Founding Sponsor
Dr. Peter Farrugia
Advanced Heart & Vascular of Central New Jersey in Colts Neck
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2026
What’s happening, changing, and worth knowing in our corner of the world.
Good Morning, Monmouth County! ☀️
🏖️ Jersey Shore Throwback: Before sunscreen and smartphones... Independence Day weekend at the Jersey Shore meant straw hats, wool bathing suits, packed excursion trains, and thousands of visitors arriving in Asbury Park, Long Branch, Ocean Grove, and Sea Bright to celebrate America's birthday by the ocean. (See Photos)
Welcome to the Weekend—the best two days of the week are finally here. We hope you have a fantastic holiday weekend celebrating America’s 250th birthday! This is a special time in our country and county. We’ll be in your in-box Monday morning with all the latest happening in Monmouth County. In the meantime, stay safe and cool. See ya out there!
🌤️ Monmouth Weather Minute with @joemartwx
How hot will it get?. Get Cup A Joe’s latest forecast for Monmouth County.
▶ Watch Today's Weather
Sail 4th @ Sandy Hook (More)
Dates: July 3–4
Location: Sandy Hook Bay
One of the largest America250 celebrations in the region as tall ships from around the world gather in New York Harbor and Sandy Hook Bay. Admission is free.
Independence Day at Monmouth Battlefield (More)
Date: Saturday, July 4
Time: 4 pm
Location: Monmouth Battlefield State Park
Celebrate Independence Day at one of the most significant Revolutionary War sites in America. Admission is free.
FIREWORKS
Friday, July 3
🇺🇸 Asbury Park, 9 pm, Beachfront (More)
🇺🇸 Belmar Fireworks + Light Show, 9 pm, Taylor Pavilion (More)
🇺🇸 Colts Neck, 6 pm, Bucks Mill Park (More)
🇺🇸 Hazlet Township, Food Truck Festival, 6-10 pm, Veterans Park (More)
🇺🇸 Riverview Medical Center Foundation Family Fireworks on the Navesink, 6:30 pm, Red Bank, Fair Haven, Middletown public riverfronts (More)
🇺🇸 Sea Bright, 6:30 pm, Beachfront (More)
🇺🇸 Union Beach 250th America Birthday Bash, 5-10 pm, Waterfront (More)
Saturday, July 4
🇺🇸 Holmdel Independence Day Celebration (no fireworks), 12-3 pm, Longstreet Farm (More)
🇺🇸 Keansburg Family Fun Fest, 12-9 pm, Baywalk East (More)
🇺🇸 Oceanfest, 1 pm-10 pm, Long Branch Promenade (More)
🇺🇸 Ocean Grove Independence Day Parade, 10:30 am-1 pm (no fireworks) (More)
🇺🇸 West Long Branch Celebrates 250 Years of America, 7-9 pm, Franklin Lake (More)
365> The Stone Pony, Asbury Park: Friday, 7 pm: WINSLOW; Saturday, 6:30 pm: Splintered Sunlight; Sunday, 7 pm: Black Country, New Road Horsegirl.
365> The Wonder Bar, Asbury Park: Friday, 8 pm: Promised Land; Saturday, 8 pm: Tramps Like Us; Sunday, 7 pm Kaleb Cohen.
365> Columns, Avon-by-the-Sea: Friday, 5 pm: Pat Roddy Band, at 9 pm: New Power Soul; Saturday, 4 pm: Spare Parts, and 9 pm: Howl; Sunday, 5 pm: Joe Baracata Band.
365> Beach Haus, Belmar: Friday, 7 pm: Successful Failures; Saturday, 7 pm: Meg Cannon; Sunday, 3 pm: Two Acoustic Dudes.
365> Boathouse, Belmar: Friday, 7 pm: So Shot!; Saturday, 7 pm: Noize Candy.
365> Pig and Parrot, Brielle: Friday, Saturday, Sunday 8 pm: Reggae Lou & The Kind Budz.
365> Waypoint 622, Brielle: Friday, 7 pm: The Kootz.
