Best Places to Listen to Live Music Outdoors in New Jersey

During the summer, there are many great places to check out live music within the Garden State. With many unique downtown areas and beaches, New Jersey comes alive during the summer with many outdoor concerts. While you may attend a show at the PNC Bank Arts Center of BB&T Pavilion this summer, here are a few towns in New Jersey where you can catch live music while enjoying some warm weather.

Asbury Park

Asbury Park

Arguably the most influential city for Jersey’s music scene, Asbury Park features many great outdoor music venues. For big name acts like The Lumineers and 311, the Stone Pony Summer Stage is an outdoor venue where you can listen to great music and enjoy an ocean breeze. You can hear summer stage shows loud and clear on the boardwalk and on the beach.

During the day, you can find many aspiring musicians performing for free right along the boardwalk. Further inland, the Asbury Park Music Foundation has started performing free community concerts every Monday at the new Springwood Ave Park.

Long Branch

Long Branch
Source: Facebook

Just a few miles up the road from Asbury Park, Long Branch features many great places to catch free music outdoors every Sunday and Thursday. West End Park’s band shell host’s bands every Sunday from June through August, while Pier Village holds free concerts every Thursday. Long Branch also hosts a jazz and blues festival at Seven Presidents Park every August.

Bloomfield

Bloomfield
Source: Facebook

There’s always something happening in Bloomfield. Brookdale Park has live outdoor concerts throughout the summer staring at 7:30 p.m. every Friday. Tribute bands and local acts make up the summer concert series lineup.

Bloomfield’s Parks and Recreation Department also offers a “Summer of Fun” event series, which includes concerts on the town green and at Brookside Park. These concerts occur on Mondays and Tuesdays with tributes to Bon Jovi and Ray Charles, along with Salsa and Latin Soul Legend Joe Bataan and the Barrio Boys during the towns “National Night Out” event. All the events listed above are free to attend.

Jersey City

Jersey City
Source: Instagram

Jersey City hosts a variety of places to catch live music outdoors. Every Wednesday, the M.L.K. Hub Plaza features free live music from local musicians, such as Soul Finders and Ambrosia.

Every Thursday from Noon to 2 p.m., J. Owen Grundy Pier at Exchange Place hosts their “Jazz for Lunch” concert series. Enjoy great views of the Manhattan skyline along the Hudson River, with sounds from artists like The Funky Organics’ and Pat Van Dyke.

Want to find outdoor concerts where you live? Visit New Jersey has a directory that covers the entire state.