Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 11/16/2023
(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Atlantic City, voted one of the "25 Best Christmas Towns in the USA" by Travel + Leisure, is the ultimate destination this holiday season with the return of the spectacular Atlantic City Tinseltown Holiday Experience. The citywide celebration, now in its second year, offers visitors an array of festive events throughout the resort during the month of December.
“We are thrilled to once again present this experiential holiday celebration to our visitors," said Karen Martin, Director of Communications & Marketing for the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA). "From the exciting entertainment at our casinos to festive events throughout the resort for all ages, we welcome everyone to come and embrace the spirit of the holiday season.”
Following an assortment of holiday shows scheduled over Thanksgiving weekend, the grand kick off of the Atlantic City Tinseltown Holiday Experience takes place on Friday, December 1, 2023, with a tree-lighting ceremony just off the world-famous Boardwalk at The Yard at Bally's Atlantic City Casino Resort, which will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland all month long.
Amidst the resort’s world-class dining, vibrant nightlife, and exciting attractions, throughout the month of December visitors can enjoy an array of joyful events and celebrations, including a spectacular lineup of holiday entertainment at the casinos, holiday-themed pop-up lounges, and a Tinseltown Holiday Cocktail and Mocktail Trail.
Listed below are some of the happenings taking place across Atlantic City. More events will be announced soon – including Atlantic City’s various New Year’s Eve celebrations – and will be included in the comprehensive holiday event listings at ACTinseltown.com.
HOLIDAY EVENTS
Deck the Hall - Festival of Trees (Boardwalk Hall, Dec. 1-31)
Tinseltown Holiday Cocktail & Mocktail Trail (Throughout December)
Noyes Holiday Market & Gingerbread Village (Noyes Arts Garage, Dec. 2 & 3; ongoing gingerbread display during December)
Winter Wonderland Holiday Parade (with grand marshal Kelsey Grammer, Dec. 2, rain date Dec. 9)
Luminary Light Festival (Dec. 9, Absecon Lighthouse)
Steel Pier Holiday Wheel (Dec. 9, Steel Pier)
Pastry Series with Chef Thaddeus: Holiday Edition (Dec. 9, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino)
Mistletoe Market (Dec. 16, Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall)
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
Christmas in the Air (Borgata Casino Hotel & Spa, Nov. 24-Dec. 24)
Sarah Brightman: A Christmas Symphony (Ocean Casino Resort, Nov. 25)
Atlantic City Ballet: It’s a Shore Holiday (Caesars Atlantic City, Nov. 25)
The Sharpe Family Singers (Resorts Casino Hotel, Nov. 25)
Doo Wop Christmas (Tropicana Resort & Casino, Nov. 30)
Santa’s Christmas Wonderland (Harrah’s Atlantic City, Dec. 7-10)
Il Divo: A New Holiday Tour (Ocean Casino Resort, Dec. 9)
Holiday Dreams: A Spectacular Holiday Cirque (Golden Nugget Atlantic City, Dec. 9)
A Dickens of a Murder: A Holiday Murder Mystery (Resorts Casino Hotel, Dec. 9)
Cirque Musica: Holiday Wonderland (Tropicana Resort & Casino, Dec. 9 & 10)
Swing into Christmas - Benefiting Toys for Toys (Resorts Casino Hotel, Dec. 10)
Lindsey Stirling: Snow Waltz Tour (Caesars Atlantic City, Dec. 15)
Engelbert Humperdinck (Hard Rock, Dec. 15)
Atlantic City Ballet: The Nutcracker (Caesars Atlantic City, Dec. 16)
Matteo Bocelli (Hard Rock, Dec. 16)
The Modern Gentlemen: You Make It Feel Like Christmas (Resorts Casino Hotel, Dec. 16)
My Big Gay Italian Christmas (Ocean Casino Resort, Dec. 16)
AREA ATTRACTIONS
Storybook Land: Just 10 miles outside of Atlantic City, this beloved family attraction transforms into a “Christmas Fantasy with Lights” through Friday, December 30.
Historic Smithville transforms into a winter wonderland, including the return of its floating Holiday Light Show, Magical Talking Tree, and Christmas Train (Nov. 23-Jan. 5) and Dickens Festival (Nov. 26-27).
Additionally, now through Dec. 24, visitors have a chance to win an Atlantic City holiday getaway package, including overnight stays, food & beverage credits, spa treatments, and concert tickets. To enter the giveaway, visit AtlanticCityNJ.com.
