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This Week in Music:
December 30 to January 5, 2025

originally published: 12/30/2025

Here is a look at shows taking place from December 30 to January 5, 2025 along with our featured listings and a look at some upcoming shows. 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.

The majority of these previews were created by New Jersey Stage, but you can send press releases to [email protected] to have your events considered for previews. 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 are available from $50-$100 per event and can be purchased up to 3 months in advance.

FEATURED EVENTS

Wednesday, December 31 - State Theatre New Jersey presents Salute to Vienna New Year's Concert. (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Close out 2025 in style with State Theatre New Jersey's annual Salute to Vienna New Year's Concert on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at 5:00pm. Celebrating 30 years in North America and 20 years at STNJ, the fan favorite returns to New Brunswick for a dazzling anniversary season.

Wednesday, December 31 - Close Out The Year with First Night Morris County 2026. (MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- First Night Morris County 2026 is the biggest and brightest New Year’s Eve celebration in New Jersey, providing a magnificent, family-friendly, substance- and alcohol-free celebration in the heart of Morristown. It offers a high-quality, curated cultural experience that unites the community and supports local partners. Your admission button grants you unlimited access to over 7 hours of spectacular entertainment—an excellent value for the whole family.




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EVENT PREVIEWS

Friday, January 2 - Start the New Year with Rikki Lee Wilson's Taylor Swift Tribute at The Broadway Theatre of Pitman. (PITMAN, NJ) -- The Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents Love Story – A Tribute to Taylor Swift from January 2-4, 2026. The show starring Rikki Lee Wilson brings the ultimate Taylor Swift concert experience and has wowed audiences nationwide.

Sunday, January 4 - Saxophonist/Educator Julius Tolentino to perform with Former Students at January Jersey Jazz LIVE!. (MADISON, NJ) -- Alto saxophonist/educator Julius Tolentino received a Lifetime Achievement Award for Jazz Education from DownBeat Magazine in 2024, the same year his Newark Academy jazz band, Chameleon, won first place in Jazz at Lincoln Center's Essentially Ellington competition. Tolentino is in his 19th year as NA's Jazz Director, and this year he has the added responsibility of Arts Department Chair, overseeing an Arts program that also encompasses theater, dance, and visual art.

COMING SOON

bergenPAC presents Sugarhill Gang - The Eras of Hip Hop Tour  (ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Englewood, New Jersey's own groundbreaking pioneers are coming home! Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents Sugarhill Gang - The Eras of Hip Hop Tour on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 8:00pm.

bergenPAC presents The Band Perry on January 11th  (ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents The Band Perry on Sunday, January 11, 2026 at 7:00pm. The Band Perry is a GRAMMY®, CMA, and ACM Award-winning trio known for their genre- defying sound and bold artistic reinvention.

The Newton Theatre presents Queensrÿche  (NEWTON, NJ) -- The Newton Theatre presents Queensrÿche on Thursday, January 15, 2026. The band first burst onto the music scene in 1982 with the release of their self-titled 4 song EP "Queensrÿche". They very quickly gained international recognition and performed to sold out audiences around the world. Showtime is 8:00pm.




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Brook Arts Center presents Gold Rush: The Music of Neil Young  (BOUND BROOK, NJ) -- The Brook Arts Center presents Gold Rush: The Music of Neil Young on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 8:00pm. The band brings the spirit, sound, and soul of Neil Young to life like never before. This extraordinary tribute event captures the essence of one of rock's most iconic figures, delivering an unforgettable experience for fans old and new.

State Theatre presents Tusk: The Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute  (NEW BUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Tusk: The Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 8:00pm. Tusk has been crisscrossing the country since 2008 as the number one Tribute to Fleetwood Mac in the world. No fancy tricks, no gimmicks, just five musicians recreating the music of Fleetwood Mac to perfection with note-for-note renditions that no other Fleetwood Mac tribute on the touring scene today can come close to duplicating.

