Free events in Belleville, NJ

Browse vendors on Wednesdays, with Saturday dates also available. A full vendors' schedule is available so you can see who will be there on each day.

A farmers market takes place within the Newark Strong Lobby at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children's Hospital of New Jersey. The market is held indoors in this lobby space.

The Monster Jam Road Trip rolls into New Jersey with Megalodon Stars & Stripes on display at select Walmart locations. Get up close to the massive truck, snap photos, and see just how large it really is. Explore the newest Monster Jam toys and browse official die-cast models, RC vehicles, and playsets from Spin Master.

Enjoy a no-cost weekly running meetup in Hoboken that covers about three miles and welcomes every pace. The focus is less on speed and more on showing up, moving together, and building consistent habits. After the run, the group heads to Firm AF for Cut the Core, a Pilates-based session centered on abs and stability, which requires a separate booking. Start with the run, continue with the workout.

Set in Lincoln Park, the Rutherford farmers market brings vendors together on a recurring schedule. A complete list of vendor schedules is available online.

Enjoy a free-admission barbecue celebration at Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment, featuring BBQ from local food trucks and restaurants along with live racing. Vendors can enter a cook-off offering $2,500 in total prizes, with $500 awards for brisket, chicken, pulled pork, ribs, and a people’s choice category. Each entrant must prepare six samples for the judges, and winners will be announced during the event. Participation is open to area food trucks and restaurants, and a $100 entry fee is required. For registration or more information, email Raryan@playmeadowlands.com.

Bink International Charity coordinates a weekly effort that shares fresh breads, pastries, cakes, and other desserts donated by Paris Baguette in Livingston, NJ with individuals and families facing homelessness, housing instability, and financial hardship. The purpose is to fight hunger and cut food waste by ensuring quality food reaches people rather than being discarded. Distributions take place every Wednesday, every Saturday, every Sunday, and on the first and third Friday of each month. Each week, volunteers collect the donations, sort and pack items, handle loading and unloading, and distribute the food throughout the community so nothing goes to waste. There are opportunities to help with picking up donations, organizing and packing baked goods, assisting with deliveries, sharing food with community members, and supporting outreach to reach more people in need, whether for a single shift or on a recurring basis.

Lend a hand at Carlstadt Community Garden by tending the butterfly garden spaces while earning community service credit. Adults and high school students are welcome, and student participants will receive a letter that verifies their hours. Please bring your own gardening gloves and tools. This activity depends on the weather, and registration is required. For questions, call 201-438-8866.