The Jersey Shore has always had a soundtrack. Long before major festivals became economic engines and before summer concert calendars stretched across every coastal town, there were legendary venues that helped define American popular music for generations of fans. Few places carried that legacy more powerfully than Tony Mart’s, the iconic Somers Point nightclub that helped shape the musical identity of South Jersey for nearly four decades.
Today, that spirit lives on in one of the most ambitious and entertaining concert series on the East Coast. Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk returns to Atlantic City in 2026 with an extraordinary lineup of free concerts that celebrate blues, rock, soul, funk, zydeco, New Orleans traditions, classic rock, Americana, jam bands, and the enduring legacy of live music at the Jersey Shore.
Presented by Tony Mart Presents at Kennedy Plaza along the Atlantic City Boardwalk, the series transforms the beachfront into a musical gathering place where generations of music fans can come together and experience artists whose careers span decades of American music history. Running from June through September, the festival combines the energy of New Orleans, the soul of Memphis, the creativity of the Jersey Shore, and the communal spirit that has always defined great live music.
The story behind the festival is every bit as compelling as the performers who take the stage.
Tony Mart’s was never simply a nightclub. It was a cultural institution. Founded by Sicilian immigrant Anthony Marotta Sr. after he purchased Schick’s Tavern in Somers Point in 1944, the venue evolved from a modest tavern and piano bar into one of the most important rock-and-roll clubs on the East Coast.
Known throughout its history as “The Showplace of the World,” “Where Friends Meet,” “The Mart,” and “Smiling Tony’s,” the venue welcomed generations of musicians and fans while serving as a front-row seat to the evolution of American popular music. From the final years of the swing era through the birth of rock and roll, the British Invasion, soul music, psychedelic rock, disco, punk, new wave, and classic rock, Tony Mart’s remained at the center of it all.
National stars including Conway Twitty, Bill Haley and the Comets, Duane Eddy, and Del Shannon performed there. Perhaps most famously, Tony Mart’s became part of music history when Bob Dylan encountered Levon and The Hawks in 1965, helping launch what would become one of the most influential groups in American music history: The Band.
The venue also secured its place in pop culture when the cult classic film Eddie and the Cruisers was filmed there during its final year of operation in 1982.
Even decades after its closing, the influence of Tony Mart’s continues to resonate throughout New Jersey’s music community. The modern Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk series is not merely a concert series. It is an extension of that legacy, preserving the spirit of musical discovery, community gathering, and live performance excellence that made Tony Mart’s legendary.
The 2026 Wednesday Night Mardi Gras Concert Series offers one of the strongest lineups in its history.
The season opens June 24 with the Tony Mart Allstars Superstar Rock Tribute, bringing together an all-star collection of Jersey Shore musicians including Billy Walton, Patty Balbo, Danny Eyer, Patty Blee, and numerous additional performers celebrating the music of rock’s greatest icons.
On July 1, internationally acclaimed guitarist Ana Popovic arrives with her powerful Fantastafunk ensemble, blending blues, funk, rock, and soul with the kind of explosive energy that has earned her worldwide recognition. Joining the evening are the Ocean Avenue Stompers featuring Brian Murray of Dogs In A Pile, delivering a brass-driven New Orleans street-party atmosphere.
July 8 welcomes Louisiana blues powerhouse Tab Benoit, one of modern blues music’s most respected performers. His appearance alongside Sgt. Splendor promises an evening rooted in Gulf Coast traditions and electrifying guitar work.
The following week features five-time Grammy nominee Shemekia Copeland, one of contemporary blues music’s most celebrated voices. Joining her will be Soul Project NOLA, continuing the festival’s commitment to showcasing authentic New Orleans musical traditions.
Perhaps one of the most anticipated evenings arrives July 22 with a tribute to New Orleans and the musical legacy of Dr. John. The evening features George Porter Jr. and Runnin’ Pardners. As a founding member of The Meters and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Porter remains one of the most influential bass players in American music. Also appearing is John “Papa” Gros, whose tribute to musical giants such as Allen Toussaint, Billy Preston, and Levon Helm perfectly complements the evening’s celebration of American roots music.
Classic rock fans will have their moment on July 29 when Mitch Ryder arrives for a special appearance. With seventeen chart hits, five Top Ten singles, and enduring classics such as “Devil With The Blue Dress,” Ryder represents one of the most important voices of rock’s golden era.
August continues with a remarkable collection of artists representing multiple musical traditions.
Terrance Simien and The Zydeco Experience bring their Grammy-winning blend of Creole music and Louisiana culture to the Boardwalk on August 5. On August 12, Ivan Neville and Dumpstaphunk arrive to celebrate the music of Sly and the Family Stone while carrying forward one of New Orleans’ most respected musical bloodlines.
August 19 features one of the season’s most iconic performers. Booker T. Jones, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, and leader of Booker T. & the MG’s, brings decades of musical excellence to Atlantic City. Sharing the bill is the Billy Walton Band with The Plaid Salmon Horns, delivering Jersey Shore rock and soul at its finest.
On August 26, Dead Zep offers a unique fusion of Grateful Dead improvisation and Led Zeppelin power, joined by acclaimed vocalist Hayley Jane. The combination promises one of the summer’s most creative and adventurous performances.
The Wednesday series concludes September 2 with Love TKO: The Official Teddy Pendergrass Tribute. Featuring original members of Teddy’s band, the evening celebrates the legendary Philadelphia soul sound that helped define an era. The Ashcats and The Plaid Salmon Horns complete the lineup for what promises to be a spectacular season finale.
Equally exciting is the Lundi Gras Monday Night Concert Series, which delivers five additional free performances during August.
The series begins August 3 with New Jersey music legend Gary U.S. Bonds and The Houserockers. Few performers can claim a career spanning seven decades while maintaining connections to everyone from Dick Clark to Bruce Springsteen. Songs such as “Quarter to Three,” “New Orleans,” and “This Little Girl” remain foundational pieces of rock-and-roll history. Joining him is Anthony Krizan, known for his work with Spin Doctors and collaborations connected to the Hendrix legacy.
August 10 brings Tommy Castro and The Painkillers, one of blues music’s most decorated touring acts. Castro’s blend of blues, rock, soul, and roots music has earned him multiple Blues Music Awards and international acclaim.
Dana Fuchs headlines August 17, bringing her powerhouse vocals and commanding stage presence to Atlantic City. Known for her portrayal of Janis Joplin and her role in Across The Universe, Fuchs is joined by Funktastic Voyage, a ten-piece celebration of Earth, Wind & Fire, War, Prince, Chaka Khan, and classic funk legends.
August 24 delivers a dream evening for jam-band and Southern rock fans with a Celebration of The Allman Brothers Band’s legendary Live at Fillmore East album. Featuring Melody Trucks, Vaylor Trucks, Peter Levin, Lamar Williams Jr., and the Fitzkee Brothers, the performance honors one of the most influential live recordings ever made.
The series concludes August 31 with Flow Tribe, the New Orleans-based powerhouse known for turning every performance into a joyful celebration. Their combination of funk, rock, soul, improvisation, and Crescent City energy provides a fitting finale to a summer-long musical journey.
The significance of Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk extends beyond its impressive lineup.
The festival represents a living continuation of the values that made Tony Mart’s legendary. It celebrates musical excellence. It welcomes multiple generations. It honors New Jersey’s place in American music history while embracing influences from around the world. Most importantly, it remains accessible to everyone through free public performances that invite residents and visitors alike to gather around live music.
The series also arrives at a particularly meaningful moment for the Tony Mart family and community. Following serious health challenges last year, Carmen Marotta recently returned to the stage with the Tony Mart Allstars, reminding audiences that the spirit behind the institution remains very much alive. The good times continue to roll, not as nostalgia, but as an active celebration of a musical tradition that continues inspiring new audiences.
As thousands gather throughout the summer at Kennedy Plaza overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, they are participating in something much larger than a concert series. They are becoming part of a story that stretches back more than eighty years, connecting the golden age of the Jersey Shore nightclub scene with the future of live music in New Jersey.
For music lovers, history enthusiasts, and anyone seeking the authentic spirit of a Jersey Shore summer, Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk stands as one of the most remarkable entertainment experiences anywhere in the Garden State. It is a celebration of music, community, memory, and the enduring belief that great songs still have the power to bring people together.
