Events in Essex County, NJ

Bachata Heaven Social brings an evening where bachata meets salsa to Lancer’s Night Club in Newark. The night features a Salsa On 1 class and a Sensual Bachata lesson led by a Daniel & Desiree Sensual Bachata certified instructor, followed by social dancing. DJ Carliita and JdaBachata keep the floor moving with fresh salsa and bachata tracks. Admission is free, parking is available in the lot and on the street, and $12 mixed drink specials are offered.

A farmers market is held within the Newark Strong Lobby at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey.

Discover the latest Joseph Ribkoff collection at this trunk show, with 20 percent off full-price purchases, including special orders.

The Michigan melodic death metal band The Black Dahlia Murder brings its live show to the Ritz in Raleigh, appearing with Arch Enemy on a tour built around technical riffs, extreme vocals, and relentless onstage energy. Fans can look forward to staples like "What a Horrible Night to Have a Curse", "Funeral Thirst", and "Everything Went Black", presented with sharp musicianship and a high-intensity performance.

Little Big Town brings the For The Art Of It Tour to New Jersey Performing Arts Center. The Nashville-based country vocal quartet, founded in 1998, features Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet, and Jimi Westbrook. Celebrated for seamless four-part harmonies, the group is known for hits such as Girl Crush, Pontoon, and Better Man.

Bachathursdays is a bachata-only social featuring music by JDABACHATA and DJ Carliita. The evening starts with a Level 1 class followed by Level 2, then transitions into a social where you can practice the moves you picked up during the week. Entry to the social is free. Walk-in admission for each class is $15, and you can register for one or both since the lessons are connected. All experience levels are welcome, and free parking is available at Lancers Night Club.

Take a nighttime walk through Newark’s historic downtown to hear eerie tales from the city’s past while discovering the art, food, and architecture that define it today. Led by seasoned local guides, this special October outing covers roughly two miles and begins and ends at a downtown bar. Guests are encouraged to bring a flashlight and come in Halloween attire. Capacity is limited. It runs rain or shine and refunds are not available, so dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. For more than 13 years, Have You Met Newark Tours has led engaging, informative explorations of the city.

Darren Fleet brings his high-energy stand-up and digital creator flair to New Jersey Performing Arts Center. After amassing a huge following with viral social media rants and sketch work, the Virginia native has shifted from internet fame to headlining and selling out major comedy rooms across the country. His set blends sharp pop culture commentary with everyday observations and inclusive humor. Ticket access includes an artist presale, member presale, local presale, and a public onsale.

House of Fitness hosts a beginner-friendly community workout at Colosseum Gym. Enjoy guidance from Coach Rueben and Coach Darlene with music by DJ Mook. Bring hand weights and plenty of energy. The session is open to everyone.

Bink International Charity hosts a weekly bread and pastry distribution in East Orange that focuses on fighting hunger and cutting food waste. Fresh breads, pastries, cakes, and desserts are generously donated by Paris Baguette in Livingston, New Jersey, then collected by volunteers and shared with individuals and families facing homelessness, housing insecurity, and financial hardship across the community. The effort reflects a simple mission, making sure no one goes hungry while directing quality food to people rather than to waste. Distributions take place on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and on the first and third Fridays of each month. Volunteers support the work by picking up donations, sorting and packing baked goods, loading and unloading, and distributing food to community members.

The New Jersey Symphony opens a new season with two monumental works led by Xian Zhang. Pianist George Li, introduced to New Jersey audiences by Zhang a decade ago and now a familiar favorite, returns for Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, the Emperor. The program also features Schubert’s Symphony No. 9 in C major, The Great, the composer’s final symphony, which spent years tucked away and was not performed during his lifetime, noted for its broad, songful sweep.

Discover a vibrant outdoor market at Makerhoods that highlights local talent and small businesses. Vendors offer handmade goods, distinctive gifts, fresh produce, and a variety of foods, creating a relaxed setting to browse, chat, and connect with the community. Enjoy music and a friendly courtyard atmosphere that invites exploration. Admission is free, the event is family friendly, and activities take place outdoors weather permitting. Makerhoods is a live and work community that supports entrepreneurs, creatives, and small business owners, and the market reflects that collaborative spirit.

Master violinist Itzhak Perlman appears at New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Celebrated around the world for exceptional artistry, warm charm, and humanitarian contributions, he is among the rare classical musicians with true superstar stature. His performances shine with a joyful love of music, and he remains one of the most sought-after artists in his field.

