The summer fun continues all over North Jersey with free outdoor concerts and movies, butterfly gardens, food trucks and more.
Get up close to butterflies (and learn a thing or two about them) at the Tenafly Nature Center, Garret Mountain in Woodland Park or the Essex County Environmental Center in Roseland. Take a boat tour of the Passaic River from Newark. Check out a 19th century style baseball game in Hawthorne. Enjoy a block party in Millburn. And, get your fill of fish at Seafood Fest at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
How about some movies under the stars for these beautiful summer evenings? We’ve got “Moana 2” in Paramus, “Remember the Titans” in Fort Lee, “Despicable Me 4” in West Milford, “Mufasa: The Lion King” in Newton and “Wicked” in Green.
The summer of free concerts in our North Jersey parks continues with Toy Cannon in Closter, Gina Gunn in Maywood; a James Brown & Sammy Davis Jr. tribute in Hackensack; the Kings Road Band in Rockaway; classic rock in Hasbrouck Heights, Edgewater, Ramsey and Millburn; Latin music in Ridgefield Park; party rock and pop in Ridgewood and Pompton Lakes; polka in Passaic; a Billy Joel tribute in Hawthorne; country in Oak Ridge; R&B and soul in Bloomfield and Chester; and a little bit of everything in Haworth. If you want your music indoors, BergenPAC has a Prince tribute and the High Kings are in Newton.
See below for the details and the weather forecast. Enjoy your weekend!
Bamboo sharks looking for food for Shark Week at SEA LIFE New Jersey
SEA LIFE New Jersey Curator Rich Weddle shows how animal enrichment helps white spotted bamboo sharks during the Week of Sharks, July 22, 2025.
Weather forecast for July 24-27
According to the National Weather Service:
Thursday: Sunny and breezy with a high in the low 90s. Mostly clear at night with a low in the mid-70s.
Friday: Sunny with a high in the mid-90s and a slight chance of evening showers. Otherwise, mostly cloudy at night with a low in the mid-70s.
Saturday: Partly sunny with a high in the low 90s and a chance of afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms. Otherwise mostly cloudy at night with a low in the mid-70s.
Sunday: Party sunny with a chance of showers and thunderstorms and a high in the mid-80s. Partly cloudy at night, with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms and a low in the low 70s.
Past Masters concert in Hasbrouck Heights
The Hasbrouck Heights Summer Concert Series continues at Woodland Park with classic rock by New Jersey’s Past Masters on July 24. There will be food vendors available and a bounce house for the kids. The Past Masters are Steve Avillo (vocals/guitar/harmonica), hailing from North Bergen; Russell Guarcello (guitar/vocals); Mike Lisa (drums/vocals), born and raised in Hoboken; Robert “Miles” Standish (bass/vocals); and Wally Zelinsky (keyboards/vocals).
Go: The Past Masters at Woodland Park in Hasbrouck Heights. 6 to 8 p.m. July 24. hasbrouck-heightsnj.org, tpmrocks.net
Music in the park – David Cedeño in Ridgefield Park
Part of the Movies and Music in the Park Summer Series presented by County Executive James Tedesco III, the Board of County Commissioners, and the County Parks Department, this free concert on July 24 at the Overpeck County Park Amphitheater will feature David Cedeño and his Orchestra, playing Latin salsa, Latin jazz, merengue, ballads, waltz and songs from the ’50s in a Latin salsa beat with English words. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.
Go: David Cedeño at Overpeck County Park, 199 Challenger Road, Ridgefield Park. 7 p.m. July 24. Free. bergencountynj.gov
Too Many Godz concert in Edgewater
The Edgewater Summer Concert Series continues on the Great Lawn at Veteran’s Field with New Jersey’s Too Many Godz performing songs from the gods of rock and roll on July 24.
Go: Too Many Godz at Veteran’s Field in Edgewater. 7 p.m. July 24. edgewaternj.org youtube.com/@TOOMANYGODZNJ
Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra in Passaic
Eighteen-time Grammy winner Jimmy Sturr will bring traditional and modern polka to Third Ward Memorial Park as part of the Summer Concerts in the Park series.
Go: Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra at Third Ward Memorial Park in Passaic. 7 p.m. July 24. Rain date is July 28. jimmysturr.com, cityofpassaic.com
Georgia 5 performance in Pompton Lakes
This Rockland County-based ’80s party band will play the hits from the first decade of MTV on the Pompton Lakes Library lawn as part of the Business Improvement District Summer Concerts series on July 24. Bring a chair or blanket.
Go: Georgia 5 at the Pompton Lakes Library, 333 Wanaque Ave. 7 to 9 p.m. July 24. Rain date is Aug. 7. youtube.com, pomptonlakes-nj.gov
Soul Machine performs in Chester
This New York City party band performs soul, funk and R&B tunes, and will bring its front-line choreography, horns and groovin’ rhythm section to the Memorial Field Gazebo on July 24.
Go: Soul Machine at the Municipal Field Gazebo, 155 Main St., Chester. 7 p.m. July 24. chesterrecreationnj.org.
The High Kings at Newton Theatre
The High Kings’ Step It Out World Tour − a celebration of music and dance, with hits and harmonies and the spirit of Irish tradition – comes to Newton on July 24. In 2023, the band’s reimagined version of “Step It Out Mary,” as well as “Chasing Rainbows (Badscandal Remix)” and its eighth studio album, “The Road Not Taken,” garnered millions of streams.
Go: The High Kings at Newton Theatre, 234 Spring St. 8 p.m. July 24; doors at 7. $49 to $59, additional fees may apply. skypac.org
Free outdoor movie in Fort Lee – ‘Remember the Titans’
The 2025 Summer Concert & Movie Series at the Jack Alter Fort Lee Community Center continues with “Remember the Titans” (2000; PG; 113 minutes) on July 24. Bring a chair or blanket for seating.
Go: “Remember the Titans” at the Jack Alter Fort Lee Community Center, 1355 Inwood Terrace. 8:30 p.m. July 24. Free. fortleenj.org
Outdoor movie night in West Milford – ‘Despicable Me 4’
Bring the family to a free screening “Despicable Me 4” (2024; PG; 94 minutes) under the stars on July 24 at Camp Hope. Bring blankets, chairs and snacks.
Go: “Despicable Me 4” at Camp Hope, 1792 Union Valley Road, West Milford. 8:30 p.m. July 24. Free, but registration is requested at passaiccountyrec.org.
Butterfly feeding at Tenafly Nature Center
Families with children ages 4 and up will have the opportunity to spend time in TNC’s Butterfly House on July 25, July 26 and July 27, enjoying up-close opportunities with the winged jewels in a small group setting. After feeding the butterflies, spend time creating your own seed ball to help pollinators near you. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Go: Butterfly feeding at the Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave. 1:30 to 2 and 2:30 to 3 p.m. July 25, July 26 and July 27. $25 for member families of up to six people; $8 for single non-members. tncnj.org
Whiskey Crossing performs in Oak Ridge
The free summer gazebo concert season, sponsored by the Jefferson Arts Committee, continues on July 25 with country band Whiskey Crossing playing originals and covers from the ’90s to today. Bring a chair or blanket, some snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. Refreshments and snacks will also be for sale.
Go: Whiskey Crossing at the Municipal Complex gazebo, 1033 Weldon Road, Oak Ridge. 6:30 p.m. July 25. Free. 201-230-8879, 973-697-3828. The concert will move to the Jefferson Township High School auditorium, 1010 Weldon Road, in the event of inclement weather. facebook.com/JeffersonArtsCommittee, whiskeycrossing.com
Tribute to James Brown & Sammy Davis Jr. in Hackensack
The Sounds of Summer Concert Series, presented by Hackensack Performing Arts Center, continues at Atlantic Street Park with Soul & Swing Night featuring Lloyd Diamond’s tribute to James Brown & Sammy Davis Jr. Bring your friends, family, and a blanket or chair to relax and enjoy the free show.
