We rounded up the best things to do in Bergen County and beyond on our weekend PLAYlist!
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What: Michelle Obama
Why: Snag tickets for an night of conversation with the former First Lady.
When: Sunday November 3, tickets go on sale Friday September 13, 12 pm
Where: Prudential Center, 25 Lafayette St., Newark
Why: Over 7,000 spooky and silly jack o’lanterns light up the night, plus plenty of fall fun.
When: Friday September 20-Sunday September 22, Thursday September 26-Sunday September 29, Thursday October 3-Thursday October 31, Weekends plus some Fridays in November, Tickets on sale now, kids/$22, adults/$29
Where: Van Cortlandt Manor, 525 S Riverside, Croton-on-Hudson
Events Not To Miss:
Why: Plenty of rides for everyone, plus food trucks and entertainment.
When: Friday September 13, 6 pm, Saturday September 14, 4 pm, Sunday September 15, 12:30 pm
Where: Roman Catholic Church of Saint Anne, 15-05 St. Anne St., Fair Lawn
Why: Bring the kids for a free screening of Liberty’s Kids, plus musket and cannon demos.
When: Saturday September 14, 1-4 pm
Where: Fort Lee Historic Park, Hudson Terrace, Fort Lee
What: September Workshop
Why: Ages 3-6 bake up some scarecrow cupcakes and make a fall craft.
When: Saturday September 14, 9:30-11 am, $30
Where: The Crafty Kitchen, 51 Prospect Pl., Hillsdale
Why: Visit with a raptor, check out birds and enjoy kids activities.
When: Saturday September 14, 8:30 am-3 pm
Where: New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, 2 DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst
Why: Bring an appetite for tastings from over 70 amazing restaurants.
When: Saturday September 14, 12-5 pm-Sunday September 15, 1-6 pm, $55-$180
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus
What: Hillsdale Festival
Why: A day of fun for the kids and you.
When: Saturday September 14, 12-5 pm
Where: Beechwood Park/Hillsdale Ave., Hillsdale
Why: Magic comes alive in this mind-boggling show.
When: Saturday September 14, 10 am 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus
What: Pick Your Own Pumpkins
Why: Find the perfect pumpkin and take a hay ride and enjoy a corn box and more Halloween fun.
When: Starting Saturday September 14-Sunday November 3, Weekends 9 am-4:30 pm, Weekdays 3-4:30 pm, $7
Where: Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Rd., Hillsdale
What: Apple Cider Making
Why: Get ready for fall making crisp cider.
When: Sunday September 15, 2-2:45 pm, 3:30-4:15 pm, individual/$10, family/$30
Where: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly
Why: Visit with the ice queen and enjoy open play and balloons.
When: Sunday September 15, 1-3 pm, $28
Where: The Big Playhouse, 312 Kinderkamack Rd., Westwood
What: Englewood Wellness Fest
Why: A day of fitness, wellness, demos and giveaways.
When: Sunday September 15, 1-4 pm
Where: Englewood Health Main Campus, 350 Engle St., Englewood
Why: Shop local while the kids check out the kids zone.
When: Sunday September 15, 11 am-5 pm
Where: Downtown East Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood
Why: Food, drinks and live music.
When: Sunday September 15, 12-4 pm
Where: Memorial Drive, Lodi
What: Movin’ Mama
Why: Get in your workout AND bond with your baby in this fitness class for all levels.
When: Mondays starting September 16-December 9, excepte September 30, October 14 and 21, 10:45 am-11:30 am, non-member/$15 per session or $90 for 10 sessions
Where: Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, 411 East Clinton Ave., Tenafly
What: Ladies Night
Why: Bring your mom squad for apps, deeelish ice cream and more at this BYOB GNO.
When: Tuesday September 17, 7-9 pm, $35
Where: Sprinklez, 130 Broadway, Hillsdale
What: Meet R.L. Stine and Tim Jacobus
Why: Meet the original scare author and illustrator.
When: Tuesday September 17, 7 pm, $10.65
Where: Barnes & Noble, 765 Route 17 South, Paramus
What: Mary Wilson
Why: One of the founding members of “The Supremes” signs her new book, Supreme Glamour.
When: Wednesday September 18, 7:30 pm
Where: Bookends, 211 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood
What: Rock the River Race
Why: Challenge yourself with a 5K, 6K or half marathon along the cliffs.
When: Sunday September 22, 6:30 am-2 pm, $40-$85, Registration ends September 18
Where: Ross Dock Fort Lee, Henry Hudson Dr., Fort Lee
Why: Step into the world of mommy and me classes to help you and baby bond and socialize.
