From Airshows to Arena Shows — AC Is Loaded This Summer
Hey Folks,
I’ve lived here long enough to know when Atlantic City is really heating up… and trust me… this summer feels different.
The city is absolutely stacked with concerts, beach festivals, airshows, offshore racing, fireworks, fishing tournaments, nightlife, family attractions, food events, celebrity DJs, and major entertainment every single week.
Honestly, this may be one of the biggest summers Atlantic City has had in years.
From the beaches to the Boardwalk to the Marina District, there’s energy everywhere right now.
If you’re looking for things to do in Atlantic City, this is the summer to make the trip.
🎶 Massive Entertainment All Summer Long
The concert calendar this year is loaded from top to bottom.
- Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall welcomes Journey on May 23, A Boogie wit da Hoodie on June 13, WWE on June 29, and Shakira on July 25.
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City has Charlie Puth, Darius Rucker, Nick Jonas, The Chicks, Nikki Glaser, and Keith Urban all coming through this summer.
- Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa brings in Jason Mraz, Harry Connick Jr., Weird Al Yankovic, and Oz Pearlman.
- Ocean Casino Resort hosts Joe Bonamassa, Matt Rife, Diana Ross, and Demi Lovato at Ovation Hall.
- Caesars Atlantic City welcomes Derek Hough this July.
- Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City features comedian Bruce Bruce and major DJs at Pool After Dark.
- Resorts Casino Hotel brings live entertainment including Candlelight tributes and classic concert experiences.
- Tropicana Atlantic City features tribute shows, comedy, and the Tropicana Wine Festival.
And don’t forget the beach concerts… Rüfüs Du Sol hits the sand August 29.
That’s the kind of summer Atlantic City was built for.
✈️ Soar & Shore Airshow Is Back
The Soar & Shore Airshow Presented by Visit Atlantic City returns May 29–31 and it’s going to be one of the hottest weekends of the season.
F-22 Raptors. F-35B Lightning II aircraft. Military demonstrations. Aerobatic performances directly over the beach.
And one of the coolest parts? The public meet-and-greet with pilots and performers at Atlantic City International Airport.
If you’ve never experienced Airshow weekend in Atlantic City… put it on your calendar now.
🧼 ESPN Slippery Stairs Is Coming To The Beach
Only in Atlantic City can you go from luxury beach clubs to people racing up soap-covered stairs on the sand.
ESPN’s Slippery Stairs lands May 29 at 3 p.m. and honestly… this thing is wild to watch in person.
It’s free, family-friendly, hilarious, and exactly the kind of unique event that makes Atlantic City fun.
⚽ Soccer Watch Parties & FIFA Energy
Atlantic City is leaning all the way into soccer season this summer.
Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall is hosting major watch parties with jersey giveaways, international beer specials, and packed crowds during the matches.
The official FIFA World Cup 2026 match ball installation is also on display all summer long outside Bally’s along the Boardwalk.
Between Atlantic City’s proximity to Philadelphia and North Jersey venues, this city is becoming a huge part of the overall World Cup atmosphere.
🚤 Offshore Racing, Fireworks & Fishing Week
Late June and July are absolutely loaded.
- North Beach Fireworks Spectacular lights up the Boardwalk June 26.
- Atlantic City Sports Offshore Grand Prix brings high-speed powerboat racing back to the shoreline June 26–28.
- Jimmy Johnson’s “Quest for the Ring” Championship Fishing Week takes over July 12–18 with weigh-ins, nightlife, hospitality events, and elite offshore fishing teams.
These are the weekends where the city is alive from morning to midnight.
🍸 Casino Resorts Are Going All-Out This Summer
The resorts are investing heavily into experiences this season.
- Ocean Casino Resort launches “America’s Birthday Bar” inside the 1927 Lounge celebrating America 250.
- Ocean is also hosting patriotic drone shows every Friday in July.
- The resort is introducing luxury private jet and Blade helicopter experiences for high-end travelers.
- Resorts Casino Hotel kicks off summer with the Memorial Day Beach Ball Drop.
- The Piggy Bank pop-up bar and Creative Works Art Gallery are now open at Resorts.
- Borgata hosts its Summer Social event June 26 with celebrity chef Michael Symon.
- Caesars Atlantic City opens the all-new Caesars Beach Club this summer.
There’s a serious push right now toward elevated experiences, nightlife, luxury travel, and entertainment-driven weekends.
🎡 Boardwalk Classics & Family Attractions
Some things never go out of style.
The Steel Pier remains one of the best places to spend a summer night with rides, games, and The Wheel lighting up the skyline.
Atlantic City Cruises continues offering dolphin cruises, sunset tours, and happy hour rides from Gardner’s Basin.
Families heading into town should also check out Showboat Resort, home to Island Waterpark and Lucky Snake Arcade.
🎨 Murals, Food & Local Experiences
One thing visitors are finally starting to understand is this — Atlantic City has culture beyond the casinos.
The Atlantic City Arts Foundation continues transforming neighborhoods through the “48 Blocks” mural initiative across the city.
And the food scene? Better than ever.
- Cardinal offers one of the best family-friendly patios near the Boardwalk.
- Back Bay Ale House remains a favorite local waterfront hangout.
- MAYA delivers Boardwalk energy with cocktails and ocean views.
- LandShark Bar & Grill expanded its beach bar and deck setup.
- Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, Dock’s Oyster House, and Nobu continue offering some of the best happy hours and upscale dining in town.
🚋 Come Ride With AC Mike
I’m especially proud seeing our Boardwalk Tram Tours included as part of Atlantic City’s summer experience.
We’ve been showing people the stories behind the city — the history, the comeback stories, the local spots, the hidden gems, and the energy that makes Atlantic City different from anywhere else.
Sometimes all people see are casinos.
I want them to see the soul of the city.
If you’ve already ridden with us, thank you.
If not… this summer is the perfect time.
🥊 What’s Coming Up
- May 22: Memorial Day Beach Ball Drop — Resorts Casino Hotel
- May 23: Journey — Boardwalk Hall
- May 29–31: Soar & Shore Airshow
- May 29: Charlie Puth — Hard Rock Atlantic City
- June 6: Tropicana Wine Festival — Tropicana Atlantic City
- June 26: North Beach Fireworks Spectacular
- June 26–28: Atlantic City Sports Offshore Grand Prix
- June 29: WWE — Boardwalk Hall
- July 12–18: Jimmy Johnson’s Championship Fishing Week
- July 25: Shakira — Boardwalk Hall
- August 21–22: Keith Urban — Hard Rock Atlantic City
- August 29: Rüfüs Du Sol Beach Concert
We’ll also be working to secure media credentials, interviews, podcast conversations, radio appearances, and promotional partnerships around these events whenever possible.
That’s what we do — helping spotlight Atlantic City while helping venues, promoters, restaurants, and events put heads in beds and people in seats.
This city shines brightest in the summer.
And this year? Atlantic City is going all in.
Live-Work-Play-AC!
See you on the 48
AC Mike
Thanks for reading AC Mike’s Newsletter.
Wow, what a treasure trove of information.
Thanks, Mike, for keeping us in the know about what’s happening in A.
Wow! When you lay it all out in a row like this, it doesn’t leave much time to get any work done this Summer. LOL