belmar seafood festival.

Festival runs from 4:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. on Friday May 16. 11:00 A.M. - 8:00 P.M. on Saturday May 17. 11:00 A.M. - 8:00 P.M. on Sunday May 18.

# Get Hooked On The Belmar NJ Seafood Festival

## The NJ Seafood Festival in Belmar, New Jersey, is happening this weekend, Friday, May 16; Saturday, May 17; and Sunday, May 18, 2025. The festival returns to its oceanfront location at Silver Lake Park on Ocean Avenue, between 5th and 7th Avenues.

### Every day of the Belmar Seafood Festival will offer an ultimate feast of crowd-pleasing favorites — from scallop kabobs and lobster rolls, to coconut shrimp, crab legs, and more.

Admission to the festival is free, with grab-and-go fare for sale at each individual food vendor. Nearly 30 food truck vendors are participating in the 2025 NJ Seafood Festival in Belmar, including local restaurants Ragin' Cajun, Klein's, Mr. Shrimp, Playa Bowls, Santo Ceviche, and Brandl. If you are looking for some savory sides to add to your seafood platter, you'll find food trucks selling grilled sweet corn, empanadas, blooming onions, lobster and crab fries, lobster mac and cheese, and more.

For your sweet tooth, take your pick from vendors selling funnel cakes, fried Oreos, Caribbean rum cakes (moist and decadent!), cannoli cream waffles, and ice cream treats.

In addition, 10th Ave. Burrito Co. has teamed up with ShorePoint Distributors to host the beer, wine, and hard seltzer tent (admission fee applies plus the cash bar).

> Local Tip: Don't miss Point Lobster Company's hot butter-bathed lobster roll served on a soft potato bun. It is sinfully delicious. I also love the blackened scallop kebabs. So fresh and just the right amount of spicy kick!

Last year, I also tried the fried grouper sandwich from the legendary Ike's Crab Cakes of Ocean City, New Jersey, kicked up with coleslaw and sriracha on top — a flavorful combination! You also must check out the moist and flavor-packed Caribbean rum cakes from Goodway Gourmet Bakery out of Troy, New York. They sold out last year, so make sure you don't miss out on a sweet slice of rum cake at the 2025 New Jersey Seafood Festival in Belmar. I got mine!!

## Shopping And Vendor Market

Throughout the Belmar Seafood Festival weekend, an assortment of local artisans and market vendors, including Belmar's own Daffodil Consignment and Señor Juan's Cigars, will have merchandise for sale in Silver Lake Park. New this year is a mobile petting zoo with a family of gentle goats (including some baby goats!) and a donkey. Admission is $2.00 to enter. For $5.00, you get entry and a cup of chopped carrots to feed the animals. Make sure you also stop by the Belmar Tourism table, where you can spin a prize wheel and win some fun Belmar swag.

Downtown Belmar businesses and restaurants will also be open during the event – a great time to browse the clothing boutiques and specialty shops along Main Street.

RELATED: Discover The Shopping And Dining Delights Of Downtown Belmar

## NJ Seafood Festival Live Music Schedule

Along with the food, musical entertainment is also a big part of the Belmar Seafood Festival. The lineup of bands for 2025 includes:

Friday, May 16
Little X Little, 4:00 p.m. Eddie Testa Band. 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 17 Danny White and Band, 12:00 p.m. Holme, 2:00 p.m. Tommy B and the Deep Blue Sea, 4:00 p.m. E Boro Bandits, 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 18 Danny White and Beach Music Studios Kids Rock Band, 12:00 p.m. The Wallnutz, 2:00 p.m. Pat Roddy Band, 4:00 p.m.