Weekend Planner
Every week we round up what’s happening right here in Bergen County—from can’t-miss events and hidden gems to community spotlights, local updates, and smart tips for living your best North Jersey life. Whether you’re planning your weekend, looking for ways to give back, or just curious about what’s new around town, this is your quick, reliable read.
So grab your coffee, scroll through, and see what’s worth doing, watching, or discovering this weekend in Bergen County.
Let It Glow — Holiday Lantern Spectacular (Paramus)
Walk the Bergen County Zoo after dark through dozens of larger-than-life illuminated animals. The train ride is included; expect fire pits and s’mores kits at the gift shop. Hours this weekend: Fri–Sat 4–9 pm, Sun 4–8 pm.
👉 More info & tickets.An Evening with Jay Leno (Englewood)
A classic stand-up night with the former Tonight Show host—perfect for a grown-ups’ Friday. Friday, Nov 14 at 8:00 pm at bergenPAC.
👉 Event page / tickets.Carmina Burana — Ars Musica Chorale (Ridgewood)
A full-throttle choral blockbuster to kick off Ars Musica’s 60th season, featuring a new chamber-orchestra instrumentation. Saturday, Nov 15 at 7:30 pm at West Side Presbyterian Church.
👉 Concert details & tickets.Santa Spectacular — Holiday Dreamland Kickoff (American Dream, East Rutherford)
The mall’s big seasonal launch with performances and festive fun; a family-friendly way to start the holidays. Saturday, Nov 15, 4:00–5:30 pm.
👉 Official event page.Nature Story Time (Tenafly Nature Center)
Low-key, outdoorsy weekend start for little ones—story time at the Visitor Center with time to explore the trails after. Saturday, Nov 15 at 10:00 am.
👉 Calendar listing.
Bergen in 60 Seconds
Library museum passes = free days out: Many BCCLS libraries let cardholders borrow museum and attraction passes for free or discounted entry. Check your town library’s pass list and rules before you go (availability varies by branch). Sources: the BCCLS network overview and sample pass pages for Glen Rock and Bergenfield.
Veterans golf perk this week: Bergen County is offering a free round of golf for veterans and active-duty service members at the county’s six public courses in recognition of Veterans Day (details and eligible dates in the county’s announcement).
Heads-up for train riders: NJ TRANSIT notes possible delays on the Main–Bergen/Port Jervis lines due to track maintenance; check live alerts before heading to the station.
Paramus recycling note: The borough posted an October 2025 recycling update and ongoing DPW notices (meeting changes, sustainability tips). If you live or work in Paramus, it’s worth a quick look to avoid missed pickups.
Election snapshot: 2025 NJ General Assembly results are in (county races varied by town); statewide, Democrats expanded their majority. If you’re catching up, here’s a clean overview with district results and background on this year’s ballot changes.
Community Spotlight: River Edge, NJ
River Edge is a small borough with big advantages: excellent day to day convenience, strong community life, and quick access to New York City. Families are drawn to the River Edge Public Schools for elementary years and the River Dell Regional path for middle and high school with Oradell. Daily life is easy to navigate with neighborhood parks like Veterans Memorial Park, an active recreation program, and a well used public library. History buffs love Historic New Bridge Landing and the Steuben House, where the town’s Revolutionary War story comes alive steps from the Hackensack River.
Commuting is a major win. River Edge has two NJ Transit stations on the Pascack Valley Line — River Edge and New Bridge Landing — with connections through Secaucus Junction to New York. Direct NJ Transit buses run along Kinderkamack Road toward Port Authority, and drivers reach Route 4, Route 17, and the Garden State Parkway in minutes for a straightforward ride to the George Washington Bridge.
The feel is neighborly and active. Annual traditions like River Edge Day, the St. Peter’s Parish Carnival, the Halloween Parade, and community fundraisers keep the calendar full and the town connected. Housing ranges from classic capes and colonials to split levels and expanded ranches on quiet tree lined streets. Add nearby healthcare hubs in Paramus, Teaneck, and Hackensack and you get a town that balances comfort, convenience, and value.
Why it is a great choice: reliable schools, easy commuting options, real community events, parks and history in your backyard, and a friendly small town feel that still puts you close to everything.
🏡 Bergen County Real Estate Snapshot
Bergen County’s housing market stayed active this week with 262 new listings hitting the market and 251 homes going under contract, showing that demand remains steady even as we head deeper into fall.
165 homes entered attorney review, and 218 closings were recorded—roughly on pace with seasonal trends. 78 properties saw price reductions, while 10 raised their asking price, signaling that sellers are still adjusting to buyer expectations as rates hover around long-term averages.
Inventory continues to turn over quickly, with 71 listings withdrawn and 45 expired, suggesting that sellers who aren’t priced right are stepping back or resetting for winter.
Overall, the data points to a balanced late-year market—serious buyers are still out there, and well-presented, competitively priced homes are moving.
👉 See the latest homes for sale and local market insights at NorthJerseyPartners.com.
Did you Know there are 193 homes listed right now with a price tag over $2,000,000 in Bergen County? Check them out here
Real estate information deemed accurate but not guaranteed.
Community Board
Jersey Cares Coat Drive — hosted by North Jersey Partners (River Edge)
Sun Dec 3, 2:00–4:00 pm at the River Edge Community Parking Lot (enter on Continental Ave). Bring new or gently used winter coats for neighbors in need; Jersey Cares collects 20,000+ coats statewide each year. Learn about what they accept and how the drive works.Center for Food Action (countywide)
Support local families with most-needed pantry items (soups, vegetables, diapers, pasta, gift cards) or volunteer to pack boxes and help at drive-through distributions. You can also run a mini food drive with friends or your office. Donation and volunteer details here.Bergen County Housing, Health & Human Services Center (Hackensack)
Help the county shelter by sponsoring and serving a special lunch or donating breakfast items (individually wrapped pastries, juice, fruit, cereal). Great option for families, teams, and school groups. How to participate and current needs are listed here. bergencountynj.gov
Did You Know? FM radio was born on a Bergen County cliff
In 1938–39, inventor Edwin Howard Armstrong built the three-armed Armstrong Tower atop the Palisades in Alpine, NJ and used it to make the world’s first FM radio broadcasts (station W2XMN). The original lab building is still at the base, and the site occasionally commemorates those early transmissions on the historic 42.8 MHz frequency. After 9/11, several NYC TV stations even used the Alpine tower as a temporary transmitter site to get back on the air. Next time you’re on the Hudson Drive, look up—you can spot the three cross-arms above the treeline.
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