The Atlantic City Beer And Music Festival
Last Call
4-11-2026
The Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival made its final call on April 11, bringing together more than 80 breweries, six bands, and a packed lineup of food and attractions. This year carried extra weight as it marked the festival’s 20th anniversary, a milestone made possible by Good Time Tricycle, Visit AC, and Near Dark Entertainment. What could have just been another great year instead felt like something bigger, a full circle moment for an event that has become part of the culture of Atlantic City.
On the beer side, the selection was as strong as ever. Breweries like Asbury Park Brewery, Departed Soles, which once again took home the honor of Best Beer, Behr Brewing, Rusty Rail Brewing, and Icarus Brewing were just a few of the names pouring. In total, there were more than 300 beers to work through, whether you were chasing something familiar or looking to try something completely new. The layout made it easy to bounce around, talk with brewers, and take your time with each pour instead of rushing through the experience.
The music lineup matched the energy in the room. Bayside closed out Session One with a set that pulled the crowd in, while The Starting Line headlined Session Two and delivered the kind of performance that longtime fans have come to expect. MakeWar, Iron Chic, Like Roses, and Public Works rounded things out with strong sets of their own. Between bands, DJ Dave Mass kept the momentum going and made sure there was never a lull. The music gave people a reason to pause, regroup, and then dive right back into the festival.
Beyond the beer and music, the attractions added another layer to the day. Jousting, mechanical shark rides, beer pong, and toilet racing gave people a chance to step away from their cups and just have fun. One of the best parts of the festival was simply watching people lean into those moments, laughing with friends, cheering each other on, and not taking any of it too seriously. That sense of fun has always been a big part of what makes this event stand out.
What really stuck this year was the feeling that it meant something more. It felt like a celebration of the past 20 years and all the memories tied to it. For many, this festival has been a yearly tradition, a place to reconnect, discover new favorites, and be part of something that feels genuine. To keep something like this going for two decades is not easy, and it speaks to the vision behind it.
Jon Henderson and the team at Good Time Tricycle have built more than just a festival. They have created an experience that people look forward to year after year. Even as this chapter closes, the impact of what they built is not going anywhere.
The Atlantic City beer and music festival
Bayside
The Starting Line
Makerwar
Iron Chic
Like Roses
Public WorksÂ
