Along with sweet treats and water-related fun, summertime brings the opportunity to enjoy live music outdoors. Nowhere is there a better place to see our favorite bands than at the PNC Bank Arts Center, located at 116 Garden State Parkway in Holmdel. The Montclair Girl has created a guide to all things PNC for summer and early fall 2025, including tips on how to get there, parking, tailgating, and more. Keep reading for a guide to concerts at PNC Bank Arts Center and shows occurring this summer + fall 2025.

Photo Credit: Jessica Norton

About PNC

Located in Holmdel Township, NJ (exit 116 off the Parkway), The PNC Bank Arts Center has been home to some of the most talented artists for over 50 years. Originally called the Garden State Arts Center, PNC opened in 1968 as an amphitheater for classical music. Over the years, it slowly became an iconic hot spot for many popular and diverse artists. In fact, PNC is ranked among the top five most successful amphitheaters in the country — and is one of two major outdoor arenas in the NYC area, along with Jones Beach Theater on Long Island.

Photo Credit: Jessica Norton

Concerts take place from May through September, featuring 45-50 different events of many types of musical styles. For the 2025 season, some of the most popular performers include Halsey, Big Time Rush (we see you, Gen Z), Beach Boys, and $uicideboy$. PNC has also hosted music festivals in the past, including The Area Festival, Crüe Fest, Crüe Fest 2, The Gigantour, Lilith Fair, The Mayhem Festival, Ozzfest, Projekt Revolution, The Uproar Festival, and The Vans Warped Tour.

Read More: North 2 Shore Festival 2025 Dates Announced

During off-season months, the Arts Center is generally unused, except for a Holiday Light Spectacular show during the Christmas season. A banquet hall is on the premises but has not been occupied since 2013. The venue can hold up to 17,500 people, and in 1995, the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial was added to the grounds.

Getting There

Photo Credit: Jessica Norton

From Essex County, we suggest getting on the Garden State Parkway in Bloomfield from Watchung Avenue and driving until you reach exit 116 in Holmdel.

Those without a car, the bus service (route 109) is available for a direct route from NYC to Holmdel, NJ. Operated by Academy Bus, the New York to PNC Bank Arts Center service departs from the Port Authority Bus Terminal and arrives at PNC Bank Arts Center at Telegraph Hill. Typically 109 services run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance.

Parking

PNC has several open-air parking lots around the venue and provides several different services, including VIP Parking and Premier Parking (which can be reserved on Vivid Seats), General Parking, and ADA Parking. Parking is not free at the PNC Bank Arts Center — all event attendees must pay a charge of $6. Note: this includes those who don’t possess a car, as it consists of a per-ticket parking fee. Each option has a different price point. Larger vehicles with three people or more will pay $18 per car. Overnight parking is prohibited in all areas.

Some Parking Tips

• The lots usually open two hours before the gate opening time, and we suggest that attendees arrive as early as possible to secure a convenient parking space. The best way to secure a spot is by getting there as early as the lots open, especially for big acts.
• VIP parking will undoubtedly be worth the cost for those who are not able to arrive early but are willing to spend more money.
• Those who want to avoid high prices can park in the Additional Parking area and take a free shuttle bus to the venue. Note that you’ll probably have to walk back there after the concert.
• Avoid parking altogether by taking the PNC Bank Arts Center Shuttle, located at the Aberdeen/Matawan train station, which rides free of charge.

Tailgating Rules

Tailgating is permitted in the PNC Arena parking lots but is limited to the area directly in front of or behind your car or truck. There are many alcohol enforcement patrols inside and outside of the venue, so be sure everyone is 21 years of age when tailgating. Empty parking spaces cannot be used for tailgating or playing games, and guests are not allowed to reserve additional spaces for others. If guests need more room for tailgating or will be tailgating with a group, the Carter-Finley grass lots are the best option.

