The summer of 2021 is back with a vengeance after all concerts were canceled due to COVID-19 in 2020. This year, performers are gearing up for their triumphant return with loads of shows and festivals. And with plenty of time left this summer, concert-goers have a wide variety of performances to choose between. Whether it’s indie rock, hip hop, country, pop or EDM, there are all kinds of concerts and music festivals happening in NJ before summer wraps.
No matter your taste, 2021 is packed with artists ready for the return of live music, so grab your tickets before they’re sold out. Check out this list of 33 major concerts and music festivals stopping by NJ this summer.
NJ Music Festivals in 2021
Sad Summer Festival – Asbury Park, NJ
July 25
Indie bands such as All Time Low, The Story So Far, The Maine and more will be performing at this daylong event at the Stone Pony Summer Stage. The show starts at 4 p.m. and is open to all ages.
Barefoot Country Music Festival – Wildwood, NJ
August 19-20
A full lineup of country music stars will be featured at this festival on the beach between Morey’s Piers. Headliners will include Carrie Underwood, Zac Brown Band and Dan + Shay, with more than 30 other artists appearing over the course of the four-day festival.
Hot 97 Summer Jam – Stadium East Rutherford, NJ
August 22
Hosted by Hot 97, Summer Jam is back with acts from top hip hop and rap artists including A Boogie, Migos, Meek Mill and Swizz Beatz. Tickets are available now for the one-day festival that happens every year at MetLife Stadium.
Shadow of the City – Asbury Park, NJ
September 11
Hosted by Bleacher’s frontman (and NJ native) Jack Antonoff, Shadow of the City is a full-day festival at Stone Pony’s Summer Stage. Bleachers, Japanese Breakfast and more will be performing.
XPoNential Music Festival – Camden, NJ
September 17-19
XPoNential Music Festival is a three-day event presented by Philadelphia’s WXPN radio station. Held at the Camden Waterfront, artists include indie bands Dawes, Los Lobos, The Record Company and more.
Sea.Hear.Now Festival – Asbury Park, NJ
September 18-19
Located on Asbury Park’s North Beach, Sea.Hear.Now is a two-day festival packed with artists. This year’s headlining acts include Pearl Jam, The Avett Brothers and The Smashing Pumpkins. Artists such as Billy Idol, Dirty Heads and Matt & Kim will also be featured.
NJ Summer Concerts 2021
Chicago – Holmdel and Camden, NJ
July 15 at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel
July 17 at BB&T Pavilion in Camden
Luke Bryan – Holmdel and Camden, NJ
July 18 at PNC Bank Arts Center
August 8 at BB&T Pavilion
Dierks Bentley – Atlantic City, NJ
July 23 at Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena
Lady A – Holmdel, NJ
July 31 at PNC Bank Arts Center
Rise Against – Asbury Park, NJ
July 31 at Stone Pony Summer Stage
Guns N’ Roses – East Rutherford, NJ
August 5 at MetLife Stadium
September 11-12 at Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena
Zac Brown Band – Holmdel, NJ
August 5 at PNC Bank Arts Center
Jason Aldean – Holmdel, NJ
August 6 at PNC Bank Arts Center
Counting Crows – Atlantic City, NJ
August 7 at Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena
Jimmy Buffet – Camden, NJ
August 12 at BB&T Pavilion
Kenny Chesney – East Rutherford, NJ
August 13 at MetLife Stadium
Daryl Hall & John Oates – Holmdel, NJ
August 13 at PNC Bank Arts Center
Phish – Atlantic City, NJ
August 13-15 at Atlantic City Beach
Korn & Staind – Camden and Holmdel, NJ
August 13 at BB&T Pavilion
August 18 at PNC Bank Arts Center
Kiss – Atlantic City, NJ
August 21 at Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena
Lynyrd Skynyrd – Holmdel, NJ
August 27 at PNC Bank Arts Center
James Taylor – Camden and Holmdel, NJ
August 25 at BB&T Pavilion
August 28 at PNC Bank Arts Center
Alanis Morissette – Camden and Holmdel, NJ
August 26 at BB&T Pavilion
September 1 at PNC Bank Arts Center
Thomas Rhett – Camden and Holmdel, NJ
August 27 at BB&T Pavilion
September 17 at PNC Bank Arts Center
Deftones – Asbury Park, NJ
August 28 at Stone Pony Summer Stage
Kings of Leon – Camden, NJ
August 29 at BB&T Pavilion
Kesha – Asbury Park, NJ
September 2 at Stone Pony Summer Stage
Boyz II Men – Atlantic City, NJ
September 3 at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
Maroon 5 – Camden and Holmdel, NJ
September 4 at BB&T Pavilion
September 10 at PNC Bank Arts Center
Toby Keith – Atlantic City, NJ
September 5 at Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena
Pitbull – Holmdel, NJ
September 5 at PNC Bank Arts Center
Rammstein – East Rutherford, NJ
September 6 at MetLife Stadium
Santana – Atlantic City, NJ
September 11 at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
Main photo by Nainoa Shizuru
About the Author/s
New Jersey native that loves reading on the couch in pajamas, exploring new places and cooking at home. Interested in writing about food, fashion and culture, all while sipping a tall glass of cold brew.
