Music fans have plenty to be excited about. Willie Nelson will bring his decades-spanning catalog to Camden’s Freedom Mortgage Pavilion on September 12, a must-see performance from one of America’s most iconic singer-songwriters. For those who love classic harmonies, The Coasters, Jay Siegel & the Tokens, The Duprees, and more will fill the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel with timeless doo-wop on September 19. Rock fans can experience a tribute showdown with Bad Company Meets Foreigner at the Brook Arts Center in Bound Brook on September 20, while country star Dustin Lynch headlines the Way Out West Festival in Elizabeth on September 27 at the Ritz Theatre & Performing Arts Center. October keeps the momentum going with Pink Martini All Stars bringing their global sound to Morristown’s Mayo Performing Arts Center on October 4, and Newark hosting the legendary Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons at NJPAC on October 11. Later in the year, Don McLean takes the stage in Carteret on November 14, followed by Carlos Varela with Diana Fuentes in Newark on November 21, and Christian Nodal closing out the concert season at Prudential Center on December 4.
Theater and comedy lovers will also find no shortage of performances to enjoy. Cumberland Players present the thought-provoking Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play in Vineland from September 19–21. NJPAC welcomes Charlie Sheen on September 18 for a comedy show that promises plenty of surprises, while documentary filmmaker Ken Burns will appear there the day before, on September 17, for an engaging discussion on his work. The Bored Teachers Comedy Tour stops at New Brunswick’s State Theatre on October 2, bringing relatable humor for educators and beyond. McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton will host the sharp wit of David Sedaris on October 3, and Newark welcomes Jerry Seinfeld to NJPAC on Halloween night, October 31. The Mayo Performing Arts Center presents the Broadway hit TINA – The Tina Turner Musical on November 8, a must for theatergoers who want to experience the story and music of one of rock’s greatest performers.
Sports events across New Jersey provide even more variety this season. Titan Championship Wrestling’s “Frankie Pickard’s NFG” takes over the Winding River Ice Rink in Toms River on September 13, while WrestlePro brings “Alwayz Rahway” to Rahway on September 12. College football is also front and center, with the Monmouth Hawks taking on Delaware State at Kessler Stadium on October 4 and Princeton Tigers clashing with Mercer Bears at Princeton Stadium on October 10. As the year moves into basketball season, Seton Hall Pirates fans can look forward to exciting matchups at Prudential Center in November, including games against Saint Peter’s, Monmouth, and New Haven.
For those who prefer festivals and seasonal experiences, New Jersey’s calendar is equally full. The Haunted Red Mill in Clinton opens October 3 with haunted trails, mazes, and tours of the infamous Red Mill Museum Village. In Red Bank, Oktoberfest returns October 11, offering a day filled with live music, beer, food vendors, and family-friendly fun. The Skylands Stadium Jack O’Lantern Experience in Augusta launches in late September, transforming the stadium into a glowing wonderland of thousands of hand-carved pumpkins. Newark’s NJPAC will also host The Vampire Circus on October 23, an immersive theatrical spectacle that mixes acrobatics and dark fantasy.
Tickets for these events can be found through official venue websites including the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Prudential Center, Mayo Performing Arts Center, PNC Bank Arts Center, and State Theatre New Jersey. Popular ticket platforms such as Ticketmaster, StubHub, and SeatGeek also provide access to most performances. From small-town festivals to arena concerts, New Jersey offers something for everyone this season, and the sheer variety of experiences ensures that no weekend has to go without entertainment. To plan your outings and discover even more local happenings, keep up with the latest at Explore New Jersey.
- Willie Nelson (Camden): The legendary musician performs at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion on September 12, 2025.
- The Coasters and Other Doo-Wop Groups (Holmdel): A night of doo-wop music with The Coasters, Jay Siegel & the Tokens, The Duprees, and others at the PNC Bank Arts Center on September 19, 2025.
- Bad Company Meets Foreigner (Bound Brook): A tribute show with the Burning Sky Band and Urgent at the Brook Arts Center on September 20, 2025.
- Dustin Lynch (Elizabeth): The country music artist performs at the Ritz Theatre & Performing Arts Center as part of the Way Out West Festival on September 27, 2025.
- Pink Martini All Stars (Morristown): See the band at the Mayo Performing Arts Center on October 4, 2025.
- Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons (Newark): The legendary group performs at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on October 11, 2025.
- Don McLean (Carteret): See the singer live at the Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center on November 14, 2025.
- Carlos Varela with Diana Fuentes (Newark): The concert will be held at the Victoria Theater at NJPAC on November 21, 2025.
- Christian Nodal (Newark): The singer performs at the Prudential Center on December 4, 2025.
Theater and comedy
- Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play (Vineland): Cumberland Players presents this dark comedy from September 19–21. See the previous response for more information.
- Charlie Sheen (Newark): A comedy performance by Charlie Sheen will be at NJPAC on September 18, 2025.
- Bored Teachers Comedy Tour (New Brunswick): “The Struggle is Real!!” comedy show comes to the State Theatre on October 2, 2025.
- David Sedaris (Princeton): See the celebrated author and comedian at the McCarter Theatre Center on October 3, 2025.
- Jerry Seinfeld (Newark): The comedy legend performs at NJPAC on October 31, 2025.
- TINA – The Tina Turner Musical (Morristown): See the musical at the Mayo Performing Arts Center on November 8, 2025.
- An Afternoon with Ken Burns (Newark): The documentary filmmaker will be at NJPAC on September 17, 2025.
Sports
- Titan Championship Wrestling (Toms River): An event called “Frankie Pickard’s NFG” will be held at the Winding River Ice Rink on September 13, 2025.
- WrestlePro (Rahway): The event “Alwayz Rahway” will be held on September 12, 2025.
- Monmouth Hawks Football (West Long Branch): The Monmouth Hawks take on the Delaware State Hornets at Kessler Stadium on October 4, 2025.
- Princeton Tigers Football (Princeton): The Mercer Bears face the Princeton Tigers at Princeton Stadium on October 10, 2025.
- Seton Hall Pirates Basketball (Newark): The men’s basketball team will play the Saint Peter’s Peacocks, Monmouth Hawks, and New Haven Chargers throughout November at the Prudential Center.
Festivals and special events
- Red Bank Oktoberfest (Red Bank): Enjoy beer, food, vendors, live music, and more on October 11, 2025.
- Haunted Red Mill (Clinton): Starting October 3, 2025, you can get lost in mazes, walk a haunted trail, and tour the allegedly haunted Red Mill Museum Village.
- Skylands Stadium Jack O’Lantern Experience (Augusta): This illuminated display of hand-carved pumpkins begins in late September.
- The Vampire Circus (Newark): A dark, theatrical circus show with acrobats and illusionists at NJPAC on October 23, 2025.
