A Packed Summer Weekend on Long Beach Island
The weekend of July 10 to 12 is full of classic summer energy around Long Beach Island and the surrounding mainland. From live beach concerts and theater in Beach Haven to block parties, fishing tournaments, markets, bluegrass, waterfront music, and family-friendly activities, this is one of those mid-July weekends where there is almost too much to choose from.
That is a good problem to have.
The biggest highlights include Young Frankenstein at Surflight Theatre, Firepit Friday with Garden State Radio at 68th Street Beach, the Ship Bottom Volunteer Fire Co. Block Party, the Sunshine Foundation Fishing Tournament and Family Fun Day, the Albert Music Hall Bluegrass Fest, and plenty of live music across LBI.
And if the sun, crowds, traffic, sand, and “where are we eating?” debates start to wear everyone down, there is a very smart mainland stop: Fireplaces Plus in Manahawkin, home to the largest fireplace showroom in NJ. The showroom is fully stocked with the latest fire pits, outdoor fireplaces, and accessories, and yes, it is air-conditioned. Sometimes luxury is a custom outdoor fire feature. Sometimes luxury is simply standing in air conditioning for a few minutes while pretending you are “looking at patio ideas.”
Both are valid.
Key Highlights for July 10–12
Here are some of the top events and activities happening in the LBI region this weekend:
- Surflight Theatre: Young Frankenstein in Beach Haven
- Firepit Friday Concert with Garden State Radio at 68th Street Beach
- Artisan Market at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Beach Haven
- Ship Bottom Volunteer Fire Co. Block Party
- Sunshine Foundation Fishing Tournament and Family Fun Day
- Albert Music Hall Bluegrass Fest in Waretown
- Hawaiian Luau Weekend at Sun Retreats Long Beach Island
- Live music at LBI Distilling Co., Nardi’s, The Boatyard, The Sea Shell, Bird & Betty’s, and more
- Beachcomber Basket Workshop at Tuckerton Seaport
- The Yard Market at The Boatyard in Manahawkin
- Kayaking, paddleboarding, sunset cruises, fishing trips, and beach days
- A cool-off-and-get-inspired visit to Fireplaces Plus
Before heading out, always check directly with the event host or venue. Summer schedules can shift because of weather, crowds, tides, staffing, or the mysterious Jersey Shore force known as “we changed it on Facebook.”
Friday, July 10: Markets, Music, Theater, and Firepit Friday
Friday starts with a great daytime stop in Beach Haven. The Artisan Market at Veteran’s Memorial Park runs from 9 AM to noon, giving visitors a relaxed morning option before the beach or lunch. It is a good place to browse local makers, pick up something small, and pretend you are “just looking” before buying something handmade because it feels like vacation.
Later in the day, head to 68th Street Beach in Long Beach Township for Firepit Friday, featuring Garden State Radio from 7 PM to 9 PM. This is exactly the kind of event that feels like LBI in the summer: music near the beach, families gathering, friends meeting up, and everyone trying to make the evening last a little longer.
The name “Firepit Friday” is also a helpful reminder that fire features make everything better. Fireplaces Plus agrees, obviously, but in this case, the township came up with the name first.
Friday night also brings Young Frankenstein at Surflight Theatre in Beach Haven. This Mel Brooks musical comedy gives visitors a fun indoor entertainment option after dinner. If your group includes people who love theater, comedy, or simply sitting down in a room where no one is asking you to carry beach chairs, this is a strong choice.
For live music and drinks, LBI Distilling Co. has Alex Reck scheduled Friday evening. Over in Manahawkin, The Boatyard kicks off its Country Weekend with waterfront energy, food, music, and sunset views.
Saturday, July 11: Block Party, Fishing Tournament, Bluegrass, and Big Nightlife Energy
Saturday is the busiest day of the weekend.
One of the biggest community events is the Ship Bottom Volunteer Fire Co. Block Party, scheduled from 4 PM to 10 PM. Expect live music from Sneak Attack and The Verdict, along with food, beer, canned cocktails, and a lively local crowd. This is the kind of event that blends visitors, locals, families, and longtime LBI regulars in one place.
If you are looking for something meaningful earlier in the day, the Sunshine Foundation Fishing Tournament takes place Saturday, with fishing hours from sunrise to 3 PM and a weigh-in from 2 PM to 4 PM. The event continues with a picnic, prizes, and festivities from 3 PM to 7 PM at American Legion Post 493 in Little Egg Harbor. Prizes are listed for fluke and bluefish categories, making it a great event for anglers and families who want to support a good cause.
For music lovers, Albert Music Hall in Waretown hosts its Bluegrass Fest on Saturday. Doors open at 4 PM, educational sessions begin at 4:30 PM, and music starts at 6 PM. If your weekend could use a little Pinelands culture, bluegrass, storytelling, and old-time community feeling, this is a strong mainland option.
At Tuckerton Seaport, the Beachcomber Basket Workshop runs from 10 AM to noon. Participants make a wooden-bottom basket in colors inspired by sand, water, and sun, designed for collecting shells on the beach. It is one of those activities that feels peaceful, local, and very coastal.
Saturday also has a full slate of nightlife and live music. LBI Distilling Co. has Nicole Curtis in the afternoon and Caleb Demmerle later in the day. The Sea Shell has The Drunken Clams in the afternoon. Bird & Betty’s has Gab Cinque Band later at night. Nardi’s Tavern has Kenny Raye Band scheduled late Saturday. Across the island and mainland, there is no shortage of places to hear music, grab dinner, and let the weekend stretch into the night.
