Free Concerts & Events in Essex County, NJ

Pride Choir Montclair's one-night-only Halloween cabaret transforms the Union Cong Assembly Room into a dark, moody cabaret hall tonight at 7 PM. Expect campy numbers, costumes, and a whole lot of heart: a fun, welcoming grown-up kickoff to Halloween weekend right in Upper Montclair.

A closing-weekend festival screening at the Bellevue on Sunday night at 7 PM, one of the last chances to catch a feature before the Montclair Film Festival wraps for the year. A lovely way to spend a festival Sunday in downtown Montclair, and easy to pair with an early dinner on Bloomfield Avenue.

A Halloween cocktail pop-up has taken over Cowan's Public in Nutley, just a few minutes from Montclair: a haunted-mansion-meets-creepy-woods makeover, themed drinks, and horror movie marathons, running through November 1. A fun grown-up date night idea any night this month, and hours follow the host bar's schedule.

The East Coast premiere of Tommy Jamerson's Halloween-themed horror musical plays its final weekend at the Burgdorff Center in Maplewood, Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 PM. A campy, theatrical Halloween treat and a great date-night alternative to the usual haunted attractions.

The library's big annual Fall Book Sale is on now through Saturday, October 24, with donated books, DVDs, CDs, and audiobooks sorted and sold at friendly prices. Proceeds support library programming and summer reading, and it is a beloved Montclair tradition for browsers and bargain hunters alike.

Latinos of Montclair presents a free, family-friendly storytime at the HUB on Saturday from noon to 4 PM, in partnership with the National Museum of the American Latino. Bilingual storytelling, crafts, and community fun in a warm, welcoming space just steps from the Montclair Public Library.

The Bloomfield school community hosts a Trunk or Treat in the Franklin School lot from 6 to 8 PM on Friday: decorated trunks, costumes, and candy in a safe, family-friendly setup. A great warm-up for Halloween weekend.

The Montclair Book Center turns its legendary shelves into the 4th annual Haunted Funhouse this weekend, themed "Childhood Nightmares," with a spooky walk through the stacks and all the bookish charm downtown Montclair is known for. Runs three nights, Friday through Sunday from 7:30 to 11:30 PM, with partners including White Rabbit Black Heart, DollyMoo, and Montclair Film. A fun add-on to a festival evening, with tickets at the door or online.

The Living Tombstone brings its electronic rock show to the Wellmont on Friday night at 8 PM with Mystery Skulls and Dom Palombi. A fun, high-energy Friday for everyone who likes their pop with a synth edge.

Montclair's long-running neighborhood music room on Park Street hosts The Benjamins on Friday night, a relaxed, low-key way to hear live music downtown after a festival screening. Call ahead or check Just Jake's socials to confirm the set time, and go early if you want a good seat.

The Montclair Film Festival honors Ava DuVernay with its Documentary Filmmaker Award on Friday, with a screening of her documentary 14th as the Documentary Centerpiece at the MKA Upper School at 7:30 PM. A standout night for documentary lovers.

The weekly Saturday market at the Walnut Street train station brings 40+ vendors of produce, baked goods, flowers, and prepared foods. Late October means late-season apples, squash, and all the best fall produce, and it is a quick drive from West Orange and Bloomfield.

Bloomfield's Halloween-themed 5K starts and ends at 23 Skiddoo Cafe on Saturday morning, with a Kids Dash for the little runners. Costumes encouraged, and the whole start line is usually in full spooky spirit. Proceeds support the Friends of Watsessing Park Conservancy and Bloomfield High School cross country and track.

The second Strut Your Mutt of the season takes over the Brookdale Dog Park on Saturday morning, with registration at 9 AM and the costume parade at 9:30 AM. Dress up your dog and join the cutest parade on the county parks calendar, right in our own backyard. Free and open to everyone.

Essex County's second dog parade of the day steps off at Grover Cleveland Park at 1:30 PM, right in the heart of Montclair. Bring leashes, costumes, and a camera: this one usually draws a big, happy crowd of neighborhood pups, and it is free to join.

The Montclair Police Department and the Montclair Police Foundation host a Trunk or Treat in the rear parking lot of police headquarters at 647 Bloomfield Avenue, from 1 PM on Saturday. A safe, community-focused afternoon of costumes and candy, and a nice chance to say hi to officers in a fun setting.

