There’s just something about summer nights that seems to go perfectly with music. Great live music of all kinds will be happening all over Central NJ this summer. Here’s a list of over 100 upcoming concerts.
Important: Sometimes conditions require cancellations or changes of dates, times and location which are not reflected in the original schedule. Before planning a trip to visit one of the listed events, it is suggested that you contact the event sponsor to confirm the event schedule or visit their website for additional information on the event.
Asbury Park, NJ
Asbury Park Jams on the Sand
Free music on the beach at the Anchor’s Bend, 1300 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park, NJ (north side of Convention Hall), Thursdays 6-10pm. Rain or shine.
June 22: Flow Tribe
June 29: Ripe
July 6: The Hip Abduction
July 13: Tom Hamilton’s American Babies featuring Holly Bowling
July 20: RAQ
July 27: Bonerama
Aug 3: Midnight North
Aug 10: Hayley Jane & The Primates
Aug 17: Roots of Creation
Aug 24: Scott Sharrard, Adam Ezra Group
Aug 31: Start Making Sense
Bernards Township, NJ
Bernards Township Parks & Recreation Summer Concert Series
All events are FREE. Bring your own seating.
Pleasant Valley Park, Freehold NJ, 908-204-3003
Tuesdays at 7pm
July 11: We May Be Right: Billy Joel Tribute & Car Show
July 18: Jimmy & the Parrots
July 25: Frontiers, The Ultimate Journey Tribute Band
August 1: Beatlemania Again
Bridgewater, NJ
Somerset County Park Commission Summer Concert Series
Concerts at Duke Island Park bandshell, Old York Rd., Bridgewater, 7pm-8:30pm, unless noted. In case of inclement weather over the weekend, 908-722-1200, ext. 7.
July 9: Radio Nashville, top country hits
July 16: Darlene Love
July 23: Boy Band Project
July 30: Blues Fest at Duke Island Park, featuring Bob Lanza Blues Band, 5:30pm-6:30pm; The Tyrone Stackhouse Group, 7-8:30pm.
Aug 6: 3rd Annual Food Truck Fest featuring The Duprees, 7pm-8:30pm. Food trucks open at 6pm.
Special Event
July 4: Independence Day Family Festival, 6pm-10pm, North Branch Park. Revolutionary War encampment 6-9pm, fireworks display 9:30pm. Free. Food available for purchase.
Freehold Township, NJ
Freehold Downtown Events
Thursdays Rock! widely known groups and local talent entertain.
Hall of Records, 1 East Main St., Freehold NJ, 732-333-0094.
Thursdays 7:30pm-9:30pm
June 8: Remember Jones
June 15: Mission Dance
June 22: Funktion 11
June 29: Full Throttle
July 6: Matt O’Ree Band
July 13: Turnstyle
July 20: Brian Kirk & The Jerks
July 27: Tim Mcloone & The Shirleys
August 3: NRG
August 10: The Phil Engel Band
August 17: The British Invasion
August 24: Eddie Testa Band & Special Guest
Freehold Downtown Events
Freehold Idol Open to singers aged 10 and older. Contestants can find application online.
Hall of Records, 1 East Main St., Freehold, 732-333-0094.
Rain Location: The American Hotel 18 East Main Street, Freehold.
Contestants arrive at 7:00pm, show starts at 7:30pm Wednesdays.
Wednesdays, June 7 – August 23, 2017
Finale: August 16, 2017 and August 23, 2017
Freehold Downtown Events
Street Music Performances Every Friday & Saturday night at the Downtown Freehold Gazebo on East Main Street and the Downtown Freehold Performance Courtyard on West Main Street next to the Headquarters Shoe Store.
Freehold Downtown Events
Fall Concert Series
Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. in September and October in front of the Hall of Records in Downtown Freehold.
Sept 6: B Street Band
Sept 13: Soul Cruiser
Sept 20: After The Reign
Sept 27: Vinny Pastore’s Gangster Squad Jersey Style
Oct 4: The Amish Outlaws
Oct 11: Jimmy & The Parrots
Oct 18: Nerds
Freehold Raceway Mall Summer Nights Concert Series
The Freehold Raceway Mall will present free summer concerts on Tuesdays beginning on July 11 and ending on August 22. Concerts will take place outside the Cheesecake Factory and will begin at 6:30pm.
