While the rain may be taking a break, we certainly haven’t been, because Hoboken Girl has got your weekend plans covered. The sun will be shining — and you will be glowing — and Hoboken and Jersey City will be filled with all kinds of exciting events to keep you busy. From open mics, to bar crawls, to innovation festivals, to acupuncture, this weekend has got it all. Here are the top 19 things to do in Hoboken and Jersey City this weekend.
Propelify Innovation Festival: Thursday, May 18th from 9:00AM – 9:00PM
In case you haven’t seen the hundreds of tents set up on the waterfront walkway, we’re here to tell you what’s up. This Thursday marks the famous Propelify Innovation Festival happening on Pier A and along the downtown waterfront. This unique festival will bring together thousands of innovators for talks, tech, exhibitors, drones, VCs, VR, music, food, drinks and sooo much more. This event is full of speakers and performers, networking, and even competitions. If you’re an innovator, a techie, or even just a curious entrepreneur, you belong here. It is sure to be a day of inspiration, education and fun. See a full agenda of the day along with other important details here. Use the code “hobokengirl” to get the GA ticket FREE {otherwise it’s $58}!
Liberty Science Center After Dark: Thursday, May 18th from 6:00PM – 10:00PM
Grab a group of friends {and your togas} and get ready for the next Liberty Science Center After Dark Party: The Grecian Gala. This after-hours adventure is a definite can’t miss. Guests 21 and over can enjoy cocktails, food, music, dancing, laser shows, and more. This epic party is inspired by ancient Greece. Immerse yourself in Greco-Roman mythology, philosophy, and mathematics and learn how much of our modern world was influenced by this ancient era. Test your brains and brawn in their challenges of the gods and indulge in wine and merriment while you’re at it. Plus, experience a David Bowie laser show in their massive IMAX Dome Theater. Tickets are only $20 and can be purchased here.
DJ King Shameek at Porter Collins: Thursday, May 16th from 10:00PM – 2:00AM
Strut on up to the newly opened Porter Collins {1426 Willow Ave, Hoboken} to hear a very special guest: DJ King Shameek. This DJ is a part of their ongoing vinyl-only resident DJ series. A NJ native and veteran DJ/Producer, DJ Shameek has been putting it down for more than two decades. Over the years, he has toured with Queen Latifah, Jazzy Jeff + the Fresh Prince, EPMD, Digital Underground, Jay-Z, Chris Brown, Bow Wow, Trey Songz, Just Blaze and Funk Master Flex to name a few. And luckily, Porter Collins has got him, spinning an exclusive set of vinyl classics. Don’t sleep on this. For all the deets, click here.
Spoken Word and Poetry Open Mic: Thursday, May 18th from 8:00PM – 10:00PM
This event is happening at McGinley Square Pub {755 Montgomery St., Jersey City} and is for poets and spoken word artists of any level or experience looking to hone their skills. For $5, you can have your five minutes of performance time, and all spots are first come, first serve. Come on in for a fun and supportive performance environment, and for audience members, stop by to hear some raw, local talent! For more info, click here.
New Beauty Trends at Drip MediSpa: Thursday, May 18th from 5:00PM – 9:00PM
Just outside Hoboken in Fort Lee, this event is a can’t-miss. Visit Drip Medi Spa {2011 Lemoine Avenue, Suite 201} for an event to showcase their newest beauty services. Some include {but def are not limited to}: microblading, teeth whitening, dermaplaning + much more. Receive complementary consultations and purchase any service at the event at a discounted rate. Hors d’oeuvres, champagne and wine will also be served. A gal can’t ask for much more than that.
Great Short Books Book Club: Thursday, May 18th at 7:00PM
Don’t have enough time to sit down and enjoy a long book? Look no further: join Little City Books {100 Bloomfield St, Hoboken} for their short books club where every book is under 250 pages. This week, they are reading The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes, a novel so compelling that it begs to be read in a single sitting. The Sense of an Ending has the psychological and emotional depth and sophistication of Henry James at his best. To RSVP, email info@littlecitybooks.com.
Surf City Opening Weekend: Friday, May 19th at 4:00PM
It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for — the opening weekend of Surf City on 1 Marin Blvd in Jersey City. This waterfront bar/restaurant has everything to make it seem like you’re on a mini vacation {a sandy beach, outdoor dining, cocktails, fire pits and great views}. Guests enjoy no cover, unlimited free parking, and plenty of room for a good time {it’s adults only after 9pm}. Surf’s up, it’s time to get rowdy. To be a part of all the hype, click here.