The Montclair Flea's October edition fills Lackawanna Station's big room with vintage, curiosities, oddities, and handmade finds, Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM. Fully indoors, so it is rain or shine, and a perfect warm stop between trunk-or-treats.

A free community art event on Church Street Saturday from noon to 2 PM, led by NJPAC Artist-in-Residence Javelin Manansala. Hands-on artmaking in the open air, right outside the Montclair Art Museum, and a lovely way to slow down in the middle of a very full Saturday.

One of the festival's most star-packed evenings: a screening of The Debut on Saturday at 7:30 PM at the MKA Upper School, with Jesse Eisenberg, Paul Giamatti, Julianne Moore, and Stephen Colbert in conversation. Tickets go through the festival's official site and tend to move fast.

Edward Burns' latest screens at the Bellevue on Saturday night at 7:30 PM with Burns on hand for a post-film Q&A. A hometown-friendly festival pick for anyone who loves Burns' New Jersey-set storytelling, and a great alternative if the bigger centerpiece screenings sell out.

Montclair's Black-owned brewery on Walnut Street keeps its free live music going on Saturday at 7:30 PM with Clementine's Basement. A friendly, low-key way to hear local bands over a pint after a day of Halloween fun.

The Oakeside Cultural Center hosts a community-carved pumpkin patch and contest on Saturday evening, with the whole display glowing across the grounds once the sun goes down. A warm, low-key way to cap off a busy Halloween Saturday in Bloomfield.

AJ McLean brings his solo show to the Wellmont on Saturday night at 8 PM, a fun, crowd-pleasing set at one of Northern New Jersey's favorite theaters. A great grown-up night out after a day of trunk-or-treats.

The South Orange-Maplewood Adult School's annual Halloween dance party returns to the Baird Center on Saturday at 7:30 PM, with live music from The Brand New Steadys, a costume contest, and a fundraising twist. A spirited grown-up night out in South Orange, and a great cap to a very full Saturday.

Maplewood and South Orange families gather at Spiotta Park for a free Halloween morning with games, crafts, and treats for little ones. A relaxed, kid-centered event that is easy to pair with the Maplewood farmers market later in the day.

Bloomfield's Skyline neighborhood hosts a free Trunk or Treat on Sunday afternoon at 498 Watchung Avenue, no registration needed, just costumes and candy in a friendly community lot. A lovely, low-stress way to squeeze in one more Halloween celebration before the big week.

The festival's second weekend and closing stretch are here, with 70+ features and shorts still to catch at the Clairidge, the Bellevue, the Wellmont, and other venues around town. Friday, Oct 23 brings the Documentary Filmmaker Award honoring Ava DuVernay, and Sunday, Oct 25 closes with Tony Gilroy's Behemoth! as the closing night film, with a second The Only Living Pickpocket in New York screening at the Bellevue at 7 PM. It is the rare week when Montclair feels like a tiny film capital, and it is worth catching at least one screening.

The Musical Box, the celebrated Genesis tribute, plays the Wellmont on Sunday. A polished, theatrical show for anyone who grew up on classic prog, and a lovely way to end a very full week.

The 17th season of the Nutley Farmers Market closes with a finale along Booth Drive from 9 AM to 2 PM on Sunday. Farmers markets always have the best energy on the last day of the season, so this one is worth making a special stop.

The only true pumpkin patch with a corn maze actually in Essex County, about 15–20 minutes from Bloomfield, West Orange, and Montclair. Pumpkin picking, a hayride, a family-sized corn maze, and a play area run daily through October 31, with extended weekend hours. A classic, low-stress fall outing for all ages.

I share weekend picks, event highlights, and local happenings regularly on Instagram. It's the fastest way to know what's going on this weekend – I'm usually at these events myself.

For the most up-to-date listings, check the official township event calendars for Bloomfield, Montclair, and West Orange – plus The Montclair Girl for curated roundups.

If you are new to the area, attending town events is the single best way to get a feel for a neighborhood. Browse my neighborhood guides for Bloomfield, Montclair, West Orange, and more to learn what each town offers.

Whether you are thinking about buying, selling, or just curious about life in Essex County, I'm here to help. No pressure, just honest guidance. Send me a message or give me a call.