With a wide variety of events, New Jersey offers something for everyone

New Jersey’s summer entertainment calendar is bursting with activity over the next four weeks, offering a diverse array of concerts, theatrical productions, festivals, and family-friendly events across the state. From the Shore to the Meadowlands, and from historic stages to modern arenas, residents and visitors have a wealth of options to choose from.

Live Music Across the State

The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, a legendary venue, is hosting a series of high-profile shows. On June 27, the New Brunswick punk band Bouncing Souls will perform on the Summer Stage with special guests Less Than Jake, The Lawrence Arms, Bane, School Drugs, and Twenty Two.

The following weekend, on July 5, the Summer Stage will feature a country music double-header with Billy Currington and Kip Moore. Other notable upcoming shows at the Pony include Silverstein & Story of the Year on July 12 and Shakey Graves & Dope Lemon on July 19.

The PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel has a packed schedule. This weekend, June 27, features Santana & The Doobie Brothers on their “Oneness Tour,” followed by Godsmack on June 28. The venue will host a major Independence Day celebration on July 1 with a special concert for America’s 250th birthday.

The coming weeks also include performances by Tim McGraw (July 10), Lindsey Stirling (July 11), “Weird Al” Yankovic (July 12), Jason Aldean (July 17), and a co-headlining show with TOTO, Christopher Cross, and The Romantics on July 18.

In Atlantic City, the casino resorts are presenting a steady stream of entertainment. Bally’s Atlantic City offers nightly live music at its Beach Bar and The Yard, with tribute acts such as “Separate Ways,” a Journey tribute, performing on July 4.

The Atlantic City Comedy Club, located inside The Tropicana, has a full schedule of comedy shows, featuring headliner Yannis Pappas on June 27 and regular nightly performances.

Several other music venues are hosting notable acts. The Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank is celebrating its centennial with a series of events throughout the year. Its intimate Vogel venue will host Billy Bragg on June 28 and James Maddock on July 10.

The Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood will present “A Taste of Ireland” on June 27 and a Taylor Swift tribute show, “Are You Ready For It?,” on June 28.

The Starland Ballroom in Sayreville features a Supersonic Oasis Tribute on June 28. For fans of classical music, the Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey will perform a “Mozart in July” concert at Grace Church in Madison on July 19.

Theater and the Performing Arts

Theatrical productions are also in full swing. Cape May Stage is presenting the Tony-nominated play “What the Constitution Means to Me” through June 28, with performances Wednesday through Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.. The Somerset Valley Players will present “Freaky Friday” from July 17 through August 2. The Main Street Theatre Company in Old Bridge will stage “The Music Man JR.” on July 11, 12, 18, and 19.

In Long Branch, the New Jersey Repertory Company has a full calendar of productions and events. The Surflight Theatre in Beach Haven is currently running “A Grand Night For Singing” through July 4, and will begin performances of “Guys and Dolls” on July 18. The Algonquin Arts Theatre in Manasquan will present “Shrek: The Musical” from July 11-26.

Several venues are hosting special theatrical events. The American Theater Group will present a three-day “Spotlight on NJ Playwrights” event at the Union Arts Center, featuring readings of new plays on July 6, 7, and 8. The Centenary Stage Company in Hackettstown is also presenting a season of professional theater.

Festivals and Community Events

The Fourth of July holiday is being celebrated with numerous festivals and fireworks displays. The Jersey City Freedom & Fireworks Festival is one of the state’s largest, taking place on the Hudson River. Camden County is hosting a variety of events, including a Colonial Tavern’s Day at the Indian King Tavern Museum in Haddonfield on June 27.

The Montville Township 4th of July Celebration will run all week, and Parsippany-Troy Hills is holding “250th America Week” to celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial.

Other festivals offer a range of experiences. The Rock, Ribs and Ridges Festival takes place June 26-28 at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, featuring barbecue and music.

The Whitesbog Blueberry Summer Fest will be held on June 27 at the Whitesbog Historic Farm & Village in Browns Mills. The Elmer Farmers Market, a community-focused market with local farmers and food trucks, will be held on July 3.

Family-Friendly Activities

Many events are geared toward families. The State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick is hosting a series of free summer movies, including “A Minecraft Movie” on July 7, “Lilo & Stitch” on July 14, and “Zootopia 2” on July 21.

The Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway is presenting a sensory-friendly movie screening of “Lilo & Stitch” and a “Summer Conservatory Camp” for young musicians.

Stockton University’s Performing Arts Center is hosting a Children’s Summer Playhouse with live musicals including “Peter Pan,” “Sleeping Beauty,” and “The Jungle Book”.

The Main Street Theatre Company in Old Bridge is offering several summer theatre camps for children and teens, including an improv and musical improv camp starting July 27.

Special Events and Conventions

For those interested in conventions and trade shows, the New Jersey Expo Center in Edison has a busy schedule. The FeTNA Tamil Convention will be held July 2-4, Collect-A-Con, a pop culture collectibles show, takes place July 11-12, and the Best Bead Show runs July 17-19. The Meadowlands Exposition Center is hosting a Pokémon Market on June 13-14.

The Atlantic City Convention Center is hosting the New Jersey Bar Exam, which runs daily until July 29. The center is also hosting the Lawn and Garden Show through September 17.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to check venue websites for the most up-to-date information, ticket availability, and any potential schedule changes.