Sounds of a Summer Night: Music, Nature, and Community in Concert at Reeves-Reed Arboretum
Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic baskets to Reeves-Reed Arboretum and celebrate summer at their 2025 concert series, Sounds of a Summer Night! All performances will be held on select Wednesday evenings on the grounds of this non-profit public garden located in Summit.
The concert series reflects the Arboretum’s mission to bring people together through nature and the arts.
“There’s something magical about gathering in the garden as music fills the summer air. ‘Sounds of a Summer Night’ is more than a concert series — it’s a celebration of community, nature, and the joy of shared experiences under the moon and stars.”
The family-friendly 2025 summer concert line-up includes the following:
June 25 – Reeves-Reed Arboretum is kicking off the Sounds of a Summer Night 2025 concert series with RAVE ON!, a cool little rock and roll band featuring the music of Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison, including favorite blasts from the past – That’ll Be the Day, Peggy Sue, Pretty Woman, Crying, Only The Lonely, and more. Come rock out in the garden!
July 16 – The Arboretum welcomes back by popular demand, Sahara Moon to the summer concert series. A New Jersey Shore native, Sahara Moon is a singer-songwriter and artist currently based in Nashville. Her soulful sound incorporates a mix of jazz, folk, and blues; similar to Norah Jones.
She has shared the stage with The Marshall Tucker Band, Jake Shimabukuro, Robert Cray, and Gabe Dixon amongst others. She recently released a collaboration with her sister, Zinnia Moon, called “Seven Bridges Road” and has a live album coming in 2025. Her collaboration with Coldplay’s song, “Clocks,” has reached over ten million streams. Don’t miss her serenade in the garden!
July 30 – Have fun taking “A Musical Journey Through the Decades” with Gerard and Diane Barros. They will sweep you back in time with #1 hits of the 1940s, rock ‘n roll classics of the 50s, and cool sounds of the 1960s and 70s. Don’t miss this nostalgic night in the garden!
August 13 – Simple Gifts will bring folk music to the garden this summer, introducing you to at least 12 bluegrass instruments! A spoons-playing workshop will take place before the concert, and spoon players will be included in a concert song. Simple Gifts has played at major venues including the Smithsonian, National Theatre, Lincoln Theater, Bethel Woods, and Longwood Gardens. Their latest CD, “Journeys,” won a Global Music Award. Don’t miss this fun musical evening in the garden!
The Reeves-Reed Arboretum grounds will open at 6 pm on these select evenings for concertgoers to picnic and enjoy t he gardens. Performances will begin promptly at 7 pm. Entry is free for Reeves-Reed Arboretum members and children under 3. Non-member tickets are $15 and students $5. Tickets are available at reeves-reedarboretum.org or at the entry gate on the evening of each performance. Student tickets must be purchased at the gate.
All concerts are rain or shine, no refunds. In the event of inclement weather, the performances will move indoors. Check the Arboretum website for updates. Reeves-Reed Arboretum is located at 165 Hobart Avenue in Summit, NJ. Questions? Contact 908.273.8787, x1010.
Celebrating 50+ years as a historic public garden and education resource, Reeves-Reed Arboretum engages, educates, and enriches the public through horticulture and environmental education. Open 7 days a week, the Arboretum is listed on both the National and New Jersey State Historic Registers.