Events Calendar
Welcome to the calendar – your reliable resource for upcoming events in Union County!
Please check ucnj.org in case of any event cancellations. For the latest Union County news, visit ucnj.org/press-releases/.
Scroll below to explore upcoming recreational activities, including educational programs, networking mixers, and even career opportunities taking place in your community. Be sure to check back often as we are constantly updating!
Wild Earth Fest
April 27th • 11am – 5pm
Join us for a family-friendly experience filled with interactive exhibits and special presentations as we learn about all things nature! See animals, feel the energy of live music, enjoy delicious treats and much more at this year’s Wild Earth Fest!
Toddler Time
Sensory hikes, stories & activities for adults with children ages 3 & under
Parents with children ages 3 and under are invited to our Toddler Time program at the Trailside Nature & Science Center to connect with the natural world. Activities will take place on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. or Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. or 11:00 a.m., as indicated below. Please dress appropriately for the outdoors and bring a baby carrier or sling as strollers are not recommended. Maximum 4 family members per class.
The fee is $10 for residents, and $12 for non-residents. Registration is required. Click here to register or visit ucnj.org/trailside for more information.
For event cancellations or changes, please contact Trailside Nature and Science Center at 908-789-3670 or visit ucnj.org.
May 2025
Saturday, May 3rd • 9:30am & 11:00am: Flower Power
Tuesday, May 6th • 9:30am: Big or Small
Saturday, May 10th • 9:30am & 11:00am: Big or Small
Tuesday, May 27th • 9:30am: Woodpecker Wonders
Saturday, May 31st • 9:30am & 11:00am: Woodpecker Wonders
Nature & Forest Bathing
May 17th • May 24th • May 31st
Join Park Naturalist and Nature & Forest Therapy certified guide, Delaney Fay, for a restorative spring walk in the Watchung Reservation. Registration fee is $15 per resident / $20 for non-residents.
Art Workshops for Adults at Trailside
May 3rd • May 31st
Artist Dario Scholis leads this nature-themed, acrylic painting workshop series at the Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside. Registration fee is $30 per resident / $35 for non-residents.
Sound Bowl Meditation
May 10th • June 14th
Experience the benefits of sound bowl meditation firsthand by joining Sound Healer Kellie Bogda in this unique & relaxing event. Registration fee is $30 resident / $35 non-residents.
2024 Model Train Show and Open House
More than 200 Model Train Cars on a 40×40-foot Layout Tell the Story of NJ Railroads in the 1950s
December 14th & 15th (Sat and Sun)
Tickets can be purchased online at themodelrailroadclub.org or at the door
At the Door: $10/adult, $5/child, $8/seniors
Children age 2 and under admitted FREE.
Learn More
The Holiday Train Show and Open House at Union County’s Model Railroad Club runs on weekends from Friday November 29 to Sunday, December 15.
The show features show train operations where special trains traverse the club’s huge 11,000 square foot layout.
Parents and kids can tour the trains and layout up-close, and get an insider’s peek at the expansion that’s currently under construction. See how track is being hand-laid, how mountains and scenery are created, and find out about the planning and engineering that goes into the club’s bi-level corkscrew loop. In addition to the HO-scale trains featured in the show, there are G-scale and N-scale layouts on display, a small play area, and gift shop.
By popular demand in celebration of our 75th anniversary we are pleased to announce that Jenny is coming home. Each hour at the bottom of the hour Jenny will make a return to tell her story of growing up on along our Trenton Northern railroad.
DATES
- Three Weekends: Nov 29-Dec 1, Dec 7-Dec 8, and Dec 14-15
- Opening Day, Fri, Nov. 29 – 11 am – 6 pm
- Saturdays (Nov 30, Dec 7 & 14), 11 am – 6 pm
- Sundays (Dec 1, Dec 8 & 15), 11am – 6pm
- Jenny show times: 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, 5:30
LOCATION
- The Model Railroad Club, Inc. – Free Parking!
- Jefferson Avenue, off Route 22 East, Union Township, NJ
- (Behind The Home Depot)
- Building is Wheelchair-Accessible.
TICKETS & INFO
- www.themodelrailroadclub.org
- (908) 964-9724
- At the Door: $10/adult, $5/child, $8/seniors
- Children age 2 and under admitted FREE.
PRESS CONTACT:
Tim McCollum | 908-964-9724 | tim.mccollum@tmrci.org
The Model Railroad Club, Inc. is a tax-exempt public charity affiliated with the Union County, NJ Department of Parks and Community Renewal.
