When the Prudential North to Shore Festival returns this summer in New Jersey, headliners will include several high-profile comedians, like Jon Stewart, Pete Davidson, Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, and rock acts like Stone Temple Pilots and Third Eye Blind.

Back for a third year in a row, the statewide celebration of arts, entertainment and innovation will take place June 14-29 in Atlantic City, Asbury Park and Newark.

During a March 4 press conference at New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, festival organizers noted that 2025’s star-studded lineup will have a special focus on comedy and music.

Other performers announced so far include Bleachers; George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic; Gregory Porter; Jack’s Mannequin; Josh Johnson; Natalia Lafourcade; Slightly Stoopid; Streetlight Manifesto; The String Cheese Incident and John Mulaney.

New for 2025, North to Shore will also include the following events at Newark’s Prudential Center:

• Rock The Bells, a hip-hop festival featuring live performances, a fan fest and brand activations marking the genre’s past, present and future
• Hot 97 Summer Jam, a popular concert showcasing the hottest names in hip-hip today

A big showing

Conceived in 2023 by Gov. Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy, North to Shore aims to showcase the state’s role as a destination for arts, entertainment, fresh talent and new ideas. It also presents free community events highlighting the varied arts and culture scenes that thrive in each host city.

In its first two years, North to Shore brought in more than $25 million for ticketed events. It has drawn a half million attendees to 650-plus shows across 250 venues in Newark, Asbury Park and Atlantic City – making it the state’s largest summer arts festival, according to organizers.

Prior acts have included:

• New Jersey pop diva Halsey
• Hip hop legends Eric B. & Rakim
• Classic rocker Santana
• New Jersey native Jack Antonoff’s Bleachers
• Comedic powerhouse Kevin Hart
• Multi-platinum award-winning, singer/songwriter Prince Royce
• Four-time Grammy Award winner Gary Clark Jr.
• Multiple Latin Grammy award winner Marisa Monte

‘A showcase of everything that makes this state unique’

Prudential Financial Inc. is back for a second year as title sponsor, according to organizers.

Meanwhile, NJPAC will again produce the festival in collaboration with partners Montclair Film, Madison Marquette, Newark International Film Festival, SJ Presents, New Jersey Symphony and Live Nation.

Other partners include: New Jersey Economic Development Authority, NJM Insurance Group, Outfront Media Group, United Airlines, Mosaic from NJ.com, New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, RWJ Barnabas Health and Allied Beverage Group.

Commenting on the third season of North to Shore, Murphy described the festival as an opportunity to “come together again to celebrate the qualities that make New Jersey an epicenter for diversity, creativity and innovation.”

“It’s a showcase of everything that makes this state unique, welcoming, and an ideal stage for talent and the arts,” the Democratic governor said.

The first lady added, “In just three short years, Prudential North to Shore has become the premier showcase of our state’s incredible depth of talent. I cannot wait to enjoy all the festival has to offer alongside visitors from around the region and from all over the country.”

‘Unlike that of any other festival in the nation’

NJPAC President and CEO John Schreiber praised the breadth of North to Shore’s programming. The experiences are “unlike that of any other festival in the nation,” he said.

“We’re excited to offer something this year that is focused, bold and more Jersey than ever. Laughs and jams — comedy and music — will provide fans with unforgettable, life-enhancing experiences and the kind of joy we all need and deserve,” Schreiber added.

We’re excited to offer something this year that is focused, bold and more Jersey than ever.
– John Schreiber, NJPAC president and CEO

Lata Reddy, senior vice president of inclusive solutions at Prudential Financial and chair of The Prudential Foundation, said the Newark-based firm is thrilled to continue its longstanding partnership with NJPAC and return as the festival’s title sponsor.

“For 150 years, Prudential has been a rock for millions of people around the world, helping them build financial security and live better lives longer. That path starts in our local communities, and we’re excited to help bring North to Shore’s economic engine and boost to the creative economy back to our hometown of Newark and across New Jersey,” Reddy said.

Local platforms

Additionally, North to Shore is continuing to collaborate with local advisory groups in Atlantic City, Asbury Park and Newark to provide community arts awards grants.

Through this program, the festival awards local artists, arts organizations, nonprofits and small businesses with up to $10,000 each to self-produce performing and visual arts events during the festival. Select grant winners will have the opportunity to perform as opening acts for headliners appearing at mainstage and club venues in Asbury Park and Newark, too, organizers said.

The awards will also bring year-round community programming to Atlantic City starting June 14.

For a full list of grant recipients, click here.

New Jersey Economic Development Authority CEO Tim Sullivan remarked, “As part of Gov. Murphy’s vision to promote arts and culture as a driver of economic growth and community development, the NJEDA is committed to showcasing the strength of New Jersey’s booming arts and innovation sectors to the rest of the world.”

He went on to say, “We are proud to partner with Prudential North to Shore for this year’s festival, which will attract thousands of attendees to some of the state’s most iconic cities and support local restaurants, businesses, hotels, and main streets during the heart of the summer season.”

Shining a light on iconic NJ cities

Asbury Park Mayor John Moor shared, “Music and the arts are woven into the very DNA of Asbury Park, and Prudential North to Shore is the ultimate celebration of that artistry and spirit. This festival not only spotlights the incredible talent that thrives here but also reinforces Asbury Park’s legacy as a cultural and economic engine in New Jersey.”

In Newark, Mayor Ras Baraka noted the city’s reputation as “a powerhouse of creativity” make it perfect for hosting North to Shore.

The Democratic gubernatorial hopeful said, “I am so excited about the incredible lineup coming here this year, and I look forward to celebrating this festival with neighbors who already love our city and visitors who soon will!”

A portion of ticket sales to select events will support Growing Healthy Pantries — a partnership among Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Community FoodBank of New Jersey, FoodBank of South Jersey, Fulfill, Mercer Street Friends, Norwescap, and Feeding America — which addresses food security statewide, organizers said.

According to organizers, more events will be added in coming weeks and tickets can be purchased online at NorthtoShore.com or via the North to Shore app.