When: Thursdays September 19-October 10, 9:30-10:15 am
Where: Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, 411 East Clinton Ave., Tenafly
What: Pick Your Own Apples
Why: Grab a bag for your pick of the seasons first ripe apples.
When: Now through Sunday September 29, 9 am-4:30 pm, $7 admission, bags are $12
Where: Demarest Farms, 244 Wiermus Rd., Hillsdale
If you’re heading out of Bergen:
Why: Plenty of rides for the kids plus authentic Italian eats.
When: Thursday September 12-Friday September 13, 5-11 pm, Saturday September 14, 12-11 pm, Sunday September 15, 12-10 pm
Where: German-Masonic Park, 120 Western Hwy., Tappan
What: Feast of San Gennaro
Why: Bring an empty stomach for Italian eats plus eating contests, parades and carnival rides.
When: Thursday September 12-Sunday September 29, 11:30 am-midnight
Where: Mulberry Street NYC
Why: The actress and American Idol runner-up performs.
When: Friday September 13, 8 pm, $49-$99
Where: Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South St., Morristown
Why: Take a bug safari, create butterfly crafts and visit with butterflies.
When: Saturday September 14, 12-4 pm, kids/$3, adults/$4
Where: 472 Boonton Ave., Montville
What: Water Latern Festival
Why: Design and release your own lantern, plus food trucks and music.
When: Saturday September 14, 4:30-10 pm, $40
Where: Liberty State Park, 1 Audrey Zapp Dr., Jersey City
What: Raptor Fest
Why: Get up-close with live birds of prey.
When: Saturday September 14, 12-3 pm
Where: East Meadow, Central Park, East 9th St. and 5th Ave., NYC
Why: Rides, firetrucks, bounce houses and live music.
When: Saturday September 14, 12-6 pm
Where: Nyack Memorial Park, 4 Depew Ave., Nyack
Why: Bouncing, pony rides, live music and food.
When: Saturday September 14, 10 am-4 pm
Where: Stony Point PAL, 79 Central Dr., Stony Point
What: Great Pumpkin Festival
Why: This HUGE pumpkin festival brings animals, rides, gem mining and tons more.
When: Saturday September 14-Sunday November 3, 9 am-6 pm, $15
Where: Heaven Hill Farm, 451 State Route 94, Vernon
What: Diggerfest
Why: Pumpkin decorating, axe throwing and hay rides give a fall feel to the construction theme park. Plus come early for the Touch-A-Truck Saturday only!
When: Saturday September 14-Sunday October 27, 10 am-6 pm, $29.95-$36.95. Touch-A-Truck Saturday September 14, 9 am-12 pm
Where: Diggerland USA, 100 Pinedge Dr., West Berlin
Why: Kids take the wheel at this hands-on day of trucks.
When: Sunday September 15, 10 am-2 pm
Where: JCC Rockland, 450 West Nyack Rd., West Nyack
What: Backstreet Boys
Why: Backstreet’s back alright! Performing their chart-topping new and old hits.
When: Sunday September 15, 8 pm, tickets starting at $199
Where: Prudential Center, 25 Lafayette St., Newark
Why: Run through the huge maze, go on a bug safari or try the kids scavenger hunt while the sunflowers are in bloom.
When: Now through Sunday September 15, 9 am-6 pm
Where: Liberty Farm, 101 Route 645, Sandyston
What: Circo Hermano Vazquez
Why: Aerial stunts, hilarious entertainment and magic for the whole family.
When: Now through Monday September 16, Weekdays/7:30 pm, Weekends/2 pm, 5 pm, 8 pm, $40-$60
Where: Palisades Center Parking Lot J, 1000 Palisades Center Dr., West Nyack
What: The Corn Maze Train
Why: Take a ride to explore the corn maze, play games and more.
When: Weekends through Sunday September 22, 11 am-3:30 pm, kids/$11, adults/$18
Where: Delaware River Railroad Excursions, 100 Elizabeth St., Phillipsburg
Why: Go back in time for games, rides, arts, crafts, food, music and dance.
When: Now through Sunday October 6, 10 am-7 pm, kids/$13, adults/$29.95
Where: 600 Rt. 17A, Tuxedo Park, NY
Upcoming:
Why: Rides, games, food and fun.
When: Thursday September 19-Friday September 20, 5-10 pm, Saturday September 21-Sunday September 22, 1-10 pm
Where: 55 Riverwalk, West New York
What: Bergen Street Fest
Why: Come out for community, local food trucks, kids activities and much more.
When: Saturday September 21, 12-10 pm, Sunday September 22, 12-8 pm
Where: Teaneck Armory, 1799 Teaneck Rd., Teaneck
