Not a fireworks fan? Things to do in New Jersey this weekend, July 5-7

It's the Fourth of July weekend and we've got a long list of Independence Day events for you to enjoy. But if you're not in the mood for fireworks and parades, here are nine other things to do.

Want some sports? We have Jackals baseball in Paterson, Big3 basketball in Newark, and roller derby in East Rutherford.

Local parks host summer concerts, including soul music in Rockaway. If you prefer your music indoors, there's an emo night in Rutherford.

If you want to enjoy nature this weekend, there is the Butterfly House in Tenafly and the Falling Waters hike at Pyramid Mountain.

Additionally, foodies can take a tour of South Orange's restaurants and art lovers can check out a gallery in Bogota opening the Creative Bergen Arts Amble.

Need a break? Play USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle.

See below for more details and weather information. Enjoy your weekend.

4th of July:Where to see the best fireworks in North Jersey: Check out these 7 huge fireworks displays

Weather forecast for North Jersey from July 4 to 7

According to the National Weather Service:

Independence Day: Partly sunny with highs around 30 degrees and a 30 percent chance of rain showers and possible thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Evening lows around 21 degrees
Friday: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of rain and a possible afternoon and evening thunderstorm. Highs in the mid 90s and lows in the mid 70s.
Saturday: Mostly cloudy with highs near 90 degrees and a 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the late afternoon and evening. Lows in the 70s.
Sunday: Partly sunny with highs around 90 degrees. Partly cloudy at night with lows around 70 degrees.

North Jersey:Get a great view of Macy's 4th of July fireworks from these New Jersey locations

Butterfly House at Tenafly Nature Center

Looking for a nature experience for all ages? This is the last weekend to enjoy time among the free-flying native butterflies and moths at the Tenafly Nature Center's Butterfly House. Peek into the pupa box and watch butterflies form delicate chrysalises. With a little patience and good timing, you might be able to see a butterfly hatch.

The Butterfly House is a 12' x 24' outdoor structure near the Native Pollinator Garden and Visitor Center. Open only during the summer, a visit to the Butterfly House offers guests a comprehensive experience and introduction to the wonders of metamorphosis. Educational exhibits help guests understand the life cycles of butterflies and moths and support observation of a variety of native species of live butterflies and moths. Watch these winged jewels as they sip nectar and fly away. During your visit, you can chat with staff or volunteers, ask questions, or just relax and enjoy the space as the butterflies flutter and fly around.

Restaurants in North Jersey:Enjoy summer salads and crispy chicken in 12 new restaurants

Want to see more pollinators in action? Visit the Native Pollinator Garden and observe the variety of native pollinators like bees, beetles and – if you're lucky – hummingbirds. You might even find a few ideas to try in your own garden.

Butterflies are less active when temperatures are cool (below 70°F) or when it is cloudy and/or raining. The butterfly house is closed when it is raining. Species vary by season and vendor availability. All species in the butterfly house represent what is found at the Tenafly Nature Center during the spring and summer months.

Go: Butterfly House at Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave. Visits are available Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 1:00 p.m., 1:15 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. Guests who miss an admission time slot are asked to wait until the next time slot. Free admission for TNC members; $3 for nonmembers; free for young children who are kept off the ground by an adult at all times. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Butterfly House admission does not include trails. tenaflynaturecenter.org. 201-568-6093, [email protected].

Jackals baseball at Hinchliffe Stadium

The Jackals are at home in Paterson this weekend for a three-game series against the Lake Erie Crushers.

Friday is Larry Doby Day, where a Larry Doby poster will be raffled off. Saturday is Star Wars Night, where children under 14 can raffle off lightsabers and Star Wars jerseys will be auctioned off. Sunday is Family Day, with $5 tickets for children under 12 and seniors 55 and older.

Go: New Jersey Jackals at Hinchliffe Stadium, 1 Jasper St., Paterson. Friday 6:35 p.m., Saturday 6:05 p.m., Sunday 4:35 p.m., $5-$25. jackals.com, 973-746-7434, [email protected]. Gates open one hour prior to game time.

Hike to the Falling Waters

Discover the wonders of the Yellow Trail in the Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area in Boonton, Montville and Kinnelon. Explore the diverse landscapes of Turkey Mountain on moderate to difficult trails. Remember to pack a snack and plenty of water and wear appropriate footwear. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome. Ages 10 and older must be accompanied by an adult.

Go: Falling Waters Hike at Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area, 472 Boonton Ave, Boonton. Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Event is free, but advance registration is required. morrisparks.net/events. 973-635-6629.

