy Weston Garden @ Watchung ParkÂ
Saturday at 10 a.m.
Cost: Free
Families are invited to join illustrator Elly Otharsson in discovering a familiar Watchung Park and Plaza area and charting a favorite path. Participants will learn the basics of illustrated map making, explore the Watchung Park and Plaza area, and create their own unique maps and icons under Elly’s guidance. No special artistic training is needed—just a curiosity about connecting to your surroundings.
Free Comic Book Day at East Side Mags
491 Bloomfield Avenue, Suite 102, Montclair
Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Stop in for free comics. There will also be food available for purchase, giveaways for kids, artist visits, and more.
Indigenous Stories featuring Amelia Martinez at Montclair Public Library
50 S. Fullerton Avenue, Montclair
Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Amelia Martinez, a member of the New York Ramapo-Munsee Indian Tribe, will read from a few Indigenous-authored children’s books. This weekend family fun event is presented in conjunction with Succeed2gether’s Montclair Literary Festival.
Disability Pride Art-Making Day at Montclair Art Museum
3 South Mountain Avenue, Montclair
Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Drop in to create your own hand-made signs, banners, puppets, or wearable art to celebrate disability pride and civil rights. All materials will be provided. This program is free and open to all ages and abilities.
Star Wars Liturgy & Celebration at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
73 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair
Saturday at 2 p.m.
Attention all Star Wars enthusiasts! You are invited to join our first-ever May 4th event to celebrate the Force and all things Star Wars. This exciting event will feature live music, a brief liturgy, food, and a cosplay contest. Participants are encouraged to dress up as their favorite Star Wars characters, and don’t forget to bring your lightsabers! Scruffy-looking Nerf herders are welcome to attend.
Myth & Magic at First Congregational Church
40 S. Fullerton Avenue, Montclair
Saturday at 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The cost is $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, $10 for students (12+), and free for children 12 and under.
Montclair Early Music will present a music concert featuring the Montclair Early Music instrumental and vocal ensembles, combining music from your favorite fantasy worlds and the real-life eras that inspired them.
Play Group at Glen Ridge Public Library
240 Ridgewood Avenue, Glen Ridge
Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
This drop-in playgroup encourages socialization among children up to 4 years old. The library will provide age-appropriate toys and books to play with while here. No registration is required. Open to everyone. Â
LEGO Theme Cooking Class at Chef It Up
512 Franklin Avenue, Nutley
Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Cost: $40
Calling all LEGO fans! On the menu will be LEGO-shaped pizza, LEGO blog sugar cookies, and LEGO Man-dipped marshmallow pops.
Read with Tetley! at Bloomfield Public Library
90 Broad Street, Bloomfield
Saturday from 11 a.m. to noon
Tetley is a certified therapy dog who loves listening when kids read to her. Stop by the library to meet Tetley and read her a story. All children and reading levels are welcome.
Caturday Storytime – Drop In at Glen Ridge Public Library
240 Ridgewood Avenue, Glen Ridge
Saturday from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Purrfect for a Saturday afternoon! Snuggle in for some feline stories. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
Lunch with Bluey Skate at Branch Brook Park Roller Skating Center
7th Avenue and Clifton Avenue, Newark
Saturday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: $19
Enjoy this all-ages skate with Bluey. Admission includes a skate rental, a slice of pizza, and a small drink.
Pokemon Meetup at Bloomfield Public Library
90 Broad Street, Bloomfield
Saturday from 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
This is a Pokemon meetup for grades 7-12. Bring your cards or games and catch ‘em all!
May Family Sundays at Newark Museum of Art
49 Washington Street, Newark
Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Free with general admission tickets.
Each Sunday, enjoy fun activities for the whole family! These include Family Drop-In: Caterpillar to Butterfly.
Sensory Sunday Studio at Montclair Art Museum
3 South Mountain Avenue, Montclair
Sunday at noon
Cost: Free for members and with admission
On the first Sunday of every month, the museum offers a special hour of Sunday Studio designed for families with members on the autism spectrum or who have other sensory sensitivities. This program is a great fit for people who learn best in smaller groups in a controlled environment with extra support.
Sunday Studio at Montclair Art Museum
3 South Mountain Avenue, Montclair
Sunday at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m.
Cost: Free for members and with admission
The museum hosts a fun family art-making activity each week. Explore materials, learn new techniques, and meet other community members while enjoying creative time with your family. This program is for families with children ages 5-12, but all are welcome.
Author Visit with Cat Min at Watchung Booksellers
44 Fairfield Street, Montclair
Sunday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Cat Min, author of The Shadow and the Ghost, will visit Watchung Booksellers’ Kids’ Room.
Panto’s Beauty & the Beast at SOPAC
1 SOPAC Way, South Orange
Sunday at 1 p.m.
Cost: $23 for adults, $18 for children
The beautiful Belle finds herself in a spell-bound castle held captive by a beast…does she fall in love with the Beast before the last petal falls from the enchanted rose? Or will the Beast’s selfishness cost him the world he once knew and the hand of the girl that has melted his heart?