Free Summer Concerts, Fireworks Shows In Essex County: 2026 Events

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 16^th at 7 p.m. in Essex County Yanticaw Park in Nutley: TK Walker as Elvis
• Wednesday, June 17^th at 7 p.m. in Essex County Verona Park in Verona: Forever Young: Doo-Wop Experience
• Tuesday, June 23^rd at 7 p.m. in Essex County Veterans Memorial Park in Newark: Groove Operator: An Evening of R&B
• Wednesday, June 24^th 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 26^th at 7:30 p.m. in Essex County Branch Brook Park in Newark: Fireworks Extravaganza and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
• Saturday, June 27^th from 12 noon to 6 p.m. in Essex County Monte Irvin Orange Park in Orange: Gospel Concert/Festival (Rain date: Sunday, June 28^th)
• Wednesday, July 1^st 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 7^th at 7 p.m. in Essex County Riverbank Park in Newark: Tempo Alegre: A Salsa Experience
• Wednesday, July 8^th at 7 p.m. in Essex County Watsessing Park in Bloomfield: Owls and Lions Trio Top 40
• Friday, July 10^th at 7:30 p.m. in Essex County Brookdale Park in Bloomfield/Montclair: An Evening of Jazz: Kate Curran Quintet
• Tuesday, July 14^th 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 15^th at 7 p.m. in Essex County Vailsburg Park in Newark: East Coast Soul
• Friday, July 17^th at 7:30 p.m. in Essex County Brookdale Park in Bloomfield/Montclair: Never Say Goodbye: A Bon Jovi Tribute
• Saturday, July 18^th from 12 noon to 9 p.m. in Essex County Monte Irvin Orange Park in Orange: Jazz Festival (Rain date Sunday, July 19^th)
• Tuesday, July 21^st at 7 p.m. in Essex County Cedar Grove Park in Cedar Grove: E Street Shuffle: Tribute to Bruce Springsteen
• Wednesday, July 22^nd at 7 p.m. in Essex County Grover Cleveland Park in Caldwell/Essex Fells: Nine Deeez Nite: The ‘90s Experience
• Friday, July 24^th at 7:30 p.m. in Essex County Brookdale Park in Bloomfield/Montclair: The Infernos
• Tuesday, July 28^th at 7 p.m. in Essex County Independence Park in Newark: The Danielle Illario Group: Contemporary Jazz
• Wednesday, July 29^th at 7 p.m. in Essex County Belleville Park in Belleville: Jersey Sound: A Night of Oldies
• Friday, July 31^st at 7:30 p.m. in Essex County Brookdale Park in Bloomfield/Montclair: Sounds of the ‘60s: The Kelton Cooper Band
• Tuesday, August 4^th at 7 p.m. in Essex County Irvington Park in Irvington: The Verdict: Sounds of the Caribbean
• Friday, August 7^th at 7:30 p.m. in Essex County Brookdale Park in Bloomfield/Montclair: Xtreme Queen
• Saturday, August 8^th from 12 noon to 9 p.m. in Essex County Monte Irvin Orange Park in Orange: Caribbean Festival (Rain date: Sunday, August 9^th)
• Friday, August 14^th 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 22^nd from 12 noon to 9 p.m. in Essex County Ivy Hill Park in Newark: International Food and Music Festival

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