Good morning Monmouth County! FIFA World Cup 2026 begins Thursday with matches in Mexico. And the first game at MetLife Stadium is Saturday. Needless to say,Monmouth County is fired up for all the action with viewing parties starting on Thursday; not to mention an exhibition match with FC Monmouth on Wednesday in Bradley Beach!

🚁 Monmouth Teens’ Drone Wins UVM Pitch Challenge

🏆 James Beard Awards for Monmouth County

🪄 Magician in Oceanport

🦖 Dinosaur Science Show

👻 Paranormal Happening at While Hill Mansion

⚽ World Cup Viewing Parties

⚽ FC Monmouth Exhibition Match

🪶 Native Americans of NJ - Past & Present

🎭 NJ Repertory Company Gets $500k State Grant

🎥 The Godfather & Airplane! Screenings

🎸 Gary Clark Jr. at Count Basie

🏃‍♀ Bakes Run Club

⚽ Red Bank Gets $50k State World Cup Grant

🌊 Ocean Temp/Tides

Monmouth County high school seniors Aarav Upadhyay of Asbury Park and Ayden Pinto of Englishtown have captured national attention by winning the prestigious 2026 Vermont Pitch Challenge. Outcompeting more than 100 student teams from 24 states, the duo secured the top prize—full-tuition scholarships to the University of Vermont—during a live, "Shark Tank"-style event evaluated by a panel of judges. Their winning business venture, Yevla, addresses a critical real-world problem by developing affordable, modular search-and-rescue drone kits designed to mitigate life-threatening gear delays for emergency teams.

The innovative, kit-based Yevla system delivers professional-grade capabilities, including thermal imaging, low-light cameras, long-range GPS, and two-way communication, at less than half the cost of traditional enterprise systems. By utilizing hardware like the Nvidia Jetson Nano, the young entrepreneurs aimed to offer emergency responders lower purchase prices, reduced waste, and customizable options. Upadhyay noted that the victory validated every hour poured into building the system from the ground up, while Pinto expressed how meaningful it was to see their life-saving concept backed so strongly by regional and academic leaders.

Children Story Time on BroadWalk | 6/8 10:30am-11am | Downtown Red Bank (Red Bank) | info

Storytime & Crafts | 6/8-6/11 11am | Monmouth Museum- Wonder Wing (Lincroft) | info

Kid's Painting | 6/8 3:30pm-4:30pm | Atlantic Highlands Library (Atlantic Highlands) | info

Raritan Valley Hi-Railers (Model Trains) | 6/8-6/20 Mon-Thur 12pm-5pm | InfoAge (Wall) | info

Paws and Pages: Read to a Therapy Dog! - Marlboro | 6/9 3:45pm-4:45pm | Marlboro Library (Marlboro) | info

Read to the Dogs | 6/9 4pm-4:45pm | Hazlet Library (Hazlet) | info

Saint Leo the Great Carnival | 6/9-6/12 6pm-10pm | Church of Saint Leo The Great (Lincroft) | info

Kids Karate on BroadWalk | 6/10 11am-12pm | Downtown Red Bank (Red Bank) | info

Read to the Dogs | 6/10 3:30pm-4:30pm | Colts Neck Library (Colts Neck) | info

Kids Takeover | 6/11 4pm-6pm | Downtown Red Bank (Red Bank) | info

Dinosaur Science Show! | 6/11 4pm-4:45pm | Shrewsbury Library (Shrewsbury) | info

The Amazing V: Magician | 6/11 4pm-4:45pm | Oceanport Library (Oceanport) | info

Consumer & Biz Expo | 6/9 5pm-7:30pm | Jumping Brook Country Club (Neptune) | info

Homes for the Brave Gala | 6/11 6pm-10pm | Park Loft (Oceanport) | info

Monmouth Beach 250th Celebration | 6/11-6/14 Various times | Various locations (Monmouth County) | info

Free Line Dancing Mondays- Stomp & Stride | 6/8 6pm-10pm | Beach Haus Bewwery (Belmar) | info

Stamp Collector's Club | 6/9 7pm-8pm | Middletown Library (Middletown) | info

Private Group Tour of the Paranormal Museum | 6/10 & 6/11 12pm, 1:15pm, 2:30pm, 3:45pm | The Paranormal Museum (Asbury Park) | info

