Previews for Concerts Taking Place December 12-18, 2023



Here is a look at upcoming shows taking place from December 12-18, 2023 along with our featured listings. New Jersey Stage offers previews of concerts throughout the Garden State as well as select shows in New York City and Philadelphia areas. Click on the title to go to the full preview. Jump to Featured Events, Event Previews, Event Listings.

Send press releases to info@newjerseystage.com to have your events previewed at New Jersey Stage. There is no cost for preview articles. Featured listings are found in the NJ Stage calendar, reserved for advertisers. Listings are also available for $10 a piece. Click here for more information on our event listings. Event listings are also included with every banner ad purchase. Banner ads run from $50-$100 for a full month of coverage.

Tuesday, December 12, 2023 – bergenPAC presents Vitamin String Quartet. (ENGLEWOOD, NJ) — Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents Vitamin String Quartet (VSQ) on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at 8:00pm. Fans can expect to hear beautiful string renditions of their favorite hits as well as those that were heard in the hit Netflix show, Bridgerton, which was a huge help in launching VSQ into the mainstream spotlight.

Friday, December 15, 2023 – Outpost in the Burbs presents An Evening with Loudon Wainwright III. (MONTCLAIR, NJ) — Outpost in the Burbs presents An Evening with Loudon Wainwright III on Friday, December 15, 2023 at 8:00pm. The concert will take place at the First Congregational Church, 40 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair.

Friday, December 15, 2023 – Christmas Fiddle and Fun: A Conversation with Eileen Ivers. Eileen Ivers has been called “the Jimi Hendrix of the violin,” as reported by the New York Times. A master of the violin, which is also known to be a fiddle, dependent on the way in which it is played, Ivers is known to be the pre-eminent exponent of the Irish fiddle in the world today.

Saturday, December 16, 2023 – James D’Amico’s Sun Concerts presents Get The Led Out at The Strand. (LAKEWOOD, NJ) — James D’Amico’s Sun Concerts presents Get The Led Out at The Strand Center for the Arts on Saturday, December 16, 2023. From the bombastic and epic, to the folky and mystical, Get The Led Out (GTLO) have captured the essence of the recorded music of Led Zeppelin and brought it to the concert stage.

Saturday, December 16, 2023 – The Center for the Arts at Monmouth University presents The Doo Wop Project’s Christmas Show. (WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ) — The Center for the Arts at Monmouth University presents The Doo Wop Project’s Christmas Show on Saturday, December 16, 2023 in the Pollak Theatre. The Doo Wop Project boys will get you into the Holiday Spirit! Showtime is 8:00pm.

Sunday, December 17, 2023 – Jersey Arts Podcast: Nancy Reed Dishes on Duke Ellington’s “Nutcracker” and Morris Museum’s new “Grinch Suite”. Duke Ellington was a jazz composer and bandleader in the early 1900s. He is quite possibly one of the greatest jazz composers of all time. Written alongside collaborator, Billy Strayhorn, “The Nutcracker Suite” is a jazz reimagining of Tchaikovsky’s” Nutcracker Suite.”

Sunday, December 17, 2023 – bergenPAC presents Martina McBride – The Joy of Christmas Tour 2023. (ENGLEWOOD, NJ) — Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents Martina McBride – The Joy of Christmas Tour 2023 on Sunday, December 17th at 7:00pm. Tickets range from $65-$135.

Tuesday, December 12, 2023 – NJPAC presents an intimate evening with David Foster and Katharine Mcphee. (NEWARK, NJ) — New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents an intimate evening with David Foster and Katharine Mcphee performing their hits and holiday favorites. See the power couple perform live on Saturday, December 12, 2023 at 8:00pm.

Friday, December 15, 2023 – New Jersey Symphony Presents Handel’s Messiah. (NEWARK, NJ) — The New Jersey Symphony will present two performances of the beloved holiday tradition, Handel’s Messiah, Friday, December 15 at 8:00pm in Princeton, and Sunday, December 17 at 7:00pm in Newark. The Symphony will perform the entire Oratorio, including Part I (popularly known as the Christmas portion) as well as the familiar ‘Hallelujah Chorus.’

Friday, December 15, 2023 – Fiddler Eileen Ivers to Perform Holiday Show at RVCC Theatre. (BRANCHBURG, NJ) — The Theatre at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg will liven up the holiday season with a performance of Eileen Ivers’ A Joyful Christmas, Friday, December 15, 2023 at 8:00pm. Ivers’ Irish and American roots shine throughout the evening’s beautiful mix of traditional, story-filled, Wren Day songs and poems—and of course, foot stomping and hollerin’ roots music.

Friday, December 15, 2023 – The Princeton Folk Music Society presents Jeff Warner. (PRINCETON, NJ) — The Princeton Folk Music Society presents Jeff Warner in an evening of traditional American folksong on Friday, December 15, 2023 at Christ Congregation Church (50 Walnut Lane) in Princeton, NJ. Showtime is 8:00pm.

Saturday, December 16, 2023 – The Newton Theatre presents From Good Homes. (NEWTON, NJ) — New Jersey jam band legends, From Good Homes, will perform at The Newton Theatre on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 8:00pm.The genesis of the band dates back to a high school, when childhood friends Todd Sheaffer, Brady Rymer, and Patrick Fitzsimmons came together in rural, Northwestern New Jersey. With the addition of Dan Myers in 1988, and Jamie Coan in 1990, the band From Good Homes was fully formed.

Saturday, December 16, 2023 – Vocalist Morgan James Joins the Princeton Symphony Orchestra for Holiday POPS!. (PRINCETON, NJ) — Enjoy joyful melodies of the season with vocalist Morgan James and the Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) at the orchestra’s popular December 16, 2023 Holiday POPS! concert. The singer lends her soulful voice to holiday favorites, while the Princeton High School Choir carries the traditional carol sing-along, bolstering the audience as they join in.

