Had a good time Saturday at the Hampton beach seafood festival. The beer tent was adjacent to one stage and all the cans were 16 oz. for $6 which isn't ridiculous for an event like this. There were 3x more "stuff" vendors than food vendors (always love to see more food vendors). Huge advantage to an event like this is the ability to hit multiple vendors for a snack. We tried out the clam chowder from Rye Harbor Lobster pound, a fried clam basket from another vendor and oysters on the half shell from another vendor (and sampled a beer or two). If you go, I'd suggest you arrive early. By the time we left the food lines were getting pretty long and it was getting hot. Bands were loud and decent, stopped by the food demonstration and it was underwhelming. Good time - will make plans to go again. read more

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For the 2017 Hampton Beach Seafood Festival (September 8 - 10, 2017), the admission prices were: $5 Friday $10 Saturday admission $8 Sunday Children under 12 get in for free We attended on Saturday and took advantage of their free in-town satellite parking and free shuttle (school bus!) service. Wristbands were conveniently offered for sale (cash only) at our parking lot (no line!) so we paid up before boarding for our quick 10 min ride to the beach. Each bus route was conveniently marked with a letter. ATMs were available, while some vendors would also accept credit cards. Both portapotties and real bathrooms with running water (and longer lines) were available. Having arrived past lunch time, with empty stomachs, we hit the two food tents first. I had done my reconnaissance, so I made a beeline to Rye's with their 4.5 star rating on Yelp, and their fluffy chowder. On the way, I spied a tempting pile of onion rings pass by, but before I could discover the source, a friend had hit upon 1.5 star La Spiaggia and returned with a huge blooming onion which we tore into and which easily satisfied the hankering for fried onion of some sort. Seafood stew at Old Salt was well reviewed by another, but there was only so much a stomach could handle. The chowder at the cooking demo tent called out to us, but they ran out before the back rows had the chance to troop through. So we settled in a spot in the middle rows to await the next and final demo, by Community Oven. In the meantime, I had a fun moment when I realized the name of the preceding chef sounded familiar and had a lightbulb moment when I made the connection to the recent steak cooking competition I had attended - yes, Justin Rexroad was indeed a contestant! Basically, the price of admission was for the food samples I tasted from the chef demo, including some yummy soft homemade marshmallows, and a few freebies and samples from other vendors and businesses that had set up shop along the boulevard, as many of the restaurants participating in the festival already had storefronts alongside the road. There was also live music entertainment at the stage lined with rows of seating before it. We had a good time, though we decided to avoid the mass exodus by departing prior to the scheduled fireworks on Saturday. read more

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Based on September 7 , 2012. Review; I used to come here every year for like 18 years to this food fair. It's for the 3 day weekend, On Friday it's free to get in and you can walk around and pay as you go. My favorites are the lobster Mac and cheese, lobster rolls and clams and oysters on the half-shell . It's About a half mile long but not more but you have live concerts too and at least 3 arcades on the broad walk side . Parking is basically impossible to find a near spot if your looking your get a spot on the beach side inside the viaduct in the middle... and don't forget to feed the meters .. I would say bring cash or have your credit card too. Cause if you like seafood. It's definitely a place to go but come early so you can enjoy the rest of the walk on/ near the beach . It will be definitely crowded as the night goes on . We get here around 5 pm. And don't forget to get nankins too . read more

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What threw us off was that it's called a seafood festival. Expected to find fresh seafood, rather than truck after truck of fried foods. There was nothing special about the food selection, and was very expensive. $10 for fried pickles. We had a wonderful time despite needing to go get dinner after we left, as the music, people and weather were all wonderful. Alcohol is all in cans. read more

Hampton Beach Seafood Festival - Festivals Near Me - Hampton, New Hampshire

Great event that is a lot of fun! There's plenty to see, eat, and drink. Be sure and come with empty bellies and feast on everything seafood. I highly recommend parking in one of the designated spots and taking the shuttle, parking is pretty limited once you get to the beach. I also recommend bringing cash as most of the stands are cash only. There are scattered ATMs but they charge a $3.75service charge. Overall, this was a great yearly festival that is a great way to celebrate the end of summer! read more

