Atlantic City Concerts

An Overview of Atlantic City Concerts

Atlantic City is a hub for entertainment, offering visitors an array of options for fun and relaxation. One of the biggest draws to the city is its live music scene, with a wide variety of concerts and shows taking place throughout the year. From big-name headliners to up-and-coming artists, there is something for everyone in America’s Playground, with plenty of great available venues.

Whether you're a local or a tourist, Atlantic City concerts do not only offer some of the biggest names in music, but attendees also get to enjoy the city's vibrant atmosphere and lively crowds. With so many concerts to choose from, visitors can make their trip to Atlantic City even more exciting by planning their visit around a specific show or event.

History of Shows in Atlantic City

Atlantic City has a rich history of hosting fun and interesting concerts. From the Roaring 20s to the present day, the city has been a hub for live music, attracting millions of fans each year. Let’s remember the Monopoly board was actually based on this town’s vibrant early 20th-century scene!

In the flapper days, Atlantic City was best known for its boardwalk and beach, but it was also home to a number of large theaters and ballrooms. These venues quickly became popular spots for live music and dancing, and soon, some of the biggest names in music often called this vibrant New Jersey city their home. Fans of period show Boardwalk Empire will remember the stories of Nucky Thompson and the glamor and drama of Atlantic City’s Prohibition years.

One of the most famous venues in Atlantic City was the Steel Pier, which was built in 1898 and quickly became a popular destination for tourists. In the 1920s, the pier began hosting concerts and shows, and it soon became a top spot for live music; it would grow to have entertainment legends like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Bob Hope and even The Three Stooges. For the first seven decades of the 20th century, the Steel Pier was one of the most important venues in the US, and its amusement park continues to be a top attraction in town.

Atlantic City continued to attract top talent in the latter half of the 20th century, with legendary acts ranging from British Invasion bands like The Rolling Stones and The Beatles to full Americana like Elvis Presley and New Jersey native Bruce Springsteen. The city gained notoriety for hosting rock concerts and country music acts; it also had a vibrant jazz scene, particularly at Club Harlem, a nightclub that saw the likes of Sammy Davis Jr. (and his Rat Pack friends), Gladys Knight, Louis Armstrong and Lena Horne. In the 1980s, Atlantic City became a popular spot for rock concerts, with bands like Guns N' Roses and Bon Jovi playing at the city's casinos.

In the 1990s, Atlantic City's concert scene continued to grow, with the opening of the 12,000-seat Mark G. Etess Arena at the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort, which is now the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. This venue hosted concerts by artists like Springsteen, Madonna, and Elton John, and became one of the premier concert venues on the East Coast.

Today, Atlantic City continues to be a top destination for live music. The city's casinos and theaters host concerts throughout the year, featuring a wide range of musical genres.

Atlantic City Beach Concerts

While Atlantic City has entertainment throughout the year, the summer months are the town’s primetime — and we’ve all got the Boardwalk to thank for that! During the hottest months, the beaches near the Boardwalk, running along the city’s coastline, fill up with fun concerts and events.

Top Concert Venues in Atlantic City

The city's top venues include the Boardwalk Hall Arena, the Borgata Events Center, Caesars Atlantic City, and Tropicana Casino Showroom. As a city with a tradition of parties and gambling, you can find plenty of venues located within casino hotels, such as Sound Waves at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, and the Ovation Hall At Ocean City Resort Casino. These venues host concerts of all genres, from rock and pop to hip-hop and country. Smaller venues also draw popular acts, like the Golden Nugget. With so many options, visitors are sure to find a concert that suits their tastes and budget!

Atlantic City Concerts This Week & Beyond

The Atlantic City summer is lined up with fantastic concerts! Don’t miss out on big names like Keith Urban, Machine Gun Kelly, Megadeth and Sting playing at the Hard Rock Live At Etess Arena, Evanescence at the Ovation Hall at Ocean City Resort Casino, The Beach Boys at Caesars Atlantic City, Boyz II Men at the Borgata Event Center, and Wu-Tang Clan & Nas at the Boardwalk Hall Arena.