All proceeds support the operations of The Model Railroad Club, Inc., one of the largest railroad clubs in New Jersey. The Club has approximately 170 volunteer members who help to fulfill the mission of the club to educate the general public about the railroads and the industries they served in the New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania areas.
Visit Your Neighborhood Library
Enjoy literature, art, and something new at one of over 19 FREE Public Libraries in Union County!
Local libraries are the perfect place to read and study, but did you know they host a variety of fun events for all ages throughout the year? Whether you’re in the mood to read the latest mystery novel, are new to the neighborhood and would like to meet the locals, or need ideas on entertaining restless little ones, don’t let the weather keep you inside! Your neighborhood library has much more beyond books to explore.
The list of recreational activities includes movie nights, game nights, book clubs, storytimes – and even sing-alongs! Visit your local library today to learn more.
Click here to visit your local library’s website
Ice Skating at Warinanco Park
Our newly renovated Warinanco Sports Center is open all season long, offering affordable, family-friendly activities that include public ice-skating sessions, open hockey, private party rentals, and events for individuals with disabilities.
The café and snack bar nestled within the sports center offers plenty of seating, with snacks and refreshments available for purchase during your visit. With so many fun activities to choose from, we invite you to join us on the ice!
Back to Nature
Nature walks for families with children ages 4 & up
Our Back to Nature walks are an excellent way for families with children ages 4 and older to spend time together in the great outdoors, enjoying Union County’s largest park, the Watchung Reservation.
The fee is $8 for residents and $10 for non-residents. Registration is required for adults and children. Click here to register or visit ucnj.org/trailside for more information.
For event cancellations or changes, please contact Trailside Nature and Science Center at 908-789-3670 or visit ucnj.org.
Fall Schedule
Saturday, November 23rd: Lenape Life
Sensory Friendly Theatre
These sensory-friendly performances are designed to provide an enjoyable experience for children and adults experiencing autism and other sensory sensitivities.
Jeff Boyer’s Big Bubble Bonanza
April 27th • 2pm
Get ready for Jeff Boyer’s Big Bubble Bonanza! Audiences will have the chance to experience the latest performance from master bubble wrangler and Guinness World Records holder Jeff Boyer, as he takes bubble artistry to new heights.
Activities for Persons with Disabilities & Special Needs
Skating With Santa
December 14th
Join us for a lovely afternoon of ice skating with friends, family, and jolly ol’ Saint Nick at our inclusive “Skating with Santa” event, where we provide a welcoming and accessible experience for residents with disabilities!
Click here to register. To learn more about our inclusive events, visit ucnj.org/dhs/opdsn/.
Paint in the Park
May 17th
Join us for a relaxing morning of painting and enjoying the beautiful scenery at Warinanco Park. Family and friends are also welcome to participate in one of our favorite springtime events. All necessary supplies and materials will be provided – just show up and we’ll see you there!
Registration Required. Click here to register.
Art for All Abilities
For Union County Residents of All Ages • 5pm to 6:30pm
April 23rd: Artsy Bunch Night • Peterstown Community Center – Large Meeting Room, Elizabeth
Registration Required. Click here to register.
Inclusive Zumba
For Union County Residents, ages 5 – 14
Thursdays, November 7th, 14th, and 21st • 5:30pm – 6:15pm
Cranford Community Center, 220 Walnut Avenue, Cranford
Registration Required. Click here to register.
Inclusive Ceramics
For Union County Residents, ages 15 and up
Tuesday, May 13th • 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Congressman Donald Payne Meeting Center, 333 Russell St., Union
Registration Required. Click here to register.
Inclusive Yoga
For Union County Residents, ages 13 and up
Wednesdays, May 7th, 14th, and 28th • 5:15pm – 6:00pm
Trailside Nature & Science Center, 452 New Providence Rd., Mountainside
Registration Required. Click here to register.
Inclusive Zumba
For Union County Residents, ages 13 & up
Thursdays, May 1st, 15th, and 29th • 6:15pm – 7:00pm
Fred Erxleben Recreation Center, 513 Richmond St., Elizabeth
Registration Required. Click here to register.
Inclusive Karate for Children
For Union County Residents, ages 5 – 14
Mondays, March 24th & 31st • 7:00pm – 7:45pm
Cranford Community Center, 220 Walnut Avenue, Cranford
Registration Required. Click here to register.
Inclusive Karate
For Union County Residents, ages 15 and up
Mondays, March 24th and 31st • 8:00pm – 8:45pm
Cranford Community Center, 220 Walnut Avenue, Cranford
Registration Required. Click here to register.
