New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)
NJPAC is a performing arts center in downtown Newark, with parking in the Military Park Garage on Broad Street and a short walk from NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast lines. Bags are searched at the door, and anything larger than 12 by 12 by 8 inches has to go to a free coat check, along with outside food, drinks and cameras. NICO Kitchen + Bar and a Tier 3 pre-show buffet both offer a meal before the show, and the James Moody Jazz Festival here brings in major names each year.
Before you go
- Official site
- njpac.org
- Next festival here
- TD James Moody Jazz Festival, Nov 6 to 22, 2026
Worth knowing before you go
- Street parking nearby is limited, so the Military Park Garage is the reliable option.
- There's a $5 discount on day-of parking for performances.
- Large bags aren't allowed in the theaters; they go to a free coat check instead.
- Outside food, drinks and cameras or recording equipment aren't allowed on NJPAC property.
Festivals here
Venue basics: Parking in Military Park Garage · 10-minute walk from NJ Transit · ADA parking on all 3 garage levels.
Is it for you
Choose it if
- You're coming by NJ Transit and want a short walk to the venue.
- You want a sit-down meal or buffet before the show without leaving the building.
Think twice if
- You were planning to bring outside food, drinks or a camera; none of that is allowed on NJPAC property.
- You're carrying a large bag; it will have to go to the coat check instead of into the theater.
Getting there and parking
Parking is available in the Military Park Garage at 633 Broad Street, with entrances across from the Robert Treat Hotel and near 60 Park Place; street parking nearby is limited. There's a $5 discount on day-of parking for performances, and buses can drop off and pick up right near the entrance, with a public lot also across the street.
NJPAC is served by NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast lines, about a 10-minute walk from the station. Light rail runs about every 10 minutes in the evening and every 15 to 20 minutes late at night and on weekends, with a one-way fare of $1.60.
Accessibility
ADA accessible parking is available on all three levels of the Military Park Garage, with spaces near the elevator at the northeast corner and an accessible ramp from the street-level elevator lobby to the sidewalk.
Confirm your specific needs with the venue before you travel (njpac.org).
Camping
We don't yet have confirmed information about camping at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). The venue's own pages are the place to check: njpac.org.
Food, water and what you can bring
All bags are subject to search, and bags larger than 12 by 12 by 8 inches cannot be taken into the theaters, though they can go to a free coat check instead. Outside food or drink not bought from an NJPAC approved vendor, along with cameras, video or audio equipment, are not allowed on NJPAC property.
NICO Kitchen + Bar inside NJPAC serves modern American bistro food, cocktails and bar bites, with a prix fixe menu on show nights. A separate pre-show buffet on the third floor (Tier 3) includes salads, sides, entrees, dessert and a non-alcoholic drink for $24 per person plus tax and gratuity, with a cash bar also available, and it opens two hours before each performance.
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Quick answers
Where do I park at NJPAC?
The Military Park Garage at 633 Broad Street, with a public lot also across the street.
Is there a parking discount at NJPAC?
Yes. There's a $5 discount on day-of parking for performances.
How do I get to NJPAC by train?
NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast lines, about a 10-minute walk from the station.
Is there accessible parking at NJPAC?
Yes, on all three levels of the Military Park Garage, with an accessible ramp to the sidewalk.
Can I bring my own food or a big bag into NJPAC?
No. Outside food or drink isn't allowed, and bags larger than 12 by 12 by 8 inches go to a free coat check instead of into the theater.
Can I get dinner before the show at NJPAC?
Yes. NICO Kitchen + Bar and the Tier 3 pre-show buffet are both options, with the buffet opening two hours before each performance.
What makes the James Moody Jazz Festival special?
NJPAC's jazz advisor of 14 years says it keeps getting bigger each year, bringing major artists together to play.
A little history
NJPAC's jazz advisor of 14 years says the festival keeps getting bigger and better every year, bringing together major artists to play alongside his own big band.