July 11: Dr. Cheeko Band, Rain Date: Wednesday, July 12
July 18: The British Invasion Years (Rain Date: Wednesday, July 19)
July 25: The Nerds (Rain Date: Wednesday, July 26)
August 1: Soul Cruisers (Rain Date: Wednesday, August 2)
August 8: The Benjamins (Rain Date: Wednesday, August 9)
August 15: The BStreetBand (Rain Date: Wednesday, August 16)
August 22: Brian Kirk & The Jirks (Rain Date: Wednesday, August 23)
Highlands, NJ
Sandy Hook Beach Concert Series
Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook, Beach Area E, 732-291-7733.
Wed. 6pm. Free admission to park after 5pm. Sponsored by the Sandy Hook Foundation
June 14: Brian Kirk & The Jirks
June 21: The BethAnne Clayton Band
June 28: The Moroccan Sheepherders
July 5: Tim McLoone & the Shirleys
July 12: The Pat Guadagno Band
July 19: Motor City Revue
July 26: The British Invasion Years
Aug 2: The Shots
Aug 9: Rip Tide, with special guests The Sam Sims Band, 5:30 start
Aug 16: Rain date
Keansburg, NJ
Keansburg Summer Concert Series
Free summer concerts will be held at Baywalk East Beachway in Keansburg on Friday nights beginning on July 7 (no concert currently scheduled for 7/14) and continuing through August 25. Concerts begin at 7pm.
Keyport, NJ
Jazz & Blues on Front Street
Concerts on select Thursdays 7pm-9pm in Keyport Mini Park, corner of West Front Street & Main Street, Keyport, NJ. In the event of inclement weather, the show may be cancelled. Please call 732-739-5138 for information the day of the show.
June 29: HP & His Hot Takeout Band
July 13: Rich & Eddy’s Neil Young Tribute
July 27: Cruise Night with Special Request
Aug 17: Deb & Paul with Cutting Edge, classic rock
Long Branch, NJ
Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues
Music all day, crafters, kids activities, food. Free admission, rain or shine.
Aug 26 at 1pm-9:30pm: Long Branch Jazz & Blues Festival, On the Great Lawn at the promenade in Long Branch. Music stage, food, crafters, kid’s activities.
Long Branch Bands by the Beach
West End Park, corner of Brighton & Ocean Avenues, Long Branch, NJ. Rain or shine. In case of inclement weather concert will be held just down the street at Jack’s Goal Line (149 Brighton Ave.)
Sundays starting at 7pm FREE
June 11: Philadephia Funk Authority, dance and party band
June 18: Chuck Lambert, blues rock
June 25: Slim Chance & The Gamblers, blues
July 2: Long Branch Car Show, no performance
July 9: Taylor Tote
July 16: Marc Muller’s Grateful Jamband
July 23: Norman Nardini, rock ‘n roll
July 30: Liza Colby Sound, hard rock with a soul twist
Aug 6: Eryn Shewell & The Whiskey Devils, classic soul & jazz
Aug 20: Jane Lee Hooker, blues
Aug 27: The VooDUDES, Zydeco funk, blues, boogie-woogie, honky-tonk
Tuesdays on Broadway
Broadway Band Shell, Long Branch, NJ. Rain or shine. In case of inclement weather concert will be held in Fire Headquarters on Union Ave., Long Branch
Tuesdays 7pm-8:30pm
July 11: Leo Gruber & Tren Latino Band
July 18: Swing Sabroso
July 25: Los Ciegos del Barrio
Aug 8: Tito Puente, Jr.
Aug 15: David Cedeno & His Orchestra
Aug 22: Eco Del Sur
Aug 29: Marea Wilson Band, reggae
Thursdays by the Sea
Thursdays at Pier Village 7 PM to 8:30 PM **Rain or shine. In case of inclement weather concert will be held in Long Branch Middle School (350 Indiana Ave. & Bath Ave.)
June 15: Tim McLoone & The Shirleys. Rain date: Sept. 7th.
June 22: Motor City Revue
June 29: The Weeklings Beatle Bash
July 6: Route 9 South
July 13: After the Reign
July 20: The Nerds
Jul 27: So Watt
Aug 3: The Doughboys
Aug 10: Goldenseal
Aug 17: Danny V’s 52nd Street Band, Billy Joel tribute band
Aug 24: The ASAP Band
Aug 31: Brian Kirk & The Jirks, with fireworks
Special Events
Aug 12: West End Cruise Night & Classic Car Show, 6-10pm. Good Vibrations, Beach Boys tribute, and Ragdoll, Frankie Valli tribute, share the Main Stage, Municipal Lot, Kossick Way & Brighton Ave. Rain or shine.