Go: Lloyd Diamond at Atlantic Street Park, outside the Hackensack Performing Arts Center, 102 State St. 7 p.m. July 25. Free. hacpac.org.
Lost in Place concert in Netcong
Part of the Netcong Recreation Summer Concert Series, Lost in Place will bring its classic rock from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and ’90s to Direnzo Park on July 25. The band applies attention to musical detail and three- and four-part harmonies with songs by Badfinger, Santana, the Beatles, the Stones, Cream, the Doors, Pink Floyd, Tommy James, David Bowie, Prince, Golden Earring, CSN&Y, CCR, Stevie Wonder, Genesis, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Joe Walsh, James Brown, the Doobie Brothers, Eric Clapton, The Knack, Edgar Winter, Queen, Foreigner, the Eagles, Edwin Starr, Talking Heads, Average White Band and more.
Go: Lost in Place at Direnzo Park in Netcong. 7 to 9 p.m. July 25. Visit netcong.org/ravealert for alerts and cancellation information. lostinplace.com
Free outdoor movie in Newton – ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’
This family-friendly movie (2024; PG; 118 minutes) will be shown on an LED screen at Sussex County Community College’s Connor Green on July 25. Bring lawn chairs and a picnic. Alcohol and pets are prohibited.
Go: “Mufasa: The Lion King” at Sussex County Community College in Newton. 7 p.m. July 25 (rain date is July 26); gates open at 6:30. Free. newtontownhall.com
Toy Cannon performs in Closter
The Steven Potterton Memorial Concert Series concludes on July 25 with Toy Cannon at the Lions Bandshell in Memorial Park. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the concert under the stars. Hailing from Linden, the band – bass player Bobby August, guitarist Mark Christopher, singer Jorge Canan and drummer Michael Aldi – came up in the late ’80s in the shadows of bands like Trixter, Skid Row and Bon Jovi.
Go: Toy Cannon at Memorial Park in Closter. 7:30 p.m. July 25. eonianrecords.com/toy-cannon, closterboro.com
Men of Soul: An Evening of Motown in Bloomfield
Part of the SummerMusic Concert Series sponsored by Rose Squared Productions, this group will bring soul and rhythm and blues music with choreography and harmonies to Essex County Brookdale Park on July 25. They specialize in Motown (Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Marvin Gaye), Philly soul (Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Teddy Pendergrass, the O’Jays), ’80s soul (Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson, Frankie Beverly & Maze), ’90s R&B (New Edition, Babyface and Brian McKnight), blue-eyed soul (Hall and Oates, Michael McDonald and the Doobie Brothers), and the Minneapolis sound (Prince, the Time).
Go: Men of Soul at Brookdale Park, Watchung Avenue/Bloomfield Avenue in Bloomfield. 7:30 p.m. July 25. Free. 973‑268-3500 ext. 6231. essexcountynj.org
Classic Albums Live: ‘Purple Rain’ at BergenPAC in Englewood
Creating Prince’s best-selling studio release – which earned 13-time platinum status in the U.S – live, note for note, cut for cut, with no gimmicks, Classic Albums Live will bring this performance to Bergen Performing Arts Center on July 25.
Go: Classic Albums Live at Bergen PAC, 30 N. Van Brunt St, Englewood. 8 p.m. July 25. $39 to $59. 201-227-1030, bergenpac.org.
Movie in the park – ‘Moana 2’ in Paramus
Part of the Movies and Music in the Park Summer Series presented by County Executive James Tedesco III, the Board of County Commissioners, and the County Parks Department, enjoy a free outdoor screening of “Moana 2” (2024; PG; 100 minutes) on July 25 at Van Saun County Park. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.
Go: “Moana 2” at Van Saun County Park, 216 Forest Ave., Paramus. Showtime is at sunset, approximately 8:30 p.m. July 25. Free. bergencountynj.gov
Gina Gunn and the Bullets perform in Maywood
Influenced by the blues and soul of John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy, Freddie King, Muddy Waters, Koko Taylor, Ruth Brown and Janis Joplin, this New England band will perform at the Twin Door Tavern on July 25.
