Get ready for an afternoon of pure celebration as Downtown New Brunswick comes alive this Saturday for the annual New Brunswick Heart Festival. This free, family-friendly outdoor event is a vibrant tribute to the arts and history of New Jersey’s cultural heart, promising an unforgettable day of music, dance, and community for all ages.
The festival transforms the area in front of the theaters at Monument Square into a bustling hub of activity. From 2 PM to 6 PM, the outdoor stage will be alive with a dynamic lineup of performers, showcasing the incredible local talent that defines the region. You’ll hear the lively sounds of the New Brunswick Brass Band, enjoy the electrifying Bollywood Zumba by Navrang Dance Academy, and be mesmerized by the intricate footwork of tap dancer Omar Edwards. The afternoon culminates with a high-energy dance party featuring hustle instruction and Motown and Disco hits from The Discoteks.
Beyond the stage, the festival is packed with activities to delight everyone. Kids can get creative with free arts & crafts, have their faces painted, or watch in awe as balloon animals take shape. The Arts Institute of Middlesex County will host a history corner with historical interpreters from East Jersey Old Town Village, offering a fascinating glimpse into the area’s past. A dedicated health & wellness area, hosted by Garden of Healing, provides a space for relaxation and education. For those with an artistic eye, the State Theatre New Jersey studio space will host an art installation, a visual history of New Brunswick’s music scene, and other displays.
While the festival itself is free, the day offers an incredible opportunity to start the fun early. At 1 PM, inside the State Theatre New Jersey, you can catch the ticketed performance of LUMIA: A Futuristic Cirque Show. This jaw-dropping production redefines entertainment by blending breathtaking acrobatics with cutting-edge visual technology, including holograms, lasers, and even robots. It’s an experience that’s truly out of this world and a perfect prelude to the festival’s festivities.
No festival is complete without delicious food, and the New Brunswick Heart Festival has plenty to offer. A variety of food vendors, including Mozzarella Italian & Mexican Cucina, Crazy Korn, and Jamaican Patty Wagon, will be on hand to satisfy every craving. Be sure to stop by the special one-day sale on tickets for upcoming State Theatre New Jersey shows—an amazing chance to save on future entertainment.
This Saturday, join the community in celebrating the rich culture that makes New Brunswick so special. It’s a day for discovery, fun, and creating lasting memories. For more on the exciting shows and performances happening around the Garden State, check out our entertainment page here.
| NEW BRUNSWICK HEART FESTIVAL SCHEDULE |
| 1PM—State Theatre New Jersey LUMIA: A Futuristic Cirque Show Join us at 1pm, before the Heart Festival, for an amazing laser light cirque show featuring a cast of acrobats, jugglers, dancers, and daredevils—fun for the entire family! BUY TICKETS |
 ALL DAY—2PM-6PM DJ IZMand hosts Sharon Gordon & Bert Baron Outdoor Stage Open House at Princeton Ballet School Studio 60 Bayard St. History & Art Studio space at State Theatre New Jersey 15 Livingston Avenue Visit the STNJ studio for an art installation by Melissa Pepin, a visual display of a historic timeline of New Brunswick’s music scene, set models from Plays-In-The-Park, and East Jersey Old Town Village’s history display, including a printing press. |
 2PM-3PM — Outdoor Stage New Brunswick High School Cheerleaders New Brunswick Brass Band Jersey Talent winner, pianist Elias Nicozisis Bollywood Zumba by Navrang Dance Academy |
 3PM-4PM — Outdoor Stage Grupo de Danza Folklórica La Sagrada Familia George Street Playhouse musical performance |
 4PM-5PM — Outdoor Stage Tap dancer Omar Edwards National ACT-SO Bronze Medalist and singer Myles CherettAfro-Peruvian music and dance by Socabón Peru Cultural Association with Special Guest Mariela Valencia |
 5PM-6PM — Outdoor Stage Hustle dance instruction with Amy Garcia Phillips and the Contento Dancers Motown and Disco hits with The Discoteks |
