Summer shines on South Jersey once the music scene comes alive.
From beach concerts to jazz festivals, there is something for everyone. Here’s a rundown of some of the top free concerts and music festivals this summer in South Jersey.
Somers Point Beach Concerts
The 31st Annual Somers Point Beach Concert Series kicked off Friday June 14, 2024, at The William Morrow Beach / Municipal Beach Park in Somers Point. These free concerts start at 7 PM and promise a fantastic lineup:
June 14 – Bywater Call – Hot emerging Americana and Canadian roots rock and jam with southern soul
June 21 – The Billy Walton Band with Destinee Monroe – Jersey Shore rock and roll guitar hero
June 28 – The Dane Anthony Band – rock, motown, funk, disco, soul and blues. One of the best dance bands in the northeast
July 4 – John Cafferty and The Beaver Brown Band – celebrate Somers Point’s legacy of Eddie and The Cruisers
July 5: Waylon Thibodeaux and Ben Levin at the piano with Danny Eyer Mardi Gras in July – world-class cajun fiddler and Bourbon Street entertainer
July 12 – Ladies Night Double Header Dana Fuchs – a tribute to the women of rock ‘n’ roll from the 60s to today
July 19 – The Phantom Blues Band with special guest Curtis Salgado – multi grammy award winners
July 26 – The Tony Mart Legacy Last Waltz – featuring the Radiators’ Dave Malone and other greats
Aug 2 – Tom Hambridge and The Rattlesnakes – preeminent Nashville producer
Aug 9 – Third World – one of the greatest reggae bands in the world
Aug 16 – Wildflower – 70’s night at Tony Mart’s with original members
Aug 23 – Jimmy Carpenter Band – New Orleans party music
Aug 30 – Joe Louis Walker and His Big Band – Grammy-nominated blues-rock star
Sept 6 – Tony Mart Allstars – classic rock and country rock
For information, see Somers Point Beach Concerts.
Ventnor City Concerts
Ventnor City offers a variety of musical performances throughout the summer, with vendors and music starting at 6 PM. The lineup includes:
Kick Off to Summer Concert
May 25 6 p.m. – Ricky Stevens, 7-9 p.m. The Inka Band – Latin – Santana Cover Band
Summer Beach Jam 6-9 p.m. at Newport Avenue Beach
June 22
6 p.m. Bob Sterling Band
7-9 p.m. The Burnsiders – reggae
June 29
6 p.m. Brian DeRias – reggae
7-9 p.m. Parrot Beach – Jimmy Buffet tribute
July 6
6 p.m Even Betta
7-9 p.m. Party Wave Band
July 13
6 p.m. The Notion unplugged
7-9 p.m. Party Wave Band from 7 PM-9 PM
July 20
6 p.m. Sir Rod – Rod Stewart tribute
7-9 p.m. Dueling Pianos
Aug. 3
6 p.m. Ricky Stevens – country rock
7-9 p.m. Derek Crider Band
Aug. 10
6 p.m. The Flynn’s – Irish folk
7-9 p.m. Funk Daddy
Aug. 17
6 p.m. ELVIS – Elvis Tribute
7-9 p.m. Beatle Mania, Again! – Beatles tribute band
Aug. 24
6 p.m. Plaid Salmon
7-9 p.m. The Exceptions – party horn band)
Aug. 31
6 p.m. Ricky Stevens
7-9 p.m. Big House Band
Sunset at Ski Beach – 6-9 p.m. Dorset and Burk Avenues
July 10 Don’t Call Me Francis – top hits, classics from 70s through today
July 17 Xtreme Queen – Queen tribute and We May Be Right – Billy Joel tribute
July 24 JoBonanno and Godsons of Soul and NJ Night – Bruce Springsteen tribute
July 31 Dead Reckoning – Grateful Dead tribute
Aug. 7 Sensational Soul Cruisers – Motown, Philly Soul and rhythm and blues
Aug. 14 Sidestory Band and Countdown to Ecstasy – 70’s show, Steely Dan tribute
Aug. 21 Kick It Out – Heart Tribue and Frontiers – Journey tribute
Aug. 28 The Usual Suspects – pop and rock cover band
For information and updates, see Ventnor City Special Events.
