126 Free Concerts at the Jersey Shore in Summer 2026

Looking for free things to do at the Jersey Shore this summer?

From Atlantic City to Cape May, towns across the Shore are hosting more than 125 free concerts featuring everything from local bands and tribute acts to nationally known performers and even a drone show.

Grab a beach chair and hit the Parkway. We've rounded up 126 free concerts happening down the Shore between now and Labor Day, with seven of our personal picks highlighted below.

16 Free Concerts Return to Atlantic City Boardwalk in 2026

A full summer of free live music is coming to the Atlantic City Boardwalk at Kennedy Plaza. Presented by Tony Mart Presents, all concerts start at 7 PM, and parking is available in the garage beneath Boardwalk Hall for around $10.

The Atlantic City series arguably has the strongest lineup of nationally known performers, including Booker T. Jones, Ivan Neville, Gary U.S. Bonds, and Mitch Ryder.

Wednesday Night Concert Series - 7 PM Shows

June 24 — A Tony Mart All-stars rock tribute, featuring Billy Walton, Patty Balbo, Danny Eyer, Patty Blee, and more
July 1 — Ana Popovic & "Fantastafunk"
July 8 — Tab Benoit
July 15 — Shemekia Copeland
July 22 — New Orleans & Dr. John Legacy Show
July 29 — Mitch Ryder & Tony Mart All-stars
August 5 — Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience
August 12 — Ivan Neville & Dumpstaphunk
August 19 — Booker T. Jones
August 26 — Dead Zep with Special Guest Hayley Jane
September 2 — "Love TKO": The Official Teddy Pendergrass Tribute

Free Monday Night "Lundi Gras" Concerts - 7 PM Shows

August 3 — Gary U.S. Bonds & The Houserockers with Anthony Krizan of Spin Doctors fame
August 10 — Tommy Castro & The Painkillers
August 17 — Dana Fuchs
August 24 — Celebration of The Allman Brothers' "Live at Fillmore East"
August 31 — Flow Tribe

Tony Mart Cares Cafe on the Atlantic City Boardwalk during free concerts - Photo: Chris Coleman

Ventnor City Free Concerts in 2026

The City of Ventnor hosts an entire summer of free concerts throughout its municipality. For these shows, vendors and food trucks will set up at 5:30, and the concerts will begin at 6:30 PM, unless otherwise noted.

Ventnor offers one of the Shore's most diverse free concert schedules, mixing classic rock tributes, soul acts, and local favorites between its boardwalk and Ski Beach venues.

May 23 — Party Wave Band, Ski Beach at Dorset & Burk Avenues (Ventnor Heights)
June 27 — Kick It Out (Heart Tribute), S. Newport Avenue Band Stage (Boardwalk)
July 3 — Ricky Stevens (6:15 PM) and The Exceptions (7 PM), S. Newport Avenue Band Stage (Boardwalk)
July 8 — Don't Call Me Francis, Dorset & Burk Avenues (Ventnor Heights)
July 11 — Derek Crider Band, S. Newport Avenue Band Stage (Boardwalk)
July 15 — Legacy, Dorset & Burk Avenues (Ventnor Heights)
July 18 — The Jersey Four (Frankie Valli tribute), S. Newport Avenue Band Stage (Boardwalk)
July 22 — Red & The Girls Can’t Help It, Dorset & Burk Avenues (Ventnor Heights)
July 29 — Countdown to Ecstasy (Steely Dan tribute), Dorset & Burk Avenues (Ventnor Heights)
August 1 — Beatlemania Again! (Beatles tribute), S. Newport Avenue Band Stage (Boardwalk)
August 5 — Dead Reckoning (Grateful Dead tribute), Dorset & Burk Avenues (Ventnor Heights)
August 8 — East Coast Funk Band, S. Newport Avenue Band Stage (Boardwalk)
August 12 — Sensational Soul Cruisers, Dorset & Burk Avenues (Ventnor Heights)
August 15 — Sons of Beaches (Jimmy Buffett tribute), S. Newport Avenue Band Stage (Boardwalk)
August 19 — The Loop, Dorset & Burk Avenues (Ventnor Heights)
August 22 — Time Travelers Decades Show, S. Newport Avenue Band Stage (Boardwalk)
August 26 — The Exceptions, Dorset & Burk Avenues (Ventnor Heights)
August 29 — Plaid Salmon, S. Newport Avenue Band Stage (Boardwalk)
September 5 — The Usual Suspects, Ski Beach at Dorset & Burk Avenues (Ventnor Heights)

Water tower in Ventnor City, NJ - Photo: Chris Coleman

13 Free Beach Concerts in Somers Point

The award-winning Somers Point Beach Concert Series is back with an incredible line-up of performers. These shows are at William Morrow Beach (Municipal Beach Park) between Higbee and New Jersey Avenues on Bay Avenue in Somers Point. All shows are at 7 PM on Fridays, unless otherwise noted.

The Somers Point Beach Concert Series was recognized as the best outdoor concert series in America by readers of USA TODAY in 2023, 2024, and 2025.

