The Hampton Beach Seafood Festival is an annual event that celebrates the freshest seafood and all things summer at New Hampshire’s only beach. Held over three days in September, the festival features a variety of seafood dishes, cooking demonstrations, live music, and family-friendly activities.
The festival’s food vendors offer a wide range of seafood options, including lobster rolls, fried clams, oysters, and crab cakes. There are also plenty of non-seafood options available, such as burgers, hot dogs, and pizza.
In addition to the food, the festival also features a variety of cooking demonstrations and competitions. Chefs from all over the region compete for prizes in categories such as best lobster roll, best fried clam, and best chowder.
Seafood Festival Hampton Beach 2024
The Hampton Beach Seafood Festival is an annual event that celebrates the freshest seafood and all things summer at New Hampshire’s only beach. Held over three days in September, the festival features a variety of seafood dishes, cooking demonstrations, live music, and family-friendly activities.
- Fresh seafood
- Cooking demonstrations
- Live music
- Family-friendly activities
- Lobster rolls
- Fried clams
- Oysters
- Crab cakes
- Chowder competition
The festival takes place on Ocean Boulevard in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire. Admission to the festival is free, and food and drinks are available for purchase from the vendors.
Fresh seafood
The Hampton Beach Seafood Festival is a celebration of the freshest seafood that New Hampshire has to offer. Vendors from all over the state come to the festival to sell their freshest catches, including lobster, clams, oysters, shrimp, and crab.
One of the most popular dishes at the festival is the lobster roll. Lobster rolls are made with fresh lobster meat that is cooked in butter and served on a toasted hot dog bun. Other popular seafood dishes include fried clams, oysters on the half shell, and crab cakes.
In addition to the fresh seafood, the festival also features a variety of cooking demonstrations and competitions. Chefs from all over the region compete for prizes in categories such as best lobster roll, best fried clam, and best chowder.
The Hampton Beach Seafood Festival is a great place to enjoy fresh seafood and celebrate all things summer. The festival is held over three days in September, and admission is free.
If you’re looking for the freshest seafood in New Hampshire, be sure to check out the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival.
Cooking demonstrations
The Hampton Beach Seafood Festival features a variety of cooking demonstrations and competitions. Chefs from all over the region compete for prizes in categories such as best lobster roll, best fried clam, and best chowder.
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Lobster roll competition
Chefs compete for the title of best lobster roll in New Hampshire. Lobster rolls are made with fresh lobster meat that is cooked in butter and served on a toasted hot dog bun.
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Fried clam competition
Chefs compete for the title of best fried clam in New Hampshire. Fried clams are made with fresh clams that are battered and fried until golden brown.
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Chowder competition
Chefs compete for the title of best chowder in New Hampshire. Chowder is a thick soup or stew that is made with seafood, vegetables, and broth.
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Cooking demonstrations
In addition to the competitions, the festival also features cooking demonstrations from local chefs. Chefs demonstrate how to prepare a variety of seafood dishes, such as lobster, clams, oysters, and shrimp.
The cooking demonstrations and competitions are a great way to learn about different ways to prepare seafood. They are also a great way to get inspired to try new seafood recipes at home.
Live music
The Hampton Beach Seafood Festival features a variety of live music throughout the weekend. Local and regional bands perform on two stages, providing entertainment for festival-goers of all ages.
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Main Stage
The Main Stage is located in the center of the festival grounds. It features a variety of bands playing a mix of genres, including rock, pop, country, and blues.
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Acoustic Stage
The Acoustic Stage is located in a more relaxed area of the festival grounds. It features acoustic performances from local and regional singer-songwriters.
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Family Stage
The Family Stage is located in the Kids’ Zone area of the festival grounds. It features performances from children’s entertainers and family-friendly bands.
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Street performers
In addition to the scheduled performances, there are also a variety of street performers throughout the festival grounds. These performers include musicians, jugglers, and acrobats.
The live music at the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival is a great way to enjoy the festival atmosphere and dance the night away.