Complimentary Intro to Acupuncture & Cupping Workshop: Saturday, May 20th at 12:00PM
The Bar Method in Hoboken {86 River Street} is hosting an exciting community-style acupuncture workshop with Alice Kim this Saturday. The workshop will have a mini treatment room, music, and a shared space for everyone. Bar will be doing demos and gentle treatments on the body, including cupping. We are on pins and needles for this event! For more information on acupuncture and cupping, click here and to sign up for the workshop click here. {Psst. Bar Method is also part of our exclusive HG Deals Guide.}
3rd Annual Hoboken “Kickoff to Summer” Bar Crawl: Saturday, May 20th from 11:30AM-8:30PM
We can’t think of any better way to start a Hoboken Summer off than with a bar crawl! This Saturday marks the third Annual Kickoff to Summer Bar Crawl. The crawl will take place uptown, starting at Pilsener Haus {where you can register starting at 11:30AM} and then head to The Shepherd and The Knucklehead, Urban Coalhouse, The Madison, City Bistro, Maxwell’s, The Ale House, with the after party at Willie McBride’s. Sounds like a blast and a pretty ideal way to jumpstart your summer, right? The weather is going to be beautiful so maybe you can turn that “crawl” into more of a stroll down the Hoboken streets. Check out the deets here.
Debra Devi, Papermaker, Drum and a Tantrum: Saturday, May 20th at 8:00PM
Celeb status much? This Saturday at Maxwell’s, {1039 Washington Street, Hoboken} is the premiere of Debra Devi’s new music video “Shake It” plus sets from Drum and a Tantrum, Papermaker, and Debra Devi. Enjoy some great music, great food, and great drinks. It’s the best of all worlds. More details here.
The American Bombshells at the 3rd Annual Central Avenue Auto and Music Show: Saturday, May 20th from 11:00AM – 5:00PM
Vroom vroom. The American Bombshells are scheduled to perform at the third annual Central Avenue Auto and Music Show located within the Central Avenue shopping district at the heart of the Jersey City Heights on Saturday. The Auto and Music Show is a daylong family-friendly affair sure to be a fab time. The American Bombshells, a modern twist on the Andrews Sisters, have been seen everywhere from NYC to Japan. The team performs annually for more than 500,000 troops and patriotic Americans. You may have seen them on NBC Today Show, The Winner Is, Fox & Friends, Fox News, CNN, among many others. This free event will feature a mix of classic and exotic cars, performances throughout the day, and participating business giveaways. Additionally, kids will be treated to guest appearances from some of their favorite costumed characters courtesy of Jay’s Entertainment. For more event information and performer schedule click here.
Urban Jungle Play Maternity Sale: Saturday, May 20th at 9:00AM
At Urban Jungle Play {1140 Maxwell Ln, Hoboken} customers can enjoy 75% off of everything in the store {and we love a good sale}. Sound too good to be true? It’s happening because a local retailer has gone out of business and is liqidating ALL of their designer maternity + baby fashion and merchandise so it’s a literal “everything must go” sale. Doors open at 9am and close once they are sold out. The first 50 attendees receive a gift bag with maternity and baby items from NJMOM. Some of the designer brands include: Seraphine, Mothers en Vogue, Paige, Jules and Jim, Belly Bandit, French Connection, and Belly Button. The sale is cash only, so hit up that ATM and then hit up some seriously good deals.
Kick-off to Rummage + Ruffage: Saturday, May 20th from 10:00AM – 3:00PM
Hoboken’s first community outdoor rummage sale + farmers’ market is back and will be reoccurring the third Saturday of every month starting this weekend and running through December. To kick off this event, Nicole from Hoboken Library will be hosting story time on the lawn at 10:30AM. Come over to 6th + Willow and check out Rummage + Ruffage midtown market’s lawn games, family fun, various vendors + more.
JC Fitness Fair at City Hall Plaza: Saturday, May 20th from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
The Jersey City Fitness Fair is back at it again for 2017 in front of City Hall. Hosted by our friends at Chicpea and JCFamilies, the Fitness Fair brings a variety of local health + fitness experts all together for one powerful day of wellness. Last year’s event was such a success that this year, they promise to bring more vendors, more demos, more fun, and all around more awesomeness. Grab your sneakers and get your tickets here.
