2024 North to Shore arts festival brings stars to Asbury Park, Newark, Atlantic City

The 2024 edition of the North to Shore festival will have Hart — and a whole lot more.

Shows by Kevin Hart, Frankie Valli, Stephen Colbert, Matchbox Twenty, Gary Clark Jr., the B-52s, Gabriel Iglesias, Bleachers, Jeezy, Scarface, Barenaked Ladies, Prince Royce and Wisin, Lake Street Dive and more in Asbury Park, Newark and Atlantic City will highlight the Jersey-centric festival.

Dates are June 10 to 16 in Asbury Park; June 17 to 23 in Atlantic City; and June 24 to 30 in Newark. Original Four Seasons member Valli, 89, brings his "Last Encore" tour to the Hard Rock in Atlantic City on June 22. Comedian Hart brings his "Brand New Material" tour to the Prudential Center in Newark on June 30. Ticket pre-sale begins Saturday, March 9.

“Our inaugural North to Shore Festival was the beginning of a proud, new annual tradition that brings some of the biggest stars to New Jersey to bolster our tourism industry and boost demand for our local businesses,” said Gov. Phil Murphy in a statement released prior to the festival lineup announcement Thursday, March 6, at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park. “I’m thrilled to announce this year’s lineup features a number of world-renowned acts who will hit the stages in Newark, Asbury Park and Atlantic City this June. This year’s festival will be even bigger and better than ever before, and we look forward to welcoming those from near and far to experience our unique state this summer.”

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Last year's festival drew 250,000 fans and generated $7.6 million in ticket sales for events in more than 100 venues in the three cities, according to organizers. Still, most events were free. The 2024 edition is supported by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.

“Last year’s inaugural North to Shore Festival proved to be a tremendous success for New Jersey’s communities, cities and economy,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “As part of Gov. Murphy’s vision to make New Jersey the best place to live, work and raise a family, this three-week festival celebrates and showcases the strength of our state’s talent and diversity in innovation and arts.”

North to Shore shows at the Stone Pony Summer Stage include Gary Clark Jr. on June 12; Band of Horses on June 13; Lake Street Drive on June 14; and Bleachers annual Shadow of the City on June 15. The Asbury Underground art and music crawl returns downtown on June 15. A Clarence Clemons Celebration with Jarod Clemons (Clarence's son) takes place June 16 at the Wonder Bar.

“It is an especially proud moment for us as the iconic Stone Pony is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024,” said Asbury Park Mayor John Moor, who was at the Pony on Thursday. “North to Shore is tapping the expected and unexpected venues in town, and will be presenting a wide variety of acts and activations. We are honored to kick off this year’s festival and look forward to seeing everyone in Asbury Park in June.”

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In Atlantic City, Prince Royce and Winsin play the Jim Whelen Boardwalk Hall on June 21. The Love Hard Tour with Keyshia Cole, Trey Songz, Jaheim, K. Michele is June 22 at Boardwalk Hall. The B-52s and the Weeklings play the Ocean Casino on June 22.

The big shows at Newark's Prudential Center include Matchbox 20 with Andy Grammer on June 27; Gabriel Iglesias on June 28; American jazz singer Samara Joy on June 23; and Colbert on June 29. Jeezy and Scarface play Newark Symphony Hall on June 28.

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. and Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka were also at the Pony on Thursday.

Producing partners include the Montclair Film Festival and Newark International Film Festival; TechUnited:NJ, which will host the Propelify Innovation Festival that showcases tech leaders, emerging startups, and cutting edge technology; and Stockton University, which will manage a series of E-Game competitions and soccer programming in Atlantic City.

Other festival events include virtual discussions on maternal health, the arts as a catalyst to health, and food insecurity. A portion of ticket sales to select events will support Growing Healthy Pantries, a partnership between Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, the FoodBank of South Jersey, Fulfill, Mercer Street Friends, Norwescap, and Feeding America — all of which address food security statewide.

The 2023 North to Shore included performances by Demi Lovato, Halsey, Santana, Colbert, Alanis Morissette, Demi Lovato, the Smithereens, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, and Eric B and Rakim.

Visit northtoshore.com for a complete schedule of events and more information.

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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; [email protected] 

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: North to Shore arts festival brings stars to New Jersey