Newark Alliance, Invest Newark and the City of Newark's Arts and Education District announced the launch of Experience Newark: Festivals & Flavors, a season-long initiative designed to connect the energy of major cultural events and festivals, including Prudential North to Shore Festival, to the city's thriving restaurant and nightlife scene.

The strategic campaign features themed itineraries pairing performances and events with nearby dining options and specials, encouraging visitors and residents to have a well-rounded experience as they visit downtown for events.

Experience Newark includes a mobile digital passport, available all season long, featuring local bars and restaurants offering exclusive deals, discounts and rewards for users who check in to establishments and purchase. The digital pass, accessible on the Newark Happening website, and via QR code citywide, guides visitors through downtown Newark's culinary districts — from the Arts and Education District and the Halsey Street corridor to the Ironbound — highlighting the best in cult coffee spots, upscale dining, craft cocktails and international cuisine.

Over 20 businesses are participating in Experience Newark, including The Yard, Black Swan Espresso, CoolVines Newark, Five Corners, Sihana Bistro, Taste of the Caribbean Restaurant & Catering, Sweet Jeans, Sabor Unido, Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea, Newark Local Beer, Krug's, La Cocina, Roberts Pizzeria, Just Delicious, Ramen Gami, Cornbread Newark, Konoz Restaurant, McGoverns Tavern, Casa d'Paco, TOSSSED NJ, The Good Eats Experience, Tainos Kitchen, Darios Tex Mex, Fruit House, A&J Caribbean Taste and Vivo Tapas Kitchen.

Businesses span a variety of cuisines and styles, including local staples and newer venues eager to capture the attention of visitors arriving for concerts, festivals and performances throughout the summer. Most of these are proudly owned by Newark-based entrepreneurs, demonstrating the city's growing base of locally owned restaurants and venues.

Additional components of Experience Newark include on-the-ground ambassadors stationed at major events and near key venues such as Prudential Center, providing information, tips and recommendations and guided walking tours connecting restaurants, bars and cultural landmarks, which included a "Don't Leave" activation for the Tyler, The Creator tour at Prudential Center on Sunday, July 27th  in partnership with newly opened Just Delicious restaurant on Market Street.

For more information and to access the mobile passport, visit newarkhappening.com/experiencenewark.