New Brunswick Heart Festival

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 with Special Guest Mariela Valencia; Bollywood Zumba by Navrang Dance Academy; George Street Playhouse musical performance by musical theatre student, Madison Renda; Grupo de Danza Folklórica La Sagrada Familia; National ACT-SO Bronze Medalist and 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 free 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 food vendors, ticket and swag giveaways, and so much more!

LIVE PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
ALL DAY—2PM-6PM
DJ IZM
and hosts Sharon Gordon & Bert Baron

2PM-3PM
New Brunswick Cheerleaders
New Brunswick Brass Band
Jersey Talent winner, pianist Elias Nicozisis
Bollywood Zumba by Navrang Dance Academy

3PM-4PM
Grupo de Danza Folklórica La Sagrada Familia
George Street Playhouse musical performance by musical theatre student, Madison Renda
AMARDV stiltwalkers

4PM-5PM
Tap dancer Omar Edwards
National ACT-SO Bronze Medalist and singer Myles Cherette
Afro-Peruvian music and dance by Socabón Peru Cultural Association with Special Guest Mariela Valencia

5PM-6PM
Hustle dance instruction with Amy Garcia Phillips and the Contento Dancers
Motown and Disco hits with The Discoteks

DANCE WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
Location: Princeton Ballet School, 60 Bayard St.
FREE!
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!

The Art Market features art by Van Aileen Nuckols, Amanda Sullivan, Alfred Dudley III, Jonelle Esteves, and Srushti Basapuri. 

Craft vendors include Barista Clays (clay jewelry), Patty's Bracelets (bracelets); Made With Love (knit and crocheted clothing), Pampered With Crochet (crochet clothing), Amaya's Boutique (soap and skincare), Kathaflore (resin-cast gifts), Cute Crafts by Mariya  (crocheted items), Merle's Garden (skincare), Le'Pearl Handmade Jewelry (jewelry), and La Cegua Botanicals (herbal and botanical wellness).

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