New Jersey has a huge variety of music festivals that are enjoyed by people of all ages and include blue grass, country, rock, jazz, folk, contemporary, and many other types of music.
The festivals range from jam sessions to multi-stage performances and can feature any where from up-coming, new breed artists to established, well known performers.
Many of these festivals have a theme and include a variety of arts/crafts and food stands.
The venues can range from overnight campgrounds, farms, and street or town fairs
The Best NJ Music Festivals
April 2010- New Jersey Music Festivals
Cape May Jazz Festival April 16, 17 & 18, 2010
Cape May, NJ
609-884-7277
The Cape May Jazz Festival presents many of the finest "young lions" in jazz today. The festival features an elite up-and-coming new breed of artists: cutting edge musicians across many jazz genres, each honoring the legendary players who came before.
Featuring Spyro Gyra and Skemekia Copeland
New Jersey Folk Festival
Saturday, April 24, 2010
At the Eagleton Institute
Douglass Campus
Rutgers University
Corner of George Street and Ryders Lane
New Brunswick
732-932-5775
A family friendly one day folk festival featuring three stages of music, dancing, craft vendors, children's activities, and food. This year, the spotlight is on German American Tradition. FREE ENTRY. Festival is located within walking distance to the New Brunswick train station. Sponsored by Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey and Douglas Residential College. There will be a number of jams, so bring your instruments.
May 2010- New Jersey Music Festivals
Bamboozle Festival 2010
May 1,2, 2010
The New Meadowlands Stadium
East Rutherford, NJ
201-935-8500
The area's largest music festival celebrates its 6th year with largest lineup ever! Paramore and Weezer are the first acts confirmed to headline.
The event features over 200 of the most talked about bands in pop, punk, mainstream, emo and more perform live on ten stages for two days,
Hoboken Spring Arts & Music Festival
Sunday May 2, 2010
Washington Street
Observer Highway to 7th Street
Contact:
Hoboken Division of Cultural Affairs
201-420-2207
Featuring over 300 artists, sculptors, photographers and craftspeople with 3 stages of live performance
The performing artists line-up is not yet set
11am to 6pm
Admission is free
Spring Camp Jam In The Pines May 13, 14, 15, 2010
Old Cedar Campground
274 Richwood Road Monroeville, NJ 08343
609-206-2888
An all weekend festival hosting national, regional and local acts, with a wide array of talent in many styles of music.
They offer camping facilities in the South Jersey farmlands. Campground features full hook-ups, bath house, laundry, camp store, playgrounds, tennis, basketball, shuffleboard and fishing.
Stage built on beach right next to lake. Fun filled with happy, dancing, and friendly folks.
Six Flags Great Adventure Music Festival May 14, 2010
Jackson, NJ 1-800-323-0974
A music fest and competition for for high school, Junior high, middle school and elementary school Choirs.
Performances will take place in the Showcase Theater.
All choirs entered in competition will compete for the First Place Trophy, awarded to the highest scoring band and choir in each division, each week.
Seaside Music Festival
May 20 - 22, 2010
Seaside Heights NJ
732-701-1022
This FREE to attend 3-day music festival will give bands, fans, families & music industry pros the chance to Start Summer Sooner in Seaside Heights with live performances and events!
This year the festival features -Over 130 bands on 14 stages -Thursday Night kick-off party at The Aztec with radio station 94.3 The Point -Vendor village and family activities -Saturday Night Fireworks on the Boardwalk -Saturday Wakeboard Clinic with Barooo Surf Shop -Seaside Heights boardwalk rides and amusements open for business -and more! Visit festival website for updates and band lineups
12 venues, 14 stages (including 2 - day outdoor stages ), over 150 local, regional, and national, and international performers.
June 2010- New Jersey Music Festivals
Jazzfest 2010
Friday Evening and All Day Saturday, June 4 and June 5, 2020
New Jersey Jazz Society
Drew University
Madison, NJ
1-800-303-NJJS
The annual jazz barbecue picnic celebrates jazz through the ages with a special salute to New Jersey Hall of Fame Inductees Count Basie and Les Paul plus tributes to Django Reinhardt and Woody Herman’s Four Brothers Band. Jazzfest kicks off with a free concert on Friday June 5th and continues with nonstop music on Saturday from noon until 10:00 PM. All afternoon on Saturday, with continuous music in two great locations: * Outside on the lawn under the spacious Jazz Tent. * In the Dorothy Young Center Concert Hall, considered by many to be one of the finest acoustical halls in the country. Our food vendors will be open from 11:00 AM until 10:00 PM, serving up a scrumptious variety from coffee and bagels in the morning to lunch, dinner and dessert throughout the day and evening.
Michael Arnone's Crawfish Fest
June 4, 5, & 6, 2010
The Sussex County Fairgrounds
Rt. 206 to Plains Road
Frankford, NJ
973-948-9448
On-site Camping and camping hook-ups.
3 day New Orleans Style Music, Food, and Camping Festival.
Friday June 4th -
For campers and Crawfish Krewe Only
Terrance Simien and The Zydeco Experience The Redstick Ramblers, Jeffrey Broussard and The Creole Cowboys Paul Sanchez & the Rolling Road Show
Saturday June 5th
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band George Porter Jr and The Runnin' Pardners Amanda Shaw and The Cute Guys Stanton Moore Trio w/ Anders Osborne Mem Shannon & The Membership The Redstick Ramblers Jeffrey Broussard and The Creole Cowboys Paul Sanchez & the Rolling Road Show Rosie Ledet, Polka Dot Summer Rae McLaughlan Papa Grows Funk- Campers and Crawfish Krewe
Sunday June 6th
Galactic, Marcia Ball (2 sets) Kenny Neal, The Campbell Brothers The Redstick Ramblers, The Iguanas, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Jeffrey Broussard and The Creole Cowboys, Polka Dot, Summer Rae McLaughlan
Appel Farm Arts & Music Festival June 5, 2010
457 Shirley Road
Elmer, NJ
800-394-8478
Enjoy a relaxed day in the country listening to great music on two different stages. Past headliners have included Jackson Browne, Fountains of Wayne, Indigo Girls, Mavis Staples, Rufus Wainwright and many more. You’ll enjoy a juried crafts fair and the kids can have fun with lots of activities and entertainment at the Children’s Village.
•General Admission Lawn Seating •Rain or Shine Event
•Tickets Non-Refundable
•No Alcohol
•No Pets (except assistance animals)
•Bring Blankets or Low-Back Lawn Chairs
•Picnic Baskets Welcome
Free Arts Classes On-Site, Free Parking,
Food & Beverages Available For Sale.
Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Festival
Saturday, June 5th & Sunday, June 6th, 2010
Monmouth Park Racetrack, NJ
732-272-1730
Three stages of simultaneous Music! Music, Food, Beer, Music, Crafts, Games, Music, Racing, Music! Headliners lined up (Full Band listings to follow): Saturday: Smokin' Joe Kubek featuring Bnois King Sunday: John Pizzarelli All Weekend: T. J. Wheeler
Noon to 8pm both days.
Admission to the Racetrack and Festival: $3.00
Southern Shore Music Festival Saturday, June 19, 2010
11:00am - 8:00pm
Cumberland County Fairgrounds
3001 Carmel Road
Millville, NJ
856-455-0328
The 2010 performing artist lineup has not yet been announced.
Bring your own blankets, sun screen, & chairs
Kids activities include pony rides, moon bounce and more...
JuLY 2010- New Jersey Music Festivals
14th Annual Black Potatoe Music Festival
July 8-11 2010
The Red Mill Museum
Clinton, NJ.
908-735-6429
Without catering to music industry trends, the Black Potatoe Music Festival has presented diverse acts from the national, regional, and local levels. The one rule is that you must be an independent artist or on an indie label (Rock and Roll Hall of Famers and side projects are the only exceptions).
Featuring Adult Contemporary, Alternative, Americana, Avant-garde, Bluegrass, and Cabaret.
Anglesea Blues Festival™
July 9, 10, and 11, 2010
North Wildwood, New Jersey
info@angleseablues.com
bands@angleseablues.com
The Anglesea Blues Festival™ features both national and regional blues musicians and is held in conjunction with the New Jersey State Barbecue Championship™. Top Blues acts are featured on the FREE outdoor main stage, as well as in neighboring clubs and pubs.
Main stage entertainment to be announced
October 2010- New Jersey Music Festivals
Wildwoods Country Music Weekend
October 22-23, 2010
Enjoy live country dance music by After the Reign, line dancing lessons and contemporary country DJ Cowboy Kenn between sets, and Due South Band, with additional artists to be announced. Tickets are $12 per person.
