Discover the Best of Hampton Beach in 2025 with Local Customs, Live Music, and Seaside Nostalgia.
Written by Kaelie Piscitello
New Hampshire’s small coastal town Hampton Beach has enchanted families around New England for decades with its honky tonk boardwalk, clean sand, and delicious restaurants. It will always be my happy place. My grandparents owned a place there for many years, and my family has kept our tradition of returning each year.
My family has many well-loved traditions there that we must do every year. We always chow down on fried clams at Markey’s Lobster Pool, enjoy live music at the seashell stage each night, stuff ourselves with crab cake benedict at the Airfield Cafe, and, as my brother and I got older, attend live shows at Bernie’s Beach Bar.
Hampton has its traditions, too, each rooted in a history of exciting children and providing peace and relaxation for their parents. While the beach ages and the shops on the strip refuse to update their clothing options for 1998, the enchanting atmosphere and engaging fun activities refuse to die.
Fireworks and Fourth of July
I love staying in Hampton on Wednesdays because of the weekly fireworks show. If it rains, then the beach will postpone the fireworks until Friday. Hampton also hosts special holiday fireworks on Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, and the Seafood Festival.
To get a good view of the booming lights, face the ocean at 9:30 pm. The best places to see them are on top of B and C streets. However, any street facing east will work.
Casino Ballroom Summer Shows
Hampton Beach frequenters enjoy live music at the beach’s oldest music venue, The Casino Ballroom. Back in the day, new faces used to play there before they became famous, but today, many of the bands play tributes to some of the big-name rock and country bands.
Over the years, I’ve watched Big Time Rush, Hot Chelle Rae, and The Beach Boys perform live. I loved each concert I attended, and the venue is intimate enough that I have met bands after shows before. My father, who worked at the Ballroom one summer in college, has met even more.
This year, many tributes will play, including Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, a tribute to the Grateful Dead on June 12, Voyage, a tribute to Journey on June 28, and the real Little River Band on July 26.
Check out this link for more information about the Casino Ballroom lineup this summer.
Miss Hampton Beach and the Annual Talent Competition
Hampton will host its 79th annual Miss Hampton Beach pageant on July 27. As a kid, I always wanted to participate in the junior pageant to fulfill my Toddlers and Tiaras dreams, but it never worked out. The queens become local celebrities for the year and attend special events, such as Children’s Week, Monday Movie Nights, and the Sand Sculpture Competition.
This year, Hampton Beach’s annual talent competition will be held from August 22-24 and feature some of the best vocalists from around New England. Auditions occur on August 3; the beach will have the final round on August 24. Come listen to some talented folks and see who wins the grand prize.
The Annual Sand Sculpting Competition
The sand sculpture contest seems to happen earlier and earlier each year. As a kid, I remember seeing them around July 4, but the beach now has the event in June, and I haven’t seen them in around ten years.
However, I loved looking at them as a kid! These sand sculptures have loads of talent; each year, they pour their hearts and souls into incredible art pieces.
This year, the artists begin working on June 6 and finish by July 11 so everyone can view their pieces. Hampton hosts the awards ceremony on June 14, and the public can cast a vote on the people’s choice award. The sculptures remain on display until June 23.
Cirque du Hampton Beach
On August 30, the Boston Circus Guild will join Hampton Beach for a spectacular show on the Seashell Stage. This newer tradition will feature musicians, jugglers, and acrobats and enchant the masses.
The rain date is August 31. Don’t miss this special Hampton event.
Children’s Week
This year, Children’s Week will take place during the week of August 11. It starts with a magic show by BJ Hickman, a Hampton Beach favorite and crowd-pleaser. He has performed here since I was young, and kids love him.
Each day, the beach hosts a new fun activity for the whole family to partake in. Activities of the past have included free ice cream, mini golf, dancing, and balloons. As always, the celebration ends with the annual costume parade on Friday, August 15. All events are free, and everyone can join in the fun!
Country Music Week
My family and I do not like country music, so we avoid Country Music Fest like the plague. However, we are in the minority because country music fans all over New England pack the beach. They come in droves decked out in cowboy hats and boots and ready to line dance each year.
This year, the festival headliner is NIKO Moon. They will perform on July 10 at 7 pm. Each night of country week, there are free line dance lessons at 6 pm that anyone can join.
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