Jerry Seinfeld, the Killers and More: Atlantic City’s Offseason Goes Far Beyond Just Gaming

As gamblers occupied tables and slots at Atlantic City’s Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Saturday night, a vastly different scene unfolded within the site’s Etess Arena.

There, the sounds of slot machines were drowned out by the rhythmic guitars and famous harmonies of the Beach Boys, who delivered good vibrations with a festive twist. The band’s current iteration, led by lead singer and original co-founder Mike Love, stopped in New Jersey on its “‘Tis the Season” tour, which features the Holiday Vibrations Orchestra.

The performance, a 35-song set with an intermission, included some of the Beach Boys’ most popular hits, such as “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” “I Get Around,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “Kokomo” and “Good Vibrations.” But the group, which first rose to fame in the early 1960s—albeit with a vastly different roster of members—also paused the nostalgia for holiday classics throughout the concert. With takes on “White Christmas,” “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Frosty the Snowman,” as well as originals like “Little Saint Nick,” the Beach Boys blended their expected fun-in-the-sun style with seasonal tunes fit for a crisp December evening.

The show was a reminder that the city referred to as America’s Playground has more to offer than just betting and gaming during the winter, when the cold weather leaves Atlantic City’s beaches and historic Boardwalk rather empty (often resulting in discounted hotel rates!). In addition to boasting delicious restaurants and other entertainment options in the casino resorts, the area attracts an array of famous bands, musicians and comedians—even when temperatures drop.

[RELATED: Is Atlantic City Finally On a Roll?]

Below are just some of the acts and holiday celebrations coming to Atlantic City’s casinos while it’s too chilly to enjoy the sand and surf.

Hard Rock’s Etess Arena holds 7,000 people at full capacity. Photo courtesy of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

• December 9–10: Greta Van Fleet
• December 30–31: Earth, Wind & Fire
• February 10–11: Def Leppard & Mötley Crüe
• February 16–18: Billy Strings
• March 16: The Killers

Borgata

• December 10: Nikki Glaser
• December 10: Jerry Seinfeld
• January 14: Dancing With the Stars – 2023 Live
• January 15: Sidewalk Angels featuring Rob Thomas
• January 28: Whitney Cummings
• March 3: Smokey Robinson

• March 25: Chaka Khan

No one knows New Jersey like we do. Sign up for one (or more!) of our newsletters to get the best of where we live sent to your inbox every week. Want a print magazine mailed to your home? Purchase an issue from our online store.