Here's a look at the top 15 most read articles published on New Jersey Stage from September 27 to October 3, 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 7 counties in New Jersey (Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Morris).
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1) Dandy's World Gardenview Experience is coming to American Dream - (EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ) -- American Dream, the premier entertainment and retail destination, continues to bring one-of-a-kind experiences to life, with its latest offering, Dandy's World Gardenview Experience, set to debut this fall. The first-of-its-kind activation for the Dandy's World IP, an extremely popular all-ages survival-horror experience on Roblox will take place at American Dream from October 7 through November 1, 2026, highlighting a festive American Scream calendar.
2) The New Jersey Play Lab presents All Exits! - A statewide play reading series - The New Jersey Play Lab presents All Exits! - A statewide play reading series which will take place in Cape May, Beach Haven, and Milford from October to November 2026.
3) The Monmouth County Park System presents "You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown" - (LINCROFT, NJ) -- The Monmouth County Park System presents You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown at the Thompson Park Theater Barn (805 Newman Springs Road) in Lincroft. Performances will take place on Friday, October 2 at 7:00pm and Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 2:00pm & 7:00pm.
4) Evil Genius to Celebrate 15 years in Philly with Fishtown Music Festival on Saturday - (PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Evil Genius Beer Company celebrates 15 years of very silly names and very serious beers - and a brand that was built on celebrating nostalgia - with a giant, all-day, all-ages block party taking over Fishtown. Evil Genius 15th Anniversary Music Festival will debut on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 11:00am to 10:00pm, from Cecil B. Moore to Palmer Street on Front Street and from Front Street to Blair Street on Palmer Street. Headlined by 2000s alt-rock legends, Wheatus ("Teenage Dirtbag"), the giant block party will feature ten hours of live music, food and drink from around the neighborhood, two exclusive beer releases, and an outdoor market with nearly 50 local vendors, artists and makers. The fido and family friendly party is no charge and open to the public, with food and drink pay as you go.
5) Light Opera of New Jersey presents "Amahl and the Night Visitors" - (MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- This holiday season, Light Opera of New Jersey (LONJ) invites audiences of all ages to experience the magic of Gian Carlo Menotti's beloved one-act opera, Amahl and the Night Visitors.
6) Jamtoberfest '26 takes place October 3rd in Flanders - (FLANDERS, NJ) -- On Saturday, October 3, Jamtoberfest '26 takes over the Swim & Sport Club in Flanders for an all-day outdoor concert celebrating the music, energy, and spirit of the Allman Brothers Band, Grateful Dead, Phish, and the jam-band scene.
7) Riverview Jazz Presents Three Free Concerts in Jersey City This Week - (JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Riverview Jazz will present three free concerts in Jersey City parks this week, bringing a diverse lineup of salsa, Latin jazz, big band, world music, classical and gypsy jazz to outdoor spaces throughout the city.
8) Like Moths to The Light - Novelist George Dawes Green spent many a sultry summer night in his native Georgia on the porch with friends, telling spellbinding stories as moths fluttered nearby, attracted by the glowing porch light.
9) Bergen County Unveils Vision for Future of County Zoo - (PARAMUS, NJ) -- Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco, the Board of County Commissioners, and the Bergen County Parks Department has announced the completion of a new Storybook Master Plan outlining a long-term vision for the Bergen County Zoo, including new and expanded animal habitats, enhanced educational opportunities, and improvements designed to strengthen the visitor experience and advance animal care.
10) Events This Week in New Jersey from September 29 to October 5, 2026 - Here is a look at upcoming events taking place from September 29-October 5, 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.
11) 14th Annual Roxtobertfest to Take Place October 3rd - (PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Roxborough Development Corporation (RDC) will bring back the 14th Annual Roxtoberfest on Saturday, October 3, 2026 from 12:00pm to 6:00pm, transforming Ridge Avenue into one of Philadelphia's biggest and best-loved Oktoberfest and fall festival celebrations. Roxtoberfest has grown from a small neighborhood street festival into one of Philadelphia's oldest and best-attended Oktoberfests, attracting thousands of neighbors and visitors for a day packed with live entertainment, local food and drink, family-friendly activities, shopping, community fun and plenty of Oktoberfest and fall harvest spirit.
12) MPAC presents Movie Magic in Morristown this Fall - (MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- This season, Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) is bringing movie magic to Morristown, invoking nostalgia for its origins as The Community Theatre, the crown jewel of Walter Reade's chain of movie houses during the Golden Age of Hollywood. The fall lineup features beloved films reimagined for MPAC's role today as the heart of live entertainment in Morris County.
13) Phish to Play Three Nights at Boardwalk Hall - (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Phish is playing three nights at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City from October 2-4, 2026. While Saturday night's show is sold out, tickets remain for the other two shows.
14) 2026 Teaneck International Film Festival announces Lineup - (TEANECK, NJ) -- The Teaneck International Film Festival, a project of The Puffin Foundation, Ltd., will celebrate its 21st anniversary November 5–12, 2026 with a lineup of documentaries, narrative features and shorts focused on the festival's enduring theme, "Activism: Making Change." The eight-day festival will bring filmmakers, actors, activists, producers and community leaders to venues throughout Teaneck and Fort Lee for screenings, filmmaker conversations and special events.
