Never miss what is happening in Monmouth County
Events, new openings and weekend plans from every corner of Monmouth County. Straight to your inbox, free.
Monmouth University’s Center for the Arts in West Long Branch has a full slate of shows lined up between now and the holidays, from candlelit string concerts to a student musical and the annual holiday concert with the Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea. Here is what is on the calendar at Pollak Theatre and the Lauren K. Woods Theatre, with dates, times and ticket prices from the university’s own event pages.
Vote now
Candlelight: Coldplay vs. Imagine Dragons
- Town: West Long Branch
- Where: Pollak Theatre, Monmouth University, 400 Cedar Avenue
- When: Thursday, November 12, 2026, 6 p.m.
- Cost: $30
The Candlelight concert series brings a live string performance into a room lit by thousands of candles, and this one pits the songs of Coldplay against Imagine Dragons. It is an easy early evening show for anyone who wants something different from a standard concert night.
Dear Evan Hansen
- Town: West Long Branch
- Where: Lauren K. Woods Theatre, Monmouth University
- When: Thursday, November 19 through Sunday, November 22, 2026: Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m.
- Cost: $20 adults, $15 seniors and alumni, $10 children and non Monmouth students, free for Monmouth University employees and students
The university’s Department of Music and Theatre Arts stages the Tony Award winning musical, with a book by Steven Levenson and a score by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the team behind The Greatest Showman and La La Land. With five performances over one weekend, there are matinee and evening options for every schedule.
Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea Holiday Concert
- Town: West Long Branch
- Where: Pollak Theatre, Monmouth University
- When: Friday, December 4, 2026, 7 p.m.
- Cost: Tickets start at $60
This is the beloved annual holiday tradition at Pollak Theatre: Father Alphonse Stevenson leads the 42 piece Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea, joined by soloists, through timeless holiday classics. Note the 7 p.m. start time.
Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
- Town: West Long Branch
- Where: Pollak Theatre, Monmouth University
- When: Thursday, December 17, 2026, 6 p.m.
- Cost: $32
A string quartet performs holiday favorites in the candlelit theater. The tentative program includes Deck the Halls, The First Noel and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, which makes this a cozy pick for the week before Christmas.
Starting Over with John and Yoko: The Photographs
- Town: West Long Branch
- Where: Pollak Gallery, Monmouth University
- When: On view now through January 15, 2027
- Cost: Free and open to the public
In August 1980, photographer Roger Farrington was hired to capture John Lennon and Yoko Ono as they returned to the recording studio after a five year break. His photographs from that assignment are on display in the Pollak Gallery, tied to his book of the same name, co authored by Monmouth University professor Kenneth Womack. Stop in before or after any show at Pollak Theatre.
Tickets and the box office
Tickets for every show are sold through the Center for the Arts at Monmouth University. The box office is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 732-263-6889, and the full season is listed on the Center for the Arts calendar.
Looking for more holiday plans? We keep adding new shows, markets and light displays across Monmouth County every day, so check back for more ideas.
Get Monmouth County in your inbox
The best events, new openings and things to do, once a week. Free.