Journey brings a classic rock showcase to Prudential Center in Newark, featuring soaring vocals, radiant keys, and riff-driven guitar work that keeps the energy high from start to finish. The performance leans into enduring favorites with huge choruses that invite collective singalongs, creating a shared, feel-good atmosphere for fans of the genre.

Journey performs at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.

A red carpet inspired ice spectacular hosted by Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy sets the tone for a glittering gala. Stories from Zootopia 2, Tangled, Beauty and the Beast, Toy Story, and Monsters, Inc. glide to life with Hollywood sparkle. Stitch introduces Angel for her shimmering on-ice debut, and the Disney Villains make a scene-stealing entrance that adds extra suspense. The spotlight also turns to the audience for a celebratory moment, surrounding everyone in glitz, excitement, and the signature enchantment of Disney On Ice presents Spotlight Magic. Costumes are not permitted for guests 14 years and older.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center hosts an evening of stand-up with Jon Bramnick and Vinnie Brand. Bramnick, often billed as New Jersey’s funniest lawyer, draws on his life in law and politics to deliver sharp, tightly crafted jokes with spot-on timing. He shares the stage with Vinnie Brand, the owner of the Stress Factory Comedy Club, whose bold, unfiltered style and lightning-fast wit have made him a fixture on the national comedy scene. Expect smart, relatable material, big personalities, plenty of Jersey attitude, and a steady stream of laughs from start to finish.

Mariza stands as more than a vocalist, embodying a distinctly Portuguese spirit and serving as a global champion of her culture. Renowned for evolving while remaining grounded in her origins, she offers music filled with feeling that unites tradition with the present, honoring memory while pointing toward the future. Ticketing includes a public release along with member and local presales and an official platinum option.

At the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Dante Gebel presents the farewell chapter of his world tour, building on a global run that has welcomed more than 700,000 attendees. Over a two and a half hour performance, he weaves stand-up comedy with intimate storytelling, shifting from laughter to moments of reflection. His tales explore life, community, loss, nostalgia, and the everyday experiences that spark deeper thought. The result is a candid, emotionally resonant evening that blends humor and heart in equal measure.

Sitarist Niladri Kumaar presents a heartfelt salute to his friend, mentor, and frequent collaborator, the late Zakir Hussain, at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). Their sitar and tabla partnership was captured in the 2017 documentary The Space Between the Notes, and this concert reflects that legacy with original pieces from Kumaar alongside music he created with Hussain. The performance features Satyajit Talwalkar on tabla, jazz and electronic musician Charlie Lindner on keyboards, and Dèmitrio Albano on drums. Presented as part of the TD James Moody Jazz Festival.

At New Jersey Performing Arts Center, a symphonic world tour inspired by Toby Fox's indie hit Undertale highlights the game's acclaimed music alongside its themes of compassion and choice. Set in an underground realm of monsters sealed away long ago, Undertale won over an audience approaching four million around the globe with a heartfelt story, eccentric characters, and the option to resolve encounters peacefully. This performance offers a concert tribute to the characters, narrative, and score that shaped the game's lasting appeal.

A full-scale celebration of Billy Joel’s music arrives at Caldwell University as vocalist Chris Pinnella presents The Billy Joel Songbook to benefit the Bryan J. Norton Memorial Scholarship. The concert highlights the Piano Man’s signature hits, fan-favorite live numbers, and rarely heard deep tracks in a program that honors the storytelling and spirit at the heart of Joel’s catalog. Pinnella, recognized for his powerful voice and work with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, leads an eight-piece ensemble with a vibrant horn section. The set spans iconic songs like “New York State of Mind,” “She’s Got a Way,” and “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant,” alongside dynamic takes on “Zanzibar,” “The Ballad of Billy the Kid,” and “Miami 2017.” Listeners will also hear cherished B-sides and early gems including “Los Angelenos,” “You’re My Home,” and “Everybody Loves You Now.” The band features Michael Gilch on piano, Gary Mazzaroppi on bass, Keith Droz on drums, Greg Grispart on saxophone and synth, John Martin on trumpet, Jared Morris on rhythm guitar, and Ray Suhy on lead guitar. Proceeds support the Bryan J. Norton Memorial Scholarship, a 501(c)(3) created in memory of Bryan J. Norton, a James Caldwell High School baseball and football standout who graduated from Caldwell University with honors in Sports Management in 2020. He pursued a career in the sports industry, including a role with Major League Baseball, and is remembered for kindness, an infectious smile, and steadfast loyalty to family and friends following his unexpected passing in July 2022. The scholarship advances educational opportunities for students following a similar path. The evening also features a silent gift auction and a 50/50, with a cash bar serving wine and beer on site.

