Events in Union today

Part of the UCPAC Summer Arts Camp Series, Kaleidoscope Kids Visual Arts Week invites children ages 7 to 12 to explore painting, drawing, and printmaking in a welcoming, beginner-friendly setting. Each day highlights a different influential artist, including Vincent van Gogh, Keith Haring, Frida Kahlo, and Andy Warhol, so students can experiment with new techniques while developing their own creative voice. The camp is delivered in person with hands-on, experiential learning. The week concludes with an art show where families and friends can celebrate the students’ creations, along with a pizza party and showcase. Tuition is $135 per child for the week, with discounts available for multiple weeks.

Little ones and their grownups can share a lively dance and movement experience created for early childhood. Sessions blend sing-alongs, simple activities that build fine motor coordination, and plenty of dancing sized for both adults and children. Suitable for ages 0 to 5, and no sign-up is needed.

Planning for this year’s golf outing is underway. Winter is building momentum, and the event is shaping up to be larger and more meaningful. Golfers can begin forming foursomes, and sponsorship opportunities are available.

General-knowledge trivia takes over Cloverleaf Tavern each week during the Summer Trivia League, with questions spanning film, music, sports, television, history, pop culture, and more. Every night is a complete game of five quick rounds in a classroom-style format led by Trivia, AD. Teams can drop in for a single night or opt into the league scoreboard for ongoing competition. Points add up across the season, and each team’s two lowest results are tossed out, which keeps things competitive while making it easier to miss a week. Standings are refreshed weekly, with prizes awarded along the way and a $250 Cloverleaf Tavern gift card waiting for the overall top team at the finish. To reserve a table, one captain should purchase tickets for the entire team under a single team name.

At il Vecchio Cafe, a flight night features pasta, lasagna, and gnocchi. Build a trio by choosing three pastas or lasagnas for $25, or choose a gnocchi flight with four flavors for $30. Bottled Calandra Family wines are available at 50 percent off, with exclusions, and this offer cannot be combined with other discounts or promotions. Reservations are recommended.

Downtown Cranford hosts live music as part of an ongoing series that showcases area bands, and this event features the Richard Baratta Trio. The series is supported by Garlic Rose Bistro, HomeGotOwned, Sheet Metal Workers Local 22, Martin Jewelers, NJPAC, and Neim Dani from State Farm. If weather affects plans, check Downtown Cranford social media for updates.

A functional medicine roundtable and Q&A centers on gut health while exploring many related areas. The session begins with a brief talk and continues with an easygoing discussion covering the connection between the gut and the brain, food sensitivities, autoimmune conditions, osteoporosis, vitamins, understanding lab results, IBS, and other health concerns. Cheryl Schmid of The Well Chat, an AFMC Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner and licensed speech language pathologist, facilitates the conversation and emphasizes a whole-person approach through a functional medicine lens. This gathering is held in the local history room on the second floor of Westfield Memorial Library.

A Minecraft Movie screens as part of Movies in the Park at Carteret Park. Plan for an evening start, with the exact kickoff dependent on daylight and permitting. Scheduling and film availability can shift due to licensing and distribution, and if weather forces a cancellation, a new date may be arranged.

A Farmers Market takes place within the Newark Strong Lobby at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children's Hospital of New Jersey.

A five-night cruise with AWG focused on building bonds, sailing to Bermuda to experience turquoise waters, pink sand beaches, and its island setting.

The Dominican Republic community comes together for an annual flag raising ceremony.

Sweet Sounds Downtown returns for the season with live music and dancing that bring a lively spirit to the heart of downtown. It is an inviting backdrop for outdoor meals, a bit of shopping, or a relaxed stroll, with performances popping up in key spots. Quimby Street becomes a hub of movement and community fun all summer, and Foundation Park also hosts performances. Programming takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with Tuesday shows on Quimby Street and at Foundation Park, and Thursday shows on Quimby Street. If rain affects a Tuesday, the schedule shifts to Wednesday. If rain affects a Thursday, that performance is canceled with no rain date.

Live performances by local bands take place at Eastman Plaza, and this edition features MPack. Sponsors include Garlic Rose Bistro, HomeGotOwned, Sheet Metal Workers Local 22, Martin Jewelers, NJPAC, and Neim Dani from State Farm. For updates in case of inclement weather, please check Downtown Cranford social media.

The Mayor’s Summer Concert Series presents Niko Moon with a free outdoor performance just outside UCPAC’s Main Stage, hosted by Mayor Raymond A. Giacobbe and the Rahway City Council. Known for blending Nashville country with Atlanta hip hop, Moon previously performed with Sir Rosevelt and co-wrote hits for Zac Brown Band, Rascal Flatts, and Dierks Bentley. His solo debut, “Good Time,” topped the country charts and earned triple Platinum certification. Attendees may bring a chair and arrive early for the best view. A beer garden will be open at Rahway Arts Park, and the Café will offer water, soda, cocktails, and snacks for purchase. If weather becomes an issue, the concert will move inside UCPAC’s Main Stage. Visitors to the UCPAC box office during any Mayor’s Summer Concert Series show can receive 20% off upcoming UCPAC performances, available in person only.

NJ/NY Gotham FC meets the Kansas City Current at Sports Illustrated Stadium, formerly Red Bull Arena, in Harrison, New Jersey. This NWSL clash brings together two standout teams with distinct styles, top-level talent, and a lively stadium vibe. With late-season urgency in play, the outcome could influence the league standings.

At Colonia Dairy Maid, this ice cream event offers a chance to enjoy a frozen treat while spending time with Great Danes. Ambassador dogs will be present, meeting new people and showing their affectionate personalities. Families are welcome to visit and meet the dogs.

If rain or bad weather occurs, the concerts will be moved to the community center instead.

YESTERcades Anime Nights return for 2026 in partnership with Anime NYC, and the Westfield stop features cosplay, arcade play, and prizes. Cosplay is encouraged, with a contest and giveaways that include pairs of four-day passes to Anime NYC. This series spans Red Bank, Somerville, Metuchen, and Westfield, providing multiple opportunities to take part and compete for those passes.

Kickstart a fitness routine with a beginner-friendly community workout at Colosseum Gym. House of Fitness leads the class with Coach Rueben and Coach Darlene, and DJ Mook provides the music. Participants are encouraged to bring hand weights and plenty of energy. The session welcomes all experience levels.

Celebrate Julia Child’s birthday in a cooking class for adults and couples led by Chef Daniel Rosati. The menu is subject to change and may include Julia’s White Bean Dip, Dijon and Herb Crusted Chicken Thighs, French Lentil Salad, Crispy Potatoes Persillade, and Chocolate Mousse with Raspberries. Tickets are $135 per person, and each purchase admits one adult. All sales are final with no refunds.

Jivestock brings a lively mix of blues, funk, and country-inspired boogie to Rahway Arts Park.

Petflix is a free, pet-friendly outdoor movie night at the Hamilton Street Parking Lot. Browse pet vendors and enjoy bites from food trucks, then settle in for a digital screening of The Secret Life of Pets as evening falls. Bring a chair and your pet. This event is presented by UCPAC in partnership with Mayor Raymond A. Giacobbe, the City of Rahway, and the Rahway Special Improvement District. All are welcome.

Prudential Center hosts a high-octane showcase of massive trucks, jaw-dropping stunts, and side-by-side racing that keeps spectators close to the action. Top drivers battle on a dirt track, combining daring maneuvers with blistering speed in tight head-to-head contests. Fan favorites including Grave digger, El Toro Loco, and Sparkle Smash are part of the lineup, with more popular trucks in the mix. Built to entertain fans of every age, this live motorsports spectacle delivers big air, roaring engines, and nonstop thrills that define Monster Jam.

That's What She Sang makes a first visit to Ringside Pub with a breezy summer vibe and a laid-back atmosphere suited to relaxing with friends.

Screenings are planned to begin at a set time, though the actual start may shift depending on daylight and permitting conditions. The film lineup and dates can change due to licensing and distribution requirements. If inclement weather leads to a cancellation, a rescheduled screening may be arranged.