Weekly Roundup 6/16/2026

Peek Behind the Hedges at Spring Lake’s Seaside Garden Tour, The Asbury Park Jazz Fest Is Finally Back, 30 Years of the Atlantic Highlands Fireman’s Fair, Santana and The Doobie Brothers Bring the Hits to the Shore, Live Music Lowdown

Happy Tuesday, Monmouth County! If you heard random screaming coming from homes around Monmouth County this weekend, there's a good chance it was Knicks fans realizing this was actually happening. Hopefully everyone’s heart rate is finally starting to return to normal by today.

On the docket:

  • Peek Behind the Hedges at Spring Lake’s Seaside Garden Tour

  • The Asbury Park Jazz Fest Is Finally Back

  • 30 Years of the Atlantic Highlands Fireman’s Fair

  • Santana and The Doobie Brothers Bring the Hits to the Shore

  • Live Music Lowdown

Peek Behind the Hedges at Spring Lake’s Seaside Garden Tour

The Garden Club of Spring Lake's Seaside Garden Tour returns on Wednesday, June 24 from 10 AM to 3 PM, offering a self-guided look at ten stunning private gardens throughout town.

This year's tour features everything from waterfront landscapes and colorful flower gardens to sculpted shrubs, organic vegetable beds, waterfalls, hardscaping, and even a whimsical garden complete with a "She Shed" built from reclaimed doors. One property includes a miniature train winding through flowers, trees, and tiny villages, which feels like something straight out of a storybook.

Along the way, guests can stop by a historic 1880 home for refreshments on a breezy front porch overlooking Spring Lake. Whether you're an avid gardener or simply enjoy admiring other people's landscaping skills, this is one of Spring Lake's most charming summer traditions.

The Asbury Park Jazz Fest is Finally Back

After more than a decade away, the Asbury Park Jazz Fest is making its long-awaited return.

On Sunday, June 28, Sunset Park will host eight straight hours of free live jazz from 12 PM to 8 PM, bringing one of the city's beloved music traditions back to the waterfront. The festival originally ran for more than 15 years before going on hiatus, making this year's comeback especially exciting for local music fans.

The lineup features performances from Marel Hidalgo, Ultrablue, Antoine Knight, Reza Khan, Nick Stefanacci, Dee Brown, Ragan Whiteside, and Paula Atherton, with music filling the park throughout the day.

Bring a lawn chair, pack a blanket, and settle in for an afternoon of smooth sounds, summer sunshine, and ocean breezes. For a town known for its live music scene, this feels like a welcome return.

30 Years of the Atlantic Highlands Fireman’s Fair

Nothing says summer at the Jersey Shore quite like a Fireman’s Fair.

The Atlantic Highlands Fireman’s Fair returns to the Municipal Harbor from June 30 through July 4, celebrating its 30th year with five nights of rides, games, food, live entertainment, and waterfront views. The fair runs nightly from 6 PM to 11 PM and remains one of the area's favorite Fourth of July week traditions.

Expect all the classics: carnival rides for every age, games that somehow convince you that winning the giant stuffed animal is absolutely possible, plenty of fried fair food, and the annual super raffle.

The biggest night of the week is Thursday, July 2, when fireworks light up the harbor. This is one of those summer events that feels like a rite of passage at the Shore.

Santana and The Doobie Brothers Bring the Hits to the Shore

Some concerts feel like a trip down memory lane, and this one comes with an entire soundtrack.

Santana and The Doobie Brothers are bringing their co-headlining tour to PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel on Saturday, June 27, for what might be one of the biggest classic rock nights of the summer.

Between Santana's legendary guitar work and The Doobie Brothers' endless catalog of singalong hits, expect a night packed with songs you've heard at backyard barbecues, on road trips, and probably from your parents' stereo growing up. Whether you're a longtime fan or just know every word when "Listen to the Music" comes on, there's a good chance you'll be singing along.

With summer in full swing and PNC's concert season heating up, this feels like one of those shows that was made for a warm June night under the lights. Grab your tickets below!

Live Music Lowdown

Friday, June 19
The Proving Ground, Highlands | No Standards | 6 PM
The Wonder Bar, Asbury Park | The Weeklings | 7 PM
The Sandbox, Highlands | N&D Electric Duo | 4-7 PM
The Sandbox, Highlands | NOW! That’s What I Call a Karaoke Band | 7-10 PM
The Stone Pony, Asbury Park | Joe Russo’s Almost Dead | 5:30 PM
Red Rock Tap + Grill, Red Bank | Howl | 7 PM
The Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park | Yellowcard | 5:30 PM
Donovan’s Reef, Sea Bright | Friend Zone Band | 6 PM

Saturday, June 20
The Proving Ground, Highlands | Dave McCarthy Trio | 1-4 PM
The Proving Ground, Highlands | Skinny Amigo | 6 PM
The Wonder Bar, Asbury Park | Mihali | 7 PM
The Sandbox, Highlands | On The Bay Fest | 12-10 PM
Red Rock Tap + Grill, Red Bank | Crash the Party | 7 PM
The Stone Pony, Asbury Park | Bernie Williams & His Band of Friends | 7 PM
Reef & Barrel, Manasquan | Sir Rod | 6 PM
Donovan’s Reef, Sea Bright | Hang Loose Band | 6 PM

Sunday, June 21
The Proving Ground, Highlands | Steve Johnson | 1-4 PM
The Proving Ground, Highlands | Ty Mares Band | 6-9 PM
The Sandbox, Highlands | Meg Cannon | 11 AM - 2 PM
The Sandbox, Highlands | Suyat Band | 2-5 PM
The Sandbox, Highlands | Radio Stranger | 5-8 PM
The Stone Pony, Asbury Park | Kurt Vile and The Violators | 7 PM
Donovan’s Reef, Sea Bright | Random Test Reggae Band | 4 PM