12 Events For An Unforgettable Weekend

Music, laughs, festivals and more—the best of the summer is right here in Bergen.

We’ve been avoiding looking at the calendar all week. The start of August means that the end of summer is quickly approaching, and we don’t want to give it up yet.

All the better reason to relish these days while they’re here! We have a whole month of seasonal pleasures to enjoy, and this weekend is no different. Whether you’re looking to get the kids out of the house, laugh with your crew, get some steps in or challenge yourself, Bergen County can accommodate. Check out some of these options:

Aug. 7

• Start your weekend off right with Wyckoff YMCA’s Bands on the Sand series, which continues at 7 p.m. Come see Side Hustle, which bills itself as “NJ’s ultimate ’90s experience” and is sure to deliver high-energy, nostalgia and fun.
• At Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, check out a performance from UB40, featuring Ali Campbell. This band has sold over 70 million records worldwide and is known for its blending of reggae rhythms and pop sensibility. The music starts at 8 p.m. See website for tickets.
• Prolific funnyman TK Kirkland comes to the Bananas Comedy Club in East Rutherford for two shows this Friday, one at 7 p.m. and one at 9:15 p.m. Known for his sharp wit and his free-flowing performance style, he’s shared the stage with the likes of Outkast, Ludacris, Jay-Z and more. Pick up tickets online.

Aug. 8–9

• See some of nature’s living gems at the Tenafly Nature Center, which is holding Butterfly Feedings all weekend. Kids will have the opportunity to feed these beautiful insects nectar and take home a seed ball filled with native flowers to plant themselves. Times vary, and registration is required.
• Head over to Demarest Farms in Hillsdale for the New Jersey Wine Festival. In addition to great wine from all over the state, you can also take in live music and a market filled with fresh baked goods, prepared foods, salads, a deli and local produce. Though wine tastings are 21+, all ages are welcome. The fun starts at noon; see website for tickets.

Aug. 8

• Head over to the State Line Lookout in Closter for the Interstate 17 Run, one of the most challenging and rewarding of its kind in the region. This 17-mile trail run will take you across 5,000 feet of elevation change with views of stunning cliffs, streams and the Hudson River. The race starts at 8 a.m. Make sure you register beforehand!
• Start your day off right at Bergen Town Center in Paramus, which is hosting a free Yoga & Flow session. Ease anxiety, melt stress and unwind on the fifth level of parking garage (or the fourth level, if the weather is bad). Bring your own yoga mat and meet at 9 p.m.
• At Fort Lee’s Ross Dock Picnic Area, you can take part in Classic Lawn Games! Test your skills in Kan Jam, ladder ball, ring toss and more. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. The fun starts at 10:30 a.m.
• For great coffee and fantastic music, stop by the Williams Center in Rutherford for Brews ‘N Tunes. Local musicians will show off their best sets while you sip your favorite coffee beverage and enjoy. The music starts at noon, and this event is free.
• Craving a screening of a classic flick? Fort Lee’s Barrymore Film Center has you covered. Stop by at 4 p.m. and catch Taxi Driver, one of Martin Scorsese’s masterpieces, on the big screen. This film is rated R and not recommended for children.

Aug. 9

• Take the kids and see Dog Man: The Musical at American Dream in East Rutherford. In this hilarious and heartwarming stage adaptation of Dav Pilkey’s beloved bestselling book series, characters leap onto the stage for a show filled with laughs, tunes and heroics. The show starts at 4:30 p.m. Pick up tickets online.
• Close out the weekend with some jazz when Rosemary Loar stops by the Mahwah Library. Accompanied by pianist Frank Ponzio, you’ll enjoy inventive takes on classics and hidden gems from samba, swing, jazz, waltz and Broadway. The music starts at 2 p.m. Register online.

How are you spending this weekend? Make sure to tag us on Instagram @bergenmanj in all your best moments!