northtoshore
festivalwelcomestheworld

June 15, 2026

Media Contacts: 
Brian McDonough, 908-322-1100; bmcdonough@kesslerpr.com
Angela Thomas, 917-841-5644; athomas@njpac.org

 

THE NORTH TO SHORE FESTIVAL 

WELCOMES THE WORLD TO NEW JERSEY WITH MUSIC, COMEDY AND A MONTH-LONG CELEBRATION OF SOCCER

The Garden State’s largest summer festival extends by more than two weeks, adding dozens of new soccer-themed performances and events, today through July 19

 

NEWARK, NJ (June 15, 2026) – The North to Shore Festival, on the cusp of its fourth season of kicking off summer in New Jersey with performances featuring both global superstars and Garden State creatives, has been extended by more than two weeks, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) announced today.

Produced by NJPAC, North to Shore Festival Welcomes the World, a month-long celebration of music, comedy and the global passion for soccer, will now run June 15 through July 19, 2026. 

Through a grant from Choose New Jersey — as part of the NJ World Cup Community Initiative, and supported by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and the FIFA World Cup 2026™ New York New Jersey Host Committee  — the state’s largest summer arts festival has added dozens of soccer-themed performances, contests, gatherings and game-viewing parties to its lineup of events in three of the state’s most iconic cities: Newark, Asbury Park and Atlantic City. 

“We’re happy to build on the success of North to Shore with programming that meets this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate the World Cup and New Jersey,” says David Rodriguez, NJPAC’s Executive Producer and Executive Vice President. “This extension of our summer arts and music festival, which includes both performances by headlining artists and events that put local artists and community groups in the spotlight, will be a powerful tool for advancing economic growth and boosting the pride of New Jerseyans across the state.”

North to Shore Festival Welcomes the World celebrates all of New Jersey’s creativity, diversity and community spirit, as well as the enthusiasm for the “beautiful game” shared by soccer fans around the globe. 

In addition to a dynamic lineup of internationally acclaimed artists — including Janelle Monáe, Alison Krauss, Joe Bonamassa, Iliza Shlesinger, René Vaca, Primus, The Bouncing Souls, Streetlight Manifesto and more — the festival will now offer events built around the world’s highest-profile soccer matches and the culture of the countries that nurture the world’s best teams. Visit northtoshore.com for a full lineup. 

New Jersey artists,  nonprofit arts and community organizations, and small businesses will host additional festival events and bring soccer-inspired elements — from soccer-themed  mural-making to pick-up games to full beach soccer tournaments — to performances, street fairs and other celebrations. 

For example, Justis Pitt-Goodson, CEO of Brown Mills, a Newark-based fashion company, helped launch a statewide competition to design an official New Jersey soccer jersey. The winning style, which features a sporty pixelated image of the Garden State, is sold online and at Brown Mills’ Newark store, Atelier (49 Halsey Street). Brown Mills will host customization events in multiple cities throughout North To Shore Festival Welcomes the World where fans can creatively personalize their Jersey jerseys. (Dates and locations will be announced later.)

“We’re excited for the opportunity to connect local artists and organizations with the world’s most famous soccer championship — one that will bring communities together in genuine joy,” says NJPAC’s Dr. Sherri-Ann Butterfield, Senior Vice President, Social Impact.

Newly announced North to Shore Festival Welcomes the World events include:

IN NEWARK:

  • Newark Fan Village
      • Dates: Today through July 19
      • Time: Before, during and after every World Cup match 
      • Location: 70 Ferry St., Newark (two blocks from Newark Penn Station)
      • The Newark Fan Village is a free, tournament-long festival in the Ironbound section of Newark that brings the excitement of world-class soccer to a central destination. Open daily during the tournament and offering watch parties for every World Cup match, it offers large-scale viewing areas, musical performances, pick-up games, yoga, family-friendly activities and a curated food hall highlighting cuisines from World Cup participating countries.
  • Horizon Sounds of the City free outdoor summer concerts at NJPAC
      • Dates: Thursday, June 25; Friday, June 26; Thursday, July 9; Thursday, July 16
      • Time: 5 – 9PM
      • Location: Chambers Plaza, NJPAC (1 Center St., Newark)
      • The Arts Center’s beloved free outdoor summer concert series gets supercharged with appearances by WBGO DJ Felix Hernandez spinning old-school soul June 25; DJ Wallah of Hot 97 curating a hip hop dance party on June 26; a tribute to ’80s hitmaker and activist James Mtume led by R&B Hall of Famer Kenny Lattimore, and vocalists Lisa Fischer and Tawatha Agee, July 9; and SPINALL, the first Nigerian DJ to play Coachella, offering Afropop and EDM on July 16. The concerts will be augmented by special guest appearances, community performance groups and soccer fun in NJPAC’s Chambers Plaza.
  • Afro Beat Fest
      • Dates: Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11
      • Time: Friday, 2 – 10PM and Saturday, 10AM – 10PM  
      • Location: Military Park (51 Park Place, Newark)
      • Newark’s annual family-friendly outdoor celebration of African culture, music, art, fashion, dance, crafts and cuisine is now a two-day event which will include soccer-themed activities for kids and adults.
  • Rest Fest
      • Date: Sunday, July 12
      • Time: 11AM – 4PM 
      • Location: Chambers Plaza, NJPAC (1 Center St., Newark)
      • Take a break! A wellness festival focused on the benefits of relaxation, the Rest Fest offers guided meditation, restorative yoga, sound baths, art therapy and aromatherapy.
  • Riverfront Hip-Hop Day x Brick City Jam
      • Date: Saturday, July 18
      • Time: 2 – 8PM
      • Location: Riverfront Park (797 Raymond Boulevard, Newark)
      • Hip hop and soccer share the stage at this one-of-a-kind celebration of music, art, sports and community, offering hip hop performances, DJ sets, dance showcases, mural painting, and graffiti artists creating public art live during the festival. The event is anchored by major public art installations, including Eddie Martinez’s Untitled — a six-foot-high sculpture of a soccer ball, one of 23 created in honor of the World Cup as part of The Art of the Game project.
  • Lincoln Park Jazzy Soul Series: Welcomes The World @ North To Shore
      • Date: Wednesday, June 24
      • Time: 7 – 11PM 
      • Location: Chateau 55 (55 Lincoln Park Place, Newark)
      • This Lincoln Park neighborhood celebration features jazz-infused soul music and specialty cocktails indoors at Chateau 55 (limited seating, registration required) plus outdoor cafe seating and refreshments, video entertainment and soccer nets for pick-up games in Lincoln Park, Colleoni Park and on Lincoln Park Place West.
  • Newark Pride Welcomes the World Fun Zone
    • Date: Sunday, July 19
    • Time: 2 – 5PM
    • Location: Mulberry Commons Park (Between Edison Place and Lafayette Street, Newark, across from Prudential Arena)
    • An inclusive, family-friendly event that bridges sports, culture and LGBTQ+ visibility, the Fun Zone will offer customized soccer balls for community playtime, interactive activities and giveaways.

IN ASBURY PARK:

  • Stone Pony Summer Stage Watch Party
      • Date: July 19
      • Time: TBA
      • Location: Stone Pony Summer Stage (909 Ocean Avenue N.), Asbury Park
      • This World Cup Finals viewing party will feature the ultimate soccer showdown on LED screens large enough to be seen all the way to the Asbury Park boardwalk. Cheer on the final teams, or keep the energy up with soccer-themed activities on the beach!
  • Color and Light Festival  
  • Dates: Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18  
  • Time: 8:30 – 10:30PM
  • Location: Convention Hall (Grand Arcade Entrance), Asbury Park  
  • Asbury Park’s most iconic buildings, including Convention Hall and the Paramount Theater, will come to life through an immersive video installation that transforms architecture into art. Paired with music and storytelling, this festival of digital imagery celebrates New Jersey’s arts and culture.
  • Celebrating the International Sounds of Soccer at Tuesdays at the Turf, presented by the Asbury Park African-American Music Project   
      • Dates: Tuesdays, June 30, July 7 and 14 
      • Time: 6 – 8PM 
      • Location: Blackbird Community Commons (131 Atkins Avenue, Asbury Park)  
      • Live musical performances —  incluing Walter Parks (June 30), NuSpace with Kelli Sanders (July 7) and The Dorian Parreott & Friends Jazz Ensemble (July 14) — join forces with a house DJ closing each evening playing beats honoring the international sounds of soccer. 
  • One Shore, One Goal  
      • Date: Tuesday, July 7
      • Time: 2 – 4PM  
      • Location: Springwood Park (126 Atkins Avenue, Asbury Park)  
      • A unifying soccer event hosted by Blue Dot Community (a nonprofit that builds community for adults with disabilities) and PESA (a soccer academy) focused on team-building and the joy that sports bring to players of all ages and abilities. 
  • Georgies Cup  
      • Date: Saturday, July 11 
      • Time: 2 – 8PM   
      • Location: Georgies Bar (810 Fifth Avenue, Asbury Park)  
      • This gathering celebrates soccer mania with outdoor festivities, interactive games, contests, giveaways and surprise performances at the pub that serves as the beloved unofficial headquarters of Asbury Park’s LGBTQIA+ community. 
  • Rbar’s Not-So-Friendly Welcome World Luncheon & Afterparties
      • Dates: Saturday, July 11, Tuesday, July 14, Wednesday, July 15 and Sunday, July 19 
      • Time: July 11, 2 – 5PM, July 14 and 15, 2 – 8PM, July 19, 2 – 8PM
      • Location: Rbar (1114 Main Street, Asbury Park)
      • A tailgate party with live music by the Ocean Avenue Swingers opens a series of soccer-themed celebrations that also include DJ’s spinning hits from the home countries of the best teams. Game day activities include trivia contests, prizes and more. The series closes with a celebration of Jersey Pride and the Old No.7 Band playing some of the state’s greatest musical acts.   
  • Asbury Park United – Soccer Showcase 
      • Date: Saturday, July 11, 2026  
      • Time: 10AM – 5PM  
      • Location: Asbury Park High School Stadium (1003 Sunset Ave., Asbury Park)
      • Asbury Park showcases soccer pride with a free day of soccer clinics, high school match-ups and community spirit. 
  • Asbury Park Welcomes the World: A Citywide Soccer Celebration  
    • Date: Saturday, July 18
    • Time: 12 – 7PM  
    • Location: Citywide (Asbury Park)  
    • Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce hosts a citywide celebration worthy of the Shore’s rock capital with great music performed live outdoors in multiple locations, sales and specials offered by downtown merchants and giveaways of Asbury Park merch.

IN ATLANTIC CITY:

  • James Taylor and his All-Star Band
      • Date: Saturday, June 27
      • Time: 7:30PM
      • Location: Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena (1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City)
      • Celebrate decades of timeless hits, from “Fire and Rain” to “Carolina in My Mind,” performed with the signature warmth and storytelling that only James Taylor can deliver.  
  • Atlantic City Beach Soccer Series 
      • Date: Saturdays and Sundays, through July 19, except July 4
      • Time: 10AM – 4PM
      • Location: Esports Innovation Center (EIC), 3705 Boardwalk, Atlantic City
      • Perfect your play and show off your best moves at this right-on-the-beach celebration of soccer that offers open pick-up games, youth clinics, skill stations and freestyle play each weekend (excluding July 4).
  • Esports Soccer Showdown 2026 Tournament
      • Dates: Saturdays and Sundays, June 13 – July 19, except July 4
      • Times: 10AM – 4PM 
      • Location: Stockton University Esports Innovation Center (EIC) Boardwalk (3705 Boardwalk, Atlantic City)
      • A statewide esports soccer tournament brings its semifinal and final rounds to the beach! Competitive esports, live match watch parties, community tabling and family programming will be offered together with Rocket League and League of Legends competitions, with finals taking place July 14 – 19.
  • Atlantic City Great Pride Festival
      • Date: Saturday, June 20
      • Time: 12 – 9PM 
      • Location: O’Donnell Memorial Park (3501 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic Avenue and South Albany Avenue) with an after-party at The Byrdcage (3426 Atlantic Avenue).
      • Live entertainment, soccer-themed activities, giveaways, local vendors, food, resources and pride-filled experiences in the heart of Atlantic City.
  • Steel Pier Family Fun Kickoff Weekend
      • Dates: Friday – Sunday, June 26 – 28 
      • Times: June 26, 2 – 8PM, and June 27 – 28, 12 – 6PM 
      • Location: Steel Pier (1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City)
      • Celebrate summer, sports and the excitement of the Shore with fireworks, live music, soccer-themed face painting, power boat races and more! 
  • North to Shore Welcomes the World: Atlantic City
      • Date: Saturday, July 11, 2026
      • Time: 10AM – 2PM 
      • Location: Texas Avenue Park and Soccer Field (Corner of Fairmount and Texas Avenues, Atlantic City)
      • Atlantic City’s Ducktown and Chelsea neighborhoods unite to welcome all to a family-friendly celebration featuring soccer activities, interactive arts programming, performances, food and wellness initiatives. Presented by the Ducktown CDC, Noyes Museum of Art of Stockton University and the City of Atlantic City.
  • The National R&B Music Society Presents The 2026 Free Summer Concert at Boardwalk Hall
      • Date: Sunday, July 12
      • Time: 4 – 8PM 
      • Location: Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, Adrian Phillips Theater (2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City)
      • Eight legendary soul and R&B acts share the stage for the ultimate old school concert presented by The National Rhythm & Blues Music Society.
  • Orange Loop Soccer Celebration
      • Date: Wednesday, July 15
      • Time: 3 – 11PM
      • Location: Orange Loop (the Garden at Cardinal restaurant, 201 S. New York Avenue and Anchor Rock Club, 247 S. New York Avenue, Atlantic City)
  • A soccer-centric celebration at the outdoor Garden at Cardinal restaurant, complete with interactive art activations, followed by the Atlantic City Arts Foundation’s Orange Loop Mural Walking Tour. Then, visitors can advance to the next round at Anchor Rock Club for an international vinyl night featuring DJs spinning global dance floor classics into extra time.
  • Uptown Takeover at Uptown Skatepark
    • Date: Saturday, July 18
    • Time: 12 – 7PM
    • Location: Uptown Skatepark (Melrose and Massachusetts Avenues, Atlantic City)
    • Presented by SkateAC and professional skateboarder Ronnie Kessner, this day-long celebration of sport and community will include demos by professional skateboarders, trick riding competitions, rock ’n’ roll performances and the live construction of a mural honoring musician Bob Marley, SkateAC’s president Rohan Marley’s father.

More events and celebrations will be added to the festival lineup. 

For the latest updates and new festival event listings, visit northtoshore.com or download the festival app.

More than half of the festival events are free to the public. However, once again this year, a portion of all festival ticket sales will directly benefit Growing Healthy Pantries — a statewide collaborative that addresses food security in partnership with New Jersey’s five primary food banks, supporting more than 1,000 local pantries across all 21 counties.

NJPAC is producing the 2026 North to Shore Festival with support from sponsors Prudential Financial, NJEDA, NJM Insurance Group, OUTFRONT Media Group, United Airlines, Mosaic – from NJ.com, Hackensack Meridian Health, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and Airbnb.

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About the North to Shore Festival Welcomes the World
North to Shore Festival Welcomes the World (June 13 – July 19) brings together fans of the arts and soccer for events at venues throughout the state, offering an over-the-top showcase of Jersey excellence and global sports pride. North to Shore Festival Welcomes the World is an expansion of the annual North to Shore Festival, launched in 2023 and produced by NJPAC; the event features all the talent, diversity and creativity New Jersey has to offer, combined with the excitement of a global soccer championship. 

In 2026, the North to Shore Festival is sponsored by Prudential Financial, NJEDA, NJM Insurance Group, OUTFRONT Media Group, United Airlines, Mosaic – from NJ.com, Hackensack Meridian Health, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and Airbnb. Learn more at northtoshore.com.

 

About NJPAC
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is an anchor cultural institution for both the city of Newark and the state of New Jersey. It is an artistic, cultural, educational and civic center where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day. NJPAC brings communities together both on and off of our campus – on stages, in schools and community settings – providing access to the arts for all and showcasing the state’s and the world’s best artists, while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Social Impact programs, NJPAC leverages the arts to advance positive outcomes in education, health and well-being, civic engagement and community development. NJPAC has attracted more than 12.7 million visitors (including more than two million children) since opening its doors in 1997. Learn more at njpac.org.