Yarn Works: A Crochet and Knit Drop-In | 6/10 1pm-3pm | Allentown Library (Allentown) | info

Reiki & Rosé | 6/10 6pm-9pm | Beach Haus Brewery (Belmar) | info

Haunted Pub Tour - Asbury Park | 6/10 7:30pm | The Paranormal Museum (Asbury Park) | info

Yappy Hour at Bar Bella | 6/11 5pm-8pm | Bell Works (Holmdel) | info

Adult Painting + Parent Cafe | 6/11 5pm-7pm | Bayshore Family Success Center (Leonardo) | info

Create a Diamond Art Book Cover | 6/11 6pm-8:45pm | Allentown Library (Allentown) | info

Knit Wits: Any Craft, Knit, and Crochet | 6/11 6:30pm-8:30pm | Manalapan Library (Manalapan) | info

The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation has secured one of the highest honors in the culinary and philanthropic worlds, officially being named a recipient of the 2026 James Beard Impact Award for its pioneering work with JBJ Soul Kitchen. Established by rock legend Jon Bon Jovi and his wife, Dorothea Bongiovi, the non-profit community restaurant group—which operates a prominent flagship location on Monmouth Street in Red Bank—was recognized by the James Beard Foundation for utilizing hospitality to combat systemic food insecurity, poverty, and homelessness. Operating on an innovative, dignity-first "pay-it-forward" model, the restaurant serves up fresh, three-course meals where diners can either pay a suggested donation to cover a neighbor's meal or volunteer their time in the kitchen in exchange for food. Far more than just a place to eat, the local establishment acts as a critical community resource hub by providing guests with direct access to job training, resume support, local mental health providers, and housing assistance, making this national award a profound victory for Monmouth County's local advocacy and food scene ahead of the official June 14, 2026, ceremony in Chicago.

Celebrated chef and Top Chef alumnus David Viana has cemented his status as a culinary powerhouse on the Jersey Shore, earning a prestigious slot as a 2026 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic. Viana, who honed his skills in world-class kitchens like Eleven Madison Park and Portugal’s Villa Joya, operates under Good Trouble Hospitality alongside his business partner and wife, Neilly Robinson. The duo has built a local culinary empire with critically acclaimed spots like Heirloom Kitchen in Old Bridge and Lita in Aberdeen, but it is their recent Italian-centric rebrand of Judy & Harry’s—located inside the boutique St. Laurent Hotel in Asbury Park—that is currently capturing national attention. Melding elevated comfort food with playful international flair, Viana's masterful spin on classic dishes has made the neighborhood restaurant a standout destination, keeping Monmouth County firmly in the spotlight ahead of the final James Beard awards ceremony on June 15.

BroadWalk’s Culinary Masters Hosted by Executive Chef Mike | 6/9 6pm-7pm | BroadWalk's Stage (Red Bank) | info

Bell Fresh Farmers & Makers Market | 6/10 11am-4pm | Bell Works (Holmdel) | info

Tall Oaks Farm & Makers Market | 6/10 3pm-7pm | Tall Oaks Farm + Brewery (Farmingdale) | info

Wall Township Farmers Market | 6/11 2pm-7pm | 1900 Baileys Corner (Wall) | info

Gambrinus Dinner- 5 Course Spring Menu | 6/11 6pm | Triumph Restaurant & Brewery (Red Bank) | info

Then and Now: Sandy Hook's Golden Age Resort | 6/8-7/14 Mon-Thur 9am-9pm, Fri/Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 1pm-5pm | Shrewsbury Library (Shrewsbury) | info

“Vibrant” – A Colorful Art Exhibit | 6/1-6/21 Varies | Art629 (Asbury Park) | info

Destinations Past: Highlands Beach- Meet the Producer | 6/8 7pm-8:30pm | Shrewsbury Library (Shrewsbury) | info

Author Talk with Vinnie Dicks | 6/8 5pm-6pm | Sea Girt Library (Sea Girt) | info

Casual Birder at Fisherman's Cove | 6/9 9am | Fisherman's Cove (Manasquan) | info

Native Americans of New Jersey Past & Present | 6/9-9/2 Tu-Su 10am-4pm | Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) | info