Metuchen, NJ
Sunflower Series Children’s Outdoor Concerts
Wednesdays at 6:15PM. $5 per person at the door. Picnics welcome! Old Franklin School House Lawn, Metuchen NJ.
June 21: Alastair Moock
July 12: Preschool of Rock
July 26: Yosi
New Brunswick, NJ
New Brunswick Hub City Sounds
Free and family-welcoming performing, visual and culinary arts series late July-Oct. in Boyd Park, Rt. 18 North. Food available for purchase, kid zone activities. 732-729-0320 ext. 201.
July 23: Guelaguetza, food, music, cultural dances and healing traditions and heritage of Oaxaca, Mexico. 1pm-6pm.
Aug 12: 2nd Annual Indo-American Festival, food, music, and theater performances inspired by the culture and traditions from Northern and Southern India. 1pm-6pm.
Aug 26: 2nd Annual Caribbean Festival, Caribbean cuisine, music and dance performances. 12pm-6pm.
Sept 10: Rock New Brunswick, punk music and entertainment, featuring Latin Rock and Afro Punk performances, New Jersey music media consortium, Smugbug Productions and a DIY Flea Market.
Sept 16: 5th Annual Central Jersey Jazz Festival, 1pm-6pm on Livingston Avenue, between George St. and New St.
Oct 8: Hub City Sounds @Ciclovia: 3rd Annual Corazon Latino Festival, traditional cultural dances, music and more. 11am-4pm Joyce Kilmer Park, 143 Joyce Kilmer Ave.
Princeton, NJ
Princeton Palmer Square Summer Music
Palmer Square, 40 Nassau St., Princeton, 609-921-2333.
On the Green Saturdays in July and Aug. 2pm-4pm.
July 1: Gyrl Band, girl harmony
July 8: Mr. Ray, kids rock ‘n roll
July 15: Sundog, 1980s to current hits
July 22: Nassau Brass, brass quintet
July 29: Strictly 60s, 60s hits
Aug 5: Rich Scanella Group, high energy fun
Aug 12: Contemporary jazz guitarist
Aug 19: The Suspects, 80s cover band
Aug 26: The Alice Project, singer/songwriter
Special Event
June 16: jaZams Summer Block Party, 6pm. Drummers 6-7pm, Lolly & Yoyo 7-8:30pm, Movie: The Iron Giant, 8:30pm. Live kendama, pogo stick demonstrations, crafts, activities, family fun. Free admission.
Red Bank, NJ
Red Bank Street Life
Downtown Red Bank
Thursdays, July – August: Jazz in the Park. 7:30pm-9pm in Riverside Gardens Park, W. Front St.
3rd Thursday, June – July: Thursday Night Live! enjoy live music throughout Red Bank.
Saturdays, June – August: Streetlife, music, entertainment and artists on downtown streets 6pm-9pm.
Somerville, NJ
Somerville Cruisers & Concerts
Thursdays, July 13-Aug 17: Starlit Cinema, classics, comedy, family-friendly films on a giant outdoor screen 8:30-10:30pm Thursday evenings, Division Street Plaza.
Fridays, Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend: Friday Cruise Nights, classic car show on Main Street every Friday night Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend. 6pm-9pm.
Saturdays, July 8-Aug 19: Saturday Summer Stage, live music at Division St. Plaza Saturday evenings 7pm-9pm.
Warren, NJ
Warren Recreation
Food and refreshments available.
Warren Municipal Grounds, 46 Mountain Blvd., Warren, 908-753-8000, ext. 270. 7-9pm.
June 28: 50’s Night with The Keynotes
July 19: Bob Lanza Blues Band
July 26: Teen Fest
Aug 2: Johnny’s Jukebox Band
Aug 23: Bob Marino
West Windsor, NJ
Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues
Music all day, crafters, kids activities, food. Free admission, rain or shine.
July 8 at 12pm-8pm: Mercer County Jazz Festival, Mercer County Park, 1638 Old Trenton Rd., West Windsor. Music stage, crafters, food, kids’ activities.
Mercer County Park Festivals
Mercer County Park, Hughes Dr. or Old Trenton Rd. entrance, West Windsor, NJ, 609-448-1947.
For tickets: 888-929-7849.
June 17: Cultural Festival, showcase of a variety of diverse cultures features music, art demonstrations, international food trucks, bier garten, traditional dances and demonstrations. 12pm-8pm.
June 24: Freedom Festival, carnival rides, food, entertainment, fireworks. 3pm-11pm.
July 1: New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, 6pm-10pm.
July 8: Jazz Festival music, vendors and activities. 12pm-8pm.
July 15: Ambassadors of Funk Festival, featuring Trenton’s own Instant Funk, Mass Production, Dexter Wansel, guest vocalist Tesa. 6pm-10pm.
July 29: Glenn Miller Orchestra, 6pm-10pm.
Aug 12: The Urban Guerilla Orchestra, 6pm-10pm.
Aug 19: Best of the Eagles, 6pm-10pm.
Sept 2-3: INDO Fair, 8am-6pm.
Sept 22-24: Italian American Festival, 12pm-11pm.
Woodbridge, NJ
Mayor’s Summer Concert Series
Presented by Woodbridge Arts and Township of Woodbridge. Inclement weather hotline: 732-602-6045. All concerts free, please bring donation of non-perishable food item to restock food pantries. Food trucks and stands; beer and wine available for purchase.
Country Sundays Free Concerts
Parker Press Park, 400 Rahway Ave., Woodbridge, NJ. 6pm.
July 2: Tennessee River, Alabama tribute
July 9: Western Centuries, musical influences from The Band and Flying Burrito Brothers
July 16: Truck Stop Troubadours, Outlaw country show
July 23: The Chapin Sisters (Tom Chapin’s daughters), classic country duets, and The Farmer and Adele, country western cowboy swing
July 30: Radney Foster, singer/songwriter
Aug 6: ZBTB, Zac Brown tribute
Aug 13: The Gibson Brothers, bluegrass
Aug 20: Yarn, Americana
Aug 27: John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band
Monday Oldies
On the lawn at Woodbridge High School, 25 Samuel Lupo Pl., Woodbridge. Oldies & doo wop Mondays in July and Aug. at 7:30pm.
June 26: The Duprees
July 3: AM Gold, Alvin Williams Park. Fireworks
July 10: Beginnings, Chicago tribute
July 17: Emil Stucchio & the Classics
July 24: New York BeeGees
July 31: Mahoney Bros. Jukebox Heroes
Aug 7: Shadows of the 60’s Motown
Aug 14: Capris & Larry Chance & The Earls
Aug 21: Brit Pack, Beatles tribute
Aug 28: The Infernos
Tuesday Tribute Bands
Woodbridge High School, 25 Samuel Lupo Pl., Woodbridge. Classic rock tribute bands perform Tuesdays, 7:30pm.
Jun 27: Radio Nashville
Jul 11: Riders of the Storm, The Doors
Jul 18: Eaglemania, Eagles
Jul 25: British Invasion
Aug 1: Broken Arrow, Neil Young
Aug 8: Back to the Garden, Woodstock
Aug 15: Glimmer Twins, Rolling Stones
Aug 22: Green River, CCR
Aug 29: B-Street Band, Springsteen
Woodbridge Wednesdays
Parker Press Park, 400 Rahway Ave., Woodbridge. Electric folk, rock, jazz, Americana and world music Wednesdays at 7:30pm. Concert hotline: 732-602-6045
June 28: New Breed Brass Band
July 5: Liz Vice
July 12: Amy Helm
July 19: John Fulbright
July 26: Femina
Aug 2: Ari Hest, the Honey Dew Drops, Chrissi Poland, Matt Nakoa
Aug 9: Alsarah & The Nubatones
Aug 16: The Dustbowl Revival
Aug 23: Eilen Jewel Band
Aug 30: Harpeth Rising
Sept 6: Iain Matthews & Lipbone Redding
Local Band Thursdays
June 29 – Sept 7
Tanzman Park, across from Woodbridge Train Station, Woodbridge. Local bands and musicians perform Thursdays at 7:30pm. Free parking at NJ Transit lot.
June 29: Saloonatics
July 6: Good to Go
July 13: SHAMAN
July 20: Smokehouse
July 27: Blame it On Richie
Aug 3: Seven Stone
Aug 10: Smoke & Mirrors
Aug 17: 9South
Aug 24: Brandywine Road
Aug 31: Marty and the Martians
Sept 7: Love Revolution
2nd Friday Jazz
Frank Pelzman Park, Tappan St. & West Park Ave., Avenel. Jazz concerts on the 2nd Friday, 7:30pm.
June 9: Michael Mwenso
July 14: Stephane Wrembel
August 11: Duchess
Sept 8: Huntertones
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