Roomful of Blues to Celebrate New Record at Lizzie Rose Music Room  (TUCKERTON, NJ) -- Rhode Island-based horn-driven blues, jump, swing and soul band Roomful of Blues will celebrate the release of their new Alligator Records album, Steppin' Out!, with a live performance at the Lizzie Rose Music Room in Tuckerton on Sunday, January 18, 2026. Showtime is 7:30pm

EVENT LISTINGS

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

Wednesday, December 31 @ 4:30pm - First Night Morris 2026 at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 100 South Street, Morristown

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

Wednesday, December 31 @ 6:00pm - FJ - Tribute To Foreigner and Journey at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan

Wednesday, December 31 @ 9:00pm - FJ - Tribute To Foreigner and Journey at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan

Sunday, January 4 @ 3:00pm - Father Alphonse's New Year 2026 at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan




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EVENT PREVIEWS

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Six-time Tony Award® winner Audra McDonald will play a one-night-only concert at bergenPAC (Bergen Performing Arts Center) on Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 7:00pm.
Acclaimed Organist Chelsea Chen to Perform Solo Recital Concert at Christ Church in Short Hills on May 3rd

Acclaimed Organist Chelsea Chen to Perform Solo Recital Concert at Christ Church in Short Hills on May 3rd

(SHORT HILLS, NJ) -- Christ Church in Short Hills will present a solo concert recital by internationally acclaimed organist, Chelsea Chen, on Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 4:00pm. The special concert will feature a selection of traditional organ compositions along with contemporary music.
T.K. Blue to Celebrate Randy Weston

T.K. Blue to Celebrate Randy Weston's 100th Birthday at Jersey Jazz LIVE! Concert in Madison

(MADISON, NJ) -- In the history of jazz, no American musician's career has been more interconnected with the continent of Africa than that of the great pianist and composer Randy Weston. Weston, whose centennial birthday was celebrated on April 6, 2026, was a giant, not only as a creative and spiritual force, but standing six feet, seven inches, an imposing figure in the venues at which he performed throughout the world.
The New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra to present a program Honoring the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution

The New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra to present a program Honoring the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra will perform at the Zimmerli Art Museum on Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 2:00pm. The program will honor the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
Outpost in the Burbs presents Willie Nile Band on Sunday

Outpost in the Burbs presents Willie Nile Band on Sunday

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents Willie Nile Band on Sunday, May 3, 2026. The New York Times once called Buffalo, NY born Willie Nile "one of the most gifted singer-songwriters to emerge from the New York scene in years." Jersey City based artist Debra Devi will open the night.
Lily Vakili to Celebrate Release of "Live Wire" EP on Wednesday

Lily Vakili to Celebrate Release of "Live Wire" EP on Wednesday

(NEW YORK, NY) -- Lily Vakili will celebrate the release of her Live Wire EP on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at The Francis Kite Club. Doors are at 8:00pm; Showtime is 8:30pm.
RVCC Student Jazz Ensemble to Perform May 7th

RVCC Student Jazz Ensemble to Perform May 7th

(BRANCHBURG, NJ) -- Raritan Valley Community College's (RVCC) Student Jazz Ensemble will perform in concert Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 7:30pm. The concert will be held in the Welpe Theatre at the College's Branchburg campus. The group is directed by RVCC faculty member Jeremy Sweet.
The Lovin

The Lovin' Spoonful to Perform in Newton

(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Lovin' Spoonful will perform at The Newton Theatre on Friday, May 8, 2026 at 8:00pm. They were America's answer to the Beatles! The band, led by John Sebastian, Steve Boone, Joe Butler and Zal Yanovsky, exploded onto the charts sending their first 7 singles soaring onto Billboard's top-10 charts virtually overnight.
Barrymore Film Center presents Ann Talman: Elizabeth Taylor and the Shadow of Her Smile

Barrymore Film Center presents Ann Talman: Elizabeth Taylor and the Shadow of Her Smile

(FORT LEE, NJ) -- Ann Talman brings her award-winning show Ann Talman: Elizabeth Taylor and The Shadow of Her Smile to the Barrymore Film Center on Friday, May 8, 2026 at 7:30pm. Ann joined Actors' Equity with co-star Elizabeth Taylor in 1981 when she landed the plum role in The Little Foxes playing Miss Taylor's daughter on Broadway. The Little Foxes traveled the world for eighteen months including six months in London and their loving friendship lasted for the rest of Miss Taylor's life.
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center presents Eaglemania on May 8th

Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center presents Eaglemania on May 8th

(CARTERET, NJ) -- Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center presents Eaglemania on Friday, May 8, 2026 at 8:00pm. EagleMania has been dazzling audiences for over a decade by spectacularly reproducing the music of the Eagles.

 

MORE EVENTS

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