Long Branch is THE place to be for summer fun! So much to do, all up and down the beach and throughout town!

You may have heard us say that “365 Ocean is Above the Crowd.” And it’s so true! When you’ve experienced all the shopping, dining, and entertainment to be had in Long Branch, it’s just a short walk back to the serenity that is your oceanfront oasis, 365 Ocean.

And while you may not live at 365 Ocean yet, there’s no reason not to enjoy all there is to do here this summer.

Memorial Day Weekend

The unofficial start of summer, of course, is Memorial Day, and Long Branch is ready to kick things off!

The Brighton Bar has put together an all-ages Memorial Day weekend to remember featuring 50+ bands on two stages (inside & outside). Doors open Friday at 6:00 PM for this three-day Memorial Day Weekend Fest. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Tickets include free BBQ (hamburgers, hot dogs, cheeseburgers, veggie-burgers & more).

Looking for ways to keep the younger set entertained? If it’s Sunday night, it must be Family Fun Night at Pier Village! These free, kid-friendly evenings (4:00 PM – 9:00 PM) kick off on May 26th and continue every Sunday through August 25th. Enjoy an evening of summer fun for the whole family on Festival plaza with bounce houses, slides, inflatable obstacle courses, plus the Pier Village Family Game Room, Boardwalk Fun N’ Games, a high-end arcade with a full service redemption center. Fun games for all ages and skill levels. State-of-the-art virtual reality games, skeeball, various crane games, and more!

Nothing says summer like reggae music! The Tiki Bar at Ocean Place Resort & Spa hosts Random Test Reggae Band on May 26th and June 16th. This band has opened up for some of the greatest reggae acts around, such as, The Wailers, Burning Spear, Culture, Wailing Souls, Third World, and Kymani Marley.

Long Branch’s free annual Art in the Park event will be held 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM on Sunday, May 26th in West End Park. Come enjoy the work of over 50 juried artists and artisans.

Long Branch Summer Concert Schedule

If live music is your idea of a great time at the shore, then you’ve got to check out Long Branch’s Summer Concert Schedule.

Beginning on June 9th, “Bands by the Beach” at West End Park (Brighton Avenue) will offer everything from Big Band to Zydeco on Sunday evenings.

On Thursdays beginning June 13th, the beach will be swinging and swaying to an eclectic mix of R&B, classic rock, country, soul, Motown, pop and party music—even a Beatles tribute band!—during “Thursdays by the Sea” at Pier Village.

One night only, Wednesday, June 26th, come hear Long Branch High School’s Soundwave Jazz Band perform at West End Park.

Beginning July 9th, it’s “Tuesdays on Broadway,” where the musical offerings include Latin Rock, Latin American, Oldies, Salsa, and a tribute to girl groups, at the Broadway Band Shell.

All concerts run from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM.

Independence Day Celebration

The Fourth of July will surpass all your expectations when you spend it at OceanFest in Long Branch. Now in its 29th year, OceanFest will turn New Jersey’s favorite Promenade into an explosive Fourth of July celebration from 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM with live entertainment, music, delicious foods, craft vendors, and summer activities, including a master sand-sculpting exhibition. OceanFest is New Jersey’s longest and largest fireworks display! The ultimate in summer fun, this event is not to be missed!

And There’s More to Come!

Whew! That’s a lot already, but we’re just getting started! There so much more happening around 365 Ocean between July 4th and Labor Day! So we’ll save that for “The Place for Summer Fun, Part II,” coming soon! Stay tuned!

And, as always, whenever you’re in town, please be sure to drop by 365 Ocean to say hello and check out our progress! Our Information Center is currently open Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM (plus Memorial Day 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM) or by appointment by calling Ted Hanley at (732) 749-5797.