Free Summer Concerts, Fireworks Return To Essex County In 2021 – Patch.com

Essex County’s popular, free summer concerts and fireworks are back for 2021.

This year’s Essex County Free Summer Music Concert Series will include three concert and fireworks spectaculars, five concerts in Brookdale Park, 12 concerts throughout the county and two cultural festivals (see the full schedule below).

The annual concert series was canceled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

There will be three concerts that also feature fireworks this summer:

  • “Smooth” on Wednesday, June 30 in Weequahic Park in Newark. *NOTE: This event has been rescheduled to Wednesday, Aug. 11 due to weather.
  • “The Infernos” on Thursday, July 1 in Brookdale Park in Bloomfield/Montclair
  • “The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra” on Thursday, August 26 in Branch Brook Park in Newark

“Pack a blanket, enjoy the cool evening breeze, and dance to the sounds of classical, rock and roll, jazz, big band, Latin and more,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said, adding that this year’s lineup is “sure to entertain and impress.”

The 2021 Summer Music 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.

According to county officials:

“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, call the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs at 973‑268-3500.”

The schedule includes:

  • Wednesday, June 30th, 7:30 p.m., Essex County Weequahic Park, Newark: Concert by Smooth and a Fireworks Spectacular
  • Thursday, July 1st, 7:30 p.m., Essex County Brookdale Park, Bloomfield/Montclair: Concert by The Infernos and a Fireworks Spectacular (Rain date is Friday, July 2nd)
  • Monday, August 9th, 7 p.m., Essex County Yanticaw Park, Nutley: Jersey Sound
  • Tuesday, August 10th, 7 p.m., Essex County Verona Park, Verona: The Symphonics
  • Thursday, August 12th, 7:30 p.m., Essex County Brookdale Park, Bloomfield/Montclair: Stoneflower Soul: A Santana Tribute
  • Friday, August 13th, 7:30 p.m., Essex County Brookdale Park, Bloomfield/Montclair: Eaglemania
  • Monday, August 16th, 7 p.m., Essex County Veterans Memorial Park, Newark: Bradford Hayes
  • Tuesday, August 17th, 7 p.m., Essex County Riverbank Park, Newark: David Cedeno Orchestra
  • Wednesday, August 18th, 7 p.m., Essex County Watsessing Park, Bloomfield/East Orange: Gordon James
  • Thursday, August 19th, 7:30 p.m., Essex County Brookdale Park, Bloomfield/Montclair: Constantine and The Frequency
  • Friday, August 20th, 7:30 p.m., Essex County Brookdale Park, Bloomfield/Montclair: New Power Soul: Classic Rock
  • Saturday, August 21st, 12 noon to 8 p.m. Essex County Ivy Hill Park, Newark: Ivy Hill Food and Music Festival (Rain date is Sunday, August 22nd)
  • Monday, August 23rd, 7 p.m., Essex County Ivy Hill Park, Newark: Layonne Holmes
  • Tuesday, August 24th, 7 p.m., Essex County Vailsburg Park, Newark: K. Brown Express
  • Wednesday, August 25th, 7 p.m., Essex County Riverfront Park, Newark: Latin Splendor
  • Thursday, August 26th, 7:30 p.m., Essex County Branch Brook Park, Heller Parkway, Newark: Concert by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and a Fireworks Spectacular
  • Friday, August 27th, 7:30 p.m., Essex County Brookdale Park, Bloomfield/Montclair: A Night of Doo-Wop with The Capris
  • Monday, August 30th, 7 p.m., Essex County Cedar Grove Park, Cedar Grove: Julian & Dominique
  • Tuesday, August 31st, 7 p.m., Essex County Grover Cleveland Park, Caldwell/Essex Fells: Swingman & The Misfits Mutts
  • Wednesday, September 1st, 7 p.m., Essex County Independence Park, Newark: Nanny Assis: Brazilian Experience
  • Thursday, September 2nd, 7 p.m., Essex County Eagle Rock Reservation, West Orange: Beginnings: A Chicago Tribute
  • Saturday, September 11th, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Essex County Weequahic Park, Newark: House Music Festival and a Splash of Caribbean

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