Jones Beach Bandshell 2026 free summer concert lineup

Going to Jones Beach in the summer to see a concert is a staple Long Island experience — but it can get pricey. Head over to Field 4 on the boardwalk where live concerts at the Bandshell are free (1 Ocean Pwky., Wantagh, 516-785-1600, parks.ny.gov). Here are some upcoming shows to catch this season. 

July 25: DRIVE

Classic rock fans will rejoice on July 25 when Cars tribute band Drive takes the bandshell stage at 8 p.m. However, there’s a twist because the lead singer filling the Ric Ocasek role is a female.

"My hair was always cut in shag for as long as I can remember. I just put it behind my ears with bobby pins and bought a men’s suit," lead singer Mary Beth Cronin, of Bethpage. "I look at the band like a movie and I am playing a role."

The setlist is chock full of the hits like "You Might Think," "Just What I Needed," "Let’s Go," "Shake It Up," "You’re All I’ve Got Tonight" and "Bye Bye Love" as well as deeper cuts such as "Moving in Stereo" and "Cruiser."

July 30: CHRISTOPHER ARDRA

Going solo from his band Station, Christopher Ardra, of Huntington, brings his alternative rock sound to the bandshell July 30 at 8 p.m.

"This is what I consider good hot summer night music," Ardra says. "It’s fun, you can sing along with it. I like to think of it as accessible."

Ardra will be playing songs off his new album, "Saw It In a Dream" as well as cuts from his 2024 debut, "Sometimes Other Times."

July 31 and Aug. 8: SOLO JOE SHOW

Cumia returns to the bandshell on July 31 and Aug. 8 at 8 p.m. this time as Solo Joe. He performs as a one-man band on an acoustic guitar with backing tracks.

"It’s everything from the '40s to '90s, from Frank Sinatra to Nirvana," Cumia says. "I take requests and I’ve yet to be stumped."

Aug. 1: OZZMOSIS

Ozzy Osbourne passed away last summer but his spirit will rise again through tribute band Ozzmosis at the bandshell on Aug. 1 at 8 p.m.

"Ozzy was everything we ever wanted in a rock star. It was tough for all of us to lose him," lead singer Ricky Woods. "Singing these songs can be very emotional. I’ll always say ‘God bless Ozzy Osbourne’ a couple of times during the show. We all felt that loss immeasurably."

Songs like "Crazy Train," "Bark at the Moon" and "Mama, I’m Coming Home" are tackled along with Black Sabbath tunes, "Paranoid," "War Pigs" and "Iron Man."

Aug. 13: NINA ET CETERA

Look out for the power trio Nina Et cetera, which brings their special blend of folk, rock, jazz, blues and country to the bandstand on Aug. 13 at 8 p.m.

"We try to draw from all the different American music forms," singer/guitarist Nina Romano, of Patchogue says. "For three people, we have a very full sound."

The band’s set will consist of cuts off their two albums, "Many Hands Make Murky Work" (2009) and "Triptych" (2020). Tracks like "Mixed Up Blues" and "The Road to Good Intentions" serve as fan favorites.

"These songs have grown over the years in concert," Romano says. "We improvise a bit more and play in the moment. It gives the songs a different feel."

Aug. 14: STEELY BAND

The jazzy rock of Steely Dan comes to life on Aug. 14 at the bandshell with tribute band Steely Band at 8 p.m.

Cumia, Bellucci and Arrigo of Guitar Legends are joined by saxophonist Colleen "Sax Kitten" Farquhar. Together this foursome zones in on 25 of Steely Dan’s biggest songs like "Reelin’ in the Years," "My Old School" and "Rikki Don’t Lose That Number." Album cuts "Night By Night" and "The Fez" will also be included.

Aug. 22: 20 HIGHVIEW

Get a shot of R&B, soul and funk when 20 Highview performs at the bandshell on Aug. 22 at 8 p.m.

"Our shows are filled with a lot of dancing, cheering and arms up in the air," guitarist/background vocalist Vincent Frangipane, who is originally from Blue Point, Bayport and Brookhaven. "It’s like a big party extravaganza."

Songs from Earth, Wind & Fire, Bruno Mars, the Spinners, Bill Withers, Donna Summer, Prince and Michael Jackson are all on tap.

Aug. 28: TOM PETTY NIGHT

Miss Tom Petty? The music of the late rocker gets revived at the bandshell on Aug. 28 with Tom Petty Night at 8 p.m.

"We go for more of a live vibe, based on what the Heartbreakers would do on stage as opposed to the studio versions," guitarist Rob Maresca says. "For the most part, it’s pretty traditional. We keep everything in the original keys."

The band focuses on classic bangers like "American Girl," "Breakdown," "Refugee," "Listen to Her Heart" and "Mary Jane’s Last Dance." However, they will also toss in a few for the die-hards.

"We have a list of over 75 Tom Petty songs in our repertoire so we can pull out some cuts from the later albums like ‘Mojo,’ ‘Echo’ and ‘The Last DJ,’ " Maresca says. "We’ve even play b-sides like ‘Straight into Darkness.’ "

Aug. 29: 2U

For 26 years, 2U has delivered the U2 catalog live on Long Island and they return to the bandshell on Aug. 29 at 8 p.m.

"This year we are concentrating on the music from ‘Rattle and Hum.’ However, we do the earlier stuff like ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday’ and ‘I Will Follow’ up to ‘Vertigo,’ " guitarist Cumia says. "The set is all hits with one or two album tracks. We read the audience to see what they want."

The band does offer up the visuals by physically evoking U2 as well as sonically.

"The visual is almost as important as the music," Cumia says. "But we do concentrate on making the songs sound like the original recordings. Everyone in the band is on their game."