The Country Festival in the Wildwoods outdoors in Fox Park all day Saturday with live music, vendors selling country attire and memorabilia, crafts, food, and more. Admission is free! Plans also include a vintage pickup truck show, and fun country-themed contests. The Saturday evening Wildwoods Country Showcase concert in the Convention Center featuring nationally known contemporary country music headliners.
Past Events
June 2009 - New Jersey Music Festivals
4th Annual Wave Gathering Music Festival
June 19-21, 2009
Cookman Ave
Asbury Park, NJ
info@wavegathering.com
The Jersey Shore's biggest music festival with nearly 200 bands over three days, and a street festival on Saturday, June 20th from noon to 6 pm that will feature offerings from local restaurants in addition to family friendly entertainment.
Many venues in Asbury Park will host the most up-and-coming bands from the Tri-State area. The showcases take place on Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday. Weekend passes give you access to all indoor venues all weekend. Tickets for individual shows can also be purchased at each venue separately or attendees can purchase a full three-day pass. The venues include; The Saint, Mattison Park, Munch, America's Cup, Hold Fast, The Twisted Tree The Parthenon Lounge @ Synaxis, Market In The Middle, Style Rocket, Paranormal Books & Curiosities, Salt Water Beach Cafe, B Unique Clothing, Asbury Lanes, The Vault, Carmine’s, Old Man Rafferty's, Rosie's Cafe @ Atonement Church, The Showroom, The Annex, Langosta Lounge, The Watermark, Plan B, Tim McLoone's Supper Club, and more.
One of the summer’s premier weekend music festivals and a recognized area tradition. Each year, tens of thousands of fans gather along the Delaware River to celebrate the music they love with performances by over three dozen of today's most talented musicians. Get together with friends and family for three amazing days of great music featuring an incredible lineup including a unique mix of emerging and established artists performing on two stages. And be sure to bring the kids for music on the Kids Corner stage and four acres of fun in the Camden Children’s Garden!
ALL POINTS WEST MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL
July 31, August 1 and August 2, 2009
Liberty State Park
Jersey City, NJ
Tickets available at Ticketmaster
Beastie Boys, Tool and Coldplay set to headline the three-day, multi-stage music and arts festival. ALL POINTS WEST will also feature performances from Echo & The Bunnymen, My Bloody Valentine, Vampire Weekend, MGMT, MSTRKRFT, Gogol Bordello, The Black Keys, Fleet Foxes, Neko Case, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Arctic Monkeys and more than 65 artists appearing throughout the 80-acre historic location that has panoramic views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the Manhattan skyline. This year, the Queen of the Valley stage has been changed to a Coachella-like tent creating an environment that will showcase comedy, DJs, electronic acts and bands.
August 2009 - New Jersey Music Festivals
13th Annual Puerto Rican Parade & Latin Music Festival
Sunday, August 9, 2009
On the Boardwalk & Albany Ave.
Atlanic City, NJ
609-226-8183
Music Festival Performers:
Viti Ruiz, Alex Bello, Los Trobadores, Los Pleneros De Marungue, Master Band, and more...
Parade starts at 11 am
$5 adult, $2 child
Skylands Music & Arts Festival
August 14 - 16, 2009
Route 46
Hunter's Lodge Field
Delaware, NJ
908-813-8689
Held on the site of the award winning Knowlton Riverfest, the new Skylands Music & Arts Festival "SkyFest" will continue the Riverfest tradition of a world-class music festival on the banks of the Delaware River in Knowlton Township, NJ.
Fri: 6 pm - midnight
Sat: 1 pm - midnight
Sun: noon - 6 pm
Admission:
$15 per day, $10 with Student ID, under 12 free. Free parking
Red Mill Bluegrass Festival Saturday, August 15, 2009
Red Hill Museum
56 Main St.
Clinton, NJ
908-735-4101
Featuring the Travis Wetzel Trio and String Fever
Gates open 5:30 p.m. for picnics (prize for best picnic), music begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission: Adults $10, Seniors $8, Museum Members $7, Children (6-12) $6
34th Annual Clearwater Festival Saturday, August 15 & Sunday, August 16, 2009
11:00am - 7:00 pm
Sunset Park,
Sunset Ave & Main St.