Pigment of Your Imagination: Just Lefkowitz Art Exhibit | 6/9-9/2 Tu-Su 10am-4pm | Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) | info

Workshop: Wood-Burning — Serving Board | 6/9 10am-12pm | Over The Moon Art Studios (Asbury Park) | info

Tech Tuesday-Computer Basics Windows Platform | 6/9 2:30pm-4pm | Middletown Library (Middletown) | info

Rainbow Beaded Suncatcher | 6/9 6pm-8pm | Sun Moon Studio (Keyport) | info

Tuesday Night Record Club- Rob Dylan, Blood on the Tracks | 6/9 7:30pm | Monmouth U- Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music (West Long Branch) | info

Superb Summer Saunter at Freneau Woods Park | 6/10 10am-11:30am | Freneau Woods Park Visitor Center (Aberdeen) | info

Short & Sweet: "I Stand Here Ironing" (1956) From the Collection: Tell Me A Riddle by Tillie Olsen | 6/11 10:30am-11:30am | Ocean Township Library (Ocean Township) | info

Mixed Media Canvas- Butterfly | 6/11 6pm-8pm | Sun Moon Studio (Keyport) | info

Nature Lecture - Fireflies of Monmouth County | 6/11 7pm-8pm | Freneau Woods Park Visitor Center (Aberdeen) | info

Paranormal Happenings at the Historic White Hill Mansion | 6/11 7pm-8pm | Middletown Library (Middletown) | info

The New Jersey Repertory Company in Long Branch received a newly finalized $500,000 grant from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. The grant is paving the way for the transformation of the West End Arts Center on West End Avenue. This substantial funding will breathe new life into the former school building, evolving it into a multi-staged cultural hub that will eventually feature modernized performance spaces, an art cinema, a museum, and housing for visiting playwrights and actors. Creative consultant Evan Bergman is slated to spearhead a massive programming expansion of more than 45 events annually, introducing a weekly reading series for new plays, live music showcases, and free, interactive puppet shows designed to introduce young children to theater.

Staged Reading- Destroying David | 6/8 7pm | New Jersey Repertory Company (Long Branch) | info

Bards | 6/8 7pm-10pm | My Way Cafe (Long Branch) | info

Bards on the Beach | 6/9 7pm-10pm | Three Brothers From Belmar (Belmar) | info

The Vlassic Classic Open Mic | 6/9 9pm-12am | The Chubby Pickle (Highlands) | info

Elephant Shoes | 6/10 & 6/11 Wed 1pm, 7pm, Thur 8pm | Two River Theater (Red Bank) | info

Open Mic Poetry- Circles of Communities | 6/10 7pm-8:30pm | Thompson Park Theatre Barn (Lincroft) | info

Aladdin KIDS- SOLD OUT | 6/10 & 6/11 7pm | Count Basie- The Vogel (Red Bank) | info

Airplane! (1980) – An Immersive Screening | 6/11 6pm | Count Basie- Cinema House (Red Bank) | info

The Godfather (1972) | 6/11 6:30pm | Count Basie- Cinema House (Red Bank) | info

The Vienna Lessons | 6/11-6/28 Thur 7pm, Fri/Sat 2pm, 7pm, Sun 2pm | New Jersey Repertory Company (Long Branch) | info

Gary Clark Jr. | 6/8 7:30pm | Count Basie- HMH Theatre (Red Bank) | info

Chanting & Harmonium with Randy Fotia | 6/8 6pm | Transparent Clinch Gallery (Asbury Park) | info

Jazz Arts Jam Sessions | 6/8 6pm-8pm | Triumph Restaurant & Brewery (Red Bank) | info

Anberlin | 6/8 7pm | Asbury Lanes (Asbury Park) | info

MGK | 6/9 7pm | PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel) | info

Sunshine Spazz with Scattrbrain | 6/10 6pm | Transparent Clinch Gallery (Asbury Park) | info

Jazz in The Park | 6/10 7pm-9pm | Cambridge Park (Aberdeen) | info

Hemlocke Springs | 6/10 7pm | The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) | info

Indigo Girls | 6/10 7:30pm | Count Basie- HMH Theatre (Red Bank) | info

Tommy Lynn & One Hot Night- Neil Diamond Tribute | 6/11 1:30pm | PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel) | info