Go: Gina Gunn and the Bullets at the Maywood Inn’s Twin Door Tavern, 122 W. Pleasant Ave. 9 p.m. to midnight July 25. twindoortavern.com, ginagunn.com
Butterfly Day in Woodland Park
Enjoy butterfly garden tours, butterfly and caterpillar displays, and arts and crafts at Garret Mountain Reservation on July 26. Visit informational tables to learn about native plants, butterflies and gardening from the Friends of Garret Mountain and the Clifton Garden Club.
Go: Butterfly Day at Garret Mountain Reservation, 8 Mountain Ave., Woodland Park. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 26. Free, but registration is requested at passaiccountyrec.org.
Passaic River boat tour
Boat tours of the Passaic River with the nonprofit Hackensack Riverkeeper will be offered on July 26 at 10 a.m. and noon, and July 27 at noon and 2 p.m., leaving from Newark Riverfront Park.
Go: Passaic River boat tour from Newark Riverfront Park, 727 Raymond Blvd. 10 a.m. and noon July 26; and noon and 2 p.m. July 27. $7.18. newarkcityparks.org
Butterfly gardening workshop in Roseland
Families can learn about butterfly gardening in the hands-on workshop on July 26, part of the Butterfly Tent Safari at the Essex County Environmental Center. Create seed balls with native host and nectar plants to support New Jersey butterflies in their own neighborhoods. Or just visit the butterfly tent, open July 24, July 25 and July 26 without attending the workshop.
Go: Butterfly gardening workshop at Essex County Environmental Center, 621-B Eagle Rock Ave., Roseland. 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. July 26. $15. Advance registration is required. 973-228-8776, tbutler@parks.essexcountynj.org. The butterfly tent is open noon to 3 p.m. July 24 and July 25, and 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. July 26 for $8. essexcountyparks.org
19th century baseball game in Hawthorne
Celebrate Passaic County’s Baseball History Month with a double-header featuring the Brooklyn Atlantics. Experience the game as it was played in the 1800s, when players didn’t wear gloves and the rules of baseball were still evolving into the modern game we know today. Bring your chairs, your love of history and your team spirit.
Go: 19th century baseball game at Goffle Brook Park, 675 Goffle Road, Hawthorne. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 26. Free. seepassaiccounty.org
Upper Millburn Avenue Block Party and Big Romance performance
On the afternoon of July 26, a portion of Millburn Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic for this family-friendly, beach-themed block party. The event will include bounce houses, velcro axe throwing, circus performers, a beer garden, free carnival games, business open houses, shopping, live music, food vendors, cornhole, yard games and more. Although there will be seating, attendees are encouraged to bring lawn/beach chairs.
Then, in the evening, New Jersey’s Big Romance will play classic tunes with vocal harmonies at Town Hall Plaza. The group features Diane Tso (vocals, mandolin, keyboards), Stan Tso (vocals, guitar, bass), Eric Thoroman (vocals, bass, keyboards) and Shu M. Lee (percussion), and their repertoire includes songs by the Beach Boys, Joni Mitchell, Eagles, the Grateful Dead, the Beatles and more.
Go: UMA Block Party on Millburn Avenue, between Baltusrol Way and Short Hills Avenue, in Millburn; 1 to 4 p.m. July 26 Big Romance at Town Hall Plaza, 375 Millburn Ave., Millburn; 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. July 26. exploremillburnshorthills.org.
