July Activities in Atlantic City

With coronavirus restrictions being lifted last month, we can look forward to even more Atlantic City events here in July. And it’s not just Independence Day events — though there are plenty of those. 

Here’s a list of seven upcoming Atlantic City activities to keep you entertained this July.

July 1 onward: Cirque Risque

The hot summer nights of July begin with Cirque Risque, the infamous display of sensuality mixed with circus-style performance. Watch aerialists, contortionists, comedians, and more thrill and excite audiences in a sexy showcase of talent.

General admission is $25, which will get you seats on the sides of the ring. There’s also preferred seating going for $35, which has you in the middle section in front of the ring. And you can buy VIP tickets for $65, which puts you in one of the first three rows, up close and personal.

The performances will be a regular occurrence through September, but don’t get complacent just because you have a few months to go see this event. Some gossip says that the tickets sell out fast.

Bring a date to a sexy evening of thrills. It’s all happening at Showboat, located at 801 Boardwalk.

July 4: Fireworks Displays

You can catch fireworks shows at multiple casinos on the 4th of July.

First up is the fireworks display at Borgata, starting at 9:20 p.m. The event will kick off with New Jersey native Mara Justine performing the National Anthem. Justine rocketed to fame as a contestant on American Idol, making it all the way to the Top 14.

The casino has contracted with Fireworks by Grucci for the event — noteworthy displays they’ve done in the past include the Brooklyn Bridge Centennial, the Olympic Games in Salt Lake City and Beijing, and a Guinness World Record-setting display in Dubai in 2014 for New Year’s Eve.

Public viewing is available from the casino’s Surface Lot, with access beginning at 6 p.m. Self-parking is available for $5, or you can valet for $10.

Next up, you can see the fireworks from the Tropicana while you’re traversing the Boardwalk. Their fireworks start at 10 p.m. and are free for everyone to view.

July 4: Silent Disco on the Pier

If you’d rather sing and dance to your heart’s content on the 4th of July, Quiet Events is throwing a Silent Disco on the pier at Showboat. The 36,000 square foot pier area will become an all-ages silent disco where attendants get a pair of headphones to listen to three different music options. One DJ will spin up the Top 40 and pop songs, another will provide the ‘80s & ‘90s throwback jams, and a third will be all about hip-hop.

The joy of a silent disco is that you get to pick which music you jam out to, and you don’t have to worry about your party’s loud music bothering anybody else. But it is fun to see which channel your friends are listening to (and to bust out your sweet dance moves).

Kids under 18 get in for $15, while general admission is $25. Hotel guests who haven’t otherwise purchased advance tickets can also get in for $25.

The gates open at 7 p.m., and the event goes til 11 p.m.

July 17-18: Atlantic City Vegan Food Festival

Vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike can all agree that when vegan food is good, anyone will gladly eat it. That’s why The Vegan Local is excited to bring back the Atlantic City Vegan Food Festival. 

The vendor list includes local vegan food trucks like Algorithm, Fabulous Fig, Mexi-Boys, and more. You’ll also find vegan vendors like Plantraw, Yeah Dawg, and Jennifer Lee’s Allergen Friendly and Vegan Shoppe. Bring your foodie friends to rub elbows with the rest of the plant-based Atlantic City community.

Saturday’s event runs from noon to 8 p.m., so the full day’s admission is $20. Sunday is a little shorter, going from noon to 5 p.m., so the admission for that day is only $15. It will all be held outside of Showboat.

July 23-25: Atlantic City Caribbean Carnival Weekend

Atlantic City Carnival is a vibrant event meant to celebrate the food, culture, and costumes of the Caribbean all weekend long.

Friday kicks off the event with a Flag Party at the Showboat Bourbon Room to get everyone ready to celebrate their heritage. Bring your flag and wear your island colors while DJs spin music and you get to mingle. Saturday will feature the White Party (also in the Bourbon Room), where everyone dresses in a sea of white to listen to live performances from top Caribbean performers.

Sunday winds down with a boat ride out on a party yacht pushing off from the dock at Gardner’s Basin, giving you a morning filled with music and fun. After the boat ride, head to the Chelsea Beach Bar for Soca on D Sand, a free event where everyone can cool down after the weekend fun.

Admission to the Friday Flag Party is $35, and the Saturday White Party is also $35. The Sunday boat ride is $30, and Soca on D Sand is free.

July 24: Knee High Knuckle Buster Micro Wrestling Championship

If you love wrestling, then you have to attend this championship bout. The Knee High Knuckle Buster Micro Wrestling Championship has everything you love about WWE-level wrestling with a small twist: Every wrestler is under 5 feet tall.

The competitors are nationally renowned touring wrestlers, bringing their talents to Atlantic City for the fourth year in a row. Not only will you get to watch some incredible action in the ring, but you’ll also have access to different food and drink vendors, plus a hot dog eating contest. 

General admission is $25 on a first-come, first-serve basis. You can also purchase tickets at the door for $30. Sorry, folks, but the VIP experience is already sold out.

The gates open at 6 p.m., with the weigh-in starting at 7 p.m. and the main event beginning at 8 p.m. Everything is going down at Ducktown Tavern, 2400 Atlantic Avenue.

July 31: ‘80s Extravaganza

Gen X and Elder Millennials, it’s time to break out the hairspray and get ready to feel like a super freak. For one day, you’ll get to hop in a Delorean and head back to your childhoods at the ‘80s Extravaganza. 

Marvel at the ‘80s cosplayers and watch the Michael Jackson performer bust a move, or groove while listening to the DJ and live band pumping out the ‘80s hits. Plus, you’ll get to play your favorite arcade games while popular movies from the decade play all night.

Try your skills in the UNO Tournament, or test your brain in the Rubik’s Cube Scavenger Hunt — the first person to find the cube wins $100. Or you can try your luck at the ‘80s Mystery Crate Raffle. The crate will be filled with all kinds of ‘80s loot and memorabilia.

Or, if you’re really feeling like you wanna dance with somebody, join the ‘80s Dance Off. Show off your best moonwalk or David Lee Roth splits for the judges, who’ll look for creativity, nostalgia, and pure passion. The winner will receive a boombox with cassette player, a trivia game, and VIP access to the next Showboat event, including hotel accommodations, three meals, and $200.

General admission is $30, which gets you a meal, photo op with cosplayers, and the chance to play on the arcade machines. $10 gets you into the Rubik’s Cube Scavenger Hunt, and the UNO Tournament is also $10. The Mystery Crate Raffle costs $20, and it’s only $10 to enter into the Dance Off. Of course, you could just buy the all-access pass for $60, which gets you into every event.

The party starts at 8 p.m. at the Showboat Bourbon Room, and it goes all the way to 2 a.m.

Hot Summer Nights in Atlantic City

From sexy circus acts to ‘80s nostalgia, you’ll have no shortage of fun events this July in Atlantic City. Grab your friends and plan your calendar together — you won’t be stuck at home this summer.