15) Fall 2026 New Jersey Film Festival Winners Announced! - The Competition component of the Fall 2026 New Jersey Film Festival has just concluded! Here below are the winners of the Festival. All the Official Selection works of the Fall 2026 New Jersey Film Festival were selected by a panel of judges including media professionals, journalists, students, and academics. These judges selected the 19 finalists which were publicly screened at our Festival. The finalists were selected from over 400 works submitted by filmmakers from around the world.
Ellis Paul doesn’t just write songs; he’s a guitar-carrying reporter who covers the human condition and details the hopes, loves, losses of those he observes, turning their stories into luminous pieces of music that get under your skin and into your bloodstream. And much like the artists who have influenced him, everyone from Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan and Paul Simon to the singer-songwriter who is undoubtedly his greatest inspiration, Woody Guthrie, Paul weaves deeply personal experiences with social issues and renders them as provocative works that are as timely as they are timeless. Born and raised in Maine, Paul attended Boston College on a track scholarship and in the evenings became a fixture on the city’s open mic circuit. After winning a Boston Acoustic Underground songwriter competition, he caught the ear of folk luminary Bill Morrissey, who produced his indie album Say Something in 1993. This led to a sevenalbum contract with Rounder Records and the 1994 album, Stories.
Samara Joy has emerged as one of the most captivating new voices in jazz, bringing a fresh perspective to a beloved tradition. With a sound that feels both rooted in history and uniquely her own, she has quickly drawn the attention of audiences and critics alike. Experience the artistry, warmth, and unmistakable brilliance of a true rising icon—live and in person.
To welcome Fall, renowned organist Ian Fraser will play a selection of Halloween inspired pieces on UCPAC’s “Biggest Little Wurlitzer,” our 1928 organ that is original to our beautiful Main Stage theater, in Illumination – A Haunted Concert by Candlelight!
The 45th Bi-Annual New Jersey Film Festival will be taking place between September 4-October 4, 2026. The Festival will be a hybrid as we will be presenting it online as well as doing select in-person screenings at Rutgers University. Almost all the films will be available virtually via Video on Demand for 24 hours on their show date. VOD start times are at 12 Midnight Eastern USA. Each General Admission Ticket or Festival Pass purchased is good for both the virtual and the in-person shows when both are offered.This program is only available Online for 24 hours on this show date!
Musician and historian Bobby Horton combines storytelling, musicianship, history, and a genuine love for the people who settled this nation, fought for our future, and created a new nation in Patriot Songs of the American Revolution.
(PLAINFIELD, NJ) -- Music lovers are invited to experience the artistry of the Wharton Performing Arts School (PAS) faculty at a free Faculty Recital on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at the Plainfield Performing Arts Center (724 Park Avenue) in Plainfield. Showtime is 3:00pm.
(CLARK, NJ) -- Waves of Education's 6th Annual Run Toward a Better Future 5K & Family Fun Event will take place on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at Oak Ridge Park in Clark.
(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company will welcome internationally acclaimed Indian classical musician Ustad Shafaat Khan to the Kutz Theatre at the Lackland Performing Arts Center on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 2:00pm.
(NEW YORK, NY) -- NiCori Performing Arts Academy celebrates the next generation of musical theatre and cabaret talent on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at Triad Theater. The NiCori Youth Cabaret Showcase features an extraordinary group of young performers sharing songs that inspire, challenge, and tell their unique stories. The event begins at 2:00pm.
(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Mile Square Theatre presents a New Play Reading Series from October 5-14, 2026. Plays include Neither Snow Nor Rain by Erin Mallon; The Halal Brothers by Alaudin Ullah; and Sunshine Madness by Lori Fischer. Admission is free, but tickets are required.
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Compagnie Hervé Koubi in Sol Invictus on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at 7:30pm. Sol Invictus is a contemporary dance work combining acrobatics, street dance, hip-hop, capoeira, and martial arts with powerful imagery and inspired choreography.
(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- It's time to ditch the same boring recipes and bring big, playful creativity back into your kitchen! Join Top Chef finalist, Food Network star, and author Joe Sasto to explore his bestselling cookbook Breaking the Rules: A Fresh Take on Italian Classics in a virtual discussion on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, presented by the Ocean County Library. The event begins at 2:00pm.
(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Count Basie Center for the Arts welcomes Tony Award-winning actor, author and advocate Ali Stroker for a Community Conversation exploring mental health, well-being and the power of the arts on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at The Vogel. The event begins at 7:00pm.
(NEWARK, NJ) -- World-renowned artist Bisa Butler and Grammy Award-winning artist Durand Bernarr will headline the 2026 Newark Arts Festival, returning October 7–11 for five days of exhibitions, music, performance, artist conversations, family programming, open studios and late-night arts experiences across Newark.