Local Summer Isn’t Over Yet: What’s Happening in Atlantic City & Down the Shore This Weekend
Hey Folks,
Local summer is still rolling, and this is one of those September weekends that reminds you why the Jersey Shore doesn’t shut down when Labor Day is over. From Friday, September 18 through Sunday, September 20, Atlantic City and the surrounding South Jersey Shore have a little bit of everything going on — major concerts and comedy, one of Atlantic City’s best homegrown arts festivals, seafood in Ventnor, country music in North Wildwood, airplanes over Ocean City, and plenty of free events that don’t require a casino budget.
So whether you’re looking for a night out in Atlantic City, something with the kids, live music, great food, or just another excuse to get outside before summer officially gives way to fall, here’s your AC Mike Weekend Update for September 18–20, 2026.
Atlantic City Takes Center Stage
48 Blocks Festival — Saturday, September 19, Noon–8 p.m.
One of my favorite kinds of Atlantic City events is back Saturday, and this one is all about the city itself. The 48 Blocks Festival, presented by the Atlantic City Arts Foundation, takes over Uptown Park and Fisherman’s Park at 420 Melrose Avenue for a completely free, all-ages celebration of Atlantic City’s creative community. This year’s theme is “Right on Time,” with two stages of live performances, art demonstrations, workshops, installations, local vendors, food and activities. The schedule includes everything from soul line dancing and cumbia to rock, poetry, theater and local DJs. Free parking is available at the Uptown School Complex on Madison Avenue, and the rain date is Sunday, September 20. This is a great opportunity to see a side of Atlantic City that visitors sometimes miss — the artists, neighborhoods and people who make this town what it is.
Big Friday Night in Atlantic City
Jon Pardi — Friday, September 18
Country fans have a big one at Hard Rock. Jon Pardi brings the Gamblin’ Man Tour 2026 to Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena Friday night. Hard Rock lists tickets starting at $59. If you’re staying around after the show, Sidearm Trio is also playing live at Hard Rock Cafe from 8:30 p.m. to midnight.
Sebastian Maniscalco — Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Sebastian is basically taking up residence at Ocean Casino Resort for two weekends. Sebastian Maniscalco Live hits Ovation Hall Friday at 9 p.m., Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m. Ocean is also leaning into the weekend with Sebastian-themed experiences around the property. On Friday at 7 p.m., Nola’s Bar & Lounge hosts the free public finale of Sebastian’s “Does Your Father Know You Can Dance Like That?” dance competition before the Friday-night show.
Nurse John — Friday, September 18, 8 p.m.
If healthcare humor is your medicine, viral creator and actual nurse-turned-comedian John Dela Cruz brings his Against Medical Advice Tour to Borgata Event Center at 8 p.m. Nurse John built a huge following by turning the insanity of working in healthcare into comedy that nurses — and anybody who has ever spent time in a hospital — immediately recognizes.
Femmes of Rock — Friday, September 18, 9 p.m.
Over at Borgata’s Music Box, Femmes of Rock combines electric strings, vocals and a rock band with arrangements of music from Queen, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Rush, AC/DC, Van Halen and more. This is a smaller room than the big arena shows, which can make for a great night if you like being close to the stage.
Rumours ATL — Friday, September 18, 9 p.m.
Fleetwood Mac fans can head to Resorts Superstar Theater for Rumours ATL: A Fleetwood Mac Tribute. The show recreates the band’s classic era with favorites including “Rhiannon,” “Songbird” and “Go Your Own Way.”
Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls — Friday, September 18
Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls are also in Atlantic City Friday as part of the Road to Lost Evenings IX tour, with Emily Wolfe and Black Guy Fawkes. Turner’s official tour calendar lists the Atlantic City date at Caesars’ Circus Maximus Theater. Check current ticket status before heading over, as online availability can change close to showtime.
Ring of Combat 91 — Friday, September 18, 8:30 p.m.
For fight fans, Lou Neglia’s Ring of Combat 91 Championship MMA comes to Tropicana Friday night at 8:30 p.m. It’s another completely different option in what is a pretty stacked Friday night around town.
Saturday Night: Comedy, Elton & More
The Rocket Man Show — Saturday, September 19, 8 p.m.
The Grand at Golden Nugget hosts The Rocket Man Show, an Elton John tribute starring Rus Anderson. Anderson was selected as Elton John’s official body double for promotional material surrounding the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, and the show recreates the look and sound of young Elton — right down to some costumes originally worn by Elton himself.
Jordan Jensen — Saturday, September 19, 8 p.m.
Comedian Jordan Jensen takes over Sound Waves at Hard Rock Saturday night at 8 p.m. Tickets are available through Live Nation. Hard Rock Cafe keeps the live music going afterward with Twisted Livin Trio from 8:30 p.m. to midnight.
Seafood Takes Over Ventnor
Downbeach Seafood Festival — Saturday & Sunday, September 19–20
Come hungry. The 2026 Downbeach Seafood Festival returns to Ski Beach in Ventnor for two days of fresh seafood, South Jersey restaurants, craft beer, live music, cooking demonstrations, local vendors and family activities. Shore Local lists festival hours as 11 a.m.–6 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. The Oyster Tour of the Shore and popular Chowder Cook-Off are also part of the weekend, with proceeds from the cook-off benefiting the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. This is always one of those events where you tell yourself you’re going to “just try a few things,” and three hours later you’re walking around holding chowder, oysters and something fried that you absolutely did not need — but you’re glad you bought it anyway.
Ocean City Goes Airborne
This may be the best family weekend of September in Ocean City, and much of it is free.
Ocean City Airport Festival — Saturday, September 19, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
The Ocean City Airport Festival takes place at the Municipal Airport at 26th Street and Bay Avenue with unusual aircraft on display, including warbirds and classic planes, plus music, food vendors, vehicle displays and children’s activities. Team Fastrax is scheduled for a parachute demonstration around noon, weather and wind permitting.
The Righteous Brothers with the Ocean City Pops — Saturday, September 19, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday evening, the legendary Righteous Brothers join the Ocean City Pops at the Music Pier for the Pops’ season finale. The concert runs from 7:30–9:30 p.m., and the program is scheduled to pause so the audience can step outside for the evening’s parachute show.
Parachute Pyrotechnic Show — Saturday, September 19, 8 p.m.
At 8 p.m., Team Fastrax takes to the sky above the beach and Boardwalk for Ocean City’s Parachute Pyrotechnic Show. The jumpers exit thousands of feet above Ocean City and descend with illuminated pyrotechnics. It’s free to watch from the beach and Boardwalk.
Boardwalk Aerobatic Airshow — Sunday, September 20, 1 p.m.
Then Sunday afternoon comes the main event. The Ocean City Boardwalk Aerobatic Airshow begins at 1 p.m. over the ocean, with viewing centered roughly between Sixth and Fourteenth Streets. Expect stunt pilots, aerobatic performers and military demonstrations. The show is free, and remember that aviation events are weather-dependent with no rain date.
Wildwood Has a Full Weekend Too
Boots at the Beach — Friday & Saturday, September 18–19
Grab the boots and head to Seaport Pier in North Wildwood for Boots at the Beach. Friday’s lineup includes Nikki Briar and the Sweet Briar Band from 4–6 p.m., Y’all Or Nothin’ from 6:30–8:30 p.m. and Rustic Revival from 9–11 p.m. Saturday brings Rustic Revival, 40 North and Triple Rail Turn, with DJ Ashley Rose appearing throughout the weekend. Tickets are sold at the entrance: $10 for one day or $15 for both days, with reentry included.
La Fiesta Hispana — Saturday, September 19, 2–7 p.m.
Downtown Wildwood’s Byrne Plaza hosts the 4th Annual La Fiesta Hispana Hispanic Heritage Celebration Saturday from 2–7 p.m. The free family event features live music, food, children’s activities, local vendors and Hispanic cultural programming. Another good example of why September at the Shore can be better than August — plenty going on, but you can actually find a place to stand.
Morey’s Piers Oktoberfest — Friday through Sunday
Oktoberfest season begins at Morey’s Piers this weekend with German food, live music, rides, games, the Oompah-Delics strolling polka band and family activities at Mariner’s Pier. Saturday also features the Boardwalk Bier Run, a two-mile run beginning at PigDog Beach at 5 p.m. and finishing at Wilhelm’s on Mariner’s Pier. Check Morey’s Piers for the full Oktoberfest schedule.