The only agency of its kind nationwide, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority has used Atlantic City casino reinvestments as a catalyst for meaningful, positive improvement in the lives of New Jersey residents since 1984. Under the 2011 Tourism District Act, the Authority's mission evolved from statewide projects to becoming the state's key economic development agency for Atlantic City. CRDA's expanded responsibilities now include land use regulation, tourism marketing and clean and safe initiatives. The CRDA also oversees Historic Boardwalk Hall (the leading entertainment venue of its size in the country) and the Atlantic City Convention Center. In total, CRDA has invested nearly $2 billion in more than 400 projects statewide, of which $1.8 billion has been invested in Atlantic City, spurring business investments and expansions, and creating permanent jobs in the process
EVENT PREVIEWS
Garden State Wine Growers Association presents SIPS, STARS & STRIPES: A NJ Wine Revolution on May 30th
The Garden State Wine Growers Association (GSWGA) has announced the cancellation of Sips, Stars & Stripes: A NJ Wine Revolution, originally scheduled for May 30, 2026. The decision comes in response to the unprecedented freeze events that impacted vineyards across New Jersey during April 2026. According to vineyard managers and growers throughout the state, prolonged overnight temperatures below freezing caused extensive and widespread damage to grapevines in nearly every wine-producing region of New Jersey.
State Theatre New Jersey's A Night in Lights Annual Benefit Gala to Take Place May 30th
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey (STNJ) invites the community to its signature fundraising event, A Night in Lights Annual Benefit Gala, on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Christopher's Restaurant & Bar located inside The Heldrich Hotel. This highly anticipated evening directly supports STNJ's arts education and community engagement programs, which serve more than 30,000 children and families each year.
North Jersey Artists, Leaders and Businesses Invited to Shape Region's Cultural and Economic Future at Community Gathering on National Heritage Area Designation
(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation (NNJCF) invites artists, community leaders, business owners, cultural organizations, and residents to participate in Community Conversation: National Heritage Area in New Jersey on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 from 6:15pm to 7:45pm at the South Orange Performing Arts Center.
Visual Arts Center of New Jersey to Celebrate Spring Exhibitions with a Community Day on June 6th
(SUMMIT, NJ) -- On Saturday, June 6, 2026, the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey will celebrate its spring exhibitions with a Community Day event. The day, which will feature artist-led walks around Summit, a live podcast recording, and drop-in workshops, will run from 10:00am to 2:00pm.
"The Global Game: The Future of Soccer, Tech & Media Summit" returns on June 9th
(NEWARK, NJ) -- GK Digital Ventures, in partnership with Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), has announced the return of "The Global Game: The Future of Soccer, Tech & Media Summit," set to take place on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. Following its acclaimed inaugural edition, the second annual summit arrives at the most significant moment in U.S. soccer history: New Jersey is hosting eight matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup — including the Final — placing the Garden State at the center of a global spotlight.
Wine & BBQ Fest to Take Place in Sewell June 13-14
(SEWELL, NJ) -- FIRE UP YOUR SUMMER! After years of unforgettable summers at Washington Lake Park, the team behind the beloved Washington Lake Park Wine Festival returns to this stunning South Jersey destination—this time with a bold new twist. Get ready to kick off summer in smoky, savory style at the WINE & BBQ FEST, happening June 13-14, 2026 at Washington Lake Park in Sewell, New Jersey, from 12:00pm–5:00pm each day.
Red Mill Museum Village and Hunterdon Art Museum Partner for "The Peace Flag Project"
(CLINTON, NJ) -- The Red Mill Museum Village and the Hunterdon Art Museum, in collaboration with Handwork 2026, invite the public to celebrate the opening of "The Peace Flag Project," a fiber chain of hundreds of community-made flags displayed along the banks of the Raritan River and pedestrian bridge.
UBS Arena To Host International Soccer Watch Party on June 19th
(BELMONT PARK, NY) -- UBS Arena will host an International Soccer Watch Party, a public screening of two of the FIFA World Cup 26 (TM) matches on Friday, June 19 featuring USA v. Australia and Haiti v. Brazil. The fan-focused events will highlight all the excitement the tournament is bringing to the New York Metro area this summer and provide local residents with a unique way to experience these soccer matches together as a community.
2026 Princeton Festival to Take Place June 5-21 at Morven Museum & Garden
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) is pleased to announce that world-renowned bel canto soprano Sondra Radvanovsky and The Bacon Brothers, Michael and Kevin, are scheduled to perform at the 2026 Princeton Festival. At the core of the Festival, there is live opera with Festival veteran and current Met Opera star Toni Marie Palmertree returning to sing the title role in Puccini's Madama Butterfly. These major stars typify the quality of musical offerings to be found at this year's Festival which runs from June 5-21 on the grounds of Morven Museum & Garden.
Jersey City Theater Center presents 2026 Voices International Theatre and Arts Festival
(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Jersey City Theater Center (JCTC) presents its signature Voices International Theatre and Arts Festival from June 4-26, 2026 across multiple venues in Jersey City, and the Professional Voices Festival Conference on June 11 at White Eagle Hall.
MORE EVENTS
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