Atlantic County Events 2026

Annual wing competition at Hard Rock Hotel with 20+ vendors, celebrity judges, and live entertainment.

Major boat show at the Atlantic City Convention Center featuring hundreds of boats, marine accessories, and fishing gear.

Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall draws college basketball fans for six days of championship games airing on ESPN.

Atlantic City's 38th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade features bagpipers, Irish dancers, and school bands along the world-famous Boardwalk.

Month-long culinary celebration with 60+ restaurants offering tiered prix-fixe menus from $20-$60. Expanded from the former Atlantic City Restaurant Week.

Atlantic City Airshow draws 500,000+ spectators for aerial performances over the beach and Boardwalk. Free viewing from beach featuring military aircraft and precision flying teams.

20th annual festival at Atlantic City Convention Center features 100+ breweries, live entertainment, and local bites across two sessions.

Free weekly concerts at Kennedy Plaza on the Boardwalk every Thursday evening from June through September. Family-friendly entertainment with ocean views.

Independence Day fireworks and drone shows at multiple casino resort locations including Tropicana and Ocean Casino Resort. Free beach and Boardwalk viewing.

Annual jazz festival at Sound Waves inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino showcasing top jazz performers. Evening celebration of jazz music and culture.

Nation's third oldest marathon since 1960 features eight miles of oceanfront Boardwalk running. Fast, flat USATF certified Boston Qualifier with half marathon and 10K options.

Annual charitable event at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall displays dozens of custom-decorated holiday trees. Free daily viewings benefit CASA for Children of Atlantic counties.

Brigantine Farmers Market runs every Saturday from Memorial Day through Labor Day in Haneman Park with nearly 100 local vendors, fresh produce, prepared foods, crafts, live music, and chef cooking demos.

Brigantine Chamber of Commerce hosts Family Fun Weekend at the Brigantine Community Center during Independence Day weekend with carnival rides, games, live entertainment, vendor market, and giveaways.

Shake the Shamrock Weekend celebrates Irish culture with a St. Patrick's Day parade down Brigantine Avenue, pub crawls, whiskey tastings, Irish dancers, and weekend-long festivities organized by the Chamber of Commerce.

Brig en Blanc is a unique shoulder season event where 200 guests dressed in white dine at one long table running from City Hall to Haneman Park. This BYO ticketed event supports local businesses with live music and glowing vibes.

Brigantine Elks Fall Striper Classic is a 3-day fishing tournament for boat and surf anglers benefiting veterans programs. Fish around the clock from Barnegat Inlet to Great Egg Inlet with weigh-in at Riptide Bait and Tackle.

Annual spring beach cleanup organized by Clean Ocean Action at Brigantine Beach. Volunteers help remove trash and debris from the shoreline in this environmental stewardship event benefiting New Jersey coastal health.

Fundraiser boat cruise hosted by the Marine Mammal Stranding Center with holiday cookies, festive spirit, and bay views. Cash bar available while supporting seal and dolphin rescue and rehabilitation efforts.

End-of-summer festival hosted by Brigantine Elks featuring swim and paddle races, fresh seafood, live music, and family entertainment. The Elks' largest annual charity fundraiser supporting local community programs.

Annual Memorial Day parade honoring veterans, starting at borough hall and proceeding through town to the inlet. Small-town atmosphere with local marching bands, scouts, and veterans groups.

Independence Day festivities featuring morning parade, afternoon beach activities, and evening with best views of Ocean City's fireworks from the inlet. Family-friendly community celebration.

Free weekly concerts at the Longport Gazebo featuring regional bands playing classic rock, jazz, and beach music. Bring chairs and blankets for these relaxed bayside performances.

Annual Labor Day weekend fishing competition from the inlet jetty and surrounding waters. Categories for striped bass, bluefish, and flounder. Registration required, prizes awarded.

Longport's End of Summer Fireworks Display lights up the beach at sunset. Community-funded tradition starting in 1998 celebrating summer's end with spectacular waterfront pyrotechnics.

Community volunteers participate in Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweep, removing marine debris and plastic from Longport Beach. Family-friendly cleanup supporting coastal conservation.

Longport rings in the holidays with tree lighting ceremony and festive community celebration. Local merchants and seasonal activities create small-town holiday spirit along the bay.

