ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A free series of summer concerts – including three fireworks shows – will be returning to Essex County throughout June, July and August in 2026.
The Essex County Free SummerMusic Concert Series will kick off June 16 and run through Aug. 22 (see full schedule below). Admission to the concerts is free.
Concerts are held at accessible sites. People who require special accommodation or assistance are asked to call at least two weeks prior to the concert to alert staff about their needs.
There will be three fireworks shows this year:
Wednesday, June 24 – Weequahic Park (Newark), 7:30 p.m.
Friday, June 26 – Branch Brook Park (Newark/Belleville), 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 1 – Brookdale Park (Bloomfield/Montclair), 7 p.m.
“The Essex County Free Summer Music Concert Series offers a diverse lineup of performers who will take center stage throughout our historic Parks System,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said.
“Pack a blanket, enjoy the cool evening breeze, and dance to the sounds of classical, rock and roll, jazz, big band, rhythm and blues and more,” DiVincenzo added.
For more information, call the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs at 973‑268-3500, ext. 6231.
2026 CONCERT SCHEDULE
Tuesday, June 16th at 7 p.m. in Essex County Yanticaw Park in Nutley: TK Walker as Elvis
Wednesday, June 17th at 7 p.m. in Essex County Verona Park in Verona: Forever Young: Doo-Wop Experience
Tuesday, June 23rd at 7 p.m. in Essex County Veterans Memorial Park in Newark: Groove Operator: An Evening of R&B
Wednesday, June 24th at 7:30 p.m. in Essex County Weequahic Park in Newark: Fireworks Extravaganza and An Evening of R&B and Philadelphia Soul: Fillet of Soul
Friday, June 26th at 7:30 p.m. in Essex County Branch Brook Park in Newark: Fireworks Extravaganza and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
Saturday, June 27th from 12 noon to 6 p.m. in Essex County Monte Irvin Orange Park in Orange: Gospel Concert/Festival (Rain date: Sunday, June 28th)
Wednesday, July 1st at 7 p.m. in Essex County Brookdale Park in Bloomfield/Montclair: Fireworks Extravaganza and Music through the Decades featuring Van Martin, The Discoteks and The Empire
Tuesday, July 7th at 7 p.m. in Essex County Riverbank Park in Newark: Tempo Alegre: A Salsa Experience
Wednesday, July 8th at 7 p.m. in Essex County Watsessing Park in Bloomfield: Owls and Lions Trio Top 40
Friday, July 10th at 7:30 p.m. in Essex County Brookdale Park in Bloomfield/Montclair: An Evening of Jazz: Kate Curran Quintet
Tuesday, July 14th at 7 p.m. in Essex County Ivy Hill Park in Newark: Carl Brister Presents: Feel It, Sing It, Live It: The Sound of Soul Music
Wednesday, July 15th at 7 p.m. in Essex County Vailsburg Park in Newark: East Coast Soul
Friday, July 17th at 7:30 p.m. in Essex County Brookdale Park in Bloomfield/Montclair: Never Say Goodbye: A Bon Jovi Tribute
Saturday, July 18th from 12 noon to 9 p.m. in Essex County Monte Irvin Orange Park in Orange: Jazz Festival (Rain date Sunday, July 19th)
Tuesday, July 21st at 7 p.m. in Essex County Cedar Grove Park in Cedar Grove: E Street Shuffle: Tribute to Bruce Springsteen
Wednesday, July 22nd at 7 p.m. in Essex County Grover Cleveland Park in Caldwell/Essex Fells: Nine Deeez Nite: The ‘90s Experience
Friday, July 24th at 7:30 p.m. in Essex County Brookdale Park in Bloomfield/Montclair: The Infernos
Tuesday, July 28th at 7 p.m. in Essex County Independence Park in Newark: The Danielle Illario Group: Contemporary Jazz
Wednesday, July 29th at 7 p.m. in Essex County Belleville Park in Belleville: Jersey Sound: A Night of Oldies
Friday, July 31st at 7:30 p.m. in Essex County Brookdale Park in Bloomfield/Montclair: Sounds of the ‘60s: The Kelton Cooper Band
Tuesday, August 4th at 7 p.m. in Essex County Irvington Park in Irvington: The Verdict: Sounds of the Caribbean
Friday, August 7th at 7:30 p.m. in Essex County Brookdale Park in Bloomfield/Montclair: Xtreme Queen
Saturday, August 8th from 12 noon to 9 p.m. in Essex County Monte Irvin Orange Park in Orange: Caribbean Festival (Rain date: Sunday, August 9th)
Friday, August 14th at 7:30 p.m. in Essex County Eagle Rock Reservation in West Orange: An Evening with the Crooners: Van Martin and His Big Band Sound
Saturday, August 22nd from 12 noon to 9 p.m. in Essex County Ivy Hill Park in Newark: International Food and Music Festival
Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.