Essex County Daily Buzz: Nov. 26, 2025

LOCAL NEWS

Christmas tree lighting and holiday shop planned at Belleville High School on Dec. 6. It is from 5:30-8:30 p.m. There will be vendors, train rides, cookies, and more.
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Belleville Township

“Christmas with the King by ELVIStory” planned at Bloomfield library on Dec. 6. It is from 2-3 p.m. and will include a musical lecture. Free admission.
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Bloomfield Public Library

Free book copies of “Who Do You Want Be When You Grow Up?” planned with Bloomfield Soccer Club on Dec. 6. Distribution begins at 11 a.m. at Bloomfield library. Limited to one book per family.
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Bloomfield Public Library

Holiday tree lighting planned at East Orange City Hall on Dec. 2. It is from 5-8 p.m. There will be photos with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and The Grinch. There will also be a toy voucher giveaway, hot chocolate, and cookies.
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East Orange City

Snickerdoodle cookie cooking class for youth in grades 6-12 planned at East Orange library on Dec. 5. Participants will make cookies from 4-5:30 p.m. Registration is not required. Limited to the first 15 attendees.
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East Orange Public Library

Informational presentation on AIDS planned at East Orange library on Dec. 6. It is from 1-4 p.m. There will also be free HIV screenings available.
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East Orange Public Library

Glen Ridge library patrons can request to borrow passes to the AKC Museum of the Dog. Passes can be reserved online.
Glen Ridge Public Library

“Naughty or Nice Cabaret” planned with interACT Theatre Productions on Dec. 5-6 in Maplewood. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. at The Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts, 10 Durand Rd. Tickets are available online for purchase.
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interACT Theatre Productions

South Orange and Maplewood women can submit artwork by Dec. 8 to be included in the “Windows for Women” art show, scheduled for March. Accepted artwork will be showcased on windows of participating Maplewood shops. Applicants can submit up to five art pieces. Registration form available online.
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Maplewood Division of Arts and Culture

Science fiction book group meeting for adults planned with South Orange library on Dec. 6. It is from 1-2 p.m. at The Baird Community Center. Members will discuss “The Kaiju Preservation Society” by John Scalzia. Registration required. Open to non-library cardholders.
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South Orange Public Library

“Hometown Holiday Celebration” planned on Dec. 6 in South Orange. There will be free professional photos with Santa from 2-5 p.m. at 101 S. Orange Ave and a tree lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. at 75 S. Orange Ave.
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South Orange Downtown

“Wellness and Spiritual Circle” planned at Lackawanna Station on Dec. 3 in Montclair. It is from 6-7 p.m. Free admission. RSVP by email.
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Lackawanna Station

Montclair seniors ages 65+ can receive short-term psychotherapy and counseling services through the township’s program, Aging Well Behavioral Health. Services are covered by insurance, Medicare, or sliding scale fees. Intake appointments can be scheduled by phone or email.
Montclair Township

“Winterfest Snowflake Spectacular” planned with Montclair recreation on Dec. 6. It is from 1-4 p.m. at Edgemont Park. There will be children’s activities, face painting, trains, and Santa.
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Montclair Township

Out Montclair seeks new toy donations for ages 2-16 through Dec. 12. Donations accepted at Montclair fire department, Montclair Diner at 613 Valley Rd., and Weichert Realtors at 272 Bellevue Ave.
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Out Montclair

Montclair must complete property tax revaluations by 2028, according to Essex County’s tax board. A revaluation assesses the property taxes of a home based on the home’s market price. It attempts to remove inequities that affect property taxes, such as location, zoning changes, and economic changes. Montclair’s most recent revaluation took effect in 2018.
Montclair Local

Hiring fair planned with Newark public schools on Dec. 6. The school district is hiring certified teachers in all subject areas. Hiring fair is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Science Park High School. Registration is required.
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Newark Public Schools

Madonna’s Garden, a florist shop, recently opened in Newark at 1212-A Raymond Blvd. It is open Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays until 2:30 p.m.
TAPinto Newark

Nutley-area residents can join the library on a trip to see “A Playhouse Christmas” production on Dec. 6 in Union. Tickets are $115 and include transportation, lunch, and the show. Bus leaves at 9:30 a.m. to Hunterdon Hills Playhouse. Registration is required.
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Friends of the Nutley Public Library

Magic show and holiday craft for all ages planned at Nutley library on Dec. 6. It is from 2-3 p.m. Registration is not required.
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Nutley Public Library

Student stage production of “The Outsiders” planned at Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation on Dec. 4-6. Showtimes are 6:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. Tickets available for purchase at the door.
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Orange Public Schools

Author talk with David Backer planned with The HUUB on Dec. 3 in Orange. Backer will discuss “As Public As Possible: Radical Finance for America’s Public Schools” at 7 p.m. at 35 Cleveland St. Registration is required. Volunteers needed.
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The HUUB

Winter holiday event planned with Afro Brazilian Cultural Center of NJ on Dec. 6 in West Orange. It is from 1-5 p.m. at 127 Whittelsley Ave. There will be free photos with the Grinch and limited toys for children. People who take a photo with the Grinch can sign up for a free class at the cultural center.
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Afro Brazilian Cultural Center of New Jersey

West Orange Downtown Alliance’s holiday open house is scheduled for Dec. 6. There will be free photos with Santa, a holiday breakfast, gingerbread house activity, and more. It is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Washington Elementary School in West Orange. Registration is required.
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West Orange Downtown Alliance

REGIONAL NEWS

New Jersey Policy Perspective published a report urging the state Legislature to pass a law prohibiting municipalities from charging public defender fees. In 2023, Gov. Phil Murphy passed a law eliminating public defender fees for felony cases, but people must pay up to $200 to apply for legal representation in municipal court. The report found that the cost to collect fees exceeds revenue, and the fee disproportionately harms communities of color and places the burden of court debt on families. If the law is passed, there must be state funding that covers municipal public defender costs and increased transparency in public defender access and outcomes, according to the report.
New Jersey Patch

Webinar discussing trauma-informed care for patients giving birth planned with Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ on Dec. 4. It is from 1-2 p.m. and designed for perinatal nurses, counselors, social workers, and other support staff. It will discuss trauma-informed care principles, ways to recognize trauma and its impact, and trauma-informed communications. Registration is required. Add to 📅.
Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