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MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ – Middlesex County, as part of its FolkLIVE free community event series, will present its third annual Gospel Music Festival in New Brunswick, NJ (2 Livingston Ave.) on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm. This year’s star-studded lineup features Grammy Award-winning performers Erica Campbell and Jonathan McReynolds as headliners, joined by Billboard chart-topping gospel group The Group Fire from Newark. The lineup also includes talented local artists Tangie Cobb, Valarie Adams, Bishop George C. Searight & Royal Priesthood, Myles Cherrette, and DJ RunTheFade. This free, outdoor concert celebrates African American cultural heritage through an afternoon of gospel music and will be emceed by Toya Beasley, host of 94.7 The Block, and nationally recognized arts administrator Deonté Griffin-Quick.

New exciting updates to amenities for attendees:

• The New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), adjacent to the festival, will serve as a cooling center and provide a live streaming option of the event.
• The Heldrich Hotel and Conference Center is offering a promotional rate of $119/per night for concertgoers to make the most of the event with group code: 665687 (valid until 7/3/2026).
• Food and beverage vendors will be on-site, including Delta’s Patty Wagon, McGriff’s Fish and Chips, Just Pies by Lisa, Devvon’s Lemonade, and Jamaica Taste.
• Free and paid parking facilities will be available, and Middlesex County RIDE shuttles will transport guests from parking areas to the event location.
• The event is also accessible via mass transit on the NJ TRANSIT Northeast Corridor Line and Amtrak, exit at New Brunswick station.
• The County encourages the attendees to bring their own lawn chairs, sun protection, and cooling accessories. For full details, visit the MiddlesexCountyCulture.com event listing, click here.

“In Middlesex County, we know that access to free and affordable arts and culture can transform a community,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios. “Events like the annual Gospel Music Festival transcend race and religion; it’s a cultural event that unites and inspires people from all backgrounds with a common passion to learn, celebrate, and immerse in live music.”

“FolkLIVE Gospel Music Festival is an event dear to my heart and is a beautiful expression of what is possible when we open our minds to the rich diversity of our County,” said Middlesex County Commissioner and Chair of Economic Development Committee Chanelle Scott McCullum. “As a Board, we invest in culture to not only better the lives of our residents but also to bolster the local economy. People will travel miles to visit us for this event, and I have no doubt that this year’s stellar line-up will draw crowds from all over the Northeast. It’s going to be unforgettable!”

Year after year, this family-friendly Gospel Music Festival has featured legendary artists including Hezekiah Walker, Jekalyn Carr, Fred Hammond, Kierra Sheard-Kelly, and notable local talents such as The Jenkin Brothers, Lenore Davis, David Cross, Tawanda Muslim, and many others.

Middlesex County serves as a state-designated Regional Folklife Center, supporting the cultural and traditional expressions of the County and Central New Jersey. The FolkLIVE event series, including the Gospel Music Festival, not only underscores the County’s commitment to honoring its residents' diverse cultures but also fosters inclusivity and acceptance across communities. This is part of Middlesex County's broader investment and effort to ensure that arts, culture, and history are accessible to all residents. The Regional Folklife Center at the Arts Institute of Middlesex County is a project of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

For full details on the 2026 Gospel Music Festival and more cultural programming, please visit middlesexcountyculture.com.

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