The Prudential North to Shore Festival is returning in 2025 with an expanded lineup that promises to be bigger, bolder, and more diverse than ever before. Taking place from June 14 to June 29, this highly anticipated summer event will celebrate New Jersey’s rich cultural diversity, creativity, and innovation, attracting thousands of visitors from around the nation.
Conceived by Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy, the festival has quickly become New Jersey’s largest summer arts event, drawing over 500,000 attendees in its first two years. It has already raised more than $25 million for ticketed events and featured over 650 shows at 250 venues across Asbury Park, Newark, and Atlantic City. Prudential Financial, a key partner in the festival, returns for the second consecutive year as the title sponsor, celebrating the company’s 150th anniversary.
“We are thrilled to continue to support the Prudential North to Shore Festival, which has already proven itself as a national leader in showcasing the extraordinary talent and spirit of New Jersey,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “This festival is more than just a celebration — it’s a testament to our state’s commitment to diversity, innovation, and inclusivity. It’s an opportunity to bring the world to New Jersey and show off everything that makes this state the ultimate destination for talent, arts, and entertainment.”
Comedy and Music: The Heart of the Festival
Prudential North to Shore Festival 2025 will have a special focus on two of the most universally beloved forms of entertainment: comedy and music. Whether you’re a fan of stand-up comedy or live concerts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy during this two-week event.
Headliners for the festival’s 2025 edition include an impressive mix of music legends and comedy giants. Musical acts such as Bleachers, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Slightly Stoopid, and Third Eye Blind will hit the stage across various venues in Asbury Park, Newark, and Atlantic City. Comedy fans are in for a treat as well, with big names like Jon Stewart, John Mulaney, Pete Davidson, and Tina Fey & Amy Poehler scheduled to perform.
A standout event for hip-hop lovers will be LL COOL J’s Rock The Bells, an exclusive celebration of hip-hop culture, including live performances, fan activations, and brand collaborations. Additionally, HOT 97 Summer Jam will showcase the best of modern hip-hop with performances from today’s hottest artists, bringing the energy of urban music to Prudential North to Shore’s vibrant atmosphere.
Showcasing New Jersey’s Diverse Arts and Culture
The festival’s vision goes beyond music and comedy — it’s also a celebration of New Jersey’s rich artistic landscape. With performances from musicians like Natalia Lafourcade and Gregory Porter to local talent, the festival aims to unite diverse communities under the banner of creativity.
In addition to headlining concerts and performances, Prudential North to Shore will host community events designed to engage festival-goers with New Jersey’s thriving arts scene. These free events will feature art exhibitions, outdoor performances, and opportunities to interact with local artists, adding a cultural layer to the festival’s lineup.
“Prudential North to Shore Festival is the premier showcase for the vibrant arts and culture that New Jersey has to offer,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “It’s incredible to see how the festival has grown in just three years, and we’re excited to share the state’s extraordinary diversity of talent and innovation with visitors from around the world.”
Support for Local Artists
In keeping with the festival’s commitment to uplifting local talent, the Prudential North to Shore Community Arts Awards will provide grants of up to $10,000 to local artists, arts organizations, and small businesses. These grants will support self-produced performing and visual arts events that will take place during the festival. The awards also give select recipients the opportunity to perform as opening acts for major headliners.
The festival has partnered with organizations across Asbury Park, Atlantic City, and Newark to provide these grants and strengthen the regional arts ecosystem. “It’s essential that the festival helps nurture and spotlight local talent alongside internationally known acts,” said John Schreiber, President & CEO of NJPAC. “This year’s lineup is not only a reflection of global stars, but also the vibrant and emerging voices from our own communities.”
Economic Impact
Beyond the excitement of the performances, the Prudential North to Shore Festival is a major driver of economic growth for the state. With an expected influx of thousands of attendees from across the nation, the festival will provide a significant boost to New Jersey’s hospitality, retail, and tourism sectors. Local businesses, restaurants, hotels, and transportation services are all set to benefit from the increased foot traffic.
“Prudential North to Shore is more than just a festival — it’s an economic engine that fuels growth for New Jersey’s cities and its people,” said Lata Reddy, Senior Vice President, Inclusive Solutions at Prudential Financial. “By bringing people to New Jersey, we’re also creating jobs, supporting businesses, and furthering our commitment to fostering community development.”
Key Takeaways:
• Event Dates: June 14–29, 2025
• Headliners: LL COOL J, George Clinton, Jon Stewart, John Mulaney, and many more
• Community Events: Free performances and local artist showcases
• Ticket Sales & Information: Available on the festival’s official website
Prudential North to Shore Festival 2025 promises to be a celebration of New Jersey’s artistic, musical, and comedic brilliance — don’t miss out on the chance to be a part of it!
