Area Attractions: Stone Pony Summer Stage

Updated: Aug 3, 2023

If you love music or music history, plan a visit to the world-famous Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey. In addition to local legends Bruce Springsteen, Steve Van Zandt and Southside Johnny, musicians of all genres have been rocking audiences at the Stone Pony since 1974.

The Stone Pony is open year-round; however, shows at the outdoor Summer Stage take place between mid-May and Labor Day weekend.

Tickets for Summer Stage shows are general admission (standing) and may be purchased on Ticketmaster. Wear comfortable shoes, dress for the weather, and be prepared to stand on blacktop in a large crowd of other concert-goers. You'll be able to watch the sunset behind the giant outdoor stage while you're enjoying the tunes.

Go To Stone Pony Summer Stage 2023 Schedule>>

Along the perimeter of the Stone Pony Summer Stage, you’ll find concession stands with beer, wine, hard seltzers, and snacks for sale. You can venture inside to get drinks at one of the air-conditioned bars or to use the bathroom if you don’t want to use the portable potties outside. Be aware that the indoors is usually just as jammed as the outside when there's a Summer Stage performance going on.

Over the past several years, I’ve seen a few shows on the Stone Pony Summer Stage, including Willie Nelson and Almost Queen.

If you like the music of Queen, I highly recommend the Almost Queen tribute band! The lead singer, Joseph Russo, is a native of Middletown, New Jersey. He embodies nearly every characteristic of the late Freddie Mercury, from his facial expressions and mannerisms, to his spot-on vocals and even Mercury's signature mustache. In fact, the entire band provides a realistic "almost Queen" experience!

If you're coming to the the Stone Pony for a concert, you could plan your arrival a little early to enjoy a stroll along the Asbury Park Boardwalk and get something to eat at one of the nearby restaurants.

The Asbury Park Boardwalk has plenty of food choices for all tastes and budgets — from fine Italian dining at Stella Marina, to giant pizzas at Maruca’s Tomato Pies, or craft cocktails and small plates at the ocean-front Watermark bar. Those are just a few options for you to consider.

One of my favorite Asbury Park pizza restaurants, Porta, is about five-minute walk from the Stone Pony. Porta is a very popular spot before Summer Stage shows, so expect crowds there, too.

LOCAL TIP: If you don’t like standing in large crowds, there’s another way to enjoy the music for free. Because the Summer Stage is an outdoor venue with a powerful sound system, you can hear the music from the Asbury Park Boardwalk. Even better, you can bring a chair or blanket and sit on the beach or set up on the lawn across from Ocean Avenue. I’ve even had friends with boats who dropped anchor in the waters around the Summer Stage vicinity, where the music washes over the waves.

Stone Pony Summer Stage
2023 Schedule

Saturday, July 22

Bouncing Souls with Bayside and 7 Seconds

Thursday, July 27

The Ghost Inside and Underoath

Friday, July 28

Louis Tomlinson

Saturday, July 29

Orville Peck

CANCELED Per Ticketmaster Website

Sunday, July 30

Dark Star Orchestra

Tuesday, August 1

Backseat Lover

Wednesday, August 2

Alter Bridge

Tuesday, August 8

Incubus

Friday, August 18

War on Drugs

Sunday, August 20

Pixies and Modest Mouse

Friday, August 25

Gimme Gimme Disco

Friday, September 1

Almost Queen

Saturday, September 2

Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes

Sunday, September 3

SiriusXM Presents Yacht Rock Revue - Reverse Sunset Tour

The Stone Pony

913 Ocean Avenue

Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712
732-502-0600
Website

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