Hampton Beach Seafood Festival - Clam chowder bowl, lobster rangoons, and coconut shrimp - Festivals Near Me - Hampton, New Hampshire

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I went to Hampton's Seafood Festival a few years ago. It is fun to walk around but it can get expensive. $5.00 to get in/per person ( I think there is a weekend pass too) Parking tight since they close down the roads. The best is to park and shuttle in or book ahead and spend the night. I can't remember where we stayed but it was terrible. If I hadn't gone with 4 others and car pooled I don't think I would have stayed. So look and book early if you plan to stay. You pay to eat as you go. From chowders, steamers, shrimp on a stick, all kinds of seafood will be in abundance. If you are not into seafood but want to go with friends there are still lots of things to pick from plus desserts! We went early on Fri night and stayed until Sunday. We got to try some things on Fri, hang out on the beach on Sat, although it was a bit cool so bring a sweatshirt, then hit up some more food and watched the fireworks. Sunday was a complete mob scene and so not worth it. I was glad we went early. It was hard to get around and see anything and I don't like being pushed so by then we had our fill and left. Haven't been back again as I can get really good seafood without the frenzy but it is quite the event and worth going once. As for kids, I have 4 (kinda picky eaters) and wouldn't bring mine since it is overwhelming and expensive for us to buy them each something that wouldn't fill them up. They'd have more fun at a park, amusement, or zoo. read more

If you've never gone to the east coast, or even if you have, this is an event to try! Since it's conception in 1988, it's been voted one of the Top 100 Events in North America. There are over 50 restaurants, over 80 vendors, plus live music, a beverage court and fireworks. This was the first time I have ever had a lobster roll and let me tell you, it is something to try! It's like a slice of white bread that is folded in half like a hot dog bun, then they cram it full of lobster meat. They had cold ones that have a little mayonnaise mixed in, then there are the hot buttered ones. OMGosh! They have this huge crockpot thing filled with lobster meat, seasonings and butter. They scoop this lobster mixture into the bread roll and Vualah! Heaven on earth. I also had their clam chowder, grilled scallops wrapped in bacon, steak and chicken skewers and other yummy morsels. The town is small and quaint, so I don't know what else they have to offer off season, but the Seafood Festival is a MUST do!! read more

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Only $5 entrance fee to support local business mainly seafood restaurants, but also bakeries, fireman, local business. Tents along the beach with seafood restaurants, booze, cupcakes, lobster roll eating contest, arts and crafts, local businesses, musical artists, and chef demos! Beach Plum - BEST LOBSTER ROLLS EVER for $13 (more expensive than any tent, but definitely worth every penny) Rye Harbor Lobster - A WHOLE Lobster Steamed for $10!!! Free Parking & Shuttle service provided by First Students read more

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TERRIBLE, They are reuining it by charging to much to enter . Friday was $5, Saturday was $10, Sunday was $8 PER PERSON. So a family of four on Saturday pays $40 to get in. $35 to park the car. Are these idiots serious ??? The crowd was much smaller this year because of the price. They will say it was mobbed but it was not. to bad they are going to put it out o business. One vendor said he could not even afford the price of his booth because no one was buying much. read more

I will be at the 2015 Sea Food festival with the Worlds Largest Lobster in the world.. . named (Ruby). At 51 inches long from nose to tail tip, Ruby makes the average-size (1.5-pound/0.7-kilogram) adult lobster look positively scrimpy. This is in fact the biggest lobster ever created and it weighed in at 55 pounds (27.21 kilograms) and stretched to 51 inches (129.54 centimeters). I am proud to create the largest hand crafted lobster and the owning the largest New England Lobster.... With all natural beautiful black and green, sienna burnt orange color. Anthony Raffaele www.carafdesigns.com read more

