Pictured are Chelsea neighborhood children and Atlantic City youth who performed for parents, teachers and community members.

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- The holiday spirit was in the air as a pair of festive events kicked off the Atlantic City Tinseltown Holiday Experience on Thursday, December 1.  The monthlong celebration of the holidays gives visitors the chance to enjoy an array of fun holiday happenings throughout the resort and region and discover why Travel + Leisure has named Atlantic City one of 2022’s “25 Best Christmas Towns in the USA.”

To officially launch the Atlantic City Tinseltown Holiday Experience, a tree lighting ceremony was held at Bally’s Atlantic City Casino Resort’s new venue, The Yard, located just off the world-famous Boardwalk. The event was followed by an evening community holiday festival at O’Donnell Park in the city’s Chelsea neighborhood, featuring live entertainment, an appearance by Santa, and complimentary holiday treats.

From spectacular holiday shows and pop-up experiences to an indoor festival of trees, elaborate décor, and much more, Atlantic City will be celebrating the holidays throughout the month of December. A map of the citywide holiday decorations will be available to visitors so they can tour the dazzling sights, and a list of holiday happenings can be found at AtlanticCityNJ.com, the resort’s official tourism website.

The only agency of its kind nationwide, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) has used Atlantic City casino reinvestments as a catalyst for meaningful, positive improvement in the lives of New Jersey residents since 1984. Under the 2011 Tourism District Act, the Authority's mission evolved from statewide projects to becoming the state's key economic development agency for Atlantic City.

CRDA's expanded responsibilities now include land use regulation, tourism marketing and clean and safe initiatives. The CRDA also oversees Historic Boardwalk Hall (the leading entertainment venue of its size in the country) and the Atlantic City Convention Center. In total, CRDA has invested nearly $2 billion in more than 400 projects statewide, of which $1.8 billion has been invested in Atlantic City, spurring business investments and expansions, and creating permanent jobs in the process. 

For complete Atlantic City tourism information, visit www.atlanticcitynj.com.

Kicking off a month of holiday celebrations, Atlantic City launched its Tinseltown Holiday Experience on Thursday, December 1, 2022, with a tree lighting event at the new The Yard venue, located just off the world-famous Boardwalk at Bally’s. All December long, visitors can experience the ultimate in holiday fun throughout the resort and region, including spectacular holiday shows, pop-up experiences, an indoor festival of trees, elaborate décor, and more.

Pictured at the Bally’s tree lighting event are Atlantic City Police Chief Jim Sarkos and Michelle Sarkos, Atlantic County Toys for Kids Program President Greg DePiano, Greater Atlantic City Chamber President Michael Chait and Greater Atlantic City Chamber members with a collection of toys donated for Atlantic County youth.

ALL PHOTOS BY Photography By Exposure