• By Mabel Pais

THEME: LAUGHS AND JAMS

‘PRUDENTIAL NORTH TO SHORE’ June 2025

The ‘Prudential North to Shore Festival,’ produced by NJPAC and with Prudential Financial as title sponsor, returns this June featuring ‘Laughs and Jams’: A star-studded lineup of musical superstars and world-class comics.

‘Prudential North to Shore Festival’ will return in June 2025, building on the momentum of two extraordinarily successful festivals in 2023 and 2024, with an expanded lineup that runs from June 14 through June 29.

Watch a NJEDA preview video of the Festival – youtu.be/f79GiHpcAQk

Conceived by Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy in 2023, this year’s festival returns with a special focus on comedy and music — ’Laughs and Jams.’

In its first two years, the festival brought in more than $25 million for ticketed events and has drawn a total audience of over 500,000 to more than 650 shows in 250 venues in Newark, Asbury Park and Atlantic City, making it New Jersey’s largest summer arts festival. Prudential Financial returns as the festival’s title sponsor, as part of the Newark-based company’s celebration of its 150th anniversary. There are additional NJ sponsors.

N2S 2025 ANNOUNCEMENT

The lineup was unveiled on March 4 during a press conference at NJPAC’s iconic Prudential Hall, where festival organizers, supporters and arts and entertainment fans gathered to learn more about this year’s format.

“Now for a third summer, we can come together again to celebrate the qualities that make New Jersey an epicenter for diversity, creativity, and innovation,” said Governor Phil Murphy. ‘Prudential North to Shore’ is more than a festival — it’s a showcase of everything that makes this state unique, welcoming, and an ideal stage for talent and the arts.”

Then, for two consecutive weeks, comedians of all stripes and musical acts will perform in venues across Asbury Park and Newark. At the same time, free community events will welcome festival-goers with a taste of the rich and varied arts and culture scene that thrives in each city.

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

“The breadth of experiences ‘Prudential North to Shore’ offers is unlike that of any other festival in the nation,” said John Schreiber, President and CEO of NJPAC. “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.”

“We are thrilled to continue our long-standing partnership with NJPAC and return as the title sponsor of ‘Prudential North to Shore Festival,’” said Lata Reddy, senior vice president, Inclusive Solutions at Prudential Financial and chair of The Prudential Foundation. “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 the creative economy back to our hometown of Newark and across New Jersey.”

PERFORMERS

This year’s lineup will include Bleachers; George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic; Gregory Porter; Jack’s Manequinn; Jon Stewart, John Mulaney, and Pete Davidson; Josh Johnson; Lawrence; Natalia Lafourcade; Slightly Stoopid; Stone Temple Pilots; Streetlight Manifesto; The String Cheese Incident; Third Eye Blind; Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, and many others.

Two of the festival’s most anticipated events — LL COOL J’s Rock The Bells and HOT 97 Summer Jam — will bring the energy and impact of hip-hop to ‘Prudential North to Shore’ at Newark’s Prudential Center.

‘Rock The Bells,’ the premier hip-hop festival experience, will take over with exclusive live performances, a fan fest, and immersive brand activations that celebrate hip-hop’s past, present, and future.

‘HOT 97 Summer Jam’ will showcase the hottest names in hip-hop today, delivering another powerhouse live music experience.

PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS REWARDS

‘Prudential North to Shore’ has again collaborated with advisory groups in Atlantic City, Asbury Park and Newark to provide ‘Prudential North to Shore Community Arts Awards.’ 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. This year, ‘Prudential North to Shore’ will kick off year-round community programming in Atlantic City starting on June 14.

A full list of the Prudential North to Shore Community Arts Awards recipients can be viewed @ northtoshore.com/community-arts-grants.

Additionally, select Community Arts Awards winners will be offered the opportunity to perform as opening acts for headliners appearing at mainstage and club venues in Asbury Park and Newark, giving them an unprecedented opportunity to connect with new fans.

The ‘2025 Prudential North to Shore Festival’ is also supported by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA).

“As part of Governor 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,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “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.”

NJPAC is producing this multi-city celebration with leadership support from Prudential Financial, the festival’s title sponsor for the second consecutive year. The Arts Center is also collaborating with several partners in New Jersey.

GROWING HEALTHY PANTRIES

A portion of all ticket sales will directly benefit Growing Healthy Pantries – a partnership between 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 and supports 1,000 food pantries across the state’s 21 counties. 

“Beyond just providing emergency food to feed our neighbors in need for today, New Jersey’s food banks are also working to address the long-term causes and consequences of food insecurity, including lack of access to healthy options,” said Elizabeth McCarthy, President & CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “Growing Healthy Pantries is one critical way that we’re promoting nutrition, choice, and dignity at pantries across the state to address hunger as a health issue. We’re so grateful to Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, NJPAC and Prudential North to Shore Festival for their continued commitment to our shared mission.”

NEWARK: POWERHOUSE OF CREATIVITY

“Newark is long known to be a powerhouse of creativity, teeming with artistic expression – and exactly the kind of city perfect for hosting ‘Prudential North to Shore,’” said Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. “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!”

ASBURY PARK: DNA OF MUSIC AND ARTS

“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,” said Asbury Park Mayor John Moor. “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.”

ATLANTIC CITY: CREATIVES & COMMUNITY GROUPS

This year, in Atlantic City, ‘Prudential North to Shore’ community events will be produced throughout the year, extending the celebration’s impact on creatives and community groups.

N2S PARTNERS

Producing Partners for this year’s ‘Prudential North to Shore’ include Montclair Film; Madison Marquette; Newark International Film Festival; SJ Presents; New Jersey Symphony; and Live Nation.

Prudential North to Shore Festival

For the latest updates, new concert listings, and tickets, visit northtoshore.com 

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is among the largest performing arts centers in the United States.  It is the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey — where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day.  As New Jersey’s anchor cultural institution, NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the state’s and the world’s best artists while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city.  Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts.  NJPAC has attracted more than 12 million visitors (including more than two million children) since opening its doors in 1997 and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents.  Visit njpac.org for more information.

Prudential Financial

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a global financial services leader and premier active global investment manager with approximately $1.5 trillion in assets under management as of December 31, 2024, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential’s diverse and talented employees help make lives better and create financial opportunity for more people by expanding access to investing, insurance, and retirement security. Prudential’s iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise, and innovation for 150 years. For more information, visit prudential.com

(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Spirituality, Social Issues, Cuisine, and Health & Wellness)