June 12 — Singer-songwriter Tom Hambridge
June 19 — Bonerama
June 26 — Dane Anthony
July 10 — Dead Zep (Grateful Dead / Led Zeppelin tribute)
July 17 — John Cafferty and Beaver Brown, also featuring regional favorites Dead Reckoning
July 24 — George Porter, Jr., along with Papa John Gros
July 31 — Mitch Ryder, accompanied by The Tony Mart Allstars
August 7 — Glenn Burtnik with The Weeklings (Beatles tribute)
August 14 — Melody Trucks Band with The Fitzkee Brothers, featuring Vaylor Trucks
August 21 — Billy Walton
August 28 — Deep Blue Something
September 4 — The E Street Shuffle (Bruce Springsteen tribute)
September 11 — Patty Balbo

Free 2026 Summer Concerts in Wildwood Crest

Wildwood Crest has over 20 free concerts coming up this summer, leaning heavily on crowd-pleasing tribute acts and classic rock favorites, making it one of the most family-friendly concert schedules at the Shore. Check out these shows at Centennial Park:

May 24 — Big House
June 27 — 70s Flashback
July 1 — Star Band
July 4 — Legacy Band
July 8 — Billy D. Light Trio
July 11 — Flip Like Wilson
July 15 — BeatleSoul
July 18 — Artie Tobia & Redtail Revival
July 22 — Crossfire Hurricane (Rolling Stones tribute)
July 29 — Loose Ends
August 1 — B Street Band (Bruce Springsteen tribute)
August 5 — The Mugshots
August 8 — Streetlife Serenade (Billy Joel tribute)
August 12 — Polaroid Fade
August 15 — Chicago 9 (Chicago tribute)
August 19 — Basic Cable
August 22 — Jungle Love
August 26 — Tyler Kingsley Band
August 29 — The Deck Band
September 5 — Megan Knight Band
September 26 — Roundhouse Band

Wildwood Crest NJ - Photo: Chris Coleman

Free Beach Concerts at Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal

Lower Township has announced a summer lineup featuring nine free concerts and a patriotic drone show from July 8 through August 26 at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal Green in North Cape May, with most shows beginning at 5:30 PM.

As the only free concert series on the Delaware Bay side of Cape May County, you'll be able to catch some absolutely stunning sunsets while enjoying some amazing music.

July 8 — Soul Cruisers
July 15 — Split Decision
July 22 — Jimmy & The Parrots
July 29 — Legacy
August 5 — Fat Mezz
August 12 — Subliminal Message (4:00 PM), Amish Outlaws (7:00 PM), America 250 Patriotic Drone Show (approximately 8:30-8:45 PM)
August 19 — E Street Shuffle
August 26 — Don't Call Me Francis

The August 12 event will run from 4 to 9 PM and will feature live music, food trucks, children's rides, and a patriotic drone show as part of Lower Township's America 250 celebration and Children's Fund Benefit Concert.

Sunset over Delaware Bay off of North Cape May NJ - Photo: Chris Coleman

Cape May's 47 Free Summer Concerts -- Full 2026 Schedule

Cape May will present 47 free concerts at Rotary Park, right under the big gazebo at Lafayette and Jackson Streets. And don't forget that the Washington Street Mall is just steps away, along with plenty of locally owned restaurants for before or after the show.

June

June 19 — Sweet Spot
June 20 — The Bastard Sons of Captain Mey
June 21 — George James
June 22 — Greg Jones
June 26 — The Outcrops Band
June 27 — The Squares
June 28 — Maddie Hogan Trio
June 29 — America's Sweethearts

July

July 3 — Tom Powdermaker Duo
July 4 — Nolan Quinn & The Troublemakers
July 5 — Quarantined Quartet
July 6 — Geno White Trio
July 10 — Congress Street Brass Band
July 11 — Edie's Basement
July 12 — The Mill Creek Pickers
July 13 — Gerard & Diane (Carole King Tribute)
July 17 — Crossfire Hurricane (Stones Tribute)
July 18 — Original Hobo Band
July 19 — Cape Shore Jazz Orchestra
July 20 — The Fabulous Silver Wings
July 24 — Camille K Trio
July 25 — Jack Melton Swing Band
July 26 — Suite Inspiration
July 27 — Scott Tournet
July 31 — Rowan College SJ Band

August

August 1 — Dion Paci
August 2 — The Quinn Brothers
August 3 — Head Above Water
August 7 — The Capers
August 8 — Lower Cape May Regional H.S. Summer Community Band
August 9 — The Nines Band
August 10 — Rockin' Blondes
August 14 — The Honeyhawks
August 15 — Tri-County Symphonic Band
August 16 — Johnny Zarfati
August 17 — Twisted Livin
August 21 — Bernie Mac and The Breakers
August 22 — Casey Rhoades Duo
August 23 — Brook Dicaro Duo
August 24 — John Walter Cape Community Band
August 28 — The RPG Project
August 29 — Max Davey
August 30 — Charlie Zahm and Friends
August 31 — Gordon Vincent

September

September 4 — Tyler and Brittany Acoustic Duo
September 5 — The John Byrne Band
September 6 — The Wind Symphony

Whether you're looking for classic rock, soul, jazz, tribute bands, or local favorites, more than 125 free concerts are happening at the Jersey Shore this summer. From Atlantic City and Ventnor to Somers Point, Wildwood Crest, and Cape May, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy live music without spending a dime.

The Wildwoods, not your average Jersey Beach town.

Gallery Credit: Dennis Malloy

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Chris Coleman is a South Jersey native and has been a cornerstone of the Atlantic City radio market since 1998. He serves as Brand Manager for WPG Talk Radio 95.5 and afternoon on-air personality for Cat Country 107.3. A five-time President's Circle award winner and Townsquare Media's 2024 Content Creator of the Year, Chris covers news, events, and stories of interest across Southern New Jersey. Story tips: chris.coleman@townsquaremedia.com