Free Summer Concerts, Fireworks In Essex County: See 2023 Schedule

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Have no fear, Essex County: free concerts and firework shows will return for 2023.

The 2023 Essex County Free SummerMusic Concert Series will take place from June 20 to Aug. 27 (see the full schedule below).

This year’s series features three concert and firework spectaculars, five concerts in Brookdale Park, 12 other concerts and four cultural festivals. Concerts are held at accessible sites. People who require special accommodations or assistance are asked to call at least two weeks prior to the concert to alert staff as to their needs. Admission to the concerts is free.

For more information, call the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs at 973‑268-3500.

FIREWORKS

There will be three concert and fireworks spectaculars this summer. Here’s where they will take place:

• Wednesday, June 28 – The Chiclettes at Essex County Weequahic Park in Newark at 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, June 30 – The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra at Essex County Branch Brook Park in Newark/Belleville at 7:30 p.m.
• Monday, July 3 – The Infernos at Brookdale Park in Bloomfield/Montclair at 7:30 p.m.

CONCERTS

The 2023 concert series schedule is as follows:

• Tuesday, June 20th at 7 p.m. in Essex County Yanticaw Park in Nutley: Jersey Sound.
• Wednesday, June 21st at 7 p.m. in Essex County Verona Park in Verona: Neil Diamond and Friends.
• Saturday, June 24th from 12 noon to 6 p.m. in Essex County Monte Irvin Orange Park, Orange: Gospel Festival.
• Tuesday, June 27th at 7 p.m. in Essex County Veterans Memorial Park in Newark: Total Soul.
• Wednesday, June 28th at 7:30 p.m. in Essex County Weequahic Park in Newark: The Chiclettes followed by a Fireworks Spectacular.
• Friday, June 30th at 7:30 p.m. in Essex County Branch Brook Park in Newark: New Jersey Symphony Orchestra followed by a Fireworks Spectacular.
• Monday, July 3rd at 7:30 p.m. in Essex County Brookdale Park in Bloomfield/Montclair: The Infernos followed by a Fireworks Spectacular.
• Thursday, July 6th at 7 p.m. in Essex County Riverbank Park in Newark: La Caribena Orquestra.
• Friday, July 7th at 7:30 p.m. in Essex County Brookdale Park in Bloomfield/Montclair: ‘80s vs. 90s.
• Saturday, July 8th from 12 noon to 8 p.m. in Essex County Monte Irvin Orange Park, Orange: Jazz and Food Truck Festival.
• Tuesday, July 11th at 7 p.m. in Essex County Watsessing Park, Bloomfield: Epic Soul.
• Wednesday, July 12th at 7 p.m.in Essex County Ivy Hill Park in Newark: Casplash.
• Friday, July 14th at 7:30 p.m. in Essex County Brookdale Park in Bloomfield/Montclair: The Duprees.
• Tuesday, July 18th, at 7 p.m. in Essex County Vailsburg Park in Newark: Smooth.
• Wednesday, July 19th at 7 p.m. in Essex County Riverfront Park in Newark: Afri-Carib.
• Friday, July 21st at 7:30 p.m. in Essex County Brookdale Park in Bloomfield/Montclair: Frontiers: Country Music Night with Kickin’ Nash.
• Tuesday, July 25th at 7 p.m. in Essex County Cedar Grove Park, Cedar Grove: Stan Zizka’s Del-Satins.
• Wednesday, July 26th at 7 p.m.in Essex County Grover Cleveland Park in Caldwell/Essex Fells: Here’s Elton.
• Friday, July 28th at 7:30 p.m. in Essex County Brookdale Park in Bloomfield/Montclair: Launch Band: A Tribute to Styx, Queen and Boston.
• Wednesday, August 2nd at 7 p.m. in Essex County Belleville Park in Belleville: New Power Soul.
• Friday, August 4th at 7:30 p.m. in Essex County Brookdale Park in Bloomfield/Montclair: Event Horizon.
• Saturday, August 5th from 12 noon to 8 p.m. in Essex County Monte Irvin Orange Park in Orange: Caribbean Festival.
• Friday, August 11th at 7:30 p.m. in Essex County Eagle Rock Reservation in West Orange: K Brown Express.
• Saturday, August 26th and Sunday, August 27th from 12 noon to 8 p.m. in Essex County Monte Irvin Orange Park in Orange: Latino Festival.

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said this summer’s concerts and fireworks shows will spotlight a diverse lineup of performers.

“Pack a blanket, enjoy the cool evening breeze, and dance to the sounds of classical, rock and roll, jazz, big band, Latin and more,” DiVincenzo said. “We have an amazing lineup that is sure to entertain and impress.”

The SummerMusic Concert Series is being sponsored by Rose Squared Productions and The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey. The series is also made possible, in part, by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State.

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