We rounded up the best things to do in Bergen County and beyond on our weekend PLAYlist!
Events Not To Miss:
Why: Come out for music under the stars.
When: Wednesday July 10-Saturday July 13, 6-10 pm, $12 for 15 tickets
Where: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Delafield & Court Avenues, Lyndhurst
What: Children’s Sail
Why: Ages 4-12 learn get hands-on sailing experience and an intro to Hudson River sea creatures.
When: Thursday July 11, 10 am-1 pm, 2-5 pm, Friday July 12, 1-4 pm, adult/child pair/$83
Where: Departs from the Alpine Boat Basin, Alpine Approach Rd., Alpine
What: BBQ Night
Why: A night of bbq and live music on the farm.
When: Thursday July 11, 5:30-8:30 pm
Where: Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Rd., Hillsdale
What: City Place Sidewalk Sale
Why: Indulge in retail therapy plus live entertainment, kids activities, raffles and more
When: Friday July 12-Saturday July 13, 12-5 pm
Where: City Place, 225 River Road at Gorge Road, Edgewater
Why: BYO blanket for a movie under the stars.
When: Friday July 12, 8:30-11:30 pm
Where: Van Saun County Park, 216 Forest Ave., Paramus
Why: Visit with the princess, and enjoy open play and balloons.
When: Friday July 12, 3:30-5:30 pm, $28
Where: The Big Playhouse, 312 Kinderkamack Rd., Westwood
Why: A weekly series that brings art and science together while exploring the animal kingdom.
When: Saturdays starting July 13-August 31, 11 am-12 pm, $10
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus
What: Potato Digging
Why: Get a taste of life on the farm digging up potatoes to cook up.
When: Saturdays July 13 and July 20, 9 am-3 pm, $1.50 per pound
Where: Abmas Farm, 700 Lawlins Rd., Wyckoff
Why: Go back to 19th century b-ball and tour the grounds.
When: Saturday July 13, 11 am-2 pm, kids/$5, adults/$10
Where: Historic New Bridge Landing, 1201 Main Street, River Edge
Why: July peaches and nectarines ripe for picking, plus fun farm activities.
When: Weekends through Saturday August 31, while supplies last, 10 am-3 pm
Where: Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Rd., Hillsdale
What: Super Stars of Science
Why: Dino and other experts make a special guest appereance.
When: Saturdays through August 3, 10 am-6 pm, $15.75-$19.75
Where: Field Station: Dinosaurs, 40 Fort Lee Rd., Leonia
What: Nick Kroll Live
Why: The actor and comedien brings the lols to his standup show.
When: Sunday July 14, 8 pm, $39-$49
Where: Bergen PAC, 30 North Van Brunt St., Englewood
Why: Nature activities and stories in the great outdoors.
When: Mondays in July, 4-5 pm
Where: Teaneck Creek Conservancy, Fycke Lane, Teaneck
Why: Entertaining this summer made easy with a FREE weekly kid flick.
When: Tuesdays and Wednesdays through August 21, 10 am
Where: Warner Theater, 190 East Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood
What: Butterfly House
Why: Try to catch one on your finger or watch a butterfly emerge from a cocoon.
When: Wednesdays-Sundays through Labor Day,11 am-3 pm, $5
Where: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly
If you’re heading out of Bergen:
What: Twilight Farm Festival
Why: Have a picnic on the farm and enjoy live music, games and activities.
When: Thursdays starting July 11-August 29, 6-8 pm
Where: City Green, 171 Grove Street, Clifton
Why: Bring your babe to a new Rockland Stroller Strides class for bonding, fitness and fun.
When: Thursday July 11, 9-10 am
Where: Palisades Center, 1000 Palisades Center Dr., West Nyack
Why: Get an up-close look at the penguins.
When: Thursday July 11, 6 pm and 7 pm, $40
Where: Turtle Back Zoo, 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange
What: A Day Out With Thomas
Why: Take a trip on the famous tank engine and dig for gems.
When: Friday July 12-Sunday July 14, train leaves every hour 10 am-5 pm, $21
Where: Delaware River Railroad Excursions, 100 Elizabeth St., Phillipsburg
What: Mount Carmel Feast
Why: Summer carnival fun, entertainment, fireworks and tons of delish eats!
When: Friday July 12-Tuesday July 16,6:30-11 pm
Where: 99 Broadway, Jersey City
Why: A high-flying weekend of music, hot-air balloon and helicopter rides, kids activities and more.
When: Friday July 12, 4-9:30 pm, Saturday July 13, 5 am-9:30 pm, Sunday July 14, 5 am-8 pm, $10
Where: Dutchess County Fairgrounds, 6636 U.S. 9, Rhinebeck, NY
Why: Start the weekend with farm-fresh foods, live music and fun for kids.
