2025 is officially here and January comes with all kinds of fun events to do with friends, family, or even solo. From a financial wellness workshop + book signing at Watchung Booksellers to a comedy show at Glen Ridge Train Station, there is so much to do in the local area this weekend. Below is the list of (over 40!) Montclair, Essex County, and Northern New Jersey events that are happening this weekend, January 9th through January 12th, 2025. Don’t forget — you can submit your community events HERE.
Disclaimer: This is a community resource. Submit events HERE and view the full calendar HERE. The Montclair Girl is not affiliated with hosting unless explicitly stated.
ICYMI: Best of Montclair 2024 Winners Announced
We asked, you voted + nominated. The winners for our Best of Montclair 2024 Guide are here! With over 75+ categories, see the restaurants, shops, hair salons, and other local businesses Montclair + Essex County locals favored this year.
Property of the Week: 130 Park 88 Herman Street #B, East Rutherford
This 1-bed, 1-bath apartment in East Rutherford, NJ is available to rent for $1,850 per month. The property features one assigned parking spot, on-site laundry, and ample closet space, among other things.
View The Local Girl’s Real Estate Directory here — which has 80+ listings just this week.
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This dog-friendly events section is brought to you by Doggie Road Trippin’. Follow on Instagram here.
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Essex County LGBT Rain Foundation | 168 Park Street, East Orange
The mission of the LGBT Rain Foundation of Essex County is to get 18-26 LGBTQ+ people experiencing homelessness on the path from transitional housing to permanent housing. A variety of tasks are needed to run this foundation. Volunteers are asking to make a six-month commitment at a time to allow for relationship-building with the residents. Learn more here.
Kids Helping Kids | 229 Midland Avenue, Montclair
The name of this non-profit is really all that needs to be known to understand the scope of the work. Kids Helping Kids engages middle + high school students in service projects that directly support underserved kids in the area. Since its inception, over 65,000 students have benefited from this partnership across 139 schools through the help of over 5,200 volunteers. Learn more here.
Montclair History Center | 108 Orange Road, Montclair
The Montclair History Center is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that promotes the preservation, study, and appreciation of local history. It was originally founded in 1965 to save the Israel Crane House, a Federal Revival-style landmark home built by a local entrepreneur in 1796. The MHC educates the community on local history and its importance through programs, advocacy, and exhibits. It shares the stories of the various persons and groups that have and continue to shape Montclair. Learn more here.
Have an event you’d like to include? Submit it to our events calendar here. You can also email advertising@themontclairgirl.
To stay in the know with all the Montclair and Northern New Jersey happenings, follow @themontclairgirl on Instagram and TikTok, and sign up for our weekly newsletter that shares the top stories to your inbox here.
Have a great weekend, xo
The Best Bagel Spots in the Montclair Area For Your AM Bagel Run
One of the things New York and New Jersey are most famous for is bagels. Being crunchy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside, bagels are a classic among breakfast and lunch foods for a reason. Montclair and the surrounding areas have tons of options for this classic Garden State food item, and we’ve rounded up some of the most famous eateries to grab a baker’s dozen of the iconic breakfast go-to. Read on for a list of the best bagels to satifsy that AM breakfast craving in the Montclair area.
The Bagel Box | 642 Eagle Rock Avenue, West Orange
The menu of The Bagel Box in West Orange includes bagels in the flavors salt, oat bran, pumpernickle, garlic, onion, marble, and more. Customers can pair a bagel with one of the many cream cheeses featured, including scallion, olive, strawberry, walnut raisin, vegetable, jalapeno, and sun-dried tomato.
Read More: The Best Brunch Spots in Montclair
Bagels by Jarrett | West Mount Pleasant Avenue, West Orange
Bagels by Jarrett is "The Most Confused Bagel Shop You’ve Ever Loved," as per its website. The menu includes pizza, gluten-free items, sandwiches, salads, pasta, wraps, burgers, and everything under the sun. Hidden on its expansive menu is, of course, bagels, which come in the flavors plain, sesame, and everything.