Wildwood 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb — Sunday, September 20
Sunday morning brings something with a little more meaning. The Wildwood 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb begins at the Wildwoods Convention Center, with registration starting at 8:30 a.m. and the climb at approximately 9 a.m. Participants climb the equivalent of 110 stories to honor those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Proceeds benefit the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, and an after-party follows at MudHen Brewing Company. Walk-ins are welcome.
What’s Coming Up This Weekend — Quick Reference
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
Boots at the Beach — Seaport Pier, North Wildwood — music begins 4 p.m.
Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls — Caesars Atlantic City — Friday evening
Jon Pardi: Gamblin’ Man Tour — Hard Rock Live, Atlantic City
Nurse John: Against Medical Advice Tour — Borgata Event Center — 8 p.m.
Ring of Combat 91 Championship MMA — Tropicana — 8:30 p.m.
Sidearm Trio — Hard Rock Cafe — 8:30 p.m.–midnight
Sebastian Maniscalco — Ocean Casino Resort — 9 p.m.
Femmes of Rock — Borgata Music Box — 9 p.m.
Rumours ATL: Fleetwood Mac Tribute — Resorts Superstar Theater — 9 p.m.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
Ocean City Airport Festival — 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Downbeach Seafood Festival — Ski Beach, Ventnor — 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
48 Blocks Festival — Atlantic City — noon–8 p.m. — FREE
Boots at the Beach — North Wildwood — afternoon through evening
La Fiesta Hispana — Byrne Plaza, Wildwood — 2–7 p.m. — FREE
Morey’s Boardwalk Bier Run — Wildwood — 5 p.m.
The Righteous Brothers with Ocean City Pops — Music Pier — 7:30 p.m.
Sebastian Maniscalco — Ocean Casino Resort — 8 p.m.
The Rocket Man Show — Golden Nugget — 8 p.m.
Jordan Jensen — Hard Rock Sound Waves — 8 p.m.
Ocean City Parachute Pyrotechnic Show — 8 p.m. — FREE
Twisted Livin Trio — Hard Rock Cafe — 8:30 p.m.–midnight
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
Wildwood 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb — Wildwoods Convention Center — approximately 9 a.m.
Downbeach Seafood Festival — Ski Beach, Ventnor — 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Ocean City Boardwalk Aerobatic Airshow — 1 p.m. — FREE
Sebastian Maniscalco — Ocean Casino Resort — 7 p.m.
AC Mike’s Take
If I had to describe this weekend in one word, it would be variety. You can spend Saturday afternoon celebrating Atlantic City’s own artists at 48 Blocks, eat your way through Ventnor, catch Sebastian or Jon Pardi, watch airplanes over Ocean City, or head south and listen to country music on the North Wildwood Boardwalk. And a surprising amount of what’s happening is free.
This is what I mean when I keep talking about Live-Work-Play-AC. Atlantic City isn’t just the casinos and big headline shows — although we certainly have plenty of those this weekend. It’s the neighborhoods, local musicians, artists, restaurants, small businesses, community organizations and all the towns up and down the Shore that make this area special. September is one of the best times to experience it because the crowds thin out, the weather is usually terrific, and the events keep coming.
Help Us Grow the AC Mike Community
If you know somebody who is always asking, “What’s going on this weekend?” send them this newsletter. We’re building AC Mike into a place where locals, second-home owners and visitors can find out what’s really happening in Atlantic City and around the South Jersey Shore without digging through a dozen different calendars.
And if you’re involved with a local event, restaurant, business, nonprofit, fundraiser, festival or community organization, we want to hear from you. Send us what you have coming up so we can keep putting local people and local events in front of a bigger audience. You can also follow The AC Mike Show across social media and keep checking ACMikeNJ.com for interviews, events, local stories and everything happening around Atlantic City.
Have a great weekend, Folks. Get out there, support something local, and enjoy local summer while we still have it.
Live-Work-Play-AC!
See you on the 48
Thanks for reading AC Mike's Newsletter.
I would like to add the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention Walk on Sunday September 20, 2026, starting at Hard Rock Casino at 9am Boardwalk side.