Live Entertainment
Concerts, theater, comedy, and shows at the Jersey Shore. From legendary venues to free beach concerts.
Major Concert Venues
Legendary venue where Springsteen got his start. Hosts major rock, indie, and pop acts outdoors in summer.
PNC Bank Arts Center
Holmdel
Major outdoor amphitheater with lawn and covered seating. Top-tier national tours.
Count Basie Center
Red Bank
Historic theater with excellent acoustics. Mix of concerts, comedy, theater, and film.
Borgata Event Center
Premier Atlantic City venue for concerts and boxing. Major pop, rock, and comedy acts.
Hard Rock Live
Newest major AC venue. State-of-the-art sound and production for top-tier shows.
Historic hall hosting major concerts, sporting events, and the Miss America pageant.
Theater & Performing Arts
Cape May Stage
Equity Theater • May - December
Professional Equity theater in a converted church. Intimate 135-seat venue with high-quality productions.
Shows: Dramas, comedies, musicals
East Lynne Theater Company
Professional Theater • June - December
Specializes in American classics and holiday shows. Known for quality acting in intimate setting.
Shows: Classic American plays, original works
Surflight Theatre
Regional Theater • Year-round
LBI's professional theater since 1950. Full musicals, children's shows, and cabaret nights.
Shows: Broadway musicals, family shows
Gateway Playhouse
Somers Point
Community Theater • Year-round
South Jersey's oldest community theater (1929). Mix of musicals, dramas, and children's productions.
Shows: Musicals, dramas, family shows
Ocean City Music Pier
Multi-purpose Venue • Summer
Historic 1929 venue on the boardwalk. Concerts, community events, and performances.
Shows: Concerts, community theater
Comedy Clubs
Borgata Comedy Club
Top national comedians in intimate club setting. Part of the Borgata casino resort.
Shows: Thursday-Sunday
Uncle Vinnie's Comedy Club
Local favorite for 20+ years. Mix of headliners and local talent.
Shows: Friday-Saturday
The Stress Factory
New Brunswick (nearby)
Major comedy club with national headliners. Worth the drive from the shore.
Shows: Wed-Sunday
Catch a Rising Star
Princeton (nearby)
Classic comedy club with rotating national acts and local showcases.
Shows: Wed-Saturday
Free Summer Concert Series
Ocean City Summer Concert Series
Wednesdays, 7:30pm
June - August
Asbury Park Boardwalk Sessions
Various weekends
May - September
Cape May Promenade Concerts
Tuesdays & Thursdays
June - September
Festivals & Special Events
Sea.Hear.Now Festival
Asbury Park • September
Major two-day beach festival with headliners like Green Day, Stevie Nicks, and Foo Fighters. The biggest annual concert event at the shore.
Asbury Park Music & Film Festival
Asbury Park • April
Documentary screenings and intimate performances across multiple venues.
Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival
Atlantic City • March/September
Craft beer sampling with live music across multiple AC venues.
NJ State Film Festival
Atlantic City • Spring
Indie film screenings, filmmaker Q&As, and industry networking.
Cape May Music Festival
Cape May • May - June
Classical and chamber music performances in historic venues.
Long Beach Island Jazz Festival
Beach Haven • August
Weekend of jazz performances at multiple LBI venues.
Check our Events Calendar for current dates and lineups.
Unique Experiences
Silverball Museum
Interactive Museum + Live Events
Over 600 pinball machines on free play with admission. Live music events and DJ nights.
$15-20 admission
Paramount Theatre
Historic Theater
Restored 1929 Art Deco movie palace. Concerts, films, and special events.
$15-60
Convention Hall
Multi-Use Venue
Grand oceanfront hall hosting concerts, markets, and community events. Home of the Wonder Bar.
Varies
Dinner Theater Shows
Various
Dinner Theater
Murder mystery dinners and cabaret shows at various shore restaurants and venues.
$50-100
Drive-In Movies
Waretown, Vineland
Cinema
Classic American drive-in experience. Delsea Drive-In and Manahawkin area options.
$12-15
Concert Planning Guide
Getting great tickets at the shore takes strategy. Here's how to score seats and have a great night.
Ticket Strategies That Work
Sign up for venue newsletters
Presale codes come via email 2-3 days before public sale. Stone Pony and PNC both do this.
⏰ Subscribe 2+ weeks before shows you want
Follow artists on social media
Artist presales often start 24-48 hours before venue presales. Better selection.
⏰ Check socials when tour is announced
Check credit card perks
Amex, Citi, and Chase all have entertainment presales. Often overlooked.
⏰ Log into your card's benefits portal
Consider resale early or late
Prices spike at announcement, drop 1-2 weeks before show as scalpers get nervous.
⏰ Buy immediately (if must-see) or wait until week-of
Venue Insider Tips
Stone Pony Summer Stage
- •GA floor = arrive early to get near stage
- •Beach access behind venue for breaks
- •Bring cash for merch line (faster)
- •Parking fills fast—arrive 2+ hours early or Uber
PNC Bank Arts Center
- •Lawn seats are best value—bring blankets
- •Traffic is brutal—leave 3+ hours for travel
- •Tailgating allowed in lots
- •Sound is actually great on lawn
Atlantic City Casinos
- •Package deals include dinner + show
- •Casino players get presale access
- •Stay overnight—no traffic stress
- •Check Borgata vs Hard Rock vs Ocean for same acts (price varies)
First-Timer's Guide
Never been to shore entertainment? Here's what to expect so you can relax and enjoy.
Outdoor Summer Concerts
Standing room, beach/boardwalk vibes, casual dress. Can get hot—bring water.
✓ Bring
- Sunscreen for afternoon shows
- Light jacket for evening
- Cash for vendors
- Phone charger for photos
✗ Don't
- Heavy backpacks (may be prohibited)
- Umbrellas
- Professional cameras
- Outside alcohol
Casino Shows
Air-conditioned, seated, dress code varies from casual to dressy. Pre/post gambling option.
✓ Bring
- ID for casino floor access
- Credit card for slots/tables
- Comfortable shoes for walking casino
✗ Don't
- Expect cheap drinks (it's not Vegas)
- Plan to drive home late—stay over
- Miss dinner reservations for show time
Small Theater
Intimate, quiet audience, intermission. Cape May theaters are 100-200 seats—every seat is good.
✓ Bring
- Light sweater (AC can be cold)
- Cash for refreshments
- Reading glasses for programs
✗ Don't
- Arrive late (you may not be seated)
- Use phone during show
- Wear strong perfume
Comedy Clubs
Table seating, 2-drink minimum typical, intimate room. Comedians may interact with front rows.
✓ Bring
- Cash for tips and drinks
- Sense of humor about being picked on
- Empty bladder (hard to leave mid-set)
✗ Don't
- Sit front row if you're shy
- Heckle (you'll lose)
- Check phone during set
- Talk to your table
Budget Entertainment Guide
Shore entertainment doesn't have to break the bank. Here's how to have great nights out affordably.
Free Entertainment Options
Free summer concert series
Every shore town has them. Ocean City, Cape May, Stone Harbor—check schedules.
Boardwalk street performers
Asbury Park and Atlantic City have talented buskers. Tip what you can.
Beach bonfires with music
Some beaches allow fires. Bring a guitar and make your own entertainment.
Open mic nights
Many bars host free open mics. The talent varies wildly—that's the fun.
Money-Saving Tips
Go on weeknights
Thursday comedy shows are cheaper than Saturday. Same comedians.
Buy lawn seats
PNC lawn tickets can be $25 vs $100+ for pavilion. Sound is still great.
Skip casino "convenience"
Ticketmaster fees are the same as box office. Buy direct when possible.
Eat before, not at
Venue food is 2-3x restaurant prices. Eat in town, drink at show.
Check Groupon and LivingSocial
Comedy clubs and dinner theaters frequently offer 50% deals.
Join theater memberships
Cape May Stage members get discounts and presales. Worth it if you go twice.
Sample Budget Night Out
Seasonal Entertainment Guide
Entertainment at the shore follows distinct seasons. Time your visit right for what you want to see.
Summer (June-August)
- •Outdoor concert series everywhere
- •Stone Pony Summer Stage in full swing
- •Free beach concerts weekly
- •Sea.Hear.Now prep (September)
Watch out: Everything's crowded. Book tickets and dinner reservations early.
Best for: Outdoor concerts, free events, festival energy
Fall (September-October)
- •Sea.Hear.Now Festival
- •Theater seasons begin
- •Fewer crowds, same venues
- •Fall concert tours hit PNC
Watch out: Weather can be unpredictable for outdoor events. Have backup plans.
Best for: Major festivals, theater openings, comfortable weather
Winter (November-March)
- •Holiday shows at theaters
- •Casino entertainment year-round
- •Comedy clubs stay busy
- •Intimate indoor venues shine
Watch out: Some seasonal venues close. Focus on AC and indoor theaters.
Best for: Theater, comedy, casino shows, cozy indoor experiences
Spring (April-May)
- •Theater seasons wrap up
- •Early outdoor events begin
- •Film festival season
- •Music festival announcements drop
Watch out: Transition period—check what's actually open before planning.
Best for: Film festivals, early season deals, theater closers
Frequently Asked Questions
What concerts are at the Jersey Shore this summer?
Major venues include Stone Pony Summer Stage (Asbury Park), PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel), and Atlantic City casinos. The Sea.Hear.Now festival in September draws major headliners. Check our events calendar for specific dates.
Where can I see live theater at the Jersey Shore?
Cape May Stage, East Lynne Theater (Cape May), Surflight Theatre (Beach Haven), and the Count Basie Center (Red Bank) offer professional productions. Many towns have community theater too.
Are there free concerts at the Jersey Shore?
Yes! Many towns offer free summer concert series on the beach or in parks. Ocean City, Asbury Park, Stone Harbor, and Cape May all have weekly free concerts in summer.
What entertainment is in Atlantic City besides casinos?
Atlantic City has major concert venues at casinos (Borgata, Hard Rock, Ocean), Steel Pier rides, comedy clubs, the Boardwalk Hall arena, and the new Orange Loop entertainment district.
Entertainment & Events Updates
Join 10,000+ entertainment seekers for concert announcements, show schedules, and exclusive presale codes.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Check Live Music Venues
Explore our nightlife guide for bars with live music every night.
Browse Live Music Bars