Events
Sorelle
What's happening in Maplewood, South Orange and Millburn.
This page rounds up local events, community things to do and town news across Maplewood, South Orange and Millburn, NJ, gathered from public sources: the towns' own websites and local outlets. Every item links to the page it came from, and a full list of sources appears at the bottom. It is compiled for homebuyers exploring Essex County NJ real estate, and dates and details are reported as stated by those sources, so confirm with the organizers before you head out. All items shown are current as of November 13, 2026; events that have already passed are reflected in the news sections and in the blog archive. This page is updated as new information comes in.
Maplewood · Essex County
Events and happenings in Maplewood.
Maplewood's late-2026 calendar runs on the farmers market, the arts calendar and the holiday season: a record fair, artisan markets, Dickens Village and the township's tree lighting. Confirm details with the organizers before you head out, since dates and times change.
Maplewood Record Fair
- Sunday, November 15, 2026, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- The Woodland, 60 Woodland Road
$3 admission, free for ages 18 and under. Vinyl records, CDs, art and collectibles on two floors.
Source: Maplewood Arts & CultureThe Maplewood Strollers: Sweeney Todd
- Saturday, November 14, 2026
- Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts, 10 Durand Road
A community theatre production by the Maplewood Strollers.
Source: Maplewood Arts & CultureCollege Countdown: Next Steps for High Schoolers
- Saturday, November 14, 2026, 10:30 AM
- Maplewood Memorial Library, 51 Baker Street
A free college planning workshop for high schoolers and their families.
Source: Maplewood Memorial LibraryMaplewood Farmers Market
- Mondays, 2:00-7:00 PM, through late November 2026
- 1662 Springfield Avenue, beside the Springfield Avenue gazebo
The market's final weeks of the season. Run by the Township of Maplewood, accepting SNAP/EBT, WIC and Food Bucks.
Source: Township of MaplewoodGratitude Graffiti Project
- Through Monday, November 30, 2026
- Windows and walls around town
A month-long community art project inviting residents to share messages of gratitude on windows and walls around Maplewood.
Source: Maplewood Arts & CultureHandmade Holiday at The Woodland
- Sunday, December 13, 2026, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- The Woodland, 60 Woodland Road
A holiday market with 60-plus artisan vendors on two floors.
Source: Maplewood Arts & CultureDickens Village
- Saturdays, December 5, 12 and 19, 2026
- Ricalton Square, Maplewood Village
The Maplewood Village Alliance's Victorian holiday village: miniature Dickens houses, Santa visits, horse-and-wagon rides and holiday concerts.
Source: Maplewood Village AllianceMaplewood Holiday Tree Lighting
- Saturday, December 12, 2026, 4:00-6:00 PM
- Springfield Avenue gazebo, 1688 Springfield Avenue
The township's holiday celebration with school choruses, music, donuts and hot chocolate.
Source: Maplewood Arts & CultureTown news in Maplewood
DeHart Park grass field renovation on track
DeHart Park's all-grass field renovation is on track: new sod was installed in late October, the fields stay closed through winter, and the park is expected to reopen in spring 2027.
Source: Township of MaplewoodJitney schedules adjusted during NJ TRANSIT work
Through November 14, 2026, NJ TRANSIT's Portal North Bridge cutover construction prompted adjusted township jitney schedules on the Elmwood/Parker, Maplecrest/Hilton and Wyoming routes.
Source: Township of MaplewoodFall leaf pickup underway
The township's 2026 fall leaf pickup runs four curbside rounds from late October through early to mid December, with drop-off also available at 359 Boyden Avenue.
Source: Township of Maplewood23rd Annual Veterans Day Ceremony held
Maplewood honored service members at its 23rd annual Veterans Day ceremony on November 11 at the Maplewood Municipal Building on Valley Street.
Source: The Village GreenSOMA Board of Education election results
Liz Callahan, Will Meyer and Kevin Diaz won the three open seats on the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education in the November 3 election.
Source: The Village GreenMaplewood Memorial Library programs continue
The Maplewood Memorial Library at 51 Baker Street runs year-round public programming, including a fall book sale, art exhibits and college planning workshops this November.
Source: Maplewood Memorial LibrarySouth Orange · Essex County
Events and happenings in South Orange.
South Orange's downtown district keeps a busy holiday calendar, from the menorah lighting at Spiotta Park to the Hometown Holiday tree lighting and SOPAC's December shows.
Hometown Holiday & Tree Lighting Ceremony
- Saturday, December 12, 2026, 2:00-6:00 PM
- Spiotta Park, downtown South Orange
A festive downtown afternoon with Santa photos, kids' activities, live performances and the community tree lighting.
Source: South Orange DowntownMenorah Lighting & Hanukkah Celebration
- Monday, December 7, 2026, 5:00-7:30 PM
- Spiotta Park, South Orange Avenue and Kroll Plaza
Blessings, songs and a community menorah lighting with donuts and music.
Source: South Orange VillageSOPL Friends Holiday Jewelry Sale
- Friday, November 13 through Sunday, November 15, 2026
- South Orange Public Library, 65 Scotland Road
A holiday jewelry sale benefiting the South Orange Public Library.
