Count Basie Center and County Leaders Unveil Vision for a Landmark Open-Air Venue in Freehold
A bold new chapter in New Jersey’s live entertainment story is beginning to take shape in Monmouth County. Plans are now officially in motion for ParkStage, a large-scale outdoor performance venue destined to transform the East Freehold Park Fairgrounds into one of the region’s most dynamic cultural gathering spaces. Slated to launch in Summer 2026, the project represents a rare convergence of artistic ambition, regional pride, and forward-thinking tourism development that is set to place Freehold firmly on the national live-event map.
Freehold’s New Outdoor Venue Reveals Its First Wave of Major Headliners. Anticipation for Monmouth County’s forthcoming ParkStage venue has just shifted into high gear. As construction and planning continue toward the Summer 2026 debut of this ambitious open-air entertainment destination in Freehold, organizers have unveiled the first round of performers set to christen the new stage. The initial lineup delivers instant credibility and excitement, featuring genre-spanning icons Sublime, indie-folk favorites The Head and The Heart, and new-wave trailblazers The B-52s. It’s an opening statement that signals ParkStage’s intent to launch not quietly, but with statewide resonance.
This announcement marks the first tangible glimpse of what ParkStage will represent for New Jersey’s live entertainment scene. From beach-born reggae-rock energy to introspective indie anthems and neon-lit retro pop, the diversity of the early bookings reflects a deliberate strategy: to build a venue that welcomes every generation of concertgoer. These acts bring decades of loyal fans, ensuring that opening season performances won’t just draw crowds, but will create memory-making nights that define the venue’s identity from day one.
Sublime’s inclusion instantly connects ParkStage to summertime tradition. Few bands capture warm-weather nostalgia quite like their catalog of laid-back grooves and ska-tinged classics. Their performance promises an atmosphere of carefree celebration that pairs naturally with an outdoor amphitheater under open skies. The Head and The Heart offer a different emotional palette, delivering soul-stirring harmonies and storytelling-driven songwriting that has made them festival staples nationwide. Meanwhile, The B-52s bring legendary status and high-energy fun, blending pop, rock, and camp into performances that feel like living pop-culture history.
Together, these artists form a cross-section of musical eras and styles, establishing ParkStage as a place where programming isn’t limited by genre or demographic. It’s a bold curatorial approach designed to make Freehold a must-visit destination on national touring circuits.
Beyond the excitement of the lineup itself, the announcement underscores the growing cultural footprint of Monmouth County. ParkStage is being developed not simply as a concert site, but as a regional anchor for arts-driven tourism. With convenient access, large-scale infrastructure, and community-focused planning, the venue is positioned to attract fans from across the tri-state area, filling hotels, restaurants, and local businesses on show nights. Each concert is expected to ripple outward economically while reinforcing New Jersey’s identity as a live entertainment powerhouse.
Additional artist announcements are scheduled to roll out throughout the coming year, building momentum toward a debut season that could rival established amphitheaters up and down the East Coast. By pacing reveals and maintaining anticipation, organizers are shaping ParkStage into more than a venue opening. They are crafting an event series that will unfold as a headline-generating story in its own right.
For fans eager to experience the next evolution of the state’s thriving music culture, ParkStage is quickly emerging as the new frontier. It offers the promise of expansive outdoor shows without leaving New Jersey’s borders, blending national-touring prestige with hometown pride.
As 2026 approaches, ParkStage’s first lineup announcement confirms what many suspected: this isn’t a modest local stage. It’s a statement venue with ambition, vision, and now, a roster of artists ready to turn that vision into unforgettable nights. The summer of 2026 may still be over the horizon, but the countdown in Freehold has officially begun.
The initiative is being led through a collaboration between the Count Basie Center for the Arts and Monmouth County Tourism, two organizations with deep roots in elevating the cultural profile of Central Jersey. ParkStage is not simply an expansion of existing entertainment offerings. It is a purpose-built, open-air destination designed to welcome major touring artists, national comedy acts, and large-scale special events in a setting that balances scenic surroundings with modern convenience.
For the Count Basie Center, the timing carries special meaning. The venue’s debut aligns with the institution’s centennial celebration, honoring a hundred years of artistic excellence while boldly stepping into its next century of community engagement. Leadership at the Basie Center has emphasized that ParkStage is envisioned as more than a performance space. It is a statement of confidence in the region’s appetite for the arts, an investment in shared experiences, and a catalyst for creative and economic energy.
Monmouth County’s involvement reflects a broader vision as well. The 2026 launch coincides with nationwide commemorations of America’s 250th anniversary, and county officials have positioned ParkStage as one of the signature attractions of that historic milestone. By integrating live entertainment into the larger anniversary programming, Monmouth County aims to offer residents and visitors alike a reason to celebrate heritage, community, and creativity together.
The chosen location at the East Freehold Park Fairgrounds places ParkStage at the center of one of New Jersey’s fastest-growing population corridors. With millions of residents living within a short drive, easy access via major roadways, and generous on-site parking, the venue is designed for convenience without sacrificing atmosphere. Plans call for VIP accommodations, thoughtful crowd flow, and a setting that blends open-air rural charm with contemporary event infrastructure. It’s a deliberate move to create a destination that feels both grand in scale and welcoming in spirit.
Local leadership has embraced the project as an opportunity to energize the surrounding communities. Every performance is expected to generate increased foot traffic for nearby businesses, restaurants, and shops, turning concert nights into full evenings out in Freehold. For the township and borough alike, ParkStage represents an economic engine and a platform to showcase everything the area has to offer, from hospitality to history.
Programming details will roll out in 2025, but early plans promise a diverse lineup of national and international headliners. Music will anchor the schedule, complemented by comedy and other large-format performances that broaden ParkStage’s appeal across age groups and interests. The goal is to build a seasonal calendar that draws repeat visitors, sustains regional tourism, and establishes a signature summer experience for New Jersey.
Beyond logistics and schedules, ParkStage carries cultural weight. It reinforces Monmouth County’s long-standing connection to the arts, from jazz heritage to contemporary performance, and extends that legacy into an open-air future. For fans of live shows, the venue will offer another gateway into New Jersey’s thriving music scene, adding a major new stage to an already vibrant statewide lineup.
As construction plans progress and anticipation builds, one thing is clear: ParkStage is poised to become more than a concert venue. It is a celebration of community, creativity, and shared experience, promising summer nights filled with sound, laughter, and connection under the New Jersey sky. When the lights rise in 2026, Freehold won’t just be hosting shows. It will be hosting a new tradition.
