4 Months Of New Brunswick Festivals, Live Music Kicks Off This July

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — Get ready for some fantastic culture and live music as Hub City Sounds returns to the city of New Brunswick and greater New Brunswick area this July:

Hub City Sounds is a series of live music festivals and cultural events that will take place from July 29 through November 1 this year.

Hub City Sounds is now in its thirteenth year and is presented by the New Brunswick Cultural Center/Arts New Brunswick.

Hub City Sounds includes live music and dance performances, live cooking demonstrations, spoken word performances, craft making and more. All the festivals are free, family-friendly and for all ages and tastes.

Here is the entire line-up through November: (And remember, admission is free to all Hub City Sounds events):

Kick-off to Hub City Sounds at East Jersey Old Town Village Saturday, July 29, 12 noon to 4 p.m. – 1050 River Road, Piscataway

A historic foodie experience with live cooking demonstrations, free printmaking workshops with Frontline Arts, exploration of the historic buildings on site, historical interpreters and more.

Fourth annual HEART Festival Art Battle Friday, August 11 – Above Arts Studio, 55B Morris Street, New Brunswick 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. – In-person and livestream art battle

The Art Battle is where the Food Network's “Chopped” meets visual arts. This competition features 7 artists, 3 rounds and 1 cash prize winner.

Fourth Annual New Brunswick HEART Festival Saturday, August 12, 3 -6 p.m. – Monument Square, 2 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick

This family-friendly festival celebrates the vibrant arts and history of New Brunswick and Middlesex County. The festival features live music and dance performances, dance classes for kids, an Arts Market, craft vendors, free balloon animals and face painting, a health & wellness area, a history corner featuring historical interpreters, arts & crafts activities, games, free Henna and caricatures, free button making, roaming musicians, giveaways and more.

8th annual New Brunswick Caribbean Festival Saturday, August 26, 2-6 p.m. – Recreation Park, 7 Pine Street, New Brunswick

Featuring Caribbean cuisine, music and dance performances (reggae, soca and calypso) and more! And, THE jerk chicken tasting cook-off is BACK!

Annual Indo-American Festival Sunday, August 27 2-6 p.m. – Monument Square, 2 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick

Offering mouthwatering treats, music and dance performances, educational dance/theatre presentations, Zumba Bollywood, and a visual arts workshop.

CareSparc Sustainable Health & Wellness Village Festival Friday, September 15 and Saturday, September 16 – Boyd Park, Route 18 North, New Brunswick

A community-based health and wellness program that connects the most vulnerable populations with community resource providers to expand access to healthcare and improve quality of life.

Mexican Independence Day Celebration & Flag Raising Ceremony Saturday, September 16 4-7 p.m. – Monument Square, 2 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick

Celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day with the country's flag raising ceremony and Sagrada Youth Dance Troupe’s 10th anniversary, featuring traditional music and dance performances, and food from different regions in Mexico.

First-ever Middlesex County Jazz Festival Thursday, September 28 – Sunday, October 1

Showcasing local talent from Edison (9/28), Perth Amboy (9/29), New Brunswick and Metuchen (9/30) and Woodbridge (10/1). Get the whole festival line-up here: First-Ever Middlesex County Jazz Festival Will Be Sept. 28 - Oct. 1

Annual Corazon Latino Festival & Trick or Treat Around Town Sunday, October 29 1-3 p.m. – Monument Square, 2 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick

Traditional music and dance performances celebrating the culmination of Latinx Heritage Month, a community mural installation, face painting and trick or treating at local businesses on George Street and French Street.

New Brunswick City Hall-o-Ween Sunday, October 29 1-3 p.m. – 78 Bayard St, New Brunswick

Pics with Marvel-inspired superheroes, fun DIY activities, pumpkin decorating contests, free giveaways and more.

Día de Muertos Wednesday, November 1 1-6 p.m. – New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, 11 Livingston Ave

An interactive community altar creation and installation, paying homage to loved ones who died.

For more information on the Hub City Sounds events, call 908-917-2862 or visit www.NewBrunswickArts.org

Hub City Sounds is sponsored by Middlesex County and New Brunswick City Center.