Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. invites the public to attend the 2022 Essex County Free SummerMusic Concert Series.
The free Concert Series brings a diverse group of musicians and entertainers to perform at locations throughout the historic Essex County Park System and provides residents with an evening leisure activity to enjoy the parks.
This year's series features three concert and fireworks spectaculars, five concerts in Brookdale Park, 12 concerts throughout the County, six cultural festivals and seven Waterfront Concerts at the Clipper Pavilion.
"The Essex County Free Summer Music Concert Series offers a diverse line-up of performers who will take center stage throughout our historic Parks System," DiVincenzo said.
"Pack a blanket, enjoy the cool evening breeze, and dance to the sounds of classical, rock and roll, jazz, big band, Latin and more. We have an amazing line-up that is sure to entertain and impress."
The SummerMusic Concert Series is being sponsored by Rose Squared Productions and The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey.
The series is also made possible, in part, by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State.
Over the course of 12 weeks this summer, there are 33 different events featuring some of the best local and international acts in jazz, rock and roll, big band, reggae and more.
The 2022 SummerMusic Concert Series begins Tuesday, June 21, with a concert by Jersey Sound in Essex County Yanticaw Park in Nutley and concludes on Saturday, September 10, with the Essex County House Music Festival in Essex County Weequahic Park in Newark.
There will be three Concert and Fireworks Spectaculars this summer: The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra on Friday, June 24 in Essex County Branch Brook Park, Lady Supreme: A Diana Ross Experience on Tuesday, June 28 in Essex County Weequahic Park in Newark and The Infernos on Friday, July 1 in Brookdale Park in Bloomfield/Montclair.
The 2022 concert series schedule is as follows:
- Saturday, June 18, from 1 to 7 p.m. in Essex County Monte Irvin Orange Park, Orange: Gospel Festival.
- Tuesday, June 21 at 7 p.m. in Essex County Yanticaw Park in Nutley: Jersey Sound.
- Wednesday, June 22 at 7 p.m.in Essex County Verona Park in Verona: Jobonanno's Spirit of Asbury Review.
- Friday, June 24 at 7:30 p.m. in Essex County Branch Brook Park in Newark: New Jersey Symphony Orchestra followed by a Fireworks Spectacular.
- Tuesday, June 28 at 7:30 p.m. in Essex County Weequahic Park in Newark: Lady Supreme: A Diana Ross Experience followed by a Fireworks Spectacular.
- Friday, July 1 at 7:30 p.m. in Essex County Brookdale Park in Bloomfield/Montclair: The Infernos followed by a Fireworks Spectacular.
- Tuesday, July 5 at 7 p.m. at the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex Clipper Pavilion in West Orange: The Chatham Community Band.
- Wednesday, July 6 in Essex County Veterans Memorial Park in Newark: The Amazing Grace Little Band.
- Friday, July 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Essex County Brookdale Park in Bloomfield/Montclair: 80's Revolution.
- Saturday, July 9, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Essex County Monte Irvin Orange Park, Orange: Food Truck and Jazz Festival.
- Tuesday, July 12 at 7 p.m. in Essex County Riverbank Park in Newark: Funk Salsa Urban.
- Tuesday, July 12 at 7 p.m. at the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex Clipper Pavilion in West Orange: The West Orange Community Band.
- Wednesday, July 13 at 7 p.m. in Essex County Watsessing Park, Bloomfield: Epic Soul.
- Friday, July 15 at 7:30 p.m. in Essex County Brookdale Park in Bloomfield/Montclair: The Jersey Tenors.
- Tuesday, July 19 at 7 p.m.in Essex County Ivy Hill Park in Newark: The Verdict Reggae.
- Tuesday, July 19 at 7 p.m. at the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex Clipper Pavilion in West Orange: The Maplewood Concert Band.
- Wednesday, July 20 at 7 p.m. in Essex County Vailsburg Park in Newark: Layonne Holmes.
- Friday, July 22 at 7:30 p.m. in Essex County Brookdale Park in Bloomfield/Montclair: Frontiers: A Journey Tribute.
- Tuesday, July 26 at 7 p.m. in Essex County Riverfront Park in Newark: Grupo Marachando.
- Tuesday, July 26 at 7 p.m. at the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex Clipper Pavilion in West Orange: Peter and the Master Key.
- Wednesday, July 27 at 7 p.m. in Essex County Cedar Grove Park, Cedar Grove: Jersey Sound.
- Friday, July 29 at 7:30 p.m. in Essex County Brookdale Park in Bloomfield/Montclair: Bell Bottom Blues: Clapton Tribute Band.
- Tuesday, August 2 at 7 p.m.in Essex County Grover Cleveland Park in Caldwell/Essex Fells: The Kootz.
- Tuesday, August 2 at 7 p.m. at the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex Clipper Pavilion in West Orange: Apex Ensemble and The Montclair Orchestra.
- Wednesday, August 3 at 7 p.m. in Essex County Independence Park in Newark: Brazilian Experience.
- Friday, August 5 at 7:30 p.m. in Essex County Brookdale Park in Bloomfield/Montclair: The Discoteks.
- Tuesday, August 9 at 7 p.m. at the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex Clipper Pavilion in West Orange: To be announced.
- Friday, August 12 at 7 p.m. in Essex County Eagle Rock Reservation in West Orange: Cast of Beatlemania.
- Saturday, August 13, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Essex County Monte Irvin Orange Park in Orange: Caribbean Festival.
- Saturday, August 13, from 4 to 9 p.m. in Essex County Ivy Hill Park in Newark: International Food and Music Festival.
- Tuesday, August 16 at 7 p.m. at the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex Clipper Pavilion in West Orange: Sterling Sample, Steel Drummer.
- Saturday, August 27 and Sunday, August 28, from 12 noon to 8 p.m. in Essex County Monte Irvin Orange Park in Orange: Latino Festival.
- Saturday, September 10, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Essex County Weequahic Park: House Music Festival.
Concerts are held at accessible sites. Persons who require special accommodations or assistance are asked to call at least two weeks prior to the concert to alert staff as to their needs.
Admission to the concerts is free. For more information, please call the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs at 973‑268-3500.
The Essex County Park System was created in 1895 and is the first county park system established in the United States.
The Park System consists of more than 6,000 acres and has 23 parks, five reservations, an environmental center, a zoo, Treetop Adventure Course, an ice skating rink, a roller skating rink, three public golf courses, a golf driving range, two miniature golf courses, Treetop Adventure Course, five off-leash dog facilities, a castle and the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens.