14 Can’t Miss Summer Music Festivals

New Jersey is awash with exciting music festivals this season.

Photo courtesy of Pexels.

Cape May Music Festival
What: Celebrating 28 years of bringing beautiful music to Cape May, the Cape May Music Festival presents classical, chamber, jazz and more each year.
When: May 28th-June 15th
Where: Various Cape May venues and establishments
Tickets: Varies per event
Headliners: New York Chamber Ensemble, Bay Atlantic Symphony, Avi Wisnia

Punk Rock Bowling & Music Festival
What: Now in its 2nd year at the Stone Pony Summer Stage, the Punk Rock Bowling & Music Festival brings together punk bands and bowling.
When: June 10th-11th
Where: Asbury Park
Tickets: $55-$60
Headliners: The Specials, NOFX, Buzzcocks, Charles Bradley

Hoboken Arts & Music Festival
What: Located between 8th and 14th street, this festival features over 300 artists, crafters and food vendors with a focus on local bands.
When: June 11th
Where: Hoboken
Tickets: Free
Headliners: Overlake, Glenn Morrow’s Cry for Help, Rock n Roll Hi-Fives

Hot 97 Summer Jam
What: Radio station Hot 97 brings in hip-hop’s finest, including Chris Brown, Trey Songz and D.R.A.M.
When: June 11th
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
Tickets: $50-$395
Headliners: Chris Brown, DJ Khaled, Migos, Trey Songz

Rock, Ribs and Ridges Festival
What: Currently in its 8th year, this festival combines music, barbecue, and camping at the Sussex County Fairgrounds.
When: June 24th-25th
Where: Sussex County Fairgrounds, Augusta
Tickets: $45-$80
Headliners: Charlie Daniels Band, Marshall Tucker Band, Blackberry Smoke

Through the Grapevine Music & Arts Festival
What: Located on the Southwind Vineyard in Millville, this first year festival features local art and food vendors with a collection of local and established indie bands.
When: July 7th-9th
Where: Millville
Tickets: $70
Headliners: Titus Andronicus, Abi Reimold, Allison Crutchfield & the Fizz

Maplewoodstock
What: A two day family-oriented festival featuring local and national bands, local art and food vendors.
When: July 8th-9th
Where: Memorial Park, Maplewood
Tickets: Free
Headliners: Los Lobos, The Hip Abduction, Ruthie Foster

Mercer County Jazz Fest 2017
What: Produced annually by the The Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation, this festival series has jazz, blues, food, crafts and games for the family.
When: July 8th
Where: Mercer County Park, West Windsor
Tickets: $10
Headliners: Joey DeFrancesco & the People, Winard Harper & Jeli Posse

Black Potatoe Music Festival
What: Now in its 21st year, the Black Potatoe Music Festival showcases local and regional independent artists.
When: July 13th-16th
Where: Red Hill Museum, Clinton
Tickets: $20-$66
Headliners: KC Cary, The End of America, Scott Sharrard Band

Vans Warped Tour
What: The longest-running traveling tour festival returns this year at the PNC Bank Arts Center.
When: July 15th
Where: PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel
Tickets: $45-$55
Headliners: Bowling for Soup, Hawthorne Heights, Dance Gavin Dance

Basie Summer Jazz Fest
What: Named after the jazz great Count Basie, this new festival features some of the genre’s heavyweights.
When: July 26th, August 4th, August 6th-8th
Where: Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank
Tickets: $25-$79
Headliners: Snarky Puppy, Herbie Hancock, Bill Evans

XPoNential Music Festival
What: Philadelphia public radio station WXPN hosts their annual festival on the Camden waterfront, featuring established and emerging indie bands.
When: July 28th-30th
Where: Camden
Tickets: $70-$247
Headliners: Wilco, Conor Oberst, Hop Along, Spoon

QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning
What: The largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America returns for its 35th year.
When: July 28th-30th
Where: Solberg Airport, Readington
Tickets: $20-$129
Headliners: Plain White T’s, Pat Benatar, George Thorogood and the Destroyers

Montclair Jazz Festival
What: Free and open to the public at Nishauane Park, this jazz fest also features local food vendors and family-friendly programs.
When: August 12th
Where: Nishuane Park, Montclair
Tickets: Free
Headliners: DeeDee Bridgewater, Cyrus Chesnut, Ted Cubb Band

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