New Jersey’s music and theater scene is as dynamic and diverse as the state itself, offering everything from historic concert halls to intimate local stages. For residents and visitors alike, discovering the perfect venue to enjoy live music, musical theater, or performing arts can be a rewarding adventure. From North Jersey’s bustling cultural hubs to South Jersey’s coastal theaters, this directory highlights some of the most prominent venues across the Garden State, including theaters, concert halls, and regional performance spaces. For a complete list of current performances, shows, and concerts, check Explore New Jersey Events.
North Jersey
Bergen Performing Arts Center (BergenPAC) in Englewood is a cornerstone of the North Jersey arts scene. Known for its historic charm and versatile stage, BergenPAC hosts a mix of music, comedy, and theater performances. Newark is home to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), a massive venue with multiple stages, including the renowned Prudential Hall, seating 2,860 guests for world-class performances. The Prudential Center in Newark also attracts major concerts and sporting events, making it a must-visit arena for large-scale entertainment. Montclair’s Wellmont Theater is a beautifully renovated space that consistently draws popular music acts, while Jersey City’s White Eagle Hall offers a restored historic atmosphere for live concerts. Morristown’s Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) presents a diverse calendar of music, theater, and dance, complemented by educational programming. South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) features a 439-seat venue hosting concerts, theater, and comedy events. Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn is a regional theater famed for its professional musical theater productions. The Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank boasts two performance spaces for music, theater, and special events. Union’s Wilkins Theatre, located on the Kean University campus, hosts musicals, concerts, and dance performances, bridging community engagement with high-quality productions.
Central Jersey
New Brunswick’s State Theatre New Jersey offers a non-profit setting for national and international performers across music, dance, and theater. The Stone Pony in Asbury Park is legendary for its role in launching the careers of Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi, making it a cultural landmark for music lovers. Sayreville’s Starland Ballroom is a popular venue for rock, metal, and hip-hop shows, while Asbury Park’s House of Independents provides a smaller, flexible space for concerts, comedy, and special events. Princeton’s McCarter Theatre Center, located near Princeton University, features performances in its main theater and smaller secondary stage, accommodating both music and theatrical productions. The 1867 Sanctuary at Ewing repurposes a historic church as a contemporary arts venue, while the Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal Park is known for musicals, concerts, dance, and community events. Albor Music Hall in Waretown hosts traditional American music, emphasizing country and folk genres.
South Jersey
Atlantic City’s Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena is a premier concert hall situated within the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, welcoming world-renowned artists. Broadway Theatre of Pitman offers a community-centered stage for musicals and plays, while The Ritz Theatre Company in Haddon Township produces a full season of musicals, plays, and concerts. Dante Hall Theater of the Arts in Atlantic City is a renovated historic theater hosting a range of performances, and Surflight Theatre on Long Beach Island maintains its legacy as a summer stock theater with decades of history. Cape May Stage, housed in a restored church, is a professional equity theater offering high-quality musical and dramatic productions. For fans of traditional country and folk music, Albert Music Hall in Waretown preserves the genre with regular performances, while Lizzie Rose Music Room in Tuckerton provides an intimate setting with a diverse musical lineup.
University and Community Venues
Several universities throughout New Jersey also contribute significantly to the performing arts landscape. Rutgers University, with campuses in New Brunswick and Camden, offers numerous venues including the Mallery Concert Series in Camden, featuring student and professional performances. Rowan University in Glassboro supports musical and theatrical productions through its performing arts department. Community theaters like Studio Playhouse in Montclair present a variety of productions, while Drew University in Madison showcases performances at the Dorothy Young Center for the Arts.
North Jersey Music & Theater Venues List
Bergen Performing Arts Center (BergenPAC) – Englewood
Historic theater featuring music, comedy, and theater performances.
New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) – Newark
Major regional center with multiple stages, including the 2,860-seat Prudential Hall.
Prudential Center – Newark
Arena hosting major concerts, sporting events, and live entertainment.
The Wellmont Theater – Montclair
Renovated historic venue presenting popular music acts.
White Eagle Hall – Jersey City
Restored theater for concerts and events.
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) – Morristown
Music, dance, comedy, and theater performances.
South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) – South Orange
439-seat venue offering music, theater, comedy, and educational events.
Paper Mill Playhouse – Millburn
Regional theater renowned for musical theater productions.
Count Basie Center for the Arts – Red Bank
Large performing arts center with two main venues.
Wilkins Theatre – Union
Located on Kean University campus, hosting musicals, concerts, and dance.
Central Jersey Music & Theater Venues
State Theatre New Jersey – New Brunswick
Non-profit venue presenting a wide variety of national and international acts.
Stone Pony – Asbury Park
Legendary club known for launching Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi.
Starland Ballroom – Sayreville
Standing-room venue for rock, metal, and hip-hop shows.
House of Independents – Asbury Park
Smaller, flexible venue for music, comedy, and special events.
McCarter Theatre Center – Princeton
Main theater and second stage featuring music and theater.
1867 Sanctuary at Ewing – Ewing
Arts and culture venue in a repurposed historic church.
Axelrod Performing Arts Center – Deal Park
Musicals, concerts, dance, and special events.
Albor Music Hall – Waretown
Traditional American music with focus on country and folk.
The Wonder Bar – Asbury Park
The Wonder Bar is a true classic in Asbury Park, known for great live music, tasty food and the world famous Yappy Hour—where dogs run the show
South Jersey Music & Theater Venues
Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena – Atlantic City
Concert hall inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Broadway Theatre of Pitman – Pitman
Community theater producing musicals and plays.
The Ritz Theatre Company – Haddon Township
Season of musicals, plays, and concerts.
Levoy Theatre – Millville, NJ
Performing arts theater in Millville, New Jersey
Dante Hall Theater of the Arts – Atlantic City
Renovated historic theater for music and theater performances.
Surflight Theatre – Beach Haven
Historic summer stock theater on Long Beach Island.
Cape May Stage – Cape May
Professional equity theater in a renovated church.
Albert Music Hall – Waretown
Preserves traditional country and folk music.
Lizzie Rose Music Room – Tuckerton
Intimate venue with diverse music calendar.
University and Community Venues
Rutgers University – New Brunswick & Camden
Multiple venues including the Mallery Concert Series.
Rowan University – Glassboro
Performing arts department hosts musicals and concerts.
Studio Playhouse – Montclair
Community theater presenting a range of productions.
Drew University – Madison
Dorothy Young Center for the Arts presents various performances.
Whether you’re seeking the excitement of a major concert arena, the charm of a historic theater, or the intimate experience of a smaller venue, New Jersey’s music and musical theater scene provides a wealth of options for every taste. For a continually updated calendar of shows, performances, and cultural events, explore Explore New Jersey Entertainment, where you can find details, information, tickets, schedules, and details for all upcoming performances.For tickets and event schedules, visit Explore New Jersey Events.