Annual birthday party for Lucy the Elephant featuring all-day festival with activities, live music, food vendors, and celebrating this National Historic Landmark's legacy.

Free bayfront festival drawing 20,000+ visitors with 110+ booths, 10 live bands, kid's activities, beer garden, fine arts, crafts, and Margate vendors. Major end-of-summer celebration.

Fall festival at Lucy the Elephant celebrating autumn with themed activities, vendors, and family entertainment. New annual tradition started in 2025.

Free weekly summer concerts at Steve & Cookie's Park featuring live bands, family-friendly entertainment, and beachside atmosphere. Margate's longest-running summer tradition.

Annual Independence Day fireworks spectacular over Margate beach. Thousands gather for patriotic celebration with best viewing along the beach and Lucy the Elephant area.

Annual Atlantic County lifeguard competition featuring rowing races, beach runs, and rescue demonstrations. Showcases elite skills of Margate Beach Patrol and regional lifeguards.

Historic Smithville hosts Atlantic County's largest Irish festival with Celtic bands, traditional Irish dancers, authentic food vendors, and craft beer. Free admission draws 10,000+ visitors annually.

Authentic German celebration with live oompah bands, imported German beer, bratwurst and schnitzel vendors, and Bavarian dancers. Four consecutive October weekends in the village. Free admission.

Family Halloween event with trick-or-treating at village shops, costume parade, pumpkin decorating, hayrides around Lake Meone, and live entertainment. Over 5,000 kids participate annually. Free admission.

Victorian-era festival featuring A Christmas Carol performances, period costumes, carolers, Dickensian characters, and holiday shopping. Transforms the village into 19th-century London. Free admission.

Nightly synchronized light display on Lake Meone with thousands of LED lights set to holiday music. Shore region's premier free Christmas lights attraction draws 100,000+ visitors season-long.

Free outdoor music festival on Bay Avenue featuring live bands, food vendors, craft beer, and waterfront views. Draws 5,000+ visitors annually.

Independence Day fireworks spectacular over Great Egg Harbor Bay, best viewed from Bay Avenue waterfront restaurants and parks.

Official start of summer season with live music at Bay Avenue bars, waterfront dining specials, and extended hours across the strip.

Weekly summer car show in downtown Somers Point featuring classic cars, hot rods, and muscle cars. Free admission with food trucks and live music.

Annual back bay fishing competition for flounder, weakfish, and blues. Launch from Somers Point marinas with prizes for largest catch.

Free Friday summer concerts at William Morrow Beach starting at 7pm, featuring tribute bands, local musicians, and nationally recognized performers.

Somers Point holiday tradition featuring a parade from Dawes Avenue to City Hall with floats, marching bands, and Santa, followed by tree lighting at sunset.

Weekly farmers market at Somers Mansion grounds featuring 47+ local vendors, fresh produce, baked goods, and free tours of the historic 1720s mansion.

Annual New Year's Day tradition with community beach plunge at noon, followed by Winter Festival with chili cookoff, hot soups, live music, and inflatable games at St. James Hall. Family-friendly celebration welcoming the new year.

Spring celebration featuring 90+ vendors with local crafts, handmade goods, live music, food trucks, beer garden, and children's activities. Community kickoff to the summer season on Ventnor Avenue.

Free weekly concert series running since 1973 on Sunset Beach at 7 PM. Family-friendly community tradition with local and regional bands, food vendors, and sunset views over the ocean.

Weekly farmers market from 8 AM to noon at Ventnor Library parking lot. Features local produce, baked goods, artisan crafts, and specialty foods from regional vendors.

Weekly beach party series with live music, activities for kids, and family entertainment on the sand. Popular gathering spot for locals and visitors throughout peak summer season.

Community celebration with beach activities, live music, and prime boardwalk viewing of Atlantic City fireworks display. Family-friendly festivities throughout the day leading up to evening fireworks.

Premier food festival at Ski Beach featuring fresh seafood, craft beer, live music, cooking demonstrations, and Chowder Cook-Off competition. Family-friendly celebration of Jersey Shore culinary traditions with 90+ vendors.

Annual Halloween parade through Ventnor Avenue with costumed children, decorated floats, and community participation. Long-running tradition attracting families from across Absecon Island.