NEW! Fun Fit for Kids
For Union County Residents, ages 5 – 10
Thursday, February 6th • 6:15pm – 7:00pm
Warinanco Sports Center, 1 Park Drive, Roselle
Registration Required. Click here to register.
Inclusive Ceramics for Kids
For Union County Residents, ages 5 to 14
Tuesday March 4th • 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Warinanco Sports Center, 1 Park Drive, Roselle
Registration Required. Click here to register.
Registration Now Open!
2025 Sensory Friendly Summer Camp
August 18th – 22nd
Registration to the 2025 sensory-friendly summer camp is now open! Prospective campers must be Union County residents with a documented disability, demonstrating independence in basic self-care tasks, such as using the toilet and feeding themselves. While the camp warmly welcomes individuals who may require occasional prompting or redirection, it is not suitable for those with a history of fleeing, aggressive, or threatening behavior, who require restraints to manage or stop behaviors, or who require 1:1 staffing.
For more information or to register, click here or visit ucnj.org/dhs/opdsn/.
Visit the Office for Persons with Disabilities & Special Needs for additional events and more information.
Activities and Services for Seniors
Senior Walks
Nature walks for seniors, led by a Trailside Naturalist
Our senior talks and walks are a great opportunity for older adults to enjoy fresh air and engage in physical activity while discovering the beauty of our county parks, including the historic Watchung Reservation.
The fee is $5 for residents and $6 for non-residents. Registration is required. Click here to register or visit ucnj.org/trailside for more information. For event cancellations or changes, please contact Trailside Nature and Science Center at 908-789-3670 or visit ucnj.org.
May – June 2025
Tuesday, May 6th • 11:30am: Bird Migration at Oak Ridge Park
Tuesday, May 13th • 11:30am: Endangered Species
Tuesday, May 27th • 11:30am: Peregrine Falcons
Tuesday, June 3rd • 11:30am: Pollinators
Farmers’ Market Food Vouchers
Farmers Market vouchers are now available for eligible Union County seniors. Each eligible senior can obtain a $50 e-benefit card to purchase “Jersey Fresh” fruits, vegetables, and herbs at participating Farmers Markets.
For more information about the Farmers’ Market nutrition program, or any services provided by the Division on Aging and Disability Resource in the Union County Department of Human Services, call 1-888-280-8226, or visit online at www.ucnj.org/dhs/aging.
Visit your local Aging Services Kiosk
Residents seeking information about services for seniors and their care givers can come to Union County’s Aging Services Kiosk events and meet in person with professional staff for guidance on senior programs and resources, including help with filling out applications and forms.
ASK is a program of the Union County Department of Human Services through the Division on Aging and Disability Resources, serving seniors age 60+ and their care givers. Staff at the ASK events can help seniors and care givers connect with a variety of services including home delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care and support services for caregivers.
Any Union County senior or care giver can visit any ASK event, regardless of their hometown. No appointment or pre-registration is needed. Visit ucnj.org/aging for upcoming dates.
Stories of a Lifetime Workshop
Transform your life experiences into a one-of-a-kind biographical performance at UCPAC’s Hamilton stage!
The Stories of a Lifetime Workshop is an exciting three-week program exclusive to Union County seniors, ages 65 and up. Participants will engage in fun improvisation exercises, learn new writing techniques, and develop their unique story under the guidance of a professional playwright. The free workshop concludes with a special showcase where improv actors will perform your story for your friends and family. Registration is required. Register here or call 732-499-8226. Visit ucpac.org to learn more.
Employment Opportunities
Volunteering Opportunities
Discover how volunteering in your community makes a difference!
Union County Trail Stewards
Do you love nature and being outdoors? If so, now is the time to get involved by joining the Union County Trail Stewards!
The Union County Board of County Commissioners and the Union County Department of Parks & Recreation invite all nature-loving residents to help preserve our local parks by becoming a Trail Steward through Union County’s Adopt-A-Trail Program. Click here to register or learn about the important role a Trail Steward plays in maintaining Union County’s hiking trails and pathways.
Master Gardeners of Union County
If you love gardening, have a passion for teaching, and want to contribute to your community, consider joining the Master Gardeners of Union County!
The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is now recruiting volunteers for the 2025 Master Gardener Program, offering residents 18 years and older interested in volunteering the opportunity to learn or enhance their gardening and horticulture skills while assisting Rutgers professionals in educating the public. Click here to register or visit the Master Gardeners website at mastergardeners-uc.org/ for more information.
…or an Environmental Steward!
Are you passionate about the environment and eager to create a positive impact in your community?
Look no further than the Rutgers Environmental Stewards Program! This dynamic program empowers individuals to learn from leading scientists and environmental experts about critical issues facing New Jersey. For more information or to register for the Rutgers Environmental Stewards Program,visit go.rutgers.edu/RES2025. If you are committed to environmental stewardship, willing to learn, and ready to volunteer, this program is for you!
For additional volunteer opportunities, click here or visit ucnj.org/rce.
Workshops • Networking Events • Seminars
Union County Women Mean Business
May 28th
This once-a-year conference returns to bring together women entrepreneurs & professionals to learn from and connect with each other over common topics of interest, including work-life balance, career development, and much more. Mark your calendars, ladies – you won’t want to miss this unforgettable event!
Register for updates at ucnj/org/women.
Recycling
Call 908-654-9890 or visit ucnj.org/recycling for any recycling tips, questions, or more information, including the 2025 recycling schedule.
Cultural Events Around the County
April 21 – June 3
Mondays–Fridays 9 am–5:30 pm | Open Tuesdays to 8pm
ART EXHIBIT
The 2025 Union County Senior Art Exhibit
This annual exhibit showcases artworks by both professional and non-professional artists who are older adults 60+. The wide-ranging media displayed include everything from drawing and painting to sculpture and craft. Made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
Coordinated by the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs.
UCNJ Union College of Union County NJ (in the Conference Center on the UCVTS campus)
1776 Raritan Rd., Scotch Plains
908-558-2552
culturalinfo@ucnj.org
April 25 – May 10
8pm, 2pm
THEATRE
Fun Home – at Summit Playhouse
In Fun Home, a groundbreaking and deeply personal musical, Alison Bechdel revisits her past to make sense of her father’s secrets and her own journey to self-discovery. Through a haunting and heartwarming score, the story unfolds in a series of powerful vignettes—flashing between childhood innocence, college revelations, and the present-day artist searching for truth.
With humor, heartbreak, and a soundtrack that lingers long after the curtain falls, Fun Home invites you into the family-run funeral home where Alison grew up—where the answers aren’t always easy, but the journey is unforgettable.
Tickets: Adults $30 | Seniors & Students $25
The Summit Playhouse
10 New England Ave., Summit
908-273-2192
thesummitplayhouse.org
Ticket subscriptions available
Wheelchair-accessible venue, with ease of entry and wheelchair seating. Contact the theatre for large-print programs or audio aids available.
May 2–18
8 pm Fri/Sat | 2 pm Sun
THEATRE
Legally Blonde, The Musical
Harvard’s beloved blonde takes the stage by pink storm in this fun, upbeat story of self-discovery, based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture. Book by Heather Hach. Music and Lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe Nell Benjamin. This award-winning musical, based on the adored movie, follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Action-packed and exploding with memorable songs and dynamic dances, this musical is so much fun, it should be illegal!
Tickets: $27-$35
CDC Theatre
78 Winans Ave., Cranford
908-276-7611
cdctheatre.org
Venue has wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, seating and restroom.
May 3, 10, 16, 17
8 pm
May 4 & 11
2 pm matinees
THEATRE
Steel Magnolias
In this comedy-drama, the local ladies meet each week for appointments at a Louisiana beauty salon. This lively group of friends with varying personalities enjoy looking forward to an upcoming wedding, but a change in health soon takes a loved one away. Friendships support and comfort as life moves on… STEEL MAGNOLIAS is known for its ability to evoke both laughter and tears, often simultaneously!
Westfield Community Players
1000 North Avenue West, Westfield
For ticket, info: wcptheatre.org
908-232-1221
Wheelchair-accessible venue. Limited accessible parking available by reserving ahead thru box office: call 908-232-1221.
May 4
3:30 pm
CONCERT
Mostly Music – World-Class Chamber Music
Violinists Ani Kavafian, Kerry McDermott and Oliver Neubauer, violist Paul Neubauer, cellist Fred Sherry, and pianist Janice Carissa perform the Premiere of “For Anyone Else” for Viola and Piano by George Tsontakis, the recipient of the international Grawemeyer Award.
Next up, the gorgeous Brahms Quintet for Piano and Strings, and the grand, romantic Concerto for Piano, Violin and String Quartet by Chausson — a tour de force for solo violin and piano. A reception with the musicians follows the concert.
Tickets: Adults $50| Students FREE
Tickets available online or at the door. Subscriptions are available.
Temple Emanu-El
756 East Broad St, Westfield
908-789-8578
mostlymusic.org/this-season/
Venue is totally accessible for wheelchairs. Hearing amplification devices are available.
May 5
10 am – 5 pm
(FREE) MUSIC PERFORMANCES
Music at Spring Fling Street Fair – Performances from New Jersey Workshop for the Arts
Stop by to enjoy wide-ranging free performances by NJ Workshop for the Arts ensembles — from Barbershop singing to youth rock bands to an Alphorn ensemble… and much more, at the intersection of Central Ave. and Lenox Ave. in Westfield, next to Westfield Post Office.
Downtown Westfield (north side at Central and Lenox)
908-789-9696
njworkshopforthearts.com
Wheelchair-accessible outdoor site.
May 10
7:30 pm
CONCERT
Imperial Brass presents Aaron WanderWeele
This Imperial Brass concert features accomplished soloist Aaron VanderWeele, a Besson Performing Euphonium Artist and “International Euphonium of the Year” winner who has performed with the Canadian Brass, the New York Philharmonic, the New Jersey Symphony and the West Point Band. Imperial Brass programs include traditional brass-band literature, classical arrangements, popular music and more.
In person
The Presbyterian Church in Westfield
140 Mountain Ave., Westfield
908-379-3589
imperialbrass.org
Wheelchair-accessible venue, wheelchair seating, and wheelchair-accessible restrooms. Large-print programs available.
May 15
6:15 pm
FREE CONCERT
The Music of Tony Bennett & Bill Evans
Pianist Joel Zelnik and vocalist Tony Corrao perform in this tribute to the legendary recordings of Tony Bennett and Bill Evans. Joel, a contemporary of Evans, has entertained audiences for over decades and has performed for five U.S. Presidents. Tony, an outstanding song stylist, was the first-place winner in the Hoboken Sinatra Centennial.
Roselle Park Veterans Memorial Library
404 Chestnut St., Roselle Park
roselleparklibrary.org
Wheelchair-accessible parking and entrances. To request other accommodations, call 908-245-2456.
May 17
7:30 pm
CONCERT
Summit Chorale in Concert: “Remembrances”
This spring concert, “Remembrances,” closes out Summit Chorale’s WWII-themed season with songs of the Holocaust, “Ani Ma’amin,” and “I Believe in the Sun” by New Jersey composer, Mark Miller. Concert includes the Finale of Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, “The Resurrection,” accompanied by a chamber instrumental ensemble — one of the most exhilarating and uplifting works ever composed. The concert culminates with Johannes Brahms’s Ein Deutsches Requiem, which was sung after the end of WWII hostilities in the Europe, in memory of all who perished.
Calvary Episcopal Church
31 Woodland Ave., Summit
Advance Tickets: $25 + fees (Tickets at the door: $30) Click for tickets
Venue is wheelchair accessible. Please email events@summitchorale.org with any accessibility needs to ensure your needs are met.
May 18
5 pm
CONCERT
Masterworks at St. Paul’s: Verdi’s “Requiem”
The St. Paul’s Choir with Orchestra perform the powerful heart-pounding masterpiece: Verdi’s “Requiem,” described by NPR as “one of the most sublime works in the repertoire.”
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
414 East Broad Street, Westfield
info@steepleconcerts.org
Tickets: Adults $40 | Students $20
steepleconcerts.org/masterworks
908-232-8506
June 1
4 pm
FREE CONCERT
Northern Lights – Spring Concert from the Society of Musical Arts
Featuring music associated with the North, this concert opens with the world premiere of Janus Overture by West Orange composer Evan Hause, followed by the A Minor Piano Concerto of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg. Post-intermission, the orchestra performs the Second Symphony (Romantic) of American composer Howard Hanson, an unjustly neglected work by one of the leading lights of his generation of American composers.
Admission is free
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
414 East Broad Street, Westfield
somaorchestra.org/upcoming
June 5
6 pm
FREE CONCERT
An Evening of Jazz with The MRB Jazz Project
Roselle Park Veterans Memorial Library presents an Evening of Jazz. The MRB Jazz Project repertoire encompasses music spanning 90 years of American songwriting — performing classic jazz compositions and their own unique interpretations from the Great American Songbook, music made popular on stage and screen.
FREE
Roselle Park Veterans Memorial Library
404 Chestnut Street, Roselle Park
908-245-2456
roselleparklibrary.org
Venue is ADA-compliant; providing ramps, elevators, accessible restrooms, and designated parking spaces for wheelchair users.