Bagel Nosh of Livingston | 1 West Mount Pleasant Avenue, Livingston
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At Bagel Nosh of Livingston, bagels are the foundation of most of its menu items. This spot serves bagels in the flavors everything, rainbow, whole wheat, garlic, onion, marble, and more. The cream cheese flavors include vegetable, scallion, lox, walnut raisin, sun-dried tomato, and more. All of its lunch sandwiches can also be put on a bagel.
Beyond the Bagel | 219 Bellevue Avenue, Montclair
This bagel spot serves up bagels, breakfast sandwiches, prepared desserts, and lunch sandwiches alike. The menu includes New Jersey favorites like the egg and cheese sandwich, as well as a variety of cream cheeses, including strawberry, and vegan options like scallion tofu cream cheese. The shop also serves gluten-free bagels and, of course, a Taylor Ham sandwich.
Bloomfield Best Bagels | 404 Broad Street, Bloomfield
Bloomfield Best Bagels serves hot heros, wraps, breakfast sandwiches, cream cheese by the pound, and an endless array of bagels, some of which include cinnamon, pumpernickle, salt, poppy, rye, egg, onion, wheat, and french toast.
Hot Bagels Abroad | 150 Valley Road A, Montclair
Alongside a baker’s dozen bagels and hot fresh single bagels to bring home, this small but mighty eatery serves up a French toast bagel alongside options with butter, cream cheese, peanut butter, and more. Lunch sandwiches are served with a choice of side, and can also be enjoyed on a sub for an additional charge. Gourmet wraps, sandwiches, and grilled items are also available. All of the bagels are house-made daily.
House of Bagels | 45 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona
The Bagel House is famous for its massive bagels and wide array of spreads and other options. Fruits, spreads, coffees, sandwiches, and even newspapers are available at this one-stop, quick meal shop. Raisin bagels, lox, and a variety of spreads are all affordably priced, too, attracting fans from across Essex County.
Mikki + Al’s Noshery | 179 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair
Photo Credit: Mikki + Al's Noshery
Options are endless at this eatery, where cold salads like whitefish, macaroni, and tuna can be put on a bagel or be bought by the half-pound. Patrons can also enjoy lox and cream cheese on a bagel, with a variety of cream cheese flavors, including scallion. Diners can enjoy anything from a classic Reuben or a breakfast sandwich on a fresh bagel or opt for a latke plate or a bowl of matzo ball soup instead.
Plum Bakery | 179 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair
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Plum Bakery, a completely gluten-free spot, has hand-rolled bagels made "the old fashioned way," as per its website. The bagel flavors include plain, poppyseed, sesame, onion, everything, and cinnamon raison.
Sunrise Bagels | 29 Watchung Plaza, Montclair
This bagel spot in Montclair has everything from the classic Taylor Ham, egg, + cheese sandwich to a lox bagel. Sunrise Bagels has over 20 bagel options, including sun-dried tomato, sesame, rainbow, jalapeno, egg, garlic, and more, as well as gourmet cream cheese flavors like the Walnut Honey Raisin Cream Cheese and the Pimento Olive Cream Cheese.
Walnut Street Bagels + Co. | 98 Walnut Street, Montclair
Photo Credit: Walnut Street Bagels + Co.
Walnut Street Bagels + Co. features bagels in the flavors in plain, everything, poppyseed, cinnamon raisin, garlic, onion, sesame garlic, and whole wheat everything. There are also a variety of cream cheese flavors like roasted black garlic, kimchi, sun-dried tomato, + garlic herb.
See More: A Trip to Hoboken’s First Bagel Shop: Hoboken Hot Bagels
Honorable Mention
Carlos’ Bagel Shop | 438 Lafayette Avenue, Hawthorne
While this spot is not in the Montclair + Essex County area, the menu of Carlos' Bagel shop includes bagel flights, which feature four mini bagels (a combination of either plain, sesame seed, everything, or French toast) paired with a choice of four of its homemade cream cheeses. From classics like vegetable and scallion to one-of-a-kind flavors such as walnut raisin and strawberry, the spreads are good enough to take home.
