This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from December 31, 2024 to January 7, 2025

Here is a look at upcoming shows taking place from December 31, 2024 to January 7, 2025 along with our featured listings. New Jersey Stage offers previews of concerts throughout the Garden State as well as select shows in New York City and Philadelphia areas. Click on the title to go to the full preview. Jump to Featured Events, Event Previews, Event Listings, Coming Soon.

Send press releases to [email protected] to have your events previewed at New Jersey Stage. There is no cost for preview articles. Featured listings are found in the NJ Stage calendar, reserved for advertisers, and provided with individual event pages for every performance. Event pages are also available for $10 per event (multiple performances count as a single event). Event pages are also included with every banner ad purchase. Banner ads run from $50-$100 for a full month of coverage.

Tuesday, December 31 - State Theatre New Jersey presents Salute to Vienna. (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Salute to Vienna New Year's Eve Concert on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at 5:00pm. This is a joyful, lively experience and an annual State Theatre New Year's Eve tradition for 17 years.

Saturday, January 4 - Avenel PAC presents Willie Nile with opener James Mastro. (AVENEL, NJ) -- Woodbridge Township presents Willie Nile at The Avenel Performing Arts Center with support from Woodbridge Arts on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 7:30pm. James Mastro will open the night.

Tuesday, December 31 - Broadway Stars and Dancers from Dance Theatre of Harlem join NJ Festival Orchestra for New Year's celebration. (WESTFIELD, NJ) -- A Westfield tradition returns Tuesday, December 31, 2024 with the New Jersey Festival Orchestra's New Year’s Eve performance "Broadway Through the Ages," and with a new start time of 5.00pm.

Wednesday, January 1 - 2024 Montclair Jazz Festival Downtown Jamboree to be Broadcast on SiriusXM Real Jazz on New Year's Day. (MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- On January 1, 2025, SiriusXM's Real Jazz will broadcast the 2024 Montclair Jazz Festival Downtown Jamboree. Produced by Jazz House Kids, the 15th annual Montclair Jazz Festival Downtown Jamboree took place on September 14, 2024, setting a new attendance record of 26,000 music fans in Downtown Montclair, New Jersey.

Sunday, January 5 - Albert Music Hall presents Winter Hootenanny in the Pines. (WARETOWN, NJ) -- On Sunday, January 5, 2025, Albert Music Hall will kick off the new year with its Winter Hootenanny in the Pines. This event will mark the Hall's return from its winter break, offering an afternoon of live music and community spirit. Doors are at 1:00pm, showtime is 2:00pm.

Tuesday, January 7 - Princeton Public Library hosts PSO Soundtracks Talk: A Symphony Celebration. (PRINCETON, NJ) -- Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) presents a very special Soundtracks talk, "A Symphony Celebration", on Tuesday, January 7, 2024 at the Princeton Public Library. Edward T. Cone Music Director Rossen Milanov and former Executive Director Melanie Clarke look back at some of their favorite moments together on and off stage as they mark the Maestro's 60th birthday. Showtime is 7:00pm.

Click on the title to go to the event page for complete information on the show.

Tuesday, December 31 @ 5:00pm - Salute to Vienna New Year's Concert at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick

Tuesday, December 31 @ 6:00pm - Tusk: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan

Tuesday, December 31 @ 9:00pm - Tusk: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan

Saturday, January 4 @ 7:30pm - Willie Nile at Avenel Performing Arts Center, 150 Avenel Street, Avenel

Sunday, January 5 @ 3:00pm - Father Alphonse's New Year 2025 at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan

Sunday, January 5 @ 3:00pm - Dream Like Taylor at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 110 South Street, Morristown

Sunday, January 5 @ 3:00pm - Loudon Wainwright lll at Avenel Performing Arts Center, 150 Avenel Street, Avenel

Sunday, January 5 @ 7:00pm - Dream Like Taylor at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 100 South Street, Morristown

Tuesday, January 7 @ 7:30pm - Tuesday Night Record Club - The Doors at Monmouth University - The Great Hall, 400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch

Outpost in the Burbs presents On a Winter's Night featuring Cliff Eberhardt, John Gorka, Lucy Kaplansky and Patty Larkin  (MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents On a Winter's Night featuring Cliff Eberhardt, John Gorka, Lucy Kaplansky, and Patty Larkin on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at the First Congregational Church of Montclair. Doors are at 7:30pm, showtime is 8:00pm.

The Loser's Lounge presents The David Bowie Birthday Party at White Eagle Hall  (JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Joe McGinty & The Loser's Lounge return to White Eagle Hall to celebrate David Bowie's birthday on Saturday, January 11, 2025! This is a special night that will bring together the beautifully expansive catalog of Bowie's incredible music with the wonderfully eclectic cast of The Loser's Lounge. Doors are at 7:00pm, showtime is 8:00pm.

James D'Amico's Sun Concerts and The Strand Theater present Almost Queen on January 11th  (LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- James D'Amico's Sun Concerts and The Strand Theater present Almost Queen on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 8:00pm. They are the most authentic Queen tribute show since the days of Queen themselves.

Princeton Symphony Orchestra Celebrates Maestro's 60th Birthday at Concerts January 11-12  (PRINCETON, NJ) -- The centerpiece of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra's (PSO's) 2024-25 season is the upcoming celebration of Edward T. Cone Music Director Rossen Milanov's 60th birthday at concerts held at Richardson Auditorium on January 11-12, 2025.

