- By Mabel Pais
The Garden State’s fourth season of the “North to Shore Festival,” starting the weekend of June 13-14, 2026 in New Jersey has been extended by more than two weeks, as announced by the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). Produced by NJPAC, the “North to Shore Festival” welcomes fans in the celebration of performances featuring both global superstars and Garden State creatives, and a month-long celebration of music, comedy and the global passion for soccer which will now run June 15 through July 19, 2026.
Through a grant from Choose New Jersey — as part of the NJ World Cup Community Initiative, and supported by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and the FIFA World Cup 2026™ New York New Jersey Host Committee — the state’s largest summer arts festival has added dozens of soccer-themed performances, contests, gatherings and game-viewing parties to its lineup of events in three of the state’s most iconic cities: Newark, Asbury Park and Atlantic City.
“We’re happy to build on the success of “North to Shore” with programming that meets this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate the World Cup and New Jersey,” says David Rodriguez, NJPAC’s Executive Producer and Executive Vice President. “This extension of our summer arts and music festival, which includes both performances by headlining artists and events that put local artists and community groups in the spotlight, will be a powerful tool for advancing economic growth and boosting the pride of New Jerseyans across the state.”
North to Shore Festival Welcomes the World celebrates all of New Jersey’s creativity, diversity and community spirit, as well as the enthusiasm for the “beautiful game” shared by soccer fans around the globe.
In addition to a dynamic lineup of internationally acclaimed artists — including Janelle Monáe, Alison Krauss, Joe Bonamassa, Iliza Shlesinger, René Vaca, Primus, The Bouncing Souls, Streetlight Manifesto and more — the festival will now offer events built around the world’s highest-profile soccer matches and the culture of the countries that nurture the world’s best teams. Visit https://northtoshore.com for a full lineup.
New Jersey artists, nonprofit arts and community organizations, and small businesses will host additional festival events and bring soccer-inspired elements — from soccer-themed mural-making to pick-up games to full beach soccer tournaments — to performances, street fairs and other celebrations.
For example, Justis Pitt-Goodson, CEO of Brown Mills, a Newark-based fashion company, helped launch a statewide competition to design an official New Jersey soccer jersey.
The winning style, which features a sporty pixelated image of the Garden State, is sold online and at Brown Mills’ Newark store, Atelier (49 Halsey Street). Brown Mills will host customization events in multiple cities throughout North To Shore Festival Welcomes the World where fans can creatively personalize their Jersey jerseys. (Dates and locations will be announced later.)
“We’re excited for the opportunity to connect local artists and organizations with the world’s most famous soccer championship — one that will bring communities together in genuine joy,” says NJPAC’s Dr. Sherri-Ann Butterfield, Senior Vice President, Social Impact.
Newly announced North to Shore Festival Welcomes the World events include:
IN NEWARK:
Newark Fan Village
Dates: June 15 to July 19; Time: Before, during and after every World Cup match
Location: 70 Ferry St., Newark (two blocks from Newark Penn Station)
The “Newark Fan Village” is a free, tournament-long festival in the Ironbound section of Newark that brings the excitement of world-class soccer to a central destination. Open daily during the tournament and offering watch parties for every World Cup match, it offers large-scale viewing areas, musical performances, pick-up games, yoga, family-friendly activities and a curated food hall highlighting cuisines from World Cup participating countries.
Horizon Sounds of the City free outdoor summer concerts at NJPAC Dates: Thursday, June 25; Friday, June 26; Thursday, July 9; Thursday, July 16;
Time: 5 – 9PM; Location: Chambers Plaza, NJPAC (1 Center St., Newark)
The Arts Center’s beloved free outdoor summer concert series gets supercharged with appearances by WBGO DJ Felix Hernandez spinning old-school soul June 25; DJ Wallah of Hot 97 curating a hip hop dance party on June 26; a tribute to ’80s hitmaker and activist James Mtume led by R&B Hall of Famer Kenny Lattimore, and vocalists Lisa Fischer and Tawatha Agee, July 9; and SPINALL, the first Nigerian DJ to play Coachella, offering Afropop and EDM on July 16. The concerts will be augmented by special guest appearances, community performance groups and soccer fun in NJPAC’s Chambers Plaza.
Lincoln Park Jazzy Soul Series: Welcomes The World @ North To Shore
Date: Wednesday, June 24; Time: 7 – 11PM
Location: Chateau 55 (55 Lincoln Park Place, Newark)
This Lincoln Park neighborhood celebration features jazz-infused soul music and specialty cocktails indoors at Chateau 55 (limited seating, registration required) plus outdoor cafe seating and refreshments, video entertainment and soccer nets for pick-up games in Lincoln Park, Colleoni Park and on Lincoln Park Place West.
Celebrating the International Sounds of Soccer at Tuesdays at the Turf, presented by the Asbury Park African-American Music Project
Dates: Tuesdays, June 30, July 7 and 14; Time: 6 – 8PM
Location: Blackbird Community Commons (131 Atkins Avenue, Asbury Park)
Live musical performances — including Walter Parks (June 30), NuSpace with Kelli Sanders (July 7) and The Dorian Parreott & Friends Jazz Ensemble (July 14) — join forces with a house DJ closing each evening playing beats honoring the international sounds of soccer.
IN ATLANTIC CITY
James Taylor and his All-Star Band
Date: Saturday, June 27; Time: 7:30PM
Location: Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena (1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City)
Celebrate decades of timeless hits, from “Fire and Rain” to “Carolina in My Mind,” performed with the signature warmth and storytelling that only James Taylor can deliver.
Esports Soccer Showdown 2026 Tournament
Dates: Saturdays and Sundays, June 20 – July 19, except July 4; Times: 10AM – 4PM
Location: Stockton University Esports Innovation Center (EIC) Boardwalk (3705 Boardwalk, Atlantic City)
A statewide esports soccer tournament brings its semifinal and final rounds to the beach! Competitive esports, live match watch parties, community tabling and family programming will be offered together with Rocket League and League of Legends competitions, with finals taking place July 14 – 19.
Atlantic City Great Pride Festival
Date: Saturday, June 20; Time: 12 – 9PM
Location: O’Donnell Memorial Park (3501 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic Avenue and South Albany Avenue) with an after-party at The Byrdcage (3426 Atlantic Avenue).
Live entertainment, soccer-themed activities, giveaways, local vendors, food, resources and pride-filled experiences in the heart of Atlantic City.
Steel Pier Family Fun Kickoff Weekend
Dates: Friday – Sunday, June 26 – 28; Times: June 26, 2 – 8PM, and June 27 – 28, 12 – 6PM
Location: Steel Pier (1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City)
Celebrate summer, sports and the excitement of the Shore with fireworks, live music, soccer-themed face painting, power boat races and more!
More events and celebrations will be added to the festival lineup.
For the latest updates and new festival event listings, visit https://northtoshore.com or download the festival app.
More than half of the festival events are free to the public. However, once again this year, a portion of all festival ticket sales will directly benefit Growing Healthy Pantries — a statewide collaborative that addresses food security in partnership with New Jersey’s five primary food banks, supporting more than 1,000 local pantries across all 21 counties.
NJPAC is producing the 2026 North to Shore Festival with support from several sponsors. Working in partnership with the City of Newark and NJPAC, Airbnb will distribute tickets to concerts in Newark, Asbury Park and Freehold, including performances by Janelle Monae, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Marc Maron, Iliza Shlesinger, Joe Bonamassa, Kurt Vile & The Violators and The Head and The Heart.
Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Education, Spirituality, Health and Wellness, Business, and Cuisine.
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