17 hours ago
Not looking for fireworks? Try these North Jersey concerts and sporting events, July 3-6
As we roll into Fourth of July weekend, check out our big list of Independence Day events for lots of fireworks, parades and celebrations. But the weekend doesn't have to be all about sky explosions and patriotic displays, so here are some concerts and sporting events in North Jersey.
Music options include the Glen Rock Pops; a six-band ska show in Teaneck; tributes to Guns 'n' Roses, Black Sabbath and the Doors in Clifton; the Kootz in Little Falls; the Four Man Trio in Rockaway; and Captains of Leisure in Netcong. For sports action, check out the FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinal at MetLife and Fan Appreciation Night at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
See below for the details and the weather forecast. Enjoy your holiday weekend!
According to the National Weather Service:
July 3: Sunny with a high of 91 and a slight chance of late afternoon/evening showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear at night with a low in the mid-60s.
July 4: Sunny and breezy with a high in the mid-80s. Mostly clear at night with a low in the mid-60s.
July 5: Sunny with a high in the upper 80s. Partly cloudy at night with a low around 70.
July 6: Mostly sunny with a high in the low 90s. Mostly clear at night with a low in the mid-70s.
The Kootz will perform their self-described "rock 'n roll with fiber" as part of the Little Falls Summer Concert Series & Marketplace at Memorial Park on July 3, presented by the Little Falls Alliance for a Better Community. The collective of musicians features Glenn M. Taylor, Bob Cianci, Chris Roselle, Russ Crapella, Gary Evans, Jeff Guenther, Mike Guaragna, Rhonda Grindell, Pepe Hernandez, Sean Jenness and Ted Wyman. In case of rain, the event will be held at the Civic Center.
Go: The Kootz at Memorial Park, Main Street and Wilmore Road (or Civic Center, 19 Warren St.). July 3. Marketplace starts 6 p.m.; concert at 7. 862-904-0442, info@
Bring your chairs and blankets and celebrate America's birthday through music on the lawn at Glen Rock Borough Hall on July 3. Music director Anthony LaGruth has designed a program for the whole family - complete with marches, patriotic songs and favorite tunes. The multigenerational orchestra consists of 50 members from diverse backgrounds throughout the area.
Go: Glen Rock Pops Orchestra at Borough Hall, 1 Harding Plaza, Glen Rock. 7 p.m. July 3. Rain date is July 4.
Part of the Netcong Recreation Summer Concert Series, the North Jersey-based Captains of Leisure will perform on Friday night at Direnzo Park. This eight-piece band whose members are based in North Jersey features layered three- and four-part harmonies over a three-piece charted horn section. Their repertoire consists primarily of songs by bands such as Chicago, Steely Dan, Earth, Wind & Fire, Blood Sweat and Tears, Tower of Power, Van Morrison, and a selection of Motown sounds. The band has performed hundreds of events over the past 20 years.
Go: Captains of Leisure at Direnzo Park in Netcong. 6 to 8 p.m. July 4. Visit for alerts and cancellation information.
Fans will have the opportunity to see soccer's stars in person at MetLife Stadium for the FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinal on July 5, with the semifinals on July 8 and July 9, and the champion to be crowned on July 13.
Go: FIFA Club World Cup Quarterfinal at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. 4 p.m. July 5; parking lots open at 11 a.m.; stadium gates open at 2.
On July 5, fans can grab one-dollar hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn and soda; and two-dollar draft beer at the Café on the Victory Terrace and in the Backyard. Guests are encouraged to stay after the races for the free fireworks display. On the track, the top 4-year-olds compete in the Graduate Finals.
Go: Fan Appreciation Night at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford. 6 to 10 p.m. July 5; special post time at 7.
This Medicated Mess Inc. production at Debonair Music Hall on July 5 will feature Backyard Superheroes, The Schwam, Disposable, Joker's Republic, Take It or Leave It and O-Rama.
Backyard Superheroes is a nine-piece ska-punk band from Central Jersey. The Schwam is a Bergen County rock/ska/punk band. New Jersey band Disposable's description of its music is, "If the godfather of soul himself and the Ramones found a kid from the islands and then adopted it, this is what it would probably sound like." Joker's Republic is a ska-punk band from North Jersey. Take It or Leave It is a New York/New Jersey punk rock band. O-Rama is a Hudson Valley-based ska punk band.
Go: A Show for Ska-Licia at Debonair Music Hall, 1409 Queen Anne Road, Teaneck. 7 p.m. July 5; doors open at 6. $15.
New York/New Jersey-based Lies N' Illusions emulates the hard rock style of Guns N' Roses with renditions of their greatest hits, Axl Rose's stage presence and voice, and Slash's guitar solos. After Forever: A Tribute to the Music of Black Sabbath is made up of lifelong friends from North Jersey whose teenage years were spent living through the golden age of hard rock and metal. Love Her Madly: The Doors Reimagined is a duo of Laurie DeWinter on lead vocal and Charly Pip on guitar. The three bands will share the stage at Dingbatz on July 5.
Go: Lies N' Illusions, After Forever and Love Her Madly at Dingbatz, 620 Van Houten Ave., Clifton. Doors open at 8 p.m. July 5. $15.
The Rockaway Gazebo 2025 Summer Concert Series kicks off July 6 with Four Man Trio playing popular rock and roll with a blend of group harmony, rockabilly, '60s garage, Motown, blues, '70s rock and soul. The North Jersey group consists of Joe Cimo (guitar, vocals), who has been playing in local bands since 1965; John Clemente (vocals, percussion), who has been performing since 1984; Ron D'Erasmo (drums, percussion, vocals), who has been playing in the Tri-State Area for more than four decades; and John Prato (bass, guitar, vocals), who formed his first band in 1964.
Go: Four Man Trio at the Rockaway Gazebo, Mt. Hope Road, Rockaway Township. 3 to 5 p.m. July 6. In case of rain, the concert will be held at Rockaway Townsquare Mall, lower level. The Recreation hotline, 973-983-2853, will be updated when there is a change.
This article originally appeared on Not looking for fireworks? Try these concerts & sports this weekend
