Atlantic City Prepares for a Landmark Farewell as the Beer and Music Festival Marks Its Final Year

Atlantic City will take center stage for one last, large-scale celebration of craft beer and live music when the Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival returns for its 20th and final edition on Saturday, April 11, 2026. Hosted inside the expansive Atlantic City Convention Center, the event stands as both a capstone to a two-decade legacy and one of the most anticipated dates on New Jersey’s festival calendar. For longtime attendees and first-timers alike, this closing chapter represents a rare opportunity to experience a defining event that helped elevate the region’s craft beer culture to national relevance.

The festival’s format remains true to what made it a success, while leaning fully into the scope and scale that have defined its later years. More than 80 breweries are expected to participate, offering an extensive tasting lineup that spans classic styles, modern favorites, and experimental pours. From hop-forward IPAs and rich stouts to lagers, sours, and seasonal specialties, the tasting floor is designed to be both approachable and adventurous, encouraging guests to explore widely while engaging directly with the people behind the beer. This breadth reflects the diversity of the state’s brewing scene, a landscape that continues to grow and evolve as highlighted through Explore New Jersey’s ongoing coverage of beer and breweries across the region.

The day is divided into two distinct sessions, each curated to deliver a unique experience while maintaining the same core access to breweries, vendors, and entertainment. The afternoon session runs from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and features a live performance by Bayside, setting an energetic tone for daytime tastings and early arrivals. The evening session follows from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., closing out the festival with The Starting Line, whose set is expected to resonate deeply with a crowd ready to celebrate the event’s final moments in full.

Admission includes access to beer tastings from all participating breweries, live music stages, interactive demonstrations, and a wide array of vendors and experiences spread throughout the convention center. Each ticket also comes with a commemorative mug, a tradition that has become a collectible for returning fans and a tangible reminder of the festival’s legacy. General admission tickets are currently priced around $80 plus applicable taxes and fees, with final pricing subject to change depending on vendor and availability.

Extending the weekend beyond Saturday is a limited-capacity bonus event designed for dedicated enthusiasts seeking a more intimate setting. On Friday, April 10, 2026, the Rare Beer Festival will take place from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Anchor Rock Club in Atlantic City. This one-night gathering offers a scaled-down environment focused on small-batch, hard-to-find, and specialty releases, paired with direct access to brewers and curated food offerings. Tickets for this exclusive experience are priced at $90 plus tax and fees, reflecting both the limited attendance and the rarity of the pours.

Strictly limited to guests 21 and over, the Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival remains a cornerstone event that blends tasting, music, and interactive entertainment into a single immersive environment. As it approaches its final year, the 2026 edition is positioned not merely as another festival date, but as a definitive farewell that honors its history while delivering the full-scale experience attendees have come to expect. For anyone looking to be part of a moment that helped shape New Jersey’s craft beer identity, this final gathering in Atlantic City stands as a must-attend event on the 2026 calendar.