Asbury Park
732-872-9644
11 am - 7 pm
The Clearwater Festival is Monmouth County Friends of Clearwater's annual open-air music and arts festival celebrating the spirit of people working and singing together for the environment. While not a fundraising event, any proceeds benefit Monmouth County Friends of Clearwater's environmental programs.
The festival features top name international and local performers.
Three Stages of Music Both Days
September 2009 - New Jersey Music Festivals
The 38th Annual Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival
Friday, September 4, Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6, 2009
Salem County Fairgrounds Woodstown, NJ
(302) 635-3001
Performers include:
• Tuesday Mountain Boys
• The April Verch Band
• Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice
• Steep Canyon Rangers
• Rhonda Vincent & The Rage
• Dailey & Vincent
• Alecia Nugent
• Footworks
• Dan Paisley & The Southern Grass
• Blue Moon Rising
• The Grascals
• Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives
• Blue Daze
• James Reams & The Barnstormers
• Sierra Hull & Highway 111
• Marty Raybon & Full Circle
• Gibson Brothers • Give & Take Jugglers
• Chris Capehart (Magician)
• John & June Gallagher
Revelation Generation
September 4 & 5, 2009
45 Fitzer Road
Frenchtownm, NJ
908-483-2203
Held at Revelation Farms, 140+ acres of beautiful, rolling land in Hunterdon County. It's a music Fest with some of the world's top bands and speakers as well as special experiences such as tented stages, children's activities, extreme game demonstrations, food court, and much more! Music features many top performers including, Switchfoot, Underoath, Delirious, Flyleaf, MercyMe and Relient K.
Fall Camp Jam in the Pines
September 18 to 20, 2009
Old Cedar Campground
274 Richwood Road Monroeville, NJ 08343
609-206-2888
An all weekend festival hosting national, regional and local acts, with a wide array of talent in many styles of music.
They offer camping facilities in the South Jersey farmlands. Campground features full hook-ups, bath house, laundry, camp store, playgrounds, tennis, basketball, shuffleboard and fishing.
Stage built on beach right next to lake. Fun filled with happy, dancing, and friendly folks.
Jason Aldean, with great hits as Amarillo Sky, She’s County, and more, will headline the first THUNDERFEST, an all-day country music festival.
Other country artists incding Julia Burton, Ty Williams, Due West, and more.
Tickets available through the BlueClaws Box Office, BlueClaws.com, or THUNDER985.com
October 2009 - New Jersey Music Festivals
The Folk Project Fall Festival 2009 October 9-10-11
Star Lake Camp
Bloomingdale NJ festival@folkproject.org
A boutique of a festival, with attendance limited to 225. Workshops are personal and participatory, with 10-50 people involved. Performers and audience together form an enthusiastic weekend community. The festival includes 3 full concerts, over 30 workshops, an extensive dance schedule, jammin', round robins, song swaps and more.
Performers include Red Molly, Vance Gilbert, Walt Michael, Martin Swinger, Dave Kleiner and Liz Pagan, Illegal Contraband, and dance caller Scott Higgs
15th Annual Pine Barrens Jamboree
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Wells Mills County Park
Route 532
Waretown
609-971-3085
Music Under the Jamboree Tent - Featuring the sounds of the Jersey Pines, traditional crafts of the Pines, nature and history programs, kids' programs and Piney Vittles!
This is the perfect venue for a taste of "Piney" culture, from the day-long music, to the many artists, crafter's, cooks, farmers and more that display and sell their product at this great event.
NJPAC Latin Jazz Festival Weekend
Friday, October 30 through Sunday, November 1, 2009
(888) 466-5722
Tickets are $18-$60.
NJPAC’s Alternate Routes Series presents its annual fiery weekend of Latin jazz with three performances from Friday to Sunday. Step out of your seat and onto the dance floor! Mix, mingle and dance the night away at this special event that kicks off a weekend of sizzling Latin jazz The kick off event on Friday will feature live music courtesy of Cubanoson, a traditional Cuban dance orchestra created by pianist Leonel “Papo” Ortega. This high-energy evening will also welcome the sounds of DJ Jose Rodriguez.
The culminating event on Sunday, at 5:00pm brings together on Prudential Hall’s stage the legendary Latin jazz ensemble the Spanish Harlem Orchestra and the familiar sizzle of timbales from the Tito Puente Jr. Orchestra, an NJPAC-exclusive and Puente’s NJPAC debut.
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Hoboken Spring Arts & Music Festival
