New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Light of Day Winterfest to Celebrate 25th Anniversary in January

Published by New Jersey Stage

originally published: 11/12/2024


(ASBURY PARK, NJ) --– The Light of Day Foundation has announced WinterFest 2025, the annual music festival taking place throughout January in Asbury Park, Red Bank, Montclair and New York City. "Bob's Birthday Bash" will take place on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 6:30pm at the Count Basie Center's Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre with a lineup including John Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls), Brian Fallon (The Gaslight Anthem), Brian Baker (Bad Religion), Pete Steinkopf (The Bouncing Souls), Dramarama, Willie Nile, Joe Grushecky & The Houserockers plus very special guests to be announced soon.

Tusk (the world’s #1 tribute to Fleetwood Mac) will also play the Count Basie Theatre stage as part of WinterFest 2025 on Friday, January 24.

Tickets for “Bob’s Birthday Bash”(along with various ticket combo packages) will go on sale Friday, November 15 at 10:00am ET. Tickets will be available via theBASIE.org, the Basie Center box office onsite at 99 Monmouth Street in Red Bank and through Ticketmaster.com.  

The onsale for show-specific tickets for The Stone Pony, Wonder Bar and McLoone’s Supper Club will be announced on Monday, November 19 at 10:00am ET (with dates to follow). For more details on lineups, performances and ticket packages, visit LightofDay.org.




Reach New Jersey's largest arts & entertainment audience, click here for info on how to advertise at NJ Stage



Ticket prices range from $59.50-$479.50 with various multi-tiered packages being offered: “On-Stage FestPass”, “Platinum FestPass”, Gold FestPass”, “Silver FestPass” and “Bronze FestPass”. FestPass guarantees a reserved seat for the main event, “Bob’s Birthday Bash” and complimentary admission to all Asbury Park, Red Bank and all other Monmouth County events for LOD WinterFest 25 (first come, first served and capacity permitted).

Other venues hosting LOD WinterFest 2025 shows include: Asbury Park’s Stone Pony, Wonder Bar, McLoone’s Supper Club, Watermark, Berkeley Ocean Front Hotel; Outpost In The Burbs in Montclair; and City Winery in Manhattan.

Additional shows and locations will be announced.

All performances and events will raise money and awareness for the continuing quest to end Parkinson’s disease and its related illnesses ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy) within our lifetime.

“The 25th anniversary of LOD WinterFest will be a memorable celebration,” said Bob Benjamin, Founder, Light of Day Foundation. “The month of January will be rocking in Asbury Park, Red Bank and New York, all to benefit Parkinson’s, ALS and PSP.”

Over the course of 25 years, Light of Day has raised approximately $6.5 million to combat Parkinson’s disease, ALS and PSP. The first official Light of Day concert was held at Asbury Park’s Stone Pony in November 2000 and primarily featured local, unsigned artists.  The critically acclaimed Pittsburgh-based band Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers (managed by Bob Benjamin) headlined the show, which featured a surprise appearance by Bruce Springsteen, who joined the Houserockers for a raucous, hour-long set.

Light of Day has grown from a one-day event into a multi-day festival in the metropolitan area. More significantly, Light of Day has expanded into an internationally recognized tour, through a true grassroots effort of musicians, music fans and benefactors. Light of Day shows have taken place around the world on two continents, with shows in England, Wales, Ireland, Sweden, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Spain. Portions of the proceeds from each show are donated to a local Parkinson’s organization.

"Light of Day WinterFest time is back and this year is different...it's our 25th Anniversary! 25 years ago a very small group of New Jersey music business professionals and musicians committed themselves to making a difference", said Tony Pallagrosi, Executive Director and Co-Founder, Light of Day Foundation. "It was propelled into action by the courage, resilience and determination of our Founder Bob Benjamin who had been diagnosed with Early Onset Parkinson’s a few years earlier. For 25 years, Light of Day has utilized the incredible power of music to raise money and awareness; fund research; uncover new, more effective therapeutics; promote education; and assist families in our collective quest to end Parkinson’s disease, ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy) in our lifetime. Please join us this January for musical performances and events featuring some very special guests.  We most look forward to the friendships, old and new, as well as the celebration and rededication to the common cause of Light of Day WinterFest 2025, for what we believe will be an unforgettable experience. It’s just around the corner!"

Light of Day WinterFest performers have included Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny Lyon, Darlene Love, Michael J. Fox, Joe Grushecky & The Houserockers, Willie Nile, Gary U.S. Bonds, Max Weinberg, LaBamba’s Big Band, Jesse Malin, John Rzeznik, Jakob Dylan, Ed Kowalczyk, Lucinda Williams, Suzanne Vega, Jake Clemons, David Bryan, John Waite, David Bromberg, James Maddock, Nicole Atkins, The Smithereens, Alejandro Escovedo, Peter Asher, Joey Molland, Garland Jeffries, Joe D’Urso Lisa Lowell, Mike Peters , Dave Hause and Pete Yorn.

