The Light of Day 2026 WinterFest will take place at various venues from Jan. 4 to Jan. 24.
In this post, I am going to keep a list of all Light of Day 2026 WinterFest shows, updating it as they are announced.
Founded in 1998, Light of Day raises money and awareness for the continuing quest to end Parkinson’s disease and its related illnesses ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and PSP (progressive supranuclear palsy) within our lifetime.
The main show, scheduled for Jan. 17 at The Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, is titled “Bob’s Birthday Bash” in honor of Light of Day founder Bob Benjamin.
All shows are in Asbury Park unless otherwise noted. I have included individual ticket links for the shows, but for overall information on the festival, visit lightofday.org.
JAN. 4
4 p.m.: “Light of Day Rockland: Young Songwriters Showcase” with Evan Rotella, Jake Thistle, Allie Kenny, Lula Pilar, hosted by Joe D’Urso at The Turning Point, Piermont, New York.
JAN. 14
7 p.m.: “Songwriters on the River” with Willie Nile, John Easdale & Peter Wood, Brian Dunne, Joe D’Urso, Amanda Cross & Derek Cruz, Danielia Cotton, Glen Burtnik, James Maddock, Paul Collins, Will Dailey at City Winery Loft, Manhattan.
JAN. 15
6:50 p.m.: “Kickoff” with James Maddock, Jake Thistle, Matt O’Ree Band, Joe D’Urso & Stone Caravan, Matt Kelley Band, Emily Grove, Williams Honor, Bob Polding, Dave Vargo at Asbury Lanes.
JAN. 16
6:45 p.m.: “Celebrating Five Decades of Willie Nile” with Nile, Joe Grushecky & the Houserockers, Tangiers Blues Band & Friends featuring Danny Clinch, Milly, Bobby Mahoney, Miss Emily, Jon Caspi, Evan Rotella, Strumberry Pie at The Stone Pony.
7 p.m.: Dramarama, The New Rick Barry’s at The Wonder Bar.
7 p.m.: Lindsey Jordan, Somewhat Relative, Taylor James Davis at Soundbooth at Asbury Hotel.
11:30 p.m.: Bobby Mahoney’s Midnight Mass, acoustic jam at Shoreline Social Club at Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel.
JAN. 17
Noon: “Women of Song: with Strumberry Pie, Bethany, Pam McCoy, Jenny Barnes, Sarah Hodd, Dawn Lorentz, Jo Wymer at R Bar.
12:30 p.m.: “Asbury Blues” with Billy Walton Band, JoBonanno & the Godsons of Soul, Stormin’ Norman Seldin, Debra Devi, Boccigalupe & the Badboys, Sharon Lasher & Joe Grillo, HP & the Hot Takeout, Summer Fling, Mike Montrey, Gary Cavico, James Dalton, Evan Rotella, Mike Rocket, Redbird at The Wonder Bar.
6:30 p.m.: “Bob’s Birthday Bash” with John Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls), Willie Nile, Joe Grushecky & the Houserockers with special guest Gary U.S. Bonds, Remember Jones, Dramarama, Fantastic Cat, James Maddock, Joe D’Urso & Stone Caravan, Williams Honor, Amanda Cross & Derek Cruz, Matt & Eryn O’Ree, Emily Grove, Miss Emily, others at Count Basie Center for the Arts, Red Bank.
7 p.m.: Poppa John, Phil Robinson, Josh Zuckerman at Soundbooth at Asbury Hotel.
JAN. 18
12:15 p.m.: “Next Generation” with Octopus School, Lakehouse Music, Dakota Diehl, Rock’n Music Academy, Krazyer, Maddie Freeman, RockIt at The Stone Pony.
12:30 p.m.: “The Best New Jersey Tribute/Cover Bands” with Jake Thistle’s Late for the Sky (Jackson Browne tribute), John Kasun’s Jim Croce Tribute, Full Steen Ahead, The Gab Cinque Band, at The Wonder Bar.
6:15 p.m.: “Songwriters by the Sea III” with Willie Nile, Guy Davis, James Maddock, Joe Grushecky, Jake Thistle, Williams Honor, Miss Emily, Adam Ezra & Corinna Smith, Bob Burger, Will Dailey, Sahara Moon, Joe Vadala and hosts Joe Rapolla and Joe D’Urso at Tim McLoone’s Supper Club and Robinson’s Ale House.
JAN. 24
7:30 p.m.: “Songwriters in the Round” with Guy Davis, Willie Nile, Glen Burtnik, James Maddock, Adam Ezra, Joe D’Urso, Matt & Eryn O’Ree, Rick Winowski, Jon Caspi, Sharon Lasher at Outpost in the Burbs, Montclair.
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