Asbury Park Asbury Park Music Awards
Annual celebration of the Jersey Shore music scene honoring local artists, venues, and industry professionals at Convention Hall.
Late February
Monmouth County
Part of our full NJ festivals & fairs calendar.
Jersey Shore Music Festivals 2026
Multi-day music festivals and major concert events across 11 Jersey Shore locations. From beach rock festivals to jazz celebrations in Victorian towns.
Last updated: July 17, 2026
The Big Four in 2026
| Festival | When | Where | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| North to Shore Festival | June 13–28, 2026 (extended to July 19) | Newark, Asbury Park & Atlantic City | Statewide NJPAC-produced festival; many free events |
| Barefoot Country Music Fest | June 18–21, 2026 · next: June 17–20, 2027 | Wildwood Beach | The Northeast's largest beach country festival |
| Sea.Hear.Now | September 19–20, 2026 | Asbury Park beachfront | Rock festival with a surf contest in the lineup |
| Exit Zero Jazz Festival | Spring & fall editions | Cape May | Twice-yearly jazz weekend in the Victorian district |
The Jersey Shore hosts major multi-day music festivals featuring top national acts, emerging artists, and legendary performers. From rock festivals on the beach to jazz celebrations in Victorian towns, these destination events combine world-class music with ocean views and coastal atmosphere.
All Music Festivals
Asbury Park Sea.Hear.Now Festival
2026 headliners: The Strokes, Mumford & Sons, Goo Goo Dolls, and Chaka Khan. Two-day music and surf festival on North Beach with 25+ bands on three stages, pro surf competitions, and art installations. All ages.
September 19-20
Monmouth County
Atlantic City Atlantic City Jazz Fest
Annual jazz festival at Sound Waves inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino featuring top jazz performers. Evening celebration of jazz music and culture.
Mid-September
Atlantic County
Cape May Cape May Music Festival
36th annual chamber music festival featuring world-class classical and jazz performances in intimate Victorian venues throughout Cape May.
May 9 - June 21, 2026
Cape-may County
Cape May Exit Zero Jazz Festival
World-class jazz performances across multiple Cape May venues. Indoor and outdoor concerts featuring well-known jazz artists in intimate Victorian settings.
May 15-17, 2026
Cape-may County
Loch Arbour Sea.Hear.Now Festival
Sea.Hear.Now music and surf festival in adjacent Asbury Park draws 30,000+ attendees. Loch Arbour residents have walking access to this major two-day beachfront festival.
Mid-September
Monmouth County
Ocean Grove Choir Festival
Annual gathering of Methodist choirs from across the region performing at the Great Auditorium. Features massed choir performances, workshops, and organ showcases celebrating 150+ years of Ocean Grove's musical heritage.
Late June
Monmouth County
Somers Point Somers Point Bayfest
FREEFree outdoor music festival on Bay Avenue featuring live bands, food vendors, craft beer, and waterfront views. Draws 5,000+ visitors annually.
Late July
Atlantic County
Somers Point Memorial Day Weekend Kickoff
FREEOfficial start of summer season with live music at Bay Avenue bars, waterfront dining specials, and extended hours across the strip.
Memorial Day Weekend
Atlantic County
Strathmere Labor Day Sunset Celebration
FREEEnd-of-summer gathering at Deauville Inn with live music and special bay-view dining. Community tradition marking the close of peak season in this quiet beach town.
Labor Day Weekend
Cape-may County
Wildwood Barefoot Country Music Fest
Northeast's largest outdoor country music festival draws 40+ top country artists to Wildwood Beach for four days of live performances and beach party atmosphere.
June 18-21
Cape-may County
Music Festival Planning
- Buy tickets early: Major festivals like Sea.Hear.Now sell out months in advance. Early bird tickets offer significant savings.
- Book accommodations immediately: Hotels and vacation rentals sell out quickly during festival weekends. Reserve as soon as tickets go on sale.
- Check festival policies: Review bag policies, prohibited items, re-entry rules, and age restrictions before arriving.
- Plan for weather: Coastal weather can change quickly. Bring layers, rain gear, and sun protection. Most festivals proceed rain or shine.
- Study the schedule: Multi-stage festivals require strategy. Download the lineup and plan your must-see acts in advance.
- Arrive early: Security lines, parking, and entry can take time. Arrive early to catch opening acts and secure good viewing spots.
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Book Your Festival Weekend Stay
Music festivals sell out hotels months in advance. Book early to stay close to the action.
Book Your Stay
Sea.Hear.Now sells out hotels 6+ months early
Free cancellation on most stays • Verified guest reviews
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Book Your Stay
Barefoot Country fills the Wildwoods
Free cancellation on most stays • Verified guest reviews
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Book Your Stay
Exit Zero Jazz fills Cape May B&Bs
Free cancellation on most stays • Verified guest reviews
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Book Your Stay
Check AvailabilityFree cancellation on most stays • Verified guest reviews
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Festival FAQs
What music festivals happen at the Jersey Shore in 2026?
The major 2026 Jersey Shore music festivals: North to Shore (June 13–28, extended through July 19, across Newark, Asbury Park, and Atlantic City), Barefoot Country Music Fest (June 18–21 on Wildwood Beach), Sea.Hear.Now (September 19–20 in Asbury Park), and the Exit Zero Jazz Festival in Cape May with spring and fall editions.
What is the biggest music festival at the Jersey Shore?
By attendance, Barefoot Country Music Fest in Wildwood and Sea.Hear.Now in Asbury Park are the two biggest ticketed festivals — both draw tens of thousands per day to the beach. North to Shore is the broadest, spanning three cities and 100+ events.
Which Jersey Shore music festivals are still coming up in 2026?
As of mid-July 2026: North to Shore's World Cup extension runs through July 19, and Sea.Hear.Now headlines the fall on September 19–20 in Asbury Park, with the Exit Zero Jazz Festival's fall edition following in Cape May. Barefoot Country returns June 17–20, 2027.
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