14 Events To Celebrate Summer

This weekend is all about dads and the season of sun and fun.

Summer officially arrives this weekend, and Bergen County is ready to celebrate. The summer solstice brings the year’s longest day, making it the perfect time to get outside and enjoy everything the season has to offer—from festivals and concerts to nature programs, family activities and community celebrations.

Adding to the excitement, it’s also Father’s Day weekend, with plenty of opportunities for families to make memories together. Whether you’re planning an outdoor adventure with Dad, exploring a local fair or simply looking for something fun to do with the kids, our calendar below is packed with events that capture the spirit of summer’s first weekend.

June 19

• Ready to test your endurance? The Alpine Hill Climb is a 1.3-mile uphill road race that starts at the Alpine Boat Basin along the Hudson River and ends at the top of the Palisades cliffs. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. Register online!
• For an evening of laughs, check out the Fair Lawn Comedy Club at The Craftsman to see four New York City-based comedians. Funnymen Bob DiBuono, David Drake, Sandeep Sen and Ben Rosenfeld will deliver side-splitting jokes and bits all night long. Seating begins at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 7:30. Tickets are available online.
• Comedian, actor, New York Knicks fanatic and Bergen County resident Tracy Morgan returns to the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood for an 8 p.m. show. The Saturday Night Live alum has starred in 30 Rock, The Neighborhood, Crutch and, most recently, The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins. On this night, however, he’ll be performing his best stand-up bits and jokes. Tickets are available online.

June 19–20

• Rides, games, food, fun—find all of that and more at the Oakland Carnival. Bring the entire family to the Oakland Recreation Complex to enjoy the outdoor excitement. Admission is free, and rides are extra (wristbands can be purchased online or at the gate). The carnival is open from 6 to 11 p.m. on Friday and from 5 to 11 p.m. on Saturday.

June 20

• Put your fitness to the test at the Wyckoff/Franklin Lakes Triathlon. Individuals or relay squads (team up with your dad!) can enter that race, which features a 0.5-mile lake swim, a 13-mile bike race through Franklin Lakes and a 3.1-mile run that circles Franklin Lake and ends at the Indian Trail Club. Check-in starts at 6:45 a.m. Register now online, as there will be no race-day signups.
• Get ready for some outdoor shopping at the Vendor Pop Up Festival, happening from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Hermitage in Ho-Ho-Kus. More than 75 vendors will be on hand as well as gourmet food trucks, live music and more. Tickets are available at the gate.
• Treat your dad to a free Father’s Day BBQ at Abma’s Farm in Wyckoff. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., visitors can enjoy live music, hot dogs, craft beverages from Carlstadt’s Bolero Snort and great farm vibes.
• Wallington will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with a parade, picnic and evening fireworks display. The parade starts at 5 p.m. along Mt. Pleasant Avenue, followed by the picnic at Spring Street and Centennial Field. There will be live music, bounce houses, water slides, face painting and more activities leading up to the fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
• Raise a glass to all dads at Winefest, starting at 5 p.m. at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford. Tickets will give guests access to dozens of wine producers from around the globe, educational seminars, tasting and horse races. VIP tickets are also available and include exclusive tastings and a buffet dinner.
• Who doesn’t love an outdoor summer concert? The Lodi Concert Series continues at 7 p.m. when Party of Five takes the stage. The show is free, and visitors are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets—though we know you’ll be standing and dancing to the tunes all night.
• Fair Lawn kicks off its Summer Concert Series at Memorial Park with a Saturday show starring The Main Event and Big Band. The free event starts at 8 p.m., and guests should bring their own lawn chairs and blankets.
• Summer technically doesn’t begin until June 21, but no one will say anything when you attend Demarest Nature Center’s Solstice Trail Walk. Visit the Wakelee Field playground at 8 p.m. for a guided, one-hour twilight hike around the nature center.

June 21

• Start your day with Dad and nature at the Father’s Day Bird Walk, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at Franklin Lakes’ Lorrimer Sanctuary. Enjoy the relaxing morning with cool feathered friends and the special guy in your life.
• End the longest day of the year on a guided Solstice Hike through Palisades Interstate Park. Meet at 7 p.m. at the Alpine Picnic Area’s Kearney House for a moderate 5-mile hike. The excursion should take about two hours.

How are you celebrating summer and your dad this weekend? Share your photos with us on Instagram @bergenmagnj.