From the shores of Cape May to the boardwalks of Atlantic City, New Jersey is offering a wide array of events over the next four weeks, blending major historical celebrations with a vibrant calendar of music, theater, and family activities.
The state is set to be a focal point for the national “America 250” celebration, marking the 250th anniversary of American independence, with a series of events running through the summer.
A highlight is the “Rev, White & Blue” state-sponsored event at SHI Stadium on the Rutgers University–New Brunswick campus on July 2. The celebration will feature a headlining performance by Wyckoff native Nick Jonas and will commemorate the 250th anniversary of New Jersey’s first constitution. The festivities include interactive exhibits and historical tributes along the Rutgers Boardwalk.
Independence Day itself is packed with events across the state.
In Atlantic City, the day concludes with the “Atlantic City 4th Spectacular,” featuring the Boogie Nights show and a large Grucci fireworks display on the Boardwalk. In Jersey City, the “Jersey City Freedom + Fireworks Festival” at Exchange Place is billed as one of the state’s largest celebrations.
The festival will include over 100 food vendors, carnival rides, and live entertainment, alongside views of the “Sail4th 250” tall ships parade and the Macy’s fireworks on the Hudson River.
Camden will host its own festivities, including a July 4th Freedom Festival headlined by The Commodores and a celebration on the deck of the historic Battleship New Jersey.
Of course, it is not the same group folks recall from the late 1970s and early 1980s, when Lionel Richie was a lead singer.
William “WAK” King, the only remaining founding member of the Commodores, who joined the group in 1968, plays trumpet, guitar, synthesizer, flute, and congas/percussion and is the group’s choreographer. Vocalists Brent Carter, Cody Orange, and Colin Orange, who also plays guitar and keyboards, all joined the band last year, in 2025.
Other America 250 events include a parade and drone show in Haddonfield on July 3 and a grand reopening of the Old Barracks Museum in Trenton on July 4. For those interested in Revolutionary War history, a reenactment of General George Washington’s 1778 visit to the Hermitage will take place in Ho-Ho-Kus on July 11.
Theater and performing arts are also prominent. Cape May Stage will continue its run of the Tony-nominated play “What the Constitution Means to Me” through June 28, a production exploring the impact of the U.S. Constitution.
For live music, Bally’s Atlantic City has a full summer lineup at “The Yard,” and its Beach Bar, including tribute acts like “We May Be Right” performing Billy Joel’s hits on July 11 and “Back In Black,” an AC/DC tribute, on July 25. The Atlantic City Comedy Club, located at The Tropicana, has a packed schedule of shows, with headliner Yannis Pappas performing June 27.
Liberty Science Center in Jersey City is hosting a “Summer of Soccer & Science,” with daily activities from drone soccer to “Pup Cup” matches featuring puppies from The Seeing Eye. Visitors can also meet players from Gotham FC, New Jersey’s professional women’s soccer team, on select dates through July.
The World Cup wraps up on Sunday, July 19, against the backdrop of the New York City skyline at MetLife Stadium—which FIFA is calling New York/New Jersey Stadium—in East Rutherford, N.J., with kickoff at 3:30 p.m. ET.
The World Cup will end up costing New Jersey state and local taxpayers over $100 million for security, event operations, and infrastructure. While Rep. Josh Gottheimer secured $8.5 million in federal funding to help cover state troopers and local police, Governor Rebecca ‘Mikie’ Sherrill’s administration secured only $3.6 million from the host committee to subsidize New Jersey Transit’s staggering $48 million bill for train services to the stadium.
For more events across the state, residents and visitors are encouraged to check these websites:
Visit NJ The official state site for tourism, events, accommodations, attractions, activities, dining and more
NJ Stage For stage and theater events
New Jersey Isn’t Boring For weekend events and festivals
NJ Arts For art, museums, comedy, dance, family, film, music, theater, and words
NJ Family For moms and dads, parenting and lifestyle
NJ Monthly For news, eat & drink, things to do, top doctors & dentists, arts & entertainment, shore & travel, home & style
Eventbrite Events in New Jersey
South Jersey events For Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Salem counties, and the South Jersey’s coast
Jersey Shore events From Sandy Hook to Cape May
Events by county: Bergen / Passaic / Sussex / Warren / Morris / Essex / Hudson / Union / Somerset / Hunterdon / Mercer / Middlesex / Monmouth / Ocean / Burlington / Camden / Gloucester / Salem / Cumberland / Atlantic / Cape May
Venue calendars: Albert Music Hall / Algonquin Arts Theatre / American Theater Group / Anchor Rock Club / Asbury Lanes / Atlantic City Comedy Club / Atlantic City Convention Center / Atlantic City Theatre Company / Axelrod Performing Arts Center / Bally’s Showroom / Baroque Orchestra Of New Jersey / BellWorks / Bergen Performing Arts Center / Borgata Event Center / Borgata Music Box / Broadway Theatre of Pitman / Caesars Hotel / Cape May Stage / Centenary Stage Company / Chester Theatre Group / Count Basie Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre / Count Basie The Vogel / Cranford Dramatic Club / Crossroads / Cure Insurance Arena / Debonair Music Hall / Freedom Mortgage Pavilion / George Street Playhouse / Great Notch Inn / Grunin Center for the Arts / Hard Rock Hotel & Casino / House of Independents / Levoy Theatre / Lizzie Rose Music Room / Main Street Theatre Company / Mainstage Center For the Arts / Mayo Performing Arts Center / Mason Jar / McCarter Theatre Center / Meadowlands Exposition Center / MetLife Stadium / Middletown Arts Center / New Jersey Convention Center / New Jersey Performing Arts Center / New Jersey Repertory Company / Newark Symphony Hall / Newton Theatre / Ovation Hall / The Oakley / Paper Mill Playhouse / PNC Bank Arts Center / Prudential Center Arena / Resorts Superstar Theater / Rutgers Mason Gross / Shawn’s Crazy Saloon / Shea Center at William Paterson University / Somerset Valley Players / South Orange Performing Arts Center / Stockton Performing Arts Center / Starland Ballroom / State Theatre New Jersey / Stone Pony / Stone Pony Summer Stage / Surflight Theatre / Tropicana Hotel / Two River Theater / Union County Performing Arts Center / Wellmont Theater / White Eagle Hall / Wonder Bar
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