What is Allowed Inside the Venue

Photo Credit: Jessica Norton

Guests are not permitted to bring their own alcohol into the venue, but PNC sells a wide range of alcoholic beverages inside for purchase. Event attendees are permitted to bring their own small bags/backpacks no larger than 16x16x8; cameras — nonprofessional only, no detachable lenses; small umbrellas, and water — up to one gallon in a factory-sealed or empty bottle.

Items NOT allowed to be brought into the venue include weapons of any kind, alcohol, illegal drugs/substances, glass and metal containers, cans, hard-sided/large coolers, large or oversized bags/backpacks (bags larger than 16x16x8), laser pointers, GoPro cameras, chairs of any kind, animals (except service animals), fireworks, iPads, or selfie sticks. Unfortunately, the PNC Bank Arts Center no longer allows guests to bring their own lawn chairs. These must be rented from within the venue. Guests can also carry their own blankets and find a spot on the lawn.

See More: Hoboken’s 2025 Spring Arts + Music Festival Happening on 5/18

The 2025 Lineup

Photo Credit: Jessica Norton

Below is the 2025 concert lineup:

• Saturday, May 17th: Sessanta V 2.0: Primus, Puscifer, A Perfect Circle
• Wednesday, May 28th: Forever Donna with The Chiclettes
• Friday, May 20th: Luke Bryan: Country Song Came On Tour
• Tuesday, June 3rd: Dave Matthews Band
• Thursday, June 5th: Cousin Brucie Presents: Tony Orlando with Andy Kim
• Friday, June 6th: Halsey: For My Last Trick
• Tuesday, June 10th: The Grass Roots + The Buckinghams
• Wednesday, June 11th: Simple Mind: Alive +  Kicking Tour 2025
• Friday, June 13th: Keith Urban: High + Alive World Tour
• Saturday, June 14th: The Beach Boys
• Thursday, June 19th: Hispanic Culture + Heritage Celebration with Los Lobos and Flor de Toloache
• Friday, June 20th: Stick Figure - Island Holiday Summer Tour
• Saturday, June 21st: Juneteenth NJ with Larry June, MIKE, Honey Bxby, Showcase, + Flygerian
• Saturday, June 28th: Counting Crows: The Complete Sweets! Tour with The Gaslight Anthem
• Thursday, July 10th: Thomas Rhett: Better In Boots Tour 2025
• Saturday, July 12th: KIDZ BOP LIVE Certified BOP Tour
• Sunday, July 20th: Styx + Kevin Cronin and Don Felder The Brotherhood of Rock Tour
• Tuesday, July 22nd: Big Time Rush: In Real Life Worldwide
• Thursday, July 24th: Summer of Loud: Parkway Drive, Killswitch Engage, I Prevail, + Beartooth
• Friday, July 25th: Toto, Men At Work, + Christopher Cross
• Saturday, July 26th: Nelly with Ja Rule, Eve, + Special Guests: Where The Party At Tour
• Thursday, July 31st: Pantera
• Friday, August 1st: GOO GOO DOLLS with DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL - Summer Anthem Tour 2025
• Saturday, August 2nd: The Offspring: SUPERCHARGED Worldwide in '25
• Thursday, August 7th: The Doobie Brothers with The Coral Reefer Band
• Friday, August 8th: Little Big Town: Summer Tour 2025
• Sunday, August 10th: VOLBEAT Greatest of All Tours Worldwide with Special Guest Halestorm
• Wednesday, August 13th: Rob Thomas — The All Night Days Tour
• Friday, August 15th: Dierks Bentley: Broken Branches Tour
• Tuesday, August 26th: Steve Miller Band
• Friday, August 29th: Coheed + Cambria * Taking Back Sunday
• Saturday, August 30th: James Taylor
• Saturday, September 13th: Outlaw - Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Sheryl Crow, + More
• Friday, September 13th: Falling In Reverse — The Popular MonsTOUR II: World Domination
• Friday, September 26th: Alice Cooper + Judas Priest Live
• Tuesday, September 30th: $uicideboy$ present Grey Day Tour 2025 w. BONES + more