Contiguous Artist Reception: Saturday, May 20th from 6:00PM – 8:00PM
Feeling artsy? Stop by Hoboken’s Art gallery for a reception celebrating their current exhibit. “Contiguous,” an exhibition of works by three studio artists displayed at hob’art gallery {Monroe Center: 720 Monroe Street, 2nd FL, E208}. Defined, contiguous means ‘sharing a common border, touching,’ or ‘next or together in sequence,’ which accurately describes the work of the three artists in this show: Rich Roberts, Katie Duffy McGeehin’s and Donna O’Grady.
Jersey City Oddities Market: Saturday, May 20th from 12:00PM – 8:00PM
At Cathedral Hall this Saturday, the JC Oddities Market returns, with all the old favorites in addition to new vendors. Join them for oddities, taxidermy, macabre collectibles, 8bit art, original works by dozens of talented artists + more. They will have two entire floors of fantastic finds. Go here for the full list of vendors.
“Identif-I” – Writings on Identity and Community: Saturday, May 20th at 3:00PM
The Hoboken Historical Museum is hosting a publication party for Identif-I, an anthology of writings by students from four Hoboken schools. Poets Rich Villar and Danny Shot facilitated workshops from November 2016 – March 2017, culminating in this public reading by participating students, along with teachers, family members, classmates, and poets. The event is free and open to everyone. Come see all the hard work these students have put in over the months {and feel like you’re a part of the Dead Poets Society while you’re at it}. An updated schedule of events and an online catalog of many items in its collections are available here.
Growing in Jersey City Pampering Day: Sunday, May 21st from 1:00PM – 4:00PM
Growing in Jersey City {229 Ogden Ave} is excited for their 2nd event in the theme of wellness. This event is try it before you buy it {aka they are allowing everyone to try everything and see if they really love it with the option of buying after}. An amazing group of vendors will be coming to provide services and tastings, raffles, and of course great goodie bags. Services and vendors include: A Green Unicorn, Elements Truffles – Ayurvedic Chocolate Tastings, The Oil Wells Jersey City, Loosen Up JC, Fierce Make Up by Sasha + many more. Also enjoy raffles from places like Happy Box Store, A Petal to Peddle, Lulu Fete, Noellery, Charley & Hudson, Jessica Namit Yoga. Get your tickets here and get ready to get pampered. Use code “LADIES” for 20% off.
The Everything Dog Event: Sunday, May 21st from 1:30PM-4:00PM
Calling all dog lovers: it’s your time to shine at this family-friendly event. At Paul Vincent Studios {49 Harrison Street, Hoboken} guests can enjoy indoor vendors, an agility demo + contest, photo booth, music, drinks {for two-legged friends, that is} and much more. The event is being held by Hudson Barks LLC + Canino Grooming. Bring your 4-legged friend to hear do it yourself grooming trips, partake in an “ask the trainer” session, and enter into a raffle which has prizes for both you and your pup. No dog? No problem. The event will also have adoption information. Get your tickets here for just $5.
Upcoming Weekday Events:
Tuesday, May 23rd at 6PM: Shake it for a Milkshake – The Bar Method goes to Birch for an after class milkshake
Tuesday, May 23rd at 7:30PM: Paint Night at Wicked Wolf. Contact demarescal@gmail.com to reserve a spot, as space is limited. More details here.
Wednesday, May 24th at 7PM: Annual Memorial Day Parade at City Hall.
Wednesday, May 24th at 7PM: Sci-Fi Book Club- SEVENEVES by Neal Stephenson held at Little City Books. To RSVP, email info@littlecitybooks.com.
Wednesday, May 24th at 7PM: CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) information session to learn about becoming an advocate for children in foster care.
Upcoming Event You Can’t Miss:
Hoboken Wellness Crawl: Sunday, June 4th from 11:00AM-4:00PM
Save the date and get your tickets: The Hoboken Wellness Crawl is happening June 4th {basically a “bar crawl” of health and wellness samples — so fun}. Spend your day enjoying 50+ businesses’ freebies and giveaways of self care, fitness, food, and wellness all throughout Hoboken. This event is a sure can’t-miss. Find out more and buy your tickets here. Use code HGINSIDER for $5 off your originally $20 ticket. A steal for all the freebies you’re getting!
Man, oh man have you got quite a week ahead of you! However you decide to plan your awesome weekend, we know it will be a good one, so don’t forget to tag us on Insta in your adventures @HobokenGirlBlog or #HobokenGirl!
