Long Island's Iconic Waterside Theater

Jones Beach Theater opened in 1952 within Jones Beach State Park, the celebrated Robert Moses creation on Long Island's South Shore, and has spent the decades since as one of the most distinctive outdoor concert venues in the country. Set on the water at Zach's Bay and now known as Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater, it pairs major touring concerts with a setting unlike anywhere else in the New York area, one that has made it a bucket-list venue for fans up and down the East Coast.

The venue is an open-air theater built right beside the bay, with seating that looks out toward the stage and the water beyond. Modernized over the years while keeping its waterside character, it offers a range of seating from up close to the stage to spots that take in the full sweep of the setting, all under the open Long Island sky, with the breeze carrying in off the Atlantic.

As the marquee outdoor venue on Long Island, Jones Beach has hosted an enormous breadth of acclaimed touring acts across virtually every genre over the decades. For Long Island and New York City music fans, a summer concert here is woven into the rhythm of the season, tied to memories of warm nights, the sea breeze, and singing along with thousands of others as the sun sets over Zach's Bay and the water turns gold.

Its location in Wantagh, easily reached from across Long Island and the greater New York metro, makes the theater a natural draw for both locals and city dwellers looking to escape to the shore for a night. That accessibility, combined with its capacity and one-of-a-kind waterside setting, has long made it a sought-after stop for major summer tours routing through the Northeast, season after season, decade after decade.

To plan ahead, the venue's concert calendar appears through Live Nation as shows are added, regional travel help is available from Discover Long Island, the venue's background lives on its Wikipedia page, and confirmed dates can be tracked on Songkick as the season comes together. However the 2027 lineup unfolds, Jones Beach is sure to be at the heart of Long Island's summer.

Planning Your Night at Jones Beach

With no 2027 shows confirmed yet, this is a good window to get familiar with how a night at the theater comes together. It books a deep calendar and the popular shows move quickly, so a head start makes both the ticket hunt and the trip to the shore far smoother once the lineup is announced.

On tickets: the season is typically revealed in the months before summer, so watch this page and official channels for the first word, keep an eye on Ticketmaster for on-sales, and when seats go live, buy from a source you trust. BigStub offers a wide selection with a buyer guarantee, a reliable way to lock in your spot, and for the biggest Long Island shows, booking early genuinely pays off because they can sell out fast.

On seating: take a look at the theater's layout before tickets go on sale, from seats close to the stage to spots higher up that take in the bay beyond. Decide whether being near the stage or soaking in the waterside view matters more to you, and you will be ready to move quickly when seats are released.

On getting there: Jones Beach Theater sits in Jones Beach State Park in Wantagh, so map your route and parking ahead with Google Maps and leave extra time, as traffic to the beach can be heavy on big show nights. With the beach and boardwalk right there, many fans arrive early to make a full day of it.

On the night itself: Long Island summer evenings on the water can turn breezy and cool after dark, so bring a light layer along with water, and be ready for the sea air. Review the venue's current rules on bags, chairs, and outside items before you head over, and you can confirm dates on Bandsintown as the season fills in. Handle those, and you are set for a memorable night by the water.

Jones Beach Theater 2027: FAQ

Has Jones Beach Theater announced its 2027 shows?

Not yet. The 2027 schedule is still coming together and is typically revealed in stages ahead of summer. This page is updated as headliners, dates, and on-sale times are confirmed, so checking back regularly is the best way to catch new announcements as they happen.

Where is Jones Beach Theater located?

The theater is in Wantagh, New York, within Jones Beach State Park on Long Island's South Shore. Set right on the water at Zach's Bay, it draws fans from across Long Island and the greater New York City metro.

Is the Wantagh Theatre the same as Jones Beach Theater?

Yes. The venue in Wantagh is Jones Beach Theater, now known as Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater. It is the iconic waterside outdoor theater that has served Long Island since 1952.

What makes Jones Beach Theater special?

It is an open-air theater set directly on the water within Jones Beach State Park, with the bay just beyond the stage and the Atlantic breeze part of every show. That waterside setting gives it a character no indoor arena or inland venue can match.

How do I buy tickets once a show is confirmed?

Use a trusted marketplace such as BigStub, which offers a wide selection of seats and a buyer guarantee, and watch official outlets for on-sale dates. For the biggest summer shows at Jones Beach, buying early gives you the best shot at the seats you want before they sell out.

What should I bring to a show at Jones Beach?

Bring a light layer for the breeze off the water after dark and water for warm afternoons, and plan for the sea air. Beyond that, review the venue's current policies on bags, chairs, and outside food or drink before you arrive, as guidelines can change by event.