365> The Cabin, Freehold: Friday, 8:30 pm: Exit 102.
365> Moore’s Tavern, Freehold: Friday, 9 pm: Run for Cover.
365> The Chubby Pickle, Highlands: Friday 8:30 pm: New Yacht City.
365> Proving Ground, Highlands: Friday 6 pm: Liam Davis Band; Saturday, 1 pm: Joe Rapolla and at 6 pm: Big Hix; Sunday, 5 pm: The Haven.
365> The Seafarer, Highlands: Friday 2 pm: Stringbean and at 7 pm Mr. Tickle Hands; Saturday, 7 pm Level Up; Sunday, 4 pm Liam Davis.
365> Bar Anticipation, Lake Como: Friday, 5:30 pm: Sami Eldebs and Overboard and at 10 pm Big Bang Baby; Sunday, 11 am: Three Sheets to the Wind.
365> Harpoon Willy’s, Manasquan: Friday, 8:30 pm: Kids at Play.
365> Leggett’s, Manasquan: Sunday, 5 pm: Frankie Palmer.
365> Skinny Flowers, Oceanport: Friday, 6 pm: Sean Collichio.
365> Red Rock, Red Bank: Friday, 7 pm: The Cliffs; Saturday, 7 pm: No Filter.
365> Val’s Tavern, Rumson: Friday, 7 pm: Kenny Dubman; Saturday, 7:30 pm: Shore Bet Duo.
365> Donovan’s Reef, Sea Bright: Friday, 6 pm: Friend Zone; Saturday, 6 pm: Eddie Testa Band; Sunday, 4 pm: Thom White & The Flatliners.
365> The Parker House, Sea Girt: Friday, 3 pm: The Kicks, 8 pm: The Benjamins; Saturday, 3pm: Joe Baracata and at 8 pm: Blonde Otter; Sunday, 4 pm: Spare Parts and at 8 pm: Pat Roddy Band.
365> Reef & Barrel, Sea Girt: Friday, 6 pm: Mushmouth; Saturday, 6 pm: Remember Jones; Sunday, 4:30 pm: Brian Kirk & The Jirks.
365> St. Stephen's Green Publick House, Spring Lake: Friday, 8 pm: Todd Robbins; Saturday, 9 pm: Turnpike Mike Band; Sunday, 6 pm: John Rafferty.
Founding Sponsor
Face Painting Designs by Anita
FRIDAY, JULY 3
365> Open Play Mahjong: Biase Center in Bradley Beach, 1-3 pm. (More)
365> Family Soap Making Workshop: Sensorium Emporium in Red Bank, 4-6 pm. (More)
365> Atlantic Highland’s Fireman’s Fair: The 30th annual event 6-11 pm. (More)
SATURDAY, JULY 4
365> Ocean Grove Independence Day Parade: 10:30 am - 1 pm. (More)
365> Oceanfest in Long Branch: The Promenade, 1-10 pm, live entertainment, activities, food, and a celebration of community and country. (More)
365> Spring Lake Art Walk: Washington Ave., 11 am - 6 pm. (More)
365> Red, White & Bakes: Bakes Brewing in Wall, 10 am - 10 pm. (More)
365> Atlantic Highland’s Fireman’s Fair: The 30th annual event 6-11 pm. (More)
365> Soap Making Workshop: Sensorium Emporium in Red Bank, 4-6 pm. (More)
SUNDAY, JULY 5
365> Craft Fair: Squan Plaza in Manasquan, 7 am - 5 pm. (More)
365> Ocean Grove Summer Band Patriotic Concert: Great Auditorium, 7 pm. (More)
365> Bingo: The Boathouse in Belmar, 2- 6 pm. All-day happy hour, dollar wings, and prizes. (More)
Founding Sponsor
Derrick Magee
Goosehead Insurance — Home, Car, Renters
Yesterday’s Poll Results
Have you read the Declaration of Independence?
Some of it: 41%
All of it: 40%
No: 11%
Don’t remember: 8%