Hampton Beach Seafood Festival - Festivals Near Me - Hampton, New Hampshire

For some reason, Yelp has filtered my review. Having been to Hampton Beach JUST YESTERDAY unlike the out-of-towners who have given glowing reviews to this event, I would like to reiterate my findings: A brilliant scheme by the local chamber of commerce to extend the summer season by a week. Pay five dollars cover charge to buy the same stuff you could have ordered at the same price from the same vendors a block away prior to Labor day. I love Hampton Beach, but this is like cordoning off the McDonalds, Burger King and Wendy's in your town, and charging five bucks to enter the "Junk food festival" Let's see if it gets flagged by some Chamber of Commerce tool this time. PS - don't dream of misbehaving here: the Hampton Beach PD occupies a building as big and opulent as Saddam Hussein's palaces - and it's closed 9 months of the year so you just know it's full of rent-a-cops. read more

Awesome! Been coming here for years. Make sure you hit up the fireman's booth for swordfish on a stick. read more

Hampton Beach Seafood Festival - Festivals Near Me - Hampton, New Hampshire

This what I honestly think of the event. First of all, the prices are amazing! This is the only time I've ever managed to purchase lobster tails for $6 apiece. The fried lobster raviolies are also really good and inexpensive. In fact, all of the food here is extremely dirt cheap and delicious! Other parts of the event include local musicians, some gift stalls, fireworks on Saturday night, and sky divers on Sunday afternoon. Also, admission is $5 per person, so if you want to visit anything in that area of Hampton Beach, then you'll have to pay to get in. But the food you can eat at the festival is well worth the $5 perperson, though if you travel there with a big family then of course it's going to cost more, but then again isn't it the same with restaurants? read more

This is a great end to the summer event. My favorite part of it is the many creative and talented vendors who sell their beautifully crafted jewelry and other goods at a discounted price. read more

If you want seafood go to one of the local restaurants and order a nice meal. That way you can sit down and enjoy your food and not have dodge scores of people while you balance a plate. Food - not great and expensive. Vendors with a lot of stuff but who could afford it after you buy the food. One vendor had fried ice cream for $ 6.00. Thought I'd indulge. It was a ball of vanilla ice cream with toasted coconut on it. What a rip off. We hadn't been to the Festival in 10 years. Probably won't go for another 10. Thank goodness we didn't have to drive far. read more

Was disappointed in the amount food and the price. Lobster rolls from $10.00 to $15.00, very little lobster. We left hampton stopped in market basket and bought 10 lobsters. Would I go to hampton beach next year, no I wouldn't. read more

I love coming here and tasting all the local seafood its worth the drive and the money read more

Hampton Beach Seafood Festival - Festivals Near Me - Hampton, New Hampshire

Over priced entry fee 8 per family member so I am down 32 before I even eat as much as a French fry. No place to sit and eat with the family. Drunk people walking around. Food was just ok, could have done better at local seafood restaurants Do yourself a favor, save your money and take the family to a nice sea food restaurant in the area you will be a lot happier. I would suggest heading north to rye or Portsmouth. read more

Went to my first festival in 2009 This year I brought 3 other families with me and had a blast. Rented a house on the beach in Seabrook and it was a short trip to Hampton. By the way we all came up from Dallas Texas for the festival. It was well worth the money brought 3 kids under 6 and they had a blast with the kids programs and loved the food. Those who complain about the prices of getting in or the food are downright cheap. The food was fantanstic I had lobster rolls every day and the seafood newburg was out of this world. We ended up the day every day at Browns or Peteys eating a 4-5 pound lobsters. We do things big in Texas. Will be coming up in 2011 with 8 families and hope to have as good a time as ever. read more

We have been coming to the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival for many years. There is so much to do and we bring our Grandchildren with us when we go. The food and entertainment is amazing. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is due to the admission fees. We are both retired and besides paying for a hotel for the weekend as we come in from out of state we also have to pay daily for wristbands to get in. Our Grandchildren wanted to go back in on Sunday for a short time before we left to go back home but that would have been another $24.00 just to walk around for two hours before heading back home so to their disappointment we did not go in again. They need to sell a weekend wristband to make it more affordable to people. Other than that we plan to be here every year! read more

They regularly harass people who want to go across to the beach or visit the established shops and restaurants during this festival. They try to force them to pay admission even though, by agreement, they are supposed to have a NON-exclusive right to the sectioned-off area. The head of the Chamber of Commerce, who should retire due to his apathy of this yearly situation, does NOTHING to stop this harassment. The town will not step in to prevent the shops from losing any and all business on this last weekend of the summer season. read more

