Atlantic City's Gardner’s Basin Lit Up the Shoreline with 2025’s Free Summer Music Series

Atlantic City turned up the volume this summer with the 2025 Free Summer Concert Series, which officially kicked off on June 21 and delivered 23 live performances across three major venues: Kennedy Plaza, Gardner’s Basin, and Chicken Bone Beach. The concert series, funded by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, gave both locals and visitors a reason to gather, dance, and celebrate the city’s rich cultural and musical heritage.

The festivities began at Gardner’s Basin, where the first Saturday event featured high-energy performances from artists like Joe Bataan, Meli’Sa Morgan, Full Force, The System, Lillo Thomas, and Jeff Redd. Hosted by Maurice “The Voice” Watts, the June 21 event also welcomed the return of the beloved food vendor Fish Heads, much to the delight of longtime fans. A follow-up concert at the same venue on July 26 kept the momentum going with performances from Russell Thompkins Jr. & The New Stylistics, Wilbert Hart, GQ, Blue Magic, Black Ivory, and The Ritchie Family, with local acts opening the show.

Kennedy Plaza served as the stage for the Mardi Gras AC concert series, which took place every Wednesday at 7 PM from June 25 to September 3. Produced by Tony Mart Presents, the lineup featured 11 funk- and soul-filled nights with standout acts like Ivan Neville & Dumpstaphunk, Shemekia Copeland, Jimmy Carpenter, and Galactic. The series culminated in a high-energy finale with The Cowsills and The Weeklings. In case of rain, performances were moved indoors to The Claridge Hotel, ensuring the show always went on.

On Thursday nights, Atlantic City celebrated jazz in its purest form through the Chicken Bone Beach Jazz Series. This 10-week series ran from July 3 to September 4, featuring a curated lineup of world-class jazz musicians including Chief Adjuah, Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, Vijay Iyer Trio, and Helen Sung’s Big Band. Each performance showcased the depth and diversity of jazz, honoring the historic significance of Chicken Bone Beach as a cultural hub.

The 2025 Free Summer Concert Series stood out not only for its incredible lineup but also for its community-first approach. Attendees were encouraged to bring their own chairs, umbrellas, and coolers, creating a relaxed, picnic-style atmosphere that emphasized connection and comfort.

With a wide variety of genres spanning funk, jazz, soul, R&B, and blues, the summer concert series served as a celebration of Atlantic City’s identity—rich in history, music, and cultural diversity. More than just entertainment, the series offered free, family-friendly fun that brought the city together under the summer sky.

For residents and visitors alike, the 2025 Free Summer Concert Series turned Atlantic City into a live music destination once again—proving that the best things in summer really are free.

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