Memorial Day weekend in Montclair is one of the better long weekends to stay local. The shore crowds thin out the town, outdoor spaces open up and the restaurants are full without being impossible. Here’s a roundup of activities and events happening May 23 through 26.
Note: We have done our best to confirm hours and availability for the weekend, but schedules can vary on holidays. It’s worth a quick check before heading out.
Get Outside: The Farmers Market, the Parks and a Possible Yard Sale
The Montclair Farmers Market at Walnut Street Station runs every Saturday year-round, and Memorial Day weekend falls on the last Saturday of spring hours before the summer schedule kicks in June. That means 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 86 Walnut St. Fresh produce, local bread, flowers, eggs, cheese and prepared foods from vendors who show up every week.
When you’re done at the market, the parks are worth the afternoon. Edgemont Park on Valley Road has a pond, a baseball field and a playground, good if you have kids with you. For more space, Brookdale Park on Watchung Avenue spans 121 acres with walking paths, tennis courts and an archery range.
If you want something quieter, Presby Memorial Iris Gardens on Upper Mountain Avenue is free, open daily and hits peak bloom in late May. Over 3,000 iris varieties on six acres, maintained by Essex County Parks. It draws photographers and painters every year for good reason.
Sunday brings a possible bonus: the first Montclair Town-Wide Yard Sale, organized by resident Valentin Guerin, with more than 70 households mapped across town on an interactive guide. The weather forecast for Sunday is uncertain. Guerin will email registered participants Friday with an update. Check @montclairyardsale on Instagram before heading out.
Note that the Montclair Flea at Lackawanna Plaza is closed this weekend.
Arts and Culture Worth Making Time For
The Montclair Art Museum is open Saturday and Sunday, closed Monday. On Saturday, May 23, a private event means the museum closes at 4:45 p.m. Sunday hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Current exhibitions include an immersive installation featuring geometry, light and 3D sculpture, and a display of George Inness landscapes. Admission is $17 for adults, free for members and free for children under 12. Drop-in sketching runs both days, no registration required.
For something free, Hillside Square Gallery on Bloomfield Avenue is currently showing “Alexandra Schoenberg: Shifting Perspectives,” a solo exhibition of architecturally inspired drawings running through June 26. Studio Montclair at 127 Bloomfield Ave. runs gallery shows on the same block.
Where to Eat and Drink This Weekend
Memorial Day weekend is the first real outdoor drinking weekend of the summer in N.J., and Montclair’s bar patios are ready for it. A few specific picks:
- Ray’s Luncheonette | 99Walnut Street: The popular joint handles Saturday morning like a pro. The bacon, egg and cheese on a poppy seed roll is the order. Get there before 9 a.m. if you want a seat.
- Mesob | 515 Bloomfield Ave.: Ethiopian food done right since 2003. BYOB, no corkage fee. Order the vegetarian sampler or the tibs and eat with injera the way it was meant to be eaten. Open Saturday noon to 10 p.m., Sunday noon to 9 p.m.
- Faubourg | 544 Bloomfield Ave.: A classic French brasserie with a rooftop bar. The coq au vin if you’re eating, the rooftop if you’re drinking. Book ahead for the weekend.
- Egan & Sons:116 Walnut St.: Here you’ll discover 28 draught beers, a proper Irish pub patio and the kind of atmosphere that makes a long weekend feel slower in the best way.
The Memorial Day Ceremony at Edgemont Park
Montclair holds its annual Memorial Day ceremony at Edgemont Park, 274 Valley Road, on Monday, May 26, starting at 10 a.m. The Montclair Community Band performs and the ceremony centers on the park’s WWI memorial. It’s free and lasts about an hour.
Heading to the Shore
If the long weekend calls for sand, Asbury Park is the closest shore destination from Montclair, about 90 minutes by car. One thing to know before you go: NJ Transit does not run service on the Montclair-Boonton Line on Memorial Day Monday. If you want to take the train, drive to Newark Penn Station and connect to the North Jersey Coast Line toward Asbury Park or Long Branch. From Newark, Asbury Park is roughly 75 minutes. Buy your ticket in advance at njtransit.com and check the holiday schedule before you leave.
