10 Events To Kick-Start Summer

Looking for street festivals, soccer matches or Stewie the Duck? You’ll find all that and more this weekend in Bergen.

School’s out, the sun’s shining and the first official weekend of summer is calling your name! If you’re looking for ways to keep the whole crew smiling (and off their screens), our county has you covered.

To help you decide which adventure to choose, there’s a slew of comedy shows taking place in and around the area, or you can check out some of the fun, no-stress ideas for the whole fam below. Let the weekend vibes begin!

June 21

• Start the day off with a hearty breakfast and a donation to the local community at Rutherford Fire Department’s annual breakfast. Stop by the fire house on Ames Avenue from 8 a.m. to noon for a serving or two of pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns and more. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for kids age 8 and under.
• For an early family matinee, take the crew to Fort Lee’s Barrymore Film Center for a 10 a.m. screening of the classic animated flick Toy Story. Relive the comedic adventure of Buzz, Woody and friends on the big screen. Purchase tickets online or at the Barrymore box office.
• Head to Demarest Farms in Hillsdale for Stewie the Duck’s Family Fun Day. The event benefits the Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation and will include barbecue, hayrides, games, a petting zoo, music and more. The fun takes place from noon to 5 p.m. Purchase tickets and find out more at the Demarest Farms website.
• Celebrate summer at the Boots & BBQ Festival, happening from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Bergen Equestrian Center in Leonia. Paid admission to the event will include barbecue and ice cream trucks, music, line dancing, face painting and more. Pony rides also will be available. All proceeds from the event will benefit A Stable Life, which supports equine therapy programs.
• All eyes will be on MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford as the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 returns for another exciting tournament match. Fluminense FC and Ulsan HD will go head-to-head in this contest. The parking lot will open at 2 p.m. for the 6 p.m. game. Get your tickets at the MetLife Stadium website.
• Singer, songwriter, composer and podcast host Ben Folds visits Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood for an 8 p.m. performance. Watch and listen to great music as the former frontman of band Ben Folds Five continues his “Ben Folds & A Piano Tour.” Purchase your tickets online.

June 22

• The Fair Lawn Street Fair & Craft Show will be filled with crafts, food, vendors, live music, kids’ activities and everything else a family needs for a day of fun. Head to Fair Lawn Avenue and Plaza Road starting at 11 a.m. for the festivities.
• For a little forest magic, take the young ones to the Thielke Arboretum in Glen Rock for Fairies & Fireflies. From 1 to 3 p.m., attendees ages 3 to 7 years can build a fairy house that will be installed in Evelyn’s Magic Garden at the arboretum. Stick around for the firefly celebration, open to all ages, from 8 to 9 p.m. Registration is required.
• Join the City of Hackensack for its annual Juneteenth Festival, scheduled from 1 to 6 p.m. at Carver Park. In addition to inspiring speeches and presentations, the program also will include a pickleball tournament, a fashion show, a live DJ and performances, giveaways and more. The event is free and open to all.
• The longest days of the year are ideal for early evening hikes, and the Tenafly Nature Center is hosting a fun one. Join a TNC expert for the Summer Solstice Campfire & Night Hike, starting at 7 p.m., for a walk through the woods followed by a campfire and s’mores. Remember to dress for the weather! Register now on the TNC website.

Do you have plans to celebrate the first weekend of summer? Tag us in all your fun photos @bergenmagnj.