When: Friday July 12, 5-9 pm
Where: Donaldson Farms, 358 Allen Rd., Hackettstown
What: 2019 Firefly Festival
Why: Take a self-guided tour with activities as fireflies light up the sky.
When: Friday July 12-Saturday July 13, 7:30-10:30 pm
Where: Duke Farms, 1112 Dukes Parkway West, Hillsborough
What: City of Water Day
Why: FREE kayaking, science, music and craft activities.
When: Saturday July 13, 10 am-4 pm
Where: Seaport District, Piers 16 & 17, South Street, NYC
What: Butterfly Tent Safari
Why: Catch a butterfly on your finger and enjoy butterfly-themed activities.
When: Saturday July 13-Saturday July 27, Monday-Friday 12-3 pm, Saturdays 10:30-1:30 pm, $2
Where: Essex County Environmental Center, 621 Eagle Rock Ave., Roseland
What: Sunflower Festival
Why: Get lost in the sunflower maze and enjoy fun farm activities -- and a wine tasting or two.
When: Saturday July 13-Sunday July 14, 10 am-4 pm, kids/$19.99, adults/$8.99
Where: Alstede Farms, 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester
What: Family Campout
Why: Get down and dirty with the diggers, plus bonfires, s’mores and more all-night fun.
When: Saturday July 13-Sunday July 14, 6:30 pm-8 am, $54.95-$59.95
Where: Diggerland USA, 100 Pinedge Dr., West Berlin
Why: Join the NBA slam dunk champ and friends for kickball, dodgeball and family activities.
When: Saturday July 13, 12:30 pm, $20-$50
Where: 8 Yogi Berra Dr., Little Falls
What: Summer Book & Art Fair
Why: Book reading, plenty of kids activities, food and entertainment.
When: Saturday July 13, 1-4 pm
Where: Culinary Conference Center, 161 Newkirk St., Jersey City
Why: High energy dance performances with the Dancing Dolls of Lifetime’s hit show.
When: Saturday July 13, 8 pm, $33.75
Where: NJ PAC, 1 Center Street, Newark
What: U-Pick Sunflowers
Why: Bring your own shears to bring home a beautiful bouquet.
When: Now through Sunday July 14, 9 am-3 pm, $6 admission, $2.50 per sunflower stem
Where: Happy Day Farm, 106 Iron Ore Rd., Manalapan
Why: Jam to Grateful Dead sipping on wine, plus activities for kids.
When: Saturday July 13-Sunday July 14, 11 am, kids/$5, adults/$20
Where: Torne Valley Vineyards, Torne Valley Rd., Hillburn
What: Nyack Famous Street Fair
Why: Stroll and shop, or visit the kids zone for family fun.
When: Sunday July 14, 10 am-5 pm
Where: Main Street, Nyack
What: Live Butterfly Exhibit
Why: Spread your wings and fly over to the opening of the butterfly exhibit.
When: Now through Saturday August 3, kids/$9, adults/$11
Where: Greenburgh Nature Center, 99 Dromore Road, Scarsdale
What: Jack Horner’s Dino Dig
Why: Play paleontologist for the day, digging for fossils and learning about dinosaurs.
When: Now through Monday September 2, Dino Days of Summer event June 29-July 7.
Where: Liberty Science Center, 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City
Why: Kids rock out to a variety of entertainers, this week brings fun and music with The Bossy Frog Band.
When: Tuesdays through August 27, 11 am-noon
Where: Palisades Center, 1000 Palisades Center Dr., West Nyack
What: Zoo-Vies
Why: Free movies for animal lovers under the stars.
When: Wednesdays through August 28, 8-10 pm
Where: Turtle Back Zoo, Parking Deck, 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange
Why: Five top magicians work their jaw-dropping magic.
When: Wednesday July 17, 2 pm and 7 pm, $19-$49
Where: Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South Street, Morristown
What: Dinosaur Safari
Why: Take a ride back in time to learn about dinos, dig for fossils and enjoy more prehistoric fun.
When: Now through Sunday November 3, 10 am-5 pm, kids/$29.95, adults/$39.95
Where: Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx
Why: Nature takes shape through sculptures designed entirely with LEGOs, plus a play zone where kids create their own LEGO art.
When: Now through Monday September 2, included with purchase of combination or premium pass
Where: Liberty Science Center, 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City
Upcoming:
What: Food Truck Festival
Why: A dozen trucks, live music and pony rides.
When: Saturday July 20, 11 am-6 pm, $5
Where: The Hermitage Museum, 335 North Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus
Why: Bergen County mamas and hilarious comedians bring the lols this night of laughs.
When: Tuesday July 23, 8 pm, $29
Where: Bergen PAC, 30 North Van Brunt St., Englewood