Source: South Orange VillageSOPAC holiday shows
- December 2026
- South Orange Performing Arts Center, 1 SOPAC Way
Holiday concerts include John Pizzarelli on December 3, Martin Sexton on December 11 and the family show Frosty on December 12.
Source: SOPACPierro Gallery: When Light Gathers
- Opening Thursday, December 3, 2026
- Baird Community Center, 5 Mead Street
Opening night for the Pierro Gallery's winter exhibition.
Source: South Orange VillageTown news in South Orange
Scheduled leaf pickup runs November 10 to December 10
South Orange's scheduled leaf pickup runs from November 10 through December 10, 2026; leaves may be placed in the street only during this window.
Source: South Orange VillageThanksgiving recycling schedule change
For Thanksgiving week, West Side recycling pickup moves from Thursday to Friday, and East Side pickup moves from Friday to Saturday.
Source: South Orange VillageVillage Marketplace is open in downtown South Orange
The fully renovated former supermarket in downtown South Orange is open, following a grand opening and ribbon-cutting with Mayor Sheena Collum.
Source: The Village GreenBox Office Cinemas operates the cinemas at SOPAC
Box Office Cinemas operates the cinemas at the South Orange Performing Arts Center, following its takeover of the venue's cinema operations.
Source: The Village GreenMillburn · Essex County
Events and happenings in Millburn.
Millburn and Short Hills anchor their community life around Taylor Park, the downtown and Paper Mill Playhouse, with December holiday events at Town Hall Plaza and township programs through the season.
Toys for Tots Drive
- Through Tuesday, December 1, 2026
- Millburn Police Department
The Millburn Police Department's annual Toys for Tots drive accepts new, unwrapped toys through December 1.
Source: Township of MillburnFree Medication Review
- Tuesday, December 1, 2026
- Millburn Health Department
A free medication review event hosted by the Millburn Health Department.
Source: Township of MillburnTaste of Millburn Food Tour
- Sunday, November 15, 2026, 1:00-4:00 PM
- Downtown Millburn
A downtown food tour sampling bites and specials from Millburn restaurants and shops.
Source: Explore Millburn-Short HillsWinter Villages of Millburn-Short Hills
- Friday, December 11 and Saturday, December 12, 2026, 5:00-8:00 PM
- Town Hall Plaza, downtown Millburn
A free holiday celebration with lights, music and seasonal activities in the downtown.
Source: Explore Millburn-Short HillsPaper Mill Playhouse
- Year-round theatre season
- 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn
One of New Jersey's best-known regional theatres, producing musicals and plays through the year.
Source: New Jersey StageTown news in Millburn
Saccomandi and Stoller win re-election to Township Committee
Frank Saccomandi and Ben Stoller won re-election to the Millburn Township Committee in the November 3 election.
Source: TAPintoMillburn Board of Education results
Richards, Ostrovsky and Shivani led the vote for the three open Millburn Board of Education seats in the November 3 election.
Source: TAPintoTaylor Park playground grand reopening
Millburn's fully inclusive Taylor Park playground held its grand reopening in October 2026, following years of community fundraising.
Source: Township of MillburnFall leaf collection in progress
Millburn's fall leaf collection is underway; residents can check the township's schedule for their neighborhood.
Source: Millburn PatchShort Hills train station improvements
Improvements at the Short Hills train station are underway, and new stop signs were added near the station.
Source: TAPintoSources
Where this page's information comes from.
Every event and news item above links to the town website or local page it came from. The full list of sources used on this page is below.
Township of Maplewood
Official township news, the events calendar and the farmers market schedule
Maplewood Arts & Culture
Arts, music and cultural programming, including the Record Fair and Handmade Holiday
Maplewood Village Alliance
Village business directory and event listings, including Dickens Village
Maplewood Memorial Library
Library news, events and programming
South Orange Downtown
Downtown events, the farmers market and business directory
South Orange Village (township)
Village news, calendar and recreation programming
SOPAC
South Orange Performing Arts Center events and shows
Township of Millburn
Township calendar, news and community programs
Explore Millburn-Short Hills
Downtown events and programs for Millburn and Short Hills
The Village Green
Local news coverage of Maplewood, South Orange and Millburn
TAPinto Millburn/Short Hills
Local news and community stories
Millburn Patch
Local news coverage of Millburn and Short Hills
New Jersey Stage
Theatre and arts news, including Paper Mill Playhouse seasons
Items are drawn from the public sources listed. Dates and details are reported as stated by those sources and may have changed since publication. This page shares observable, publicly reported information only.
Go a little deeper.
Blog
Guides on Maplewood living
Things to do, the village and parks, and the commute to the city.
Living in Maplewood
A homebuyer's FAQ
The village, the train, the parks and buying a home in Essex County.
What's Happening
Maplewood news and events
Recent Maplewood news and where to find town information.
The Listing
12 Meadowbrook Place
The 3-bedroom Cape Cod for sale in Maplewood, NJ.
More from Sorelle Sells NJ.
Sorelle's main site, sorellesellsnj.com, keeps its own calendar of weekend events across Essex County plus guides on buying and living in the region.