Atlantic City Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk
Tony Mart presents Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk at Atlantic City’s Kennedy Plaza 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, June 26 – Sept. 4. concerts will be held at Resorts Casino Hotel in case of rain.
June 26 – Victor Wainwright and The Train
July 3 – John Cafferty and Beaver Brown Band
July 10 – Stanley Jordon’s “Stanley Plays The Dead” and Funk You
July 17 – The Phantom Blues Band with Curtis Salgado
July 24 – The Tony Mart Legacy Last Waltz
July 31 – Jeff Bradshaw with his Philly funk R&B band
Aug. 7 – Devon Allman Project and The Billy Walton Band
Aug. 14 – Bonerama and The Rumble
Aug. 21 – The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Aug. 28 – Samantha Fish and Reverend Billy C. Wirtz and Legendary Nighthawks
Sept. 4 – Tony Mart classic rock guitar tribute
For information, see DoAC.
Beachstock: The Planet’s Biggest Beach Party
June 29, 2024: Beachstock offers a full day of fun, music, and activities at the beach.
For information, see Margate Has More.
Peach at the Beach
Friday, July 12
The Disco Biscuits – Peach After Dark
Saturday, July 13
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead
Dogs In A Pile
Trouble No More
Karina Rykman
Mykal Rose
For more details, see Peach Music Festival.
Chicken Bone Beach Jazz on the Beach
Free concerts 7-10 p.m. Thursdays at Kennedy Plaza. In case of rain, shows will move to The Claridge Hotel.
June 27 Headliner: Jason Marsalis; Local Jazz Artist: Tony Day Quartet
July 4 Headliner: Linda May Han Oh; Local Jazz Artist: Keith Hollis and Co
July 11 Headliner: Nicole Zuraitis; Local Jazz Artist: Angela Burton
July 18 Headliner: Edmar Castañeda; Local Jazz Artist: Vertical Current
July 25 Headliner: Ekep Nkwelle; Local Jazz Artist: Rek’D 4 Jazz Eddie Morgan
Aug. 8 Headliner: Sean Jones and Baltimore Jazz Collective; Local Jazz Artist: IDEA Youth Music Collective
Aug. 15 Headliner: Olatuja; Local Jazz Artist: Gina Roche
Aug. 22 Headliner: Ulysses Owens Jr.; Local Jazz Artist: John Lamkin Quintet
Aug. 29 Headliner: Melissa Aldana Quartet; Local Jazz Artist: Dwain Davis and Friends
Sept. 5 Headliner: Arturo Sandoval; Local Jazz Artist: Cintron
For information, see Chicken Bone Beach Historical Foundation.
Philadelphia Folk Festival
The Philadelphia Folk Festival returns with an unforgettable lineup, including Gangstagrass on Friday night, John Oates on Saturday, and Tony Trischka’s EARLJAM – A Tribute to Earl Scruggs on Sunday evening.
Additional performers include Aaron Nathans & Michael Rondstadt, Adam Ezra Group, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, Alexis P. Suter Band, Alice Howe & Freebo, Angelique Francis Band, BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, Calvin Arsenia, Cassie & Maggie, Craig Bickhardt, Crys Matthews, Dave Gunning, Dom Flemons, Ellis Paul, Genevieve Racette, Great Groove Band, Jess Klein, John Flynn, John Gallagher Jr., Jonathan Byrd, JP Cormier, Marcy Marxer & Cathy Fink (Two shows), Miss Emily, Nigel Wearne, Pete Muller & the Kindred Souls, RUNA, The Secret Sisters, Shanna in a Dress, Stephen Wade, The Faux Paws, and Windborne.
See the Philadelphia Folk Festival for information.