A live orchestra performs the celebrated soundtrack from the indie game Undertale, bringing key moments and characters to life through music. Fans can revisit favorite memories, and newcomers can discover why this score resonates so widely, all in a concert that centers on nostalgia and memorable melodies.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark hosts Carisa Hendrix as her alter ego Lucy Darling, a high-society hostess with a fondness for cocktails. This touring variety program blends quick-witted comedy, playful advice, adept magic, and guest appearances from her friends, led by an award-winning entertainer.

At New Jersey Performing Arts Center, former King Crimson members Adrian Belew and Tony Levin unite with guitarist Steve Vai and drummer Terry Bozzio for the first time as BEAT. The performance offers a fresh take on King Crimson’s 1980s albums Discipline, Beat, and Three of a Perfect Pair, presenting this influential music in newly reimagined form with this four-artist lineup.

Gregory Porter brings his Grammy-winning artistry to New Jersey Performing Arts Center with special guest Madeleine Peyroux. Known for a warm, resonant baritone and a sound that blends jazz, soul, and gospel, he is acclaimed for interpretations of classic standards alongside contemporary material. His debut album, Water, received a Grammy nomination, and his third release, Liquid Spirit, reached number two on the jazz charts and won the Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album. He has drawn comparisons to Nat King Cole, Donny Hathaway, and Stevie Wonder.

Jesse Cook brings his virtuosic guitar to New Jersey Performing Arts Center for a concert featuring his distinctive rumba flamenco style, blending flamenco traditions with classical, jazz, and global influences. The Canadian guitarist, composer, and producer has sold more than 1.5 million records, earned a Juno Award for the album Free Fall, and surpassed a billion streams worldwide.

Matt McCusker brings The Healing Frequency Tour to New Jersey Performing Arts Center. An American actor, comedian, podcaster, and author, he is also known as The Shaman. He teams up with Shane Gillis on the popular Spotify podcast Matt and Shane Secret Podcast, and he released the standup special A Humble Offering on Netflix in 2025. Ticket access includes artist, member, and local presales, followed by a public onsale.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center welcomes the Charles Lloyd Quartet for a performance led by an artist whose influence on jazz spans generations. Charles Lloyd is an NEA Jazz Master and a Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in France. Down Beat honored him as Jazzman of the Year in 1967 and again celebrated him as Artist of the Year in 2023, underscoring both his historic impact and his ongoing creative vitality. His career took flight in the early 1960s, and the depth of his expression reflects a lifetime of experience. Rather than dwelling on the past, he continues to push ahead with clarity and purpose, bringing that forward-looking spirit to the stage with his quartet at NJPAC.

At New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), an 80th birthday celebration honors Broadway icon Ben Vereen and his remarkable career as an actor, dancer, and singer. The celebration brings together Ben and friends Shoshana Bean, Stephanie Pope, Melba Moore, and Lillias White for a special tribute.

Dorthaan's Place is a storied jazz brunch curated by Newark’s First Lady of Jazz, Dorthaan Kirk. Brunch from Nico accompanies music by trumpeter Wallace Roney Jr. and his quartet, Gangway. The group blends deep jazz lineage with exploratory improvisation, reflecting influences from Wayne Shorter, Miles Davis, and Ornette Coleman, for a dynamic, forward-leaning sound from this emerging New York ensemble.

The Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition presents a performance open to the public that spotlights emerging jazz vocalists. Participants compete for a $5,000 award and a distinctive springboard toward a career in the music industry. Positioned as a search for the world’s next great jazz singer, it is described as the only competition of its kind. Ticket access includes a general public onsale, along with member and local presale options.

Celebrate the season with a post-Thanksgiving laugh fest as Bill Bellamy, Luenell, Mark Curry, and Taccara Williams share the spotlight for an evening packed with sharp jokes and lively storytelling. The Thanksgiving Comedy Fest brings four comedians together for a single show that keeps the laughs coming. It is a fitting pick for families and friends continuing a holiday tradition or planning a night out after the feast, with comedy that leaves audiences grateful for good entertainment.

