Here's a look at the top 15 most read articles published on New Jersey Stage from June 14-20, 2026. Each week we publish at least 70 articles, including original columns and features, promoting events and covering arts news taking place throughout the state and nearby areas like Philadelphia and New York City. This week's top 15 includes articles from 8 counties in New Jersey (Bergen, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Somerset, and Union).
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1) Monmouth County unveiled MonmouthNJ 250 Monument at Swimming River Park - (RED BANK, NJ) -- Monmouth County officials unveiled the MonmouthNJ 250 Monument during a ceremony at Swimming River Park to commemorate America's 250th birthday on Thursday, June 4, 2026.
2) Washington Crossing Historic Park Launches Community-Wide Call to Support Expanded Independence Day Celebration in America's 250th Anniversary Year -(WASHINGTON CROSSING, PA) -- Washington Crossing Historic Park (WCHP) in Pennsylvania plans to host an expanded Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, July 4, 2026 from 4:00pm to 9:30pm featuring immersive living history experiences, family-friendly activities, live music, and the return of fireworks over the Delaware River. Designed as a community-wide celebration of America250, the event is intended to create a meaningful space for residents and visitors to commemorate this historic milestone year. Please note: Admission is required; registration is recommended only for the 4:00pm ‐ 8:00pm Living History Program. The evening concert and fireworks are free and open to the public; no registration is required to attend those portions of the event.
3) The Fort Lee Museum presents "Art, Unfixed" - (FORT LEE, NJ) -- Art, Unfixed brings together four artists—Manhee Kim, Wonchul Lee, Insook Yang, and David Park—working across abstract painting and photography to explore what it means to resist fixity in art, identity, and time. The exhibition runs at the Fort Lee Museum from June 15–30, 2026, with free admission daily from 10:00am to 5:00pm.
4) Wharton Arts Announces Leadership Transition with Helen H. Cha-Pyo Stepping Down as Artistic Director - (BERKELEY HEIGHTS) -- Wharton Arts has announced that Helen H. Cha-Pyo will step down from her role as Artistic Director at the conclusion of the 2025–2026 season, completing a transformative eight-year tenure during which she helped establish Wharton Arts as a nationally recognized leader in performing arts education. She will continue to serve as Music Director and Conductor of the New Jersey Youth Symphony (NJYS), a program of Wharton Arts.
5) Middlesex County's Plays-in-the-Park presents "1776" - (EDISON, NJ) -- Middlesex County's Plays-in-the-Park presents 1776 from July 8-18, 2026. The seminal event in American history blazes to vivid life in this most unconventional of Broadway hits.
6) Events This Week in New Jersey from June 16-22, 2026 - Here is a look at upcoming events taking place from June 16-22, 2026 along with our featured listings. New Jersey Stage offers previews of events throughout the Garden State as well as select shows in New York City and Philadelphia areas.
7) 52nd Newark Black Film Festival to Take Place July 8th through August 5th at Newark Museum of Art - (NEWARK, NJ) -- The 52nd Newark Black Film Festival takes place Wednesday from July 8 through August 5, 2026 at The Newark Museum of Art. There is a mix of films for adults and films for the entire family. Admission to the screenings is free, but reservations are required.
8) Makin Waves with Jake Thistle: Anchored by Sincerity - Paramus-raised, Jersey Shore-beloved singer-songwriter Jake Thistle has been chasing songs for as long as he can remember.
9) Liberty Arts Theatre presents "The America 250 USO Tour" featuring a star-studded cast from Abraham Lincoln to Thomas Jefferson with music, dance, comedy and after party! - (LEONIA, NJ) -- Liberty Arts Theatre will keep us all rockin' in the free world with the high-octane celebration America 250 USO Tour - where Vaudeville meets American history – featuring a star-studded cast from Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson to George Patton, a live orchestra, song-and-dance numbers and comedy sketches. The America 250 USO Tour will march into the American Legion Post #1 (399 Broad Street) in Leonia on Thursday, July 2, 2026 @ 7:00pm.
10) Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission Seeking Art Submissions for 2026 Senior Art Show - (SOMERVILLE, NJ) -- The Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission is looking to display the artwork of talented seniors, aged 60 and older, at the 2026 Senior Art Show. The deadline for registration and submission is Monday, July 13, 2026.
11) Shadows of the '60s and One Hot Night LIVE! at PNC Bank Arts Center - Spotlight Central and Love Imagery have photos and a recap of Shadows of the '60s: A Tribute to Motown's Super Groups and Tommy Lynn and One Hot Night: America's Neil Diamond Tribute Band at PNC Bank Arts Center on June 11, 2026.
12) PHOTOS from "Guys & Dolls" at Surflight Theatre - (BEACH HAVEN, NJ) -- Surflight Theatre is presenting what is considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy, Guys & Dolls, now through July 5, 2026. It ran for 1,200 performances when it opened on Broadway in 1950. It received nearly unanimous positive reviews from critics and won a bevy of awards, including Tony Awards, Drama Desks and Oliviers. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.
13) Trenton City Museum announces 2026 Ellarslie Open award winners - (TRENTON, NJ) -- Nine artists from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and California were awarded prizes during the Artists and Members Reception for Ellarslie Open 43 on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie Mansion. The Juror of the annual juried show, Adam Welch, is Executive Director of the Arts Council of Princeton.
14) Carteret's Independence Day Festival to feature country star Walker Hayes - (CARTERET, NJ) -- One of New Jersey's most popular Independence Day Festivals will take place in Carteret's Civic Center Park (100 Cooke Avenue) from 6:00pm to midnight on Friday, July 3, 2026 in celebration of America's 250th birthday.
15) 2026 Broadway Bound Theatre Festival Preview - (NEW YORK, NY) -- Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Broadway Bound Theatre Festival features the world premieres of two musicals and ten new plays by writers from New York and across the country. The festival runs July 23–August 16, 2026 at AMT Theater in the heart of the Theater District.
