Atlantic City, NJ – June 13, 2025 – The New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) has officially revealed its exciting 2025 summer entertainment lineup, promising free live concerts at prime venues such as Kennedy Plaza, Chicken Bone Beach, and Gardner’s Basin from June through September.
Summer Concert Series: A Celebration of Music
This year’s diverse programming includes three unique concert series designed to draw both residents and visitors to Atlantic City’s vibrant entertainment scene.
Mardi Gras AC Series at Kennedy Plaza
The Mardi Gras AC series, curated by Tony Mart Presents, will feature 11 free concerts every Wednesday at 7:00 PM from June 25 to September 3 at Kennedy Plaza, located directly on the Boardwalk across from the iconic Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. This series promises a stellar lineup of award-winning artists across various genres, including blues, rock, funk, Americana, jazz, and rhythm and blues (R&B).
Featured Artists:
- June 25: Jammin’ Jersey Nola Funk Fest featuring Ocean Avenue Stompers, Soul Project NOLA, and Dogs in a Pile’s Jimmy Law and Jerry Kaplan
- July 2: Sam Morrow and a tribute to ’70s Funk and Soul with Will Power
- July 9: Reggae vibes with Third World Band and SensaMotion
- July 16: Grammy-nominated Chicago blues queen Shemekia Copeland alongside Grammy-winning saxophonist Jimmy Carpenter
- July 23: The legendary Gary U.S. Bonds with The Roadhouse Rockers and The Billy Walton Band
- July 30: Ivan Neville and Dumpstaphunk, a New Orleans funk and rock sensation
- August 6: Galactic, the acclaimed American funk band
- August 13: A Chicago tribute with Dave Damiani’s No Vacancy Orchestra and Beginnings
- August 20: Devon Allman’s Blues Summit featuring notable artists like Jimmy Hall
- August 27: Dead-Zep, a Led Zeppelin and Grateful Dead mashup experience
- September 3: Classic Pop Star Finale featuring The Cowsills and Glen Burtnik from Styx
Chicken Bone Beach Jazz Concert Series
Another highlight this summer is the Chicken Bone Beach Jazz Concert Series, returning every Thursday at 7:00 PM from July 3 through September 4 at Kennedy Plaza. This series showcases Atlantic City’s rich jazz heritage with performances designed for cultural enthusiasts.
Jazz Lineup:
- July 3: Chief Adjuad (formerly known as Christian Scott) with Tony Day and Across the Globe Music Group
- July 10: Special EFX featuring Chieli Minucci and Dahi Divine
- July 17: Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, along with Gina Roche Quintet
- July 24: Keyon Harrold and Eddie Morgan & Rek’D 4 Jazz
- July 31: Vijay Iyer Trio with Adam O’Farrill and Soundever
- August 7: Isaiah Collier and Keith Hollis Quartet
- August 14: Marel Hidalgo Organ Trio featuring Roger Humphries and Pat Bianchi
- August 21: Gabrielle Cavassa and Kevin Valentine
- August 28: The Papo Vazquez Band with Dwain Davis and Friends
- September 4: Helen Sung’s “Big Band and Beyond” with the Bert Harris Afro-Jazz Collective
Historic Gardner’s Basin Concerts
The summer fun extends to Historic Garden’s Basin with concerts hosted by The National R&B Music Society, featuring legendary soul and R&B artists in a picturesque waterfront setting.
Upcoming Shows:
Two concerts are scheduled:
- Saturday, June 21: A 6.5-hour extravaganza starting at 1:00 PM featuring Joe Bataan, Meli’Sa Morgan, and an impressive list of opening acts.
- Saturday, July 26: A full afternoon showcase from 1:00 PM featuring Russell Thompkins Jr. & The New Stylistics, and more.
Guests are encouraged to bring coolers, lawn chairs, and umbrellas for these enjoyable outdoor performances.
Join the Fun!
All concerts are free and open to the public. For detailed schedules and further information on this vibrant summer entertainment, visit Atlantic City’s official tourism website or contact the Atlantic City Visitor Information Center at (609) 449-7100.
