We published a full list of 2019 Summer Events – check it out now on Best of LBI.buzz!

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Summer is on the way, and new Long Beach Island memories are waiting to be made! Here’s a list of attractions that are creating buzz around town for the upcoming season.

1 New Long Beach Island Events and Annual Festivals

From cook offs to fishing tournaments to film festivals, there’s lots of great annual events to look forward to this year. For a full list of events, stay tuned for the 2019 Ultimate LBI Vacation Guide. More fun things to do are still in the planning stages, but here is a sneak peak of what you can expect the calendar of events to look like.  

February

• Chocolate Week – YUM.

April

• LBI Wedding Road Show

May

• Viking Village Arts and Crafts Show
• Memorial Day Parade

June

• Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs
• Lighthouse Film Festival
• Hop Sauce Fest
• Rides and Rods Show
• LBI Wine Fest
• Beach Bums Corvette Show

July

• 4th of July Fireworks Display
• Mayor’s Cup Lifeguard Tournament
• Harvey Cedars Art Festival
• Ship Bottom Fire Co. Block Party

August

• Festival of the Sea
• Manahopkin
• TRUCKerton Food Truck Fest
• Surf City Farmers Market – Mondays, all summer

September

• Sea Glass Festival

October

• Chowderfest
• LBI FLY Kite Festival

December

• Ship Bottom Christmas Parade

2 Amusement Parks

Family fun comes in all forms at LBI’s amusement parks with thrilling rides, kiddie rides, water slides, and classic arcade vibes. One of LBI’s best family friendly attractions is the one and only Fantasy Island Amusement Park in Beach Haven. In true shore carnival style, it’s got all your favorite rides, food, and games. There’s no entrance fee as you just buy tokens for the attractions. The arcade is open all year round.

For seasonal amusement, there’s Thundering Surf Water Park and miniature golf also in Beach Haven. Across town, just off Route 72 on the mainland side, is the construction of the Mainland Family Adventure Park, which will open soon.

 

3 New Long Beach Island Transportation Options

While the Route 72 Mainland Causeway Bridge is still opened and functioning throughout the ongoing construction of it (set to be finished by 2021), traffic in the summertime can be a nuisance. County officials have been working on plans to help accommodate tourists during the summer months. One of which ways is the new Long Beach Island Water Ferry Service. This LBI Ferry will begin service on July 4th weekend and continue through Labor Day with a few select dates in late September and October to accommodate during fall festival events. According to their website, the ferry will run between the Tuckerton Seaport lighthouse dock and the Taylor Avenue dock in Beach Haven. Reservations are recommended by calling 609- 296- 8868. Some other especially new and exciting buzz on the island is the construction of a zipline from Beach Haven to West Brant Beach, but you’ll have to stay tuned for more details on that.

 

4 Oceanfront Dining

Waterfront dining in Long Beach Island is one of everyone’s favorite LBI pastimes. There’s lots of great choices, too! Whether you want to dress up for fine dining, enjoy a casual bite of fresh seafood, local treats, or pizza and a burger off the beach, you’ll find it here and with a view of the bay or ocean. A new Long Beach Island waterfront restaurant is set to open in May in the building of The Ketch in Beach Haven. The beloved The Ketch restaurant was sold to new owners and has been reinvented to Bird and Betty’s with a classic LBI Good Times theme from the 1960s and 70s. This new/ old spot will offer casual dining and a nightclub.

 

5 New Long Beach Island Hotel

Hotel LBI has been under works for about two years and is finally set to open this May. It’s said to be the island’s grandest hotel yet. It has a 1900s grand hotel style to it with historic detailing but lots of fancy modern amenities. Along with 102 guest rooms, this luxury hotel has a salon and spa, various on-site dining options, a fitness room, an indoor pool with a retractable roof, bicycle and beach rentals, and event venue and catering services.

There are many other hotel options, too! Elsewhere on the island, hotels are upgrading and updating for their 2019 visitors.

6 Live Entertainment

From professional theatres to restaurant stages to outdoor pavilions, performers of all backgrounds put on quality shows throughout the year. Day or night, there’s always a show to look forward to. Stay in the know about these performances with the LBI Entertainment Guide. Another tip is to follow your favorite LBI spots on Facebook as they will post and add event news there, too. One of the places that creates the most buzz with regular live entertainment is the Sand Dollar Restaurant & Beach Bar. For a Broadway on the beach experience, checkout the calendar at Surflight Theatre. Some of their big productions of the year include Flashdance, Mama Mia, Matilda, and Ain’t Misbehavin. Another great local theatre company is Bellatrine. Though their 2019 season hasn’t been announced yet, it’s sure to have something to entertain audiences of all ages.  

 

7 Discover LBI History

This 18-mile island community does a great job at keeping history alive through various cultural programs like Beach Haven Ghost Tours and interesting museums. Kind and knowledgeable staff, real artifacts and changing exhibits make LBI museums one of the best ways to discover the history of the island. The island’s best museums include New Jersey Maritime Museum in Beach Haven, Long Beach Island Historical Museum in Beach Haven, and Barnegat Light Museum in Barnegat Light.

 

8 New Long Beach Island Miniature Golf Course

Long Beach Island’s premier 36-hole miniature golf course, Jen’s Links LBI, is set to open this spring. No official grand opening date has been announced, but you can be sure they will share it on their Facebook page. This will be another grand addition to the ever growing family friendly activities LBI offers. The course has two 18 hole courses both nestled along the water in sight of historic Barnegat Lighthouse. You can have a virtual walk through of the courses by viewing their stunning photos online. Jen’s Links LBI is also set up to host parties and event.

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9 The Arts

The arts are always alive and well in LBI. Particular thanks for this goes to the wonderful Long Beach Island Foundation of Arts and Sciences (LBIF). LBIF has been providing cultural and educational year round programs about the arts and sciences to the LBI community and its visitors for nearly 70 years. Perhaps the most anticipated programs are their Summer Camps for kids ages 3 – 16. Visit their website to learn more about their adult workshops.  Aside from LBIF, there’s also the