State Theatre New Jersey presents Croce Plays Croce: The Jim Croce Birthday Bash  (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Croce Plays Croce—The Jim Croce Birthday Bash on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 8:00pm. A.J. Croce performs Croce Plays Croce, a special night of music featuring a complete set of classics by his late father Jim Croce, some of his tunes, and songs that influenced him and his father.

Split Level Concerts presents Jill Sobule at Jersey Shore Arts Center on January 11th  (OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Multi-talented singer/songwriter and guitarist Jill Sobule will perform at Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 8:00pm. Renee Maskin, a staple of the Asbury Park music scene, will open the show. The show is part of the on-going Split Level Concert Series which highlights renowned Americana and contemporary folk musicians in a uniquely intimate setting.

Carteret PAC presents Hollywood Nights – The Bob Seger Experience  (CARTERET, NJ) -- The Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center presents Hollywood Nights – The Bob Seger Experience on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 8:00pm. This is the ultimate tribute to Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band.

Silverstein to Celebrate 25th Anniversary with Tour that comes to Starland Ballroom  (SAYREVILLE, NJ) -- Canadian rock band Silverstein is celebrating their 25th year in 2025 with a tour that comes to the Starland Ballroom on Sunday, January 12th. Special guests Thursday and Split Chain will be on the bill as well.

Wharton Arts Presents Violins of Hope in A Concert for Peace - Youth Musicians To Perform on Instruments Saved from the Holocaust  (NEWARK, NJ) -- Wharton Arts will present A Concert for Peace with Violins of Hope, a poignant tribute to human resilience and the power of music, on January 12, 2025 at 3:00pm at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark. Led by Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Helen H. Cha-Pyo, this special concert showcases the extraordinary Violins of Hope, precious stringed instruments that survived the Holocaust.

Celebrating 40 Years of Service, Women In Music presents 2025 Virtual Summit in January  (NEW YORK, NY) -- Celebrating 40 years of service, Women in Music (WIM) presents its annual Virtual Summit January 15–17, 2025. This three-day global immersive event, includes keynote speaker Martha Earls (Neon Coast), is designed to educate, empower, and advance women and gender-expansive individuals across all facets of the music industry.

EVENT PREVIEWS

The Newton Theatre presents L.A. Guns on June 6th

(NEWTON, NJ) -- L.A. Guns comes to The Newton Theatre on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 8:00pm. The band has been rocking for roughly 40 years since establishing themselves as the undisputed sleaze kings of the Sunset Strip, and, eventually, the world.

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Jazz Royalty Comes to the Hamilton Stage on June 6th

(RAHWAY, NJ) -- Saturday, June 6, 2026 marks the date when Jazz Royalty comes to Hamilton Stage with Dizzy Gillespie alumni and Grammy winning bassist John Lee in collaboration with 16-time Grammy winner Paquito D' Rivera.

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The Chamber Music Society of North Jersey presents "Music Under the June Moon" at Anderson Park

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- The Chamber Music Society of North Jersey presents "Music Under the June Moon" on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at Anderson Park. Bring a picnic and a blanket and enjoy an al fresco performance under the stars. Admission is free. Showtime is 7:30pm.

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Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "The Boss Bash" featuring The B-Street Band

(MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre will host its annual fundraising event, "The Boss Bash," on Saturday, June 6, 2026, featuring two electrifying performances by The B-Street Band — the longest-running and most requested tribute to Bruce Springsteen in the country.

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Sinatra Celebration Concert To Swing in Ocean Grove This June

(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Sinatra Celebration Concert, a theatrical special event to honor the legendary career of musical icon Frank Sinatra, is being presented by producer Karen Morris of Sand Castle Communications and The Rat Pack Music Alliance.

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Broadcast Legend Sid Mark to be Remembered at Ocean Grove Event on June 7th

(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Sid Mark, the popular and iconic radio host, sadly passed away four years ago, on April 18th, 2022. Sid’s son Brian Mark, Executive Producer of Orange Productions' nationally syndicated radio program The Sounds of Sinatra with Sid Mark, will be a very special host/guest speaker, at a musical event which will highlight the legacy of his father and celebrate the 70th Anniversary of The Sounds of Sinatra broadcast program.

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Prudential Center presents Mexican superstar Carín León on June 7th

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Mexican superstar Carín León entered a bold new chapter of his acclaimed career with the release of Muda - his new studio album and one of the most eclectic of his catalog. See for yourself when he performs at the Prudential Center on Sunday, June 7, 2026. Showtime is 8:00pm.

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Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra presents "Music in Bloom" on June 7th

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra (GPYO) will present its Spring Concert, Music in Bloom, on Sunday, June 7, 2026 at Richardson Auditorium on the Princeton University campus. The performance will feature GPYO's top ensembles in a dynamic program of orchestral works by Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and John Philip Sousa. Showtime is 3:00pm.

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The Vogel presents Jeffrey Gaines & Josh Joplin on June 7th

(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Vogel presents Jeffrey Gaines & Josh Joplin on Sunday, June 7, 2026 at 7:00pm. NOTE: This show was originally scheduled for May 14. All tickets will be honored on the new date.

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Orion Weiss Returns to South Jersey on June 7th

(SEWELL, NJ) -- Music at Bunker Hill welcomes pianist Orion Weiss in his third appearance on their series on Sunday, June 7, 2026 at 3:00pm. Weiss is a "brilliant pianist" (The New York Times) with "powerful technique and exceptional insight" (The Washington Post).