PRESS RELEASE: Right on Time: Atlantic City Arts Foundation Presents 48 Blocks Festival
Right on Time: Atlantic City Arts Foundation Presents 48 Blocks Festival
Free, All-Ages Public Art Festival Returns September 19, 2026 in Uptown & Fisherman’s Parks
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — The Atlantic City Arts Foundation (ACAF) is proud to present its annual 48 Blocks Festival on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Staged in the picturesque setting of Uptown and Fisherman’s Parks in the Atlantic City Inlet, this free, family-friendly event brings together local artists, performers, neighborhood residents, and adventurous visitors for an unforgettable celebration of Atlantic City’s distinctive creative spirit that can be found across all 48 blocks. The 2026 festival theme ‘Right on Time’ is a meditation on trust, faith, and the synchronistic connections that lead us right where we need to be exactly when we need to be there.
"This festival is a true expression of love and care from the Atlantic City community," said Tina Notaro, Program Manager for Atlantic City Arts Foundation. "Every performance, every installation, all the unique and creative things to explore at the festival are all the result of countless hours of artistic practice and collaboration by individuals who are committed to sharing in this unique human experience, including all our volunteers, support staff, advisory board, and production partners who make it possible."
"We are thrilled to produce this second reinvented 48 Blocks Festival," shared Michael Atkins, Executive Director of the Atlantic City Arts Foundation. "We invite residents and visitors alike to enjoy Local Summer with us and a distinguished cast of visual and performing artists at Fisherman’s and Uptown Parks. We are grateful to the partnerships with Inlet CDC / Atlantic Cape Community College and the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority to help the Atlantic City Arts Foundation to grow this event into a shoulder season staple."
"The Inlet CDC and Atlantic Cape Community College are proud to serve as presenting sponsors for the 48 Blocks Festival as part of our commitment to expanding opportunity and community engagement in the Inlet neighborhood," said Dr. Natalie Devonish, Vice President, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Atlantic Cape Community College and Board President of the Inlet Community Development Corporation. "There’s so much positivity to celebrate in this neighborhood, what we like to call ‘Atlantic City’s best kept secret.’ The 48 Blocks Festival is a great reflection of our city’s positive momentum, and we are proud this public art festival is held in the Inlet. We look forward to celebrating Atlantic City's vibrant arts culture together on September 19."
Event Quick Facts
Event Title: 48 Blocks Festival 2026: Right On Time!
Date & Time: Saturday, September 19, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Rain Date: Sunday, September 20, 2026
Location: Uptown & Fisherman's Parks (420 Melrose Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 08401)
Admission: Free & Open to the Public (All Ages Welcome)
Official Website: https://atlanticcityartsfoundation.org/48blocksfestival2026
Festival Highlights & Programming
The 2026 48 Blocks Festival builds upon its successful centralized format which drew 800 attendees to the festival in 2025. 48 Blocks Festival offers an expansive range of programming and site activations across two parks and an open street for safe pedestrian enjoyment.
Two Performance Stages: Over a dozen continuous live acts including music, dance, poetry, theater, and DJ sets.
Melrose Avenue Market: An expanded marketplace featuring 18 art and craft merchants alongside local food pop-ups.
Interactive Demos & Workshops: Hands-on artmaking, clay workshops, glass blowing, tie-dye, collage, and live art demonstrations.
Guided Jitney Mural Tours: Free hourly jitney tours with multiple routes showcasing brand-new additions to Atlantic City's public art catalogue.
Featured Artists & Stage Lineup
The 2026 lineup brings together 33 featured visual and demonstration artists alongside a diverse roster of regional performers across two stages:
Courtside Stage: Mums the Word, Grupo La Nueva Era, Mules of the Cellar, Tiffani & The AC Soul Line Dancers, Gypsy Funk Squad, Passion Project, and DJs from Stockton University’s College Radio station 91.7 WLFR
Garden Stage: Joe McGinty, Gina Roche, Soup Can Magazine, Malcolm Tent, Comics in Color with Raymond Tyler, and Boardwalk themed plays with Heidi Mae.
Community Partner Activations
More than 15 community organizations are coming together to share resources; several will present unique interactive experiences throughout the day:
Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University: Hosting the interactive "Cyanokites" workshop, where attendees build flyable kites while learning cyanotype sun-exposure printing.
MudGirls Studios: Presenting a hands-on community clay workshop.
Skate AC x Heart of Surfing: Offering adaptive skate lessons and demonstrations for attendees of all ages.
C.R.O.P.S: Partnering to lead garden tours and educate about fresh produce.
Nike Community Ambassadors: Movement zone with fun, inclusive activities and coaching to help kids build confidence, develop skills, stay active, and discover the joy of play.
Sponsors & Community Supporters
48 Blocks Festival is made possible through generous support from municipal, corporate, and philanthropic partners. Special thanks to the Inlet CDC as a presenting sponsor of the festival and to the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority for their ongoing support of Atlantic City Arts Foundation’s mission to serve the community by providing access to public arts.
Additional festival sponsors include Atlantic City Electric, Copiers Plus, Lang’s Garden, Cozy Cohost, the Schultz-Hill Foundation, Vista Convention Services. Organizational sponsors who support the year-round activities of the Atlantic City Arts Foundation include Thrive AC Fund, the Casiello Foundation, CARING, Inc., Steve & Cookies, Reed’s Farm, Weatherby Construction, Destination Philly AC, Visit AC, McLees Architecture, the Chalofsky Family Foundation, Ocean First Bank, TD Bank, and Zoubek Properties.
About the Atlantic City Arts Foundation
ACAF is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to increasing public art access and fostering community pride in Atlantic City. ACAF operates the largest mural arts program, with 106 murals to date, as well as an annual 48 Blocks Festival public arts festival and ARTeriors, the conversion of vacant commercial spaces into pop up galleries featuring the works of local artists. ACAF envisions a city where residents, businesses, government, and visitors value arts and culture as a means to stimulate economic development, encourage engagement, and promote community well-being. Learn more at www.atlanticcityartsfoundation.org/.
Media Contact
Michael Atkins, Executive Director
michael@atlanticcityartsfoundation.org
(609) 217-5569