New Brunswick Heart Festival at State Theatre New Jersey

FREE OUTDOOR FESTIVAL!
Sat, August 9, 2025 from 2pm-6pm

This annual FREE outdoor family-friendly festival celebrates the vibrant arts and history of New Brunswick and Middlesex County.

The festival features live performances by The Discoteks performing Disco and Motown hits; Afro-Peruvian music and dance by Socabón Peru Cultural Association; dance by Inspira Performing Arts & Cultural Center; George Street Playhouse; Grupo de Danza Folklórica La Sagrada Familia; singer Myles Cherette; New Brunswick Brass; Jersey Talent winner, pianist Elias Nicozisis; hustle dance instruction with Amy Garcia Phillips and the Contento Dancers; tap dancer Omar Edwards; and DJ IZM! The festival also includes dance classes for kids with Princeton Ballet School (Beginnng Dance for ages 4-8; Contemporary for ages 9-16), an Arts Market, craft vendors, free balloon animals, free face painting by Jazzy J, a health & wellness tent hosted by Garden of Healing, free Henna, free arts and crafts with Dibble & Dabble, free cariacture by Matthew Many, and a history corner hosted by East Jersey Old Town Village. Other activities include free arts & crafts, food vendors, ticket and swag giveaways, and so much more!

Dance Workshop Schedule
4pm–4:30pm | Beginning Dance (ages 4–8): This workshop explores rhythm and music through creative movement. A theme and story will inspire individuality and expression, with an introduction to classical ballet technique.

5pm–5:30pm | Contemporary (ages 9–16): This workshop embraces interpretive dance, blending elements from ballet, jazz, modern, and lyrical styles.

Princeton Ballet School Open House | 2pm–6pm
Tour Princeton Ballet School’s studios at the state-of-the-art New Brunswick Performing Arts Center. PBS staff will be available to share school information, schedules, and registration details. Guests can also enter a special drawing to win free tickets to an American Repertory Ballet performance coming to NBPAC this fall!

New Brunswick Heart Festival is presented by State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick Cultural Center, New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), and and the Arts Institute of Middlesex County.

Join us at State Theatre for
LUMIA: A Futuristic Cirque Show

Sat, August 9 at 1pm, before the festival — perfect for the whole family!

Discover the future with LUMIA: A Futuristic Cirque Show! This groundbreaking production redefines the boundaries of technology and entertainment, blending breathtaking acrobatics with the latest advancements in visual technology. LUMIA showcases an array of holograms, interactive lasers, LED technology, light suits, and even robots that transform the stage into a vibrant canvas of light and movement.