Young The Giant: Victory Garden Tour | 6/11 5:30pm-10pm | The Stone Pony Summer Stage (Asbury Park) | info

I Am The Avalanche | 6/11 6:30pm | House of Independents (Asbury Park) | info

Fish and Whistle Bluegrass Band Concert | 6/11 6:30pm-7:30pm | Howell Library (Howell) | info

Todd Sheaffer | 6/11 7pm | The Wonder Bar (Asbury Park) | info

Thursdays but the Sea- Tim McLoone & The Shirleys | 6/11 7pm-8:30pm | Great Lawn Stage (Long Branch) | info

Happy Together Tour | 6/11 7:30pm | Count Basie- HMH Theatre (Red Bank) | info

Thursday’s ROCK! Summer Concert Series | 6/11 7:30pm-9:30pm | Hall of Records (Downtown Freehold) | info

Monmouth County is gearing up for a major patriotic milestone as the Board of County Commissioners and the MonmouthNJ 250 Committee host the official Stars & Strides Flag Day 5K and 1-Mile Freedom Walk on Sunday, June 14, 2026. Staged at the iconic Bell Works complex in Holmdel, this highly anticipated community gathering serves as a centerpiece event for the county's official celebration of America's semi-quincentennial (250th anniversary).Participants are highly encouraged to sport their finest red, white, and blue gear for the morning, which kicks off with a USATF-certified 5K timed race at 9:00 AM, immediately followed by a casual, non-competitive 1-mile walk. Beyond bringing local families together for high-energy music and a festive fitness atmosphere, all proceeds from the event directly benefit the Friends of the Monmouth County Park System, funding vital local park enhancements, historical preservation, and urban youth recreational programming.

Complimentary Intro to Pickleball Clinic with Jersey Pickleball Club | 6/8 9:30am-11am | Bell Works (Holmdel) | info

Bakes Run Club | 6/11 6:30pm-8:30pm | Bakes Brewing Co (Wall) | info

The Borough of Red Bank has been awarded a $50,000 grant through the State of New Jersey’s NJ World Cup Community Initiative to launch the Red Bank World Cup Activation Series during June and July 2026. Announced by Governor Mikie Sherrill as part of a $5 million statewide investment by the NJEDA, Choose New Jersey, and the FIFA World Cup 2026™ NYNJ Host Committee, this creative placemaking initiative will transform local public spaces into vibrant gathering points celebrating soccer, culture, and community vitality. Led by a core partnership between the Borough, the District 11 Legislative Office, FC Monmouth, and Red Bank RiverCenter—and backed by more than 20 regional supporting organizations like Monmouth County leadership and Monmouth University—the series will feature public watch parties at Count Basie Park, immersive downtown activations, and Mayor's Wellness Campaign events. Designed to leverage Red Bank’s walkable downtown and direct rail access via the North Jersey Coast Line, the project aims to drive foot traffic and economic activity to local small businesses while participating in the Host Committee’s Welcome World Rewards Program to showcase the area's rich cultural diversity to residents and visitors alike.

Bradley Beach Coastline Kickoff! | 6/10 4pm-7pm | Newark Avenue Beach (Bradley Beach) | info

Game On! Summer of Soccer at Bell Works | 6/11-7/19 Various times | Bell Works (Holmdel) | info

FIFA World Cup at Pier Village: Summer of Soccer | 6/11-6/19 2pm-9pm | Wave Resort (Pier Village Long Branch) | info

World At The Street: BroadWalk Opening Match Watch Party | 6/11 3pm-6pm | BroadWalk (Downtown Red Bank) | info

Mon 6/8: High 1:08am | Low 7:27am | High 1:52pm | Low 8:07pm | Sunrise 5:27am | Sunset 8:25pm

Tue 6/9: High 2:02am | Low 8:24am | High 2:43pm | Low 9:16pm | Sunrise 5:27am | Sunset 8:25pm

Wed 6/10: High 3:01am | Low 9:21am | High 3:39pm | Low 10:18pm | Sunrise 5:27am | Sunset 8:26pm

Thu 6/11: High 4:06am | Low 10:15am | High 4:38pm | Low 11:16pm | Sunrise 5:26am | Sunset 8:26pm