New Hampshire Seafood Festival Returns to Hampton Beach

In another sign that things are getting back to normal, Hampton Beach will again host its annual Seafood Festival this weekend.

This marks the second straight year the festival will take place after it was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Did I ever think I’d lean on Hampton Beach for a sign that things are “normal”? Not exactly, but I’ll take it.

The Hampton Beach Seafood Festival is one of the Seacoast’s most beloved traditions, and this year, it will celebrate its Larry Bird Birthday (33rd anniversary). Voted one of the Top 100 Events in North America, the event features 50 restaurants serving up their best offerings (most likely seafood), 80 vendors promoting locally made products, end-of-the-season sidewalk sales, and music performed by 15 bands and orchestras.

On Saturday night, people can look forward to a spectacular fireworks show. And on Sunday, they can watch a lobster roll eating competition, which will presumably be followed by a different type of fireworks show.

Speaking of the runs, the Harvard Pilgrim 5K will take place along Ocean Boulevard on Sunday, for which you can register here. Additional events include the Seafood Festival Art Show.

If you haven’t been to Hampton Beach in a while, it’s more than worth a visit. Following a 2010 fire that destroyed several buildings, Hampton Beach has undergone a number of renovations that have given it a newer, fresher look while also maintaining its trademark atmosphere. It’s truly an impressive sight, even if the strip sorely misses its very best attraction.

The 2022 Hampton Beach Seafood Festival runs from Friday, September 9, to Sunday, September 11. For passes, events, and more information, visit the festival’s official website (and before biting into the crab, make sure it’s not carrying).