(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Friends of Clearwater is proud to announce the 51st NJ Clearwater Festival, taking place on August 22-23, 2026, at Bradley Park in Asbury Park, NJ, directly across from the boardwalk at Convention Hall. Hours: Saturday, 12:00pm-10:00pm; Sunday, 11:00am-7:00pm.
Presented by New Jersey Friends of Clearwater, co-sponsored Clean Ocean Action, and organized by MES Event Services, the festival will celebrate more than fifty years of music, environmental stewardship, community engagement and education, inspired by the legacy of legendary folk musician and environmental advocate, Pete Seeger.
Founded in 1975 by Bob Killian, who helped Seeger launch the 106 ft. Clearwater tall ship and performed on several of his albums, NJ Friends of Clearwater has followed Seeger's vision of using music, education, and community action to protect rivers, oceans, bays, and other waterways. For more than five decades, the organization has worked to raise environmental awareness, while encouraging individuals and communities to become active stewards of New Jersey's natural resources.
Festival co-sponsor, Clean Ocean Action, is a kindred spirit of NJ Friends of Clearwater. COA's goal is to improve the degraded water quality of the marine waters off the New Jersey/New York coast, using research, education, and citizen action to unite and empower people to protect the ocean.
"The NJ Clearwater Festival is an opportunity to celebrate our history while inspiring the next generation of environmental advocates," said Chrissie Goedcoop, President of the NJ Friends of Clearwater. "We are excited to bring together music lovers, families, environmental organizations, and community partners for a weekend that reflects the values that have guided our mission for more than fifty years and celebrates the best of New Jersey's vibrant cultural and musical community."
Festival attendees can enjoy: Live music throughout the weekend; Food trucks and festival foods; Adult beverage garden; Craft and merchandise vendors; Family activities and children's programming; Sustainability demonstrations and educational exhibits; Environmental groups and community engagement programs; and Volunteer opportunities for individuals and families.
The event will also honor the lasting legacy of Pete Seeger, whose work helped inspire one of America's most successful grassroots environmental movements.
Admission: $5. (Children under 10, Free)
The festival is being professionally produced by MES Event Services, one of New Jersey's leading community event production companies. MES specializes in municipal festivals, concerts, food truck festivals, and destination events throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
In Asbury Park, MES Event Services has helped establish Bradley Park as a premier festival destination through events including the highly successful 2025 Asbury Park Halloween Festival. MES will also produce the 2026 Asbury Park Seafood & BBQ Festival and the 2026 Asbury Park Halloween Festival.