At New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Neil deGrasse Tyson makes a return to examine the science threaded through Harry Potter, The Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins, and 2001: A Space Odyssey. With wit and clear explanations, he highlights where these favorites stray from real-world science and where they line up with it, creating a lively mix of learning and laughs that can change how movies are seen. Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson is an American astrophysicist, planetary scientist, author, and science communicator, and he has led the Hayden Planetarium at the Rose Center for Earth and Space in New York City since 1996.

Detroit raised and now based in Los Angeles, stand-up comedian Ron Taylor won Season 1 of Kevin Hart's Netflix comedy competition series Funny AF. This event features him live on stage.

Get set for an R&B showcase at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) as Dru Hill delivers favorites like "Tell Me," "In My Bed," "Never Make a Promise," and "How Deep Is Your Love." Founding members SisQo, Nokio, and Jazz appear alongside former member Scola, joined by Smoke and Black from Playa. GRAMMY winner Mýa also performs, known for hits including "Case of the Ex," "Ghetto Supastar," and "Lady Marmalade." Expect a nod to her enduring collaboration "It’s All About Me" with Dru Hill, along with new energy from Retrospect, her first studio album in eight years.

Canadian Brass marks more than five decades of spreading holiday cheer with a spirited program of virtuosic brass and beloved seasonal classics. The concert offers a warm, festive atmosphere filled with joyful melodies that capture the heart of the season. A memorable celebration to make part of a holiday tradition.

At New Jersey Performing Arts Center, The Nutcracker arrives in a grand staging by the United European Ballet, presented by Classical Arts Entertainment. Tchaikovsky’s score sets the scene as young Clara receives a mysterious gift that opens the door to a dreamlike adventure with shimmering snow, a clash with the Mouse King, and a visit to the Land of Sweets. This Broadway style production features an international ensemble from across Europe, including leading soloists from Ukraine. Expect richly detailed sets, more than 200 costumes, and hand painted scenery created by Ukrainian artists, with costumes crafted by European designers to shape a festive, storybook atmosphere. Beloved moments include the Snow Scene, the Waltz of the Flowers, and the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. The performance is presented in two acts with one intermission and is family friendly, suitable for ages 3 and up.

In a serene candlelit setting at The First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell, a string trio presents a festive holiday program filled with familiar melodies and cinematic moments. The performance features It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, music from Home Alone, the Portuguese Love Theme from Love Actually, selections from The Holiday, movements from The Nutcracker, Fairytale of New York, a Christmas carol medley, All I Want for Christmas Is You, Last Christmas, and Walking in the Air from The Snowman. Presented by Lumos, known for crafting concert experiences that honor beloved artists, this event blends an intimate atmosphere with seasonal classics. Seating is first come, first served within your selected zone tier of Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze. The event welcomes guests ages eight and older. Companions or caretakers may purchase tickets to ensure seating together, and front row placement is not guaranteed. Lumos makes a monthly donation to a different charity.

At New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, Grammy nominated neo soul vocalist Musiq Soulchild brings smooth, heartfelt songs shaped by R&B, soul, jazz, and hip hop, including favorites like Love and Just Friends (Sunny). Sharing the stage, Kindred the Family Soul, the husband and wife duo of Fatin Dantzler and Aja Graydon, offer uplifting grooves that blend neo soul, R&B, and funk with spoken word inspired storytelling. Their music honors love, family, community, and Black culture, with well known tracks such as Far Away and Stars. Together, this bill highlights connection, vulnerability, and contemporary soul craftsmanship.

Handel’s Messiah will be performed by the New Jersey Symphony conducted by Kedrick Armstrong, featuring soprano Jessica Rivera, mezzo-soprano Kelley O’Connor, tenor Martin Bakari, and bass-baritone Kevin Short. The Montclair State University Singers, led by Heather J. Buchanan, perform alongside the orchestra to complete the choral and orchestral forces. The program presents Handel’s monumental oratorio with its stirring arias and choruses, including the Hallelujah Chorus, offering a festive experience for newcomers and long-time admirers alike.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze brings its touring production to New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark for a festive spectacle the whole family can enjoy. Blending a whimsical, Broadway-style musical with contemporary circus artistry, the show bursts with soaring acrobatics, gravity-defying stunts, and lavish production numbers. Celebrated by critics, including praise from Broadway World and the Boston Globe, this popular holiday tradition promises an experience filled with amazement for audiences of all ages.

Achievers are back at Ringside Pub with a free performance featuring two sets of music by the Jerry Garcia Band and the Grateful Dead. Celebrate the new year with an evening of live music.