The Light of Day Foundation, Inc., utilizes the awesome power of music to raise money and awareness in our continuing quest to end Parkinson’s disease and related neuro-degenerative diseases, specifically Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), within our lifetime. The Foundation’s mission is to fund research into possible cures, improved treatments and support for patients who suffer from those diseases, their families and their caregivers to help improve their quality of life. Gifts to the Light of Day Foundation, Inc. are tax-deductible to the full extent of the Internal Revenue Code. The Light of Day Foundation, Inc. is designated by the IRS as a not-for-profit 501(c) (3) organization. The Light of Day Foundation, Inc.'s Federal ID # is 20-1560386. Light of Day - the concerts and the organization - grew from a birthday party and fund-raiser held in 1998 at the Downtown Cafe in Red Bank to celebrate the 40th birthday of artist manager and music industry veteran Bob Benjamin, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1996.


EVENT PREVIEWS

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- On Thursday, June 11, 2026, the Telegraph Quartet will return to perform for the Morris Museum's seventh annual Back Deck season. This outdoor concert series began during the pandemic, and The New York Times describes it as "Live Music Splendor in a Parking Lot." Showtime is 7:30pm.
Carteret PAC presents Jo Dee Messina

Carteret PAC presents Jo Dee Messina

(CARTERET, NJ) -- Chart-topping country music icon Jo Dee Messina will perform at The URSB Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center on Friday, June 12, 2026. Messina is known for her powerful vocals and extensive catalog including nine number-one hits, 16 Top 40 songs, and awards and nominations from the ACM, CMA, AMA, Billboard, and the Grammys. Showtime is 8:000pm.
SOPAC to Celebrate 20th Anniversary with Gala 20: Featuring Max Weinberg

SOPAC to Celebrate 20th Anniversary with Gala 20: Featuring Max Weinberg's Jukebox

(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) will celebrate its 20th Anniversary on Friday, June 12, 2026 with Gala 20: Featuring Max Weinberg's Jukebox — a venue-wide celebration from 5:00pm–11:00pm.
Trenton City Museum presents Art & Song: A Musical Gallery on June 12th

Trenton City Museum presents Art & Song: A Musical Gallery on June 12th

(TRENTON, NJ) -- Trenton City Museum presents the concert Art & Song: A Musical Gallery on Friday, June 12, 2026 at 6:30pm. Versatile vocalists Tom Chiola and Pam Jorgensen, accompanied by the George Sinkler Trio, will delight audience members with selections from Broadway, Blues, Jazz, and more. Transformed into a stylish jazz café, the museum will also provide delicious food and beverages amid the art of the just-opened Ellarslie Open 43 exhibition. Doors will open at 6:00pm.
French Montana to Headline Grand Opening of Dream Live Performing Arts Center

French Montana to Headline Grand Opening of Dream Live Performing Arts Center

(EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ) -- American Dream will celebrate the region's opening World Cup match between Brazil and Morocco with the debut of its newest venue, the Dream Live Performing Arts Center, with a postgame concert by French Montana on June 13, 2026 at 9:00pm.
Sergio Mendes

Sergio Mendes' Wife, Gracinha Leporace, Brings His 'Best Band Ever' to New Jersey

Sixty years ago, Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 (A&M Records) emerged as both a masterful artistic statement and a major commercial breakthrough album. The record helped introduce the sophisticated rhythms and cool elegance of Brazilian bossa nova and samba to a truly global audience, blending Brazilian musical traditions with American pop, jazz, and contemporary studio production and repertoire.
Marc Ribler & Friends to perform Paul McCartney birthday tribute "When I

Marc Ribler & Friends to perform Paul McCartney birthday tribute "When I'm 84" at Axelrod PAC

(DEAL, NJ) -- As a tribute to Sir Paul McCartney's upcoming 84th birthday in June, Jersey Shore musician Marc Ribler has put together an all-star lineup to perform "When I'm 84" at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14, 2026.

Levoy Theatre presents Paul Thorn on June 18th

(MILLVILLE, NJ) -- The Levoy Theatre presents Paul Thorn on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 7:30pm. When it comes to songwriting, less is more, and simplicity is strength. Just ask Paul Thorn, who’s spent three decades turning soulful grooves and small syllables into songs that pack a big wallop.

Erin Harpe & Countryman Jim Bring Award-Nominated Country Blues to Lizzie Rose Music Room on June 18th

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- Award-nominated country blues duo Erin Harpe & Countryman Jim will bring their captivating blend of traditional country blues, folk, and Americana to the Lizzie Rose Music Room on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 7:30pm.
The Black Crowes and Whiskey Myers to Perform at Prudential Center

The Black Crowes and Whiskey Myers to Perform at Prudential Center

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Genre-defying rock legends The Black Crowes bring their massive co-headlining Southern Hospitality Tour with modern rock's boundary-pushing powerhouse Whiskey Myers to Prudential Center in Newark on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 8:00pm.

 

MORE EVENTS

Click on the listing to bring up its webpage


Hamilton de Holanda Trio

Tuesday, June 09, 2026 @ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theatre)
Princeton, NJ


Sam Morrow Band

Tuesday, June 09, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


The Brandee Younger Trio

Wednesday, June 10, 2026 @ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theatre)
Princeton, NJ


Susan Werner

Thursday, June 11, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


The Sergio Mendes Band

Thursday, June 11, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
Morristown, NJ



 

Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info