The Weekender: Holiday Events in Essex County

This weekend marks the first full holiday season weekend, post-Thanksgiving, in North Jersey.

Whether you plan on heading to the mall, shopping locally or shopping online, there are plenty of other ways to keep you busy this weekend.

Here's just a few:

Rummage Sale

Today, Noon
Bethany Lutheran Church
262 Joralemon St, Belleville
FREE

Featuring New and used clothing for men, women, teens, children and infants. Includes winter coats for the entire family as well as household appliances, arts & crafts, tools and accessories and many more.

Friends of the Verona Public Library Annual Book Sale
Tonight, 7 p.m.
Verona Public Library
17 Gould St., Verona

All proceeds benefit the Verona Library. Friday night is preview night for "Friends" members only - new members can join at the sale. $1 for hardcovers, 25 cents for paperpacks and childrens books. DVDs and CDs also available. Sale continues on Saturday (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Sunday (2 p.m. to 4 p.m.), Monday (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.), and Tuesday (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).  Tuesday is a Bag Sale - Fill a bag that we provide for $1. Also on Tuesday, all teachers can take books for free from noon to 4 p.m.

Holiday Drop & Shop Nights

Friday, Nov. 30, 6 p.m.
Bloomfield Civic Center
84 Broad St.
$10

Your child can enjoy an evening of fun watching a movie, playing games, making arts & crafts while you go shopping. Children in grades K-6 are welcome to stay for a night of fun. Pizza will also be provided for both nights and pre-registration is required during regular business hours. 

Photography Classes with Rob Cruz at Newark School of the Arts

Tonight, 5:30 p.m.
89 Lincoln Park, Newark
$30

The digital photography course for adults focuses on the fundamental elements of digital photography from how to use a SLR camera and/or point-and-shoot to increase understanding and personal enjoyment.  The 17-week semester includes creating photo-essays, understanding of the narrative structure in a story using photos of a single item, and recognizing the elements of photographic composition that help convey a  compelling photographic story.

CGHS Irish Club Toy Drive

Today, All day
Cedar Grove High School
90 Rugby Road, Cedar Grove
FREE

Donate new or slightly used toys for less fortunate children at St.Barnabas's Pediatric Burn Center in Livingston and Babyland Shelter in Newark. Collecting ends Dec. 20. Drop off is at Cedar Grove High School, the Middle School, South End, and North End. 

The Holiday Craft Workshop

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair
67 Church St
Montclair
FREE

The annual Holiday Craft Workshop is a “just for fun” event for the families of younger kids will be held at The Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Soup and other goodies are provided. The cost is Adults $4.00, Children $6.00.  

Trinity Academy's Second Annual 5K Reindeer Run/Walk

Saturday, Dec. 1, 9:30 a.m.
235 Bloomfield Ave.
Caldwell
$5

This will be a New Jersey Track and Field sanctioned 5K run/walk as well as a Santa Sprint for children ages 4-7. Goody bags and prizes will be awarded.  In addition to the race, families can enjoy fun winter festival activities, including holiday shopping from local vendors, tasty treats, rides and activities for the kids, and photos with Santa. 

Verona Fair in the Square

Saturday, Dec. 1, Noon
Verona Civic Center
600 Bloomfield Ave.
FREE

Fair in the Square has become a tradition in Verona, and coordinators are organizing participation from many organizations to perform, create crafts, play games, sell holiday ornaments and transport Santa for the holiday tree lighting at 4:30 p.m.

'Comedy Night' at Temple Sholom of West Essex

Saturday, Dec. 1, 5 p.m.
760 Pompton Ave.
Cedar Grove
$50

Temple Sholom of West Essex presents 'Thou Shalt Laugh" with Taylor Mason and his puppet brigade. A master of ventriloquism, comedy and music will headline our first TSWE Comedy Night. Taylor provides clean comedy for his audience with a little help from his hand held friends, like Paco, the pig. The evening begins at 5 p.m. with a fun dinner, beer provided by the NJ Beer Company, wine, goodies and more. Taylor Mason takes the stage after dinner. The show is suitable for ages 21 and over. 

THE Nutcracker, West Caldwell Ballet Arts

Saturday, Dec. 1, 6 p.m.
Verona High School
151 Fairview Ave.
$15

West Caldwell Ballet Arts, a brand new Ballet and Performing Arts school, located at the Presbyterian Church of Caldwell (West Caldwell Branch), announces their first annual production of The Nutcracker. Under the direction of Julie Granger, Austin Jarred, and Tanner Schwartz, forty students from West Caldwell Ballet Arts, comprised of beginner to pre-professional level dancers from six local towns will perform in this classic ballet tradition that is sure to be the perfect holiday experience for the whole family! This production features a special performance by Julie Granger (former dancer with the Jeune Ballet de Paris) as the Sugar Plum Fairy, and Tanner Schwartz (formerly with the Boston Ballet and Joffrey Ballet) as the Cavalier.

Holiday Festival

Saturday, Dec. 1, 9 a.m.
Cedar Hill Healthcare Center
110 Grove Ave.
FREE

Features an array of crafts, jewlery, clothing, food and items for your holiday decorating and gift-giving.

Holidays at Kip's Castle

Saturday, Dec. 1, Noon
Kip's Castle Park
22 Crestmont Road

Visit Kip’s Castle during the month of December for a self-guided tour of the first floor and experience the holidays circa 1928.

Belleville High School Monthly Flea Market and Collectibles

Sunday, Dec. 2, 9 a.m.
Belleville High School
100 Passaic Ave.
FREE

The event includes over 50 exhibitors displaying an array of quality merchandise such as jewelry, sports collectibles, handbags, clothing, crafts, watches, gloves and scarves, socks, one-of-a-kind items, antiques and collectibles, garage/tag sale items and much more, all at bargain prices. After-holiday specials and sales are offered.