Meadowlands Racetrack Seafood Fest in East Rutherford
This annual event will take place July 26, with live racing featuring eliminations for the Hambletonian & Hambletonian Oaks. Enjoy seafood from area food trucks and restaurants. Plus, the Backyard Grill and Bar will feature a shrimp cocktail and more. Some food options include lobster rolls, fried clams, fried fish, grilled shrimp, shrimp tacos, crab fries and more. Food trucks on site will include Eat My Balls, the Mozzarella God, Cousins Maine Lobster, Kimchi Smoke BBQ, Clydes Italian Ice, Latin Bites, Wild Bills Soda, Btch’N Bacon, Gimmie Hibachi, These Freakin Empanadas, Carnival Concessions, Angry Archies, Cat Like Reflexes, Uncle Bob’s Kettle Corn, Star of the Sea Seafood, the Original Delicious Lola Josefa’s, Shugar Shack Soulfood, Vagabond Kitchen & Tap House, Rods Fish N Chips, Antijitos de mi Tierra, the Hen & The Hog, Jersey Johnny’s House of Dogs, Chef J’s Latin Dragon, Lots of Meat BBQ and the Best in Zest.
Go: Seafood Fest at Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford. 5 to 11 p.m. July 26. Free admission. playmeadowlands.com
A Midsummer Night’s Jam in Haworth
Join friends and neighbors for an evening of musical performances including classical, cultural, Broadway and rock by Haworth musicians on July 26 at Memorial Field.
Go: A Midsummer Night’s Jam at Memorial Field in Haworth. 6 to 10 p.m. July 26 (rain date is Aug. 2). $5 suggested admission. haworthnj.org
Jamm performs in Ridgewood
Blending rock and roll, alternative, pop, ’90s, ’80s and ’00s upbeat music to get you up and dancing, Jamm will perform on July 26 as part of the Live Music in the Park at Van Neste Square.
Go: Jamm at Van Neste Square in Ridgewood. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. July 26, weather permitting. ridgewoodnj.net, facebook.com
Free movie in the park in Green – ‘Wicked’
Go: “Wicked” at EverGreen Park in Green. 8:30 p.m. July 26. Free. greentwp.com
Kings Road Band performs at Rockaway Gazebo
The Rockaway Gazebo 2025 Summer Concert Series continues July 27 with Kings Road Band. The Madison-based band plays a blend of alternative/light/acoustic rock with harmony vocals and melodic instrumentation.
Go: Kings Road Band at the Rockaway Gazebo, Mt. Hope Road, Rockaway Township. 3 to 5 p.m. July 27. In case of rain, the concert will be held at Rockaway Townsquare Mall, lower level. The Recreation hotline, 973-983-2853, will be updated when there is a change. rockawaytownship.org, facebook.com
The Mighty Spectrum Band in Ramsey
This rock and roll band with a horn section has a repertoire of hundreds of songs by the likes of Chicago, The Doors, Bruce Springsteen, The J. Geils Band, Elvis Presley, Van Morrison, The Allman Brothers, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding and Joe Cocker, among others. They will perform an afternoon show at the Shannon Rose on July 27.
Go: The Mighty Spectrum Band at the Shannon Rose, 1200 State Route 17, Ramsey. 3 to 6 p.m. July 27. theshannonrose.com, mike-fox-l6p6.squarespace.com
Billy Joel tribute in Hawthorne
Hawthorne’s own Christian Macchio returns with Captain Jack as part of the Summer of Fun 10th Anniversary Concert Series at the Boro Bandshell. Bring a chair or blanket for seating.
Macchio has been singing and playing piano since the age of 8. After college, he spent a decade in Los Angeles as an actor and joined Captain Jack in 2011 after heading back east. The band also features Sal DiMarco (drums, percussion), who has recorded with John Styles, Ronnie Day and Steven Blackman; Sal Locascio (guitars, vocals), a composer, arranger and producer who is also a professor of music theory and sound recording lab technician at Nassau Community College; Adam Seely (saxophones, keyboards, vocals), a composer with a degree in music from Hofstra University, who also plays with Chicago tribute band Beginnings; and Will Shelley (bass, vocals), a professional musician for more than 20 years.
Go: Captain Jack at the Boro Bandshell, upper lawn area of the Municipal Pool grounds in Hawthorne. 7 p.m. July 27; gates open at 6. hawthornenj.org, captainjacktributeband.com
Have an event coming up? Tell us about it. Write to Daniel Galioto at galiotod@northjersey.com.