Sunday, July 12: Theater, Markets, Music, and a Slower Summer Finish
Sunday is a good day to slow down a little.
Surflight Theatre has a Young Frankenstein matinee scheduled, making it a great option for families, couples, or anyone looking for air-conditioned entertainment before dinner.
At 68th Street Beach, the Sunday summer concert series runs from noon to 2 PM, giving families another relaxed beach-area activity.
Over in Manahawkin, The Boatyard continues its summer programming with Country Weekend, waterfront food and drinks, and The Yard Market. The Boatyard’s Friday Night Twilight Market runs every Friday, and its broader summer happenings include markets, music, brunch, and country-themed activities during this July 10 to 12 weekend.
If you want something outdoors, this is also a good day for kayaking, paddleboarding, a bay cruise, or a sunset cruise. Great Bay Outfitters offers kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals and self-guided adventures through the Great Bay area. Sunset cruises and boating options around Barnegat Bay are also a strong choice for visitors who want the scenery without spending the whole day on the beach.
For families, Sunday can also be the day to hit the classics: beach time, Fantasy Island, mini golf, ice cream, shopping, or a slower drive up to Barnegat Light.
What Should Families Do This Weekend?
For families with kids, the best plan is to mix one scheduled event with one flexible activity.
Try something like:
- Morning beach time
- Lunch in Beach Haven, Surf City, or Ship Bottom
- Artisan Market, Fantasy Island, or Tuckerton Seaport
- Firepit Friday or a family-friendly concert
- Sunday matinee at Surflight Theatre
- Ice cream, because children apparently consider it a legal requirement at the shore
The key is not overplanning. LBI is better when there is room for a spontaneous stop, an extra snack, or a quick change because someone got sandy, tired, sunburned, hungry, dramatic, or all of the above.
What Should Couples Do This Weekend?
Couples have plenty of good options.
Friday could be dinner and Firepit Friday at 68th Street Beach. Saturday could be a beach day followed by live music. Sunday could be a slower morning, a boat ride, a market, and the Surflight matinee.
For a more relaxed plan, start with coffee, walk through Beach Haven, browse the Artisan Market, catch a show, then head off-island for dinner or drinks in Manahawkin, West Creek, or Waretown.
And if you own a home on LBI, this is also a perfect weekend to stop at Fireplaces Plus and start dreaming about the outdoor living space you actually want.
Because eventually, every shore homeowner has the same thought:
“This patio could be amazing.”
That is the beginning of the project.
Why Visit Fireplaces Plus This Weekend?
Fireplaces Plus in Manahawkin is an easy stop on the way to or from Long Beach Island. It is also a great break from the heat, the crowds, and the chaos of a packed summer weekend.
The showroom is fully stocked with the latest:
- Fire pits
- Outdoor fireplaces
- Linear fire features
- Gas fireplaces
- Fireplace accessories
- Outdoor living upgrades
- Custom design options
For LBI homeowners, especially those with second homes, July is when outdoor living really starts to matter. The guests are here. The grill is working. The patio furniture is out. The family is gathering. And suddenly the backyard, deck, patio, or outdoor room either feels complete—or it does not.
A fire pit or outdoor fireplace can change that.
It gives people a place to gather after dinner. It adds warmth when the bay breeze picks up. It makes the space feel finished. It helps turn a regular outdoor area into the place everyone naturally wants to be.
And because Fireplaces Plus has the largest fireplace showroom in NJ, you can see real products in person instead of guessing from a tiny online photo while squinting at your phone in the sun.
Also, again, air conditioning.
That is not a small detail in July.
What Is the Best Weekend Game Plan?
Here is one simple way to organize the weekend.
Friday
Start with the Artisan Market in Beach Haven, spend the afternoon at the beach, then head to Firepit Friday at 68th Street Beach for Garden State Radio. Finish the night with dinner, live music, or Young Frankenstein at Surflight Theatre.
Saturday
Choose your lane. Families may like Tuckerton Seaport, the Sunshine Foundation Fishing Tournament festivities, or the Ship Bottom Block Party. Music lovers can head to Albert Music Hall’s Bluegrass Fest or catch live music across LBI. Homeowners can make a smart mid-day stop at Fireplaces Plus to cool off and explore outdoor fire features before heading back out for the evening.
Sunday
Slow it down with a beach morning, Surflight Theatre matinee, The Yard Market at The Boatyard, kayaking, paddleboarding, or a sunset cruise. Use Sunday to enjoy the water, browse, relax, and avoid turning your last day into a packing panic.
Final Thoughts: LBI Is Wide Open This Weekend
The weekend of July 10 to 12 has everything people love about summer in the LBI region: beach concerts, theater, markets, music, fishing, family activities, waterfront dining, and plenty of reasons to stay out later than planned.
For visitors, it is a full weekend of options.
For homeowners, it is also a reminder of what makes a shore home special.
The best LBI homes are not just places to sleep after the beach. They are gathering places. They are where friends stay late, kids make memories, and summer nights turn into stories people tell years later.
So enjoy the events. Catch a show. Support the local fire company. Listen to live music. Get out on the water. Browse the markets.
And when you need a break from the sun, or when you start imagining how much better your own patio could feel, visit Fireplaces Plus in Manahawkin.
It is cool, comfortable, fully stocked, and ready to help you create the outdoor space everyone will remember.