I almost never miss this event, it is heaven. Yes, you pay five to get in, but you can park at one of the festival's designated locations and take the shuttle in for free-so that washes the sting of paying admission right out for me. Yes, it is insanely crowded. You will literally be squishing your body through throngs of people in the tents at times, and without a choice because the person behind you is shoving you forward with his big fat belly and there is no escape. Yes, you will spend fistfuls of money, but in marketplace fashion you will be amazed at the variety you were able to chow down on for the price, and even more amazed at how much you could possibly eat in a few hours time because every last booth is calling your name. The best strategy, which I've never taken my own advice on, is to print out the food booth map at home first. This will tell you exactly where to find the cheapest coconut shrimp, the award winning lobster roll of last year, creative seafood appetizers you never knew existed, etc. My plan was to take a highlighter to it so I wouldn't get too crazy with the dollars flowing out of my wallet, since it shows not only the offerings but the prices too...but I guess I will try and remember that next year. Maybe I did spend as much as I would at a restaurant and then some, but it wouldn't have the fun food fair atmosphere and also the waitress would think I was absolutely looney tunes for ordering 13 items and then finishing every last bite. This is the perfect place for picky eaters like my son and husband to try something new, and we made it a goal which they both fulfilled. My husband had his first lobster roll, not with mayo but with a butter and sherry sauce and he has finally seen the light. My son tried the teensiest smidge of coconut shrimp, and was like, wait a minute, that is good AND it is seafood...at the SAME time, wow! By the way, there is plenty of food available for the picky eaters club who think seafood is revolting-there are your chicken fingers (oddly enough there are a few Chinese restaurants that participate), burgers, ribs, fries, and lots of yummy desserts including fried Oreos and fried dough sundaes...but hopefully you will live on the edge and try something new. I recommend the Cajun swordfish skewer at the Hampton Firefighter's booth if you've never eaten that sort of thing-they are a must-stop location! And not just because they are handsome, they are fantastic cooks too! Can't wait until next September...one of my biggest pigging out days of the year, and it is wonderful. read more

It used to be fun but the parking has doubled ($20), it took lost an hour to find a parking spot after driving around in circles. They closed off the leftvlane leaving it only for busses forcing people into single lines. it was frustrating to say the least.The parking meters near North Hampton was 25 cents for 7 and 1/2 minutes! Can you believe this? When we finally got there they charges us $8 to get in. The food vender area was like bring on a crowded bus with standing room only. Once you got the food THERE WAS NO PLACE TO SIT TO EAT IT! On the curb if there was room! The food I had wasn't very good. I had clam strips and fries, and it was disappointing. There weren't too many healthy options to choose from. For what I paid and what I got, I thought it was way too overpriced. The portions on most of the seafood were just tidbits. I've had better chowder. I don't think I will return next year. read more

A $5 entrance fee is not that much at all and it supports the local businesses. They've got a long off season. This event is great - lots of fun, lots of people watching, lots of music - good place for the family. The boardwalk and beach are great and I'm not even mentioning the food. We start our vacation week with the festival and spend the following week there just chillin' in the quietude at the beach. Good time. read more

Almost any local will tell you not to waste your time: a total tourist trap event. The one day I ever attended was the year they began charging for the event: a complete slap in the face- "samples" were advertised as though you could sample seafood portions before deciding to purchase- turns out that wasn't the case- the vendors selling food for the same price as you could purchase from the restaurants themselves- what is the point in that? And why then am I being charged to attend? A total rip-off, not to mention having to set foot in the biggest honky tonk beach destination in America. Then there are the hideously cheap woven rugs and other crap you expect to see at a flea market on a Navajo Indian Reservation as you approach the Four Corners. What the connection was to seafood with 50% of the vendors that were on hand, beats me. Most of the seafood isn't fresh either- apparently two years ago several vendors were spotted replenishing at the Hampton Hannafords on the final day of the event, purchasing large qualities of imitation crab meat. One giant waste of time & money which when you become a Seacoast local, you know why the natives generally stay clear. read more