4th of July weekend in New Jersey:8 more things to do in North Jersey including live music, roller skating

Culinary tour of South Orange

The Village of South Orange is launching its first guided food tour on Saturday. These weekly, 2.5-hour walking tours take guests behind the counter of some of the downtown business district's restaurants, where chefs offer exclusive tastings and an insider's look at the city's culinary scene. The weekly tours — hosted by local author and New Jersey native Max Gray of Chow Town Food Tours — also feature local landmarks and delve into the community's history.

Tours include artisanal cheeses from around the world and local produce, small-batch handmade baked goods, authentic Mexican street tacos, and a historic local restaurant serving American pub fare.

Go: Chow Town Food Tour of South Orange, the downtown business district. Saturdays from 11am-1:30pm. $55. Meeting point and tour details provided at ticket purchase. chowtownfoodtours.com, @chowtowntours on Instagram.

Graffiti, Street Art and Pop Art in the Bogota Gallery

Twenty Four River Gallery is an alternative space located in a historic paper mill in Bogota. The gallery is run by a collective of New Jersey artists working in graffiti, street art, pop art and traditional styles. On Saturday, it will serve as the opening venue for Creative Bergen Arts Amble 2024.

Artists include Rita Flores (@ritafloresart), Olga Correa (@olgacorrea_art), Marsha Heller (@marshaheller), MariaTeresa Ortiz-Naretto (@mton_193), Leon Rainbow (@aerosoleon), LadyKFever (@ladyk_fever), PK (@pk_official_gallery), Rendawriter (@rendawriter), Myrna Richards (@myrnarichardsart), Angelina Salgado (@angelinapaintsauroras), Sisco (@takart2.tds), Joel Yobe Beleno (@art.yobe), John Zollo (@portraitsNJ) and the Temple of Graffiti Hackensack (@d.smooov.fc) – most of whom are based in New Jersey. Curator is Christine DeFazio (@christine_defazio_arts) from Bogota.

This program is made possible in part by a grant administered by the Bergen County Department of Historical and Cultural Affairs through funds from the New Jersey State Council of the Arts. Venues and artists participate as part of the umbrella event Arts Amble 2024.

Go: Graffiti, street art and pop art pop-up at the Twenty Four River Gallery, 24 River Road, Bogota. Saturday 1pm to 7pm. If it rains, it will be Sunday. @twentyfourriver on Instagram.

Emo night with Chris Kamrada in Rutherford

Welcome to Emo Night at the Williams Center. This.is.emo and Emo Social present a dance party this Saturday with loud emo and pop punk tunes. Chris Kamrada of Dashboard Confessional will even be at the party. Special guests also include a Royden reunion show (15 years later), Ashlee Holmes, Aaron Rosa (Palisades), and a live guest appearance by Gina Fritz. Get ready to scream, mosh, and dance your heart out. Dress to impress at the Social Fest for Emotional Distress! Bring a date or come alone and make new friends. There will be a photo area, merchandise giveaways, and loud music all night long.

Go: Emo Night at the Williams Center, 15 Sylvan St., Rutherford. Doors open at 8 p.m. Saturdays. Ages 18 and up. $20 in advance, $25 at the door, $35 for early entry (7 p.m.) for meet-and-greet and photo ops. williamscenter.co.

Big3 three-on-three basketball in Newark

Big3 begins its seventh season of three-on-three basketball with a 10-week series that stops at the Prudential Center on Sunday.

“The Big3 are better than ever in season seven,” said CEO and co-founder Ice Cube. “Four-point shots, no garbage minutes and players who really defend – everyone knows that's only possible in the Big3.”

Go: Big3 basketball at Prudential Center, 25 Lafayette St., Newark. Sunday, 1 p.m. Doors open at noon. $35.50-$856. prudentialcenter.com. 973-757-6000.

Soul Groove at the Rockaway Gazebo

The 2024 summer concert series at the Rockaway Gazebo begins on Sunday with Soul Groove, playing current and past pop, dance, R&B and soul hits.

csibon

Not a fireworks fan? Things to do in New Jersey this weekend, July 5-7

Anna Harden

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Related Posts

The Eaton County Fair and its economic impact

Audit: Georgia SOS should take steps to ensure it complies with federal reporting requirements | Georgia

Craft Weed Company Bets on New Jersey Market and Now Owns 44% of State-Licensed Grower – Grindrod Shipping Hldgs (NASDAQ:GRIN)

Anna Harden

Leave a Reply Cancel reply