Saturday, December 16, 2023 – Jazz Up Your Holidays with Brian Betz Duo at Ocean County Library Long Beach Island Branch. (SURF CITY, NJ) — Going at fever pitch through the winter holiday rush? Cool down just a bit with the jazz guitar stylings of the Brian Betz Duo at the Ocean County Library Long Beach Island Branch on Saturday, December 16, 2023. Betz and fellow guitarist George Vanderbilt will present an ear-pleasing program of traditional jazz, bop, and blues. Showtime is 2:00pm.

Saturday, December 16, 2023 – Passage Theatre Company presents Please Baby Come Home – A Motown Holiday Singalong. (TRENTON, NJ) — Passage Theatre Company presents Please Baby Come Home – A Motown Holiday Singalong featuring David B. Ross on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at the Mill Hill Playhouse. Join Passage favorite David B. Ross as he leads a group singalong of time-honored motown holiday hits! Showtime is 7:30pm.

Sunday, December 17, 2023 – Monmouth Civic Chorus Presents “Rejoice Greatly”. (RED BANK, NJ) — Now in its sparkling 75th Anniversary Season, the award-winning Monmouth Civic Chorus presents Rejoice Greatly: A Celebratory Messiah and More on Sunday, December 17, 2023 at the Count Basie Center for the Arts. This year’s program will feature more of your favorite selections from Handel’s Messiah, masterfully intertwined with Artistic Director Dr. Ryan James Brandau’s stirring original settings of holiday classics like O Holy Night, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, and Auld Lang Syne. Showtime is 4:00pm.

Sunday, December 17, 2023 – RVCC to Present Concert Featuring Pianist Jae Hee Min. (BRANCHBURG, NJ) — Raritan Valley Community College’s Arts & Design department will present a concert of contemporary piano music by Asian, American, and European composers, December 17, 2023 at 2:00pm, featuring pianist Dr. Jae Hee Min. The event, part of the MOZAIKA Concert Series’ current season, will be held in the Welpe Theatre at the College’s Branchburg campus.

Tuesday, December 12, 2023 @ 7:30pm – Tuesday Night Book Club – Alexander Pushkin’s Eugene Onegin at Virtual

Tuesday, December 12, 2023 @ 8:00pm – Vitamin String Quartet at Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), 30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Wednesday, December 13, 2023 @ 6:30pm – OCVTS GPAA Winter 2023 Showcases at Grunin Center, 1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754

Wednesday, December 13, 2023 @ 8:00pm – The Irish Tenors – 25th Anniversary Tour at Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701

Thursday, December 14, 2023

Thursday, December 14, 2023 @ 7:30pm – Gabe Dixon at The Vogel, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701

Thursday, December 14, 2023 @ 7:30pm – WP Wind Symphony and Chamber Winds in Concert, featuring the Wayne Valley High School Wind Symphony at William Paterson University – Shea Auditorium, 300 Pompton Rd, Wayne, NJ 07470

Thursday, December 14, 2023 @ 8:00pm – WDHA’s Naughty or Nice Ball with Bret Michaels at Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), 30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631

Friday, December 15, 2023

Friday, December 15, 2023 @ 7:00pm – America’s Sweethearts at Grunin Center, 1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754

Friday, December 15, 2023 @ 7:30pm – Darlene Love at Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701

Friday, December 15, 2023 @ 8:00pm – An evening with Loudon Wainwright III at Outpost In The Burbs, 40 S Fullerton Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042

Friday, December 15, 2023 @ 8:00pm – Nefesh Mountain at South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC), One Sopac Way, South Orange, NJ 07079

Saturday, December 16, 2023

Saturday, December 16, 2023 @ 2:00pm – Chris Pinnella: Christmas in Red Bank at The Vogel, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701

Saturday, December 16, 2023 @ 7:00pm – Choir! Choir! Choir! at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540

Saturday, December 16, 2023 @ 7:00pm – Chris Pinnella: Christmas in Red Bank at The Vogel, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701

Saturday, December 16, 2023 @ 7:00pm – A Very Bergen Holiday at Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), 30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631

Saturday, December 16, 2023 @ 7:30pm – Floyd Pink – Celebrating The Music of Pink Floyd at Lizzie Rose Music Room, 217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087

Saturday, December 16, 2023 @ 8:00pm – Brian Kirk & the Jirks: Santa for Lunch Break at Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701

Saturday, December 16, 2023 @ 8:00pm – James D’Amico’s Sun Concerts Presents Get The Led Out at The Strand Center for the Arts, 400 Clifton Avenue, Lakewood, NJ 08701

Saturday, December 16, 2023 @ 8:00pm – The Doo Wop Project’s Christmas Show at Monmouth University – Pollak Theatre, 400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764

Sunday, December 17, 2023

Sunday, December 17, 2023 @ 3:00pm – Sal Valentinetti at The Vogel, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701

Sunday, December 17, 2023 @ 4:00pm – Monmouth Civic Chorus: Rejoice Greatly at Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701

Sunday, December 17, 2023 @ 6:30pm – Sal Valentinetti at The Vogel, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701

Sunday, December 17, 2023 @ 7:00pm – Top of the World: A Carpenters Christmas Show at William Paterson University – Shea Center for Performing Arts, 300 Pompton Rd, Wayne, NJ 07470

Sunday, December 17, 2023 @ 7:00pm – Cherish the Ladies – A Celtic Christmas at Grunin Center, 1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754

Sunday, December 17, 2023 @ 7:00pm – Martina McBride at Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), 30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631

Monday, December 18, 2023

Monday, December 18, 2023 @ 7:30pm – Naturally 7 – The Holiday Hits Tour at The Vogel, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701