Get ready for a busy weekend packed with eats, music, and a half marathon. Here’s the best of what’s happening in Jersey City this weekend.
Friday Events
What: Luna Full Moon Party
When: Friday, September 13
Where: 279 Grove Street (opposite City Hall)
Luna is celebrating its first ever Friday full moon party. That means diners can enjoy all-night happy hour specials with $5 drinks and select dinner items at $7. The restaurant will also dim the lights as you dine under the light of their faux projector moon.
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What: PierFest at Exchange Place
When: Friday, September 13 from 6pm to 9pm
Where: J. Owen Grundy Pier
PierFest is a series of four Latin jazz concerts held at the J. Owen Grundy Pier at Exchange Place. The concerts are all free and start at 6pm. The series kicks off tonight with Telavana, a hybrid group that combines the sounds of salsa, the Middle East, and the Carribean.
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What: Midnight Market Season Opener
When: Friday, September 13 from 6:30pm to 12am
Where: Harborside Atrium
Midnight Market is back for another season of eats, drinks, and dance. The season opener takes place tonight at the Harborside Atrium. Admission is $5 if you arrive between 6:30pm to 7:30pm or $10 thereafter. Or buy your tix online for $13 (VIP/preferred entry) or $7 general admission.
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What: Open Mic Comedy at JSQ Lounge
When: Friday, September 13 at 8:30pm
Where: 50 Journal Square Plaza
JSQ Lounge is hosting an open mic comedy night with Irv Hernandez. The show starts at 8:30pm (a one drink minimum order is the only requirement). Comics interested in signing up for the show can do so starting at 7:30pm. Each comic gets 5 to 7 minutes to perform.
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What: Surf City Paella Festival
When: through Friday, September 22
Where: 1 Marin Boulevard
Surf City is paying tribute to Spain’s national dish — the paella — with a limited-run menu that features 10 different styles of paellas. Dishes include a Lobster Paella, Chicken Paella, Vegetarian Paella, and a Fisherman Paella (topped with flounder/calamari/shrimp).
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Saturday Events
What: Bucket & Bay Gelato-Making Class for Kids
When: Saturday, September 14 from 11am to 12pm
Where: 150 Bay Street
Drop off the kids at Bucket & Bay for a children only gelato-making workshop. The 1-hour class will have kids (ages 6 to 14) making their own batch of gelato. Tickets are $24 per child.
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What: 4th Annual Liberty Harbor Block Party
When: Saturday, September 14 from 12pm to 5pm
Where: 30 Regent Street
From food trucks and beer to a mechanical bull — the Liberty Harbor Block Party is back for its 4th year. Head to 30 Regent street for a family (and doggo) friendly day of games, music, and food. There will be a solid foodie lineup with Venti Food Truck, No Forks Given, O’LaLa Empanadas, The Bearded One BBQ, and more.
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What: 10th Annual Hamilton Park BBQ Festival
When: Saturday, September 14 from 12pm to 8pm
Where: Hamilton Park
Start your Saturday with some beer and BBQ during the 10th Annual Hamilton Park BBQ Festival. Vendors at the family-friendly block party will include Hamilton Pork, Milk Sugar Love, Rumba Cubana, Carlitos Barbecue Taqueria, and more. There will also be live music and a mechanical bull.
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What: Jersey City Craft Brew Fest
When: Saturday, September 14 from 1pm to 4:30pm; 6pm to 9:30pm
Where: Harborside Atrium
Prepare for a weekend of brews and suds as the Jersey City Brew Fest returns to Harborside with over 50 breweries, many of which hail from New Jersey. There are two sessions (1pm – 4:30pm and 6pm – 9:30pm). Admission is $70, but use coupon “JCUPFRONT” to take $20 off.
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What: Riverview Wine St. Agrestis Tasting
When: Saturday, September 14 from 4pm to 6pm
Where: 43 Bowers
The Heights’ Riverview Wine is hosting a free tasting with St. Agrestis, a Brooklyn-based spirits company known for its amaro. They were written up by the New York Times for their bottled, ready to drink Negroni.
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Sunday Events
What: NYCRuns Newport Liberty Half Marathon
When: Sunday, September 15 at 8:30am
Where: Town Hall at Newport
The NYCRUNS Newport Liberty Half Marathon takes you through Jersey City’s most iconic neighborhoods including Newport, Harsimus Cove, Liberty State Park, Paulus Hook, and the waterfront. Last year, over 2,500 runners took part in the race and another record-breaking marathon is expected this year. Online registration is closed, but you can register the morning of for $110. (On-site registration starts at 6:30am, but I’ve seen runners register as late as 8am. That said, earlier is definitely better than later).
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What: End of Summer Block Party
When: Sunday, September 15 from 12pm to 3pm
Where: 255 Brunswick
Shuster Group, Hamilton House, and DVORA are hosting their 4th Annual End of Summer Block Party. The family friendly party will include activities for kids, local food vendors, liver entertainment, and a bounce house for kids.
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What: Harry’s Daughter Sunday Night Brisket Special
When: Sunday, September 15 from 4pm to 8pm
Where: 339 Communipaw Avenue
Avoid the Sunday scaries by treating yourself to Harry’s Daughter’s Brisket Special. Enjoy brisket with sides and any beer or cocktail for $20/pp. (Kids under 10 eat free). Plus, there will be a live reggae band from 4pm to 8pm.
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