Family-friendly activities
The Hampton Beach Seafood Festival is a family-friendly event with plenty of activities for kids of all ages.
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Kids’ Zone
The Kids’ Zone is located in the center of the festival grounds. It features a variety of activities for kids, including face painting, balloon animals, games, and rides.
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Family Stage
The Family Stage is located in the Kids’ Zone area of the festival grounds. It features performances from children’s entertainers and family-friendly bands.
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Sandcastle building contest
The sandcastle building contest is a popular activity for kids and adults alike. Participants can build sandcastles of all shapes and sizes, and prizes are awarded for the most creative and impressive sandcastles.
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Scavenger hunt
The scavenger hunt is a fun way for kids to explore the festival grounds and learn about the different seafood vendors. Participants can follow clues to find hidden objects and win prizes.
The family-friendly activities at the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival are a great way for families to spend time together and enjoy the festival atmosphere.
Lobster rolls
Lobster rolls are one of the most popular dishes at the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival. Lobster rolls are made with fresh lobster meat that is cooked in butter and served on a toasted hot dog bun. The lobster meat is usually seasoned with lemon juice, salt, and pepper, and may also be topped with lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise.
There are many different variations on the lobster roll. Some lobster rolls are made with cold lobster meat, while others are made with warm lobster meat. Some lobster rolls are served on a toasted bun, while others are served on a grilled bun. And some lobster rolls are topped with mayonnaise, while others are topped with butter.
No matter how they are made, lobster rolls are a delicious and iconic New England dish. And the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival is the perfect place to try one.
Here are some of the best places to get a lobster roll at the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival:
- The Lobster Trap
- The Clam Shack
- J.J. Giddings
- Sea Ketch
Fried clams
Fried clams are another popular dish at the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival. Fried clams are made with fresh clams that are battered and fried until golden brown. The clams are usually served with tartar sauce and lemon wedges.
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Whole-belly clams
Whole-belly clams are the most popular type of fried clam. They are made with the entire clam, including the belly, which is the soft and chewy part of the clam.
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Strip clams
Strip clams are made with just the clam’s strip, which is the long, thin muscle that runs along the clam’s shell.
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Breaded clams
Breaded clams are made with clams that have been coated in bread crumbs before being fried. This gives the clams a crispy outer coating.
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Fried clam bellies
Fried clam bellies are made with just the bellies of the clams. They are a popular appetizer or snack.
No matter how they are prepared, fried clams are a delicious and iconic New England dish. And the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival is the perfect place to try them.
Oysters
Oysters are another popular seafood item at the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival. Oysters are served on the half shell, and can be eaten raw or cooked. Raw oysters are typically served with lemon wedges and cocktail sauce. Cooked oysters can be steamed, grilled, or fried.
Oysters are a good source of protein, iron, and zinc. They are also low in calories and fat. Oysters are a good choice for a healthy and delicious meal.
There are many different types of oysters, each with its own unique flavor and texture. Some of the most popular types of oysters include:
- Blue Point oysters: Blue Point oysters are a type of Eastern oyster that is known for its sweet and briny flavor.
- Wellfleet oysters: Wellfleet oysters are a type of Eastern oyster that is known for its clean and crisp flavor.
- Olympia oysters: Olympia oysters are a type of Pacific oyster that is known for its small size and sweet flavor.
- Kumamoto oysters: Kumamoto oysters are a type of Pacific oyster that is known for its creamy texture and mild flavor.
No matter what type of oyster you choose, you are sure to enjoy this delicious and nutritious seafood item at the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival.
Crab cakes
Crab cakes are another popular seafood item at the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival. Crab cakes are made with fresh crab meat that is mixed with bread crumbs, eggs, and spices. The crab cakes are then formed into patties and fried until golden brown.
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Maryland crab cakes
Maryland crab cakes are made with blue crab meat, which is known for its sweet and delicate flavor. Maryland crab cakes are typically served with a tartar sauce or remoulade sauce.
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Louisiana crab cakes
Louisiana crab cakes are made with Gulf crab meat, which is known for its spicy and flavorful taste. Louisiana crab cakes are typically served with a Cajun remoulade sauce.
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New England crab cakes
New England crab cakes are made with a variety of crab meat, including Jonah crab, Dungeness crab, and rock crab. New England crab cakes are typically served with a lemon butter sauce.
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California crab cakes
California crab cakes are made with Dungeness crab meat, which is known for its sweet and meaty flavor. California crab cakes are typically served with a citrus aioli sauce.
No matter what type of crab cake you choose, you are sure to enjoy this delicious and satisfying seafood item at the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival.
Chowder competition
The chowder competition is one of the most popular events at the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival. Chefs from all over the region compete for prizes in categories such as best New England clam chowder, best Manhattan clam chowder, and best seafood chowder.
New England clam chowder is a thick and creamy soup that is made with clams, potatoes, onions, and celery. Manhattan clam chowder is a thinner and more tomato-based soup that is made with clams, tomatoes, onions, and celery. Seafood chowder is a general term for any type of chowder that is made with seafood, such as fish, shrimp, or crab.
The chowder competition is judged by a panel of experts. The judges evaluate the chowders on their flavor, texture, and appearance. The chowder that receives the highest score is awarded the prize for best chowder.
The chowder competition is a great way to sample some of the best chowders in New England. It is also a fun and exciting event to watch.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival:
Question 1: What are the dates and times of the festival?
Answer 1: The festival will be held on September 15-17, 2023. The festival hours are Friday from 5pm to 10pm, Saturday from 11am to 10pm, and Sunday from 11am to 6pm.
Question 2: How much does it cost to attend the festival?
Answer 2: Admission to the festival is free.
Question 3: What kind of food will be available at the festival?
Answer 3: The festival will feature a wide variety of seafood dishes, including lobster rolls, fried clams, oysters, crab cakes, and chowder. There will also be a variety of non-seafood options available, such as burgers, hot dogs, and pizza.
Question 4: Will there be live music at the festival?
Answer 4: Yes, there will be live music throughout the weekend on two stages. The music will include a variety of genres, such as rock, pop, country, and blues.
Question 5: Are there activities for children at the festival?
Answer 5: Yes, there will be a variety of activities for children, including face painting, balloon animals, games, and rides.
Question 6: Is parking available at the festival?
Answer 6: Yes, there is limited parking available at the festival. There is also a park-and-ride shuttle service available from several locations in Hampton Beach.
Question 7: What are the COVID-19 safety protocols for the festival?
Answer 7: The festival will be following all applicable COVID-19 safety protocols. This may include requiring masks, social distancing, and/or proof of vaccination.
We hope this FAQ has answered your questions about the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival. If you have any other questions, please visit the festival website or contact the festival organizers.
Here are some tips for planning your visit to the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival:
Tips
Here are some tips for planning your visit to the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival:
Tip 1: Arrive early. The festival gets crowded, especially on weekends. If you arrive early, you will be able to get a good parking spot and avoid the lines.
Tip 2: Bring cash. Many of the vendors at the festival only accept cash. It is also a good idea to bring a cooler bag if you plan on buying a lot of food.
Tip 3: Be prepared for the weather. The festival is held outdoors, so be sure to dress appropriately for the weather. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are all good ideas.
Tip 4: Take your time. There is a lot to see and do at the festival. Don’t try to rush through everything. Take your time to enjoy the food, the music, and the activities.
We hope these tips help you have a great time at the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival.
The Hampton Beach Seafood Festival is a great way to enjoy the summer weather and all things seafood. With its wide variety of food, music, and activities, there is something for everyone at the festival.
Conclusion
The Hampton Beach Seafood Festival is a celebration of the freshest seafood and all things summer. With its wide variety of food, music, and activities, there is something for everyone at the festival.
If you are looking for a fun and delicious way to spend a weekend, be sure to check out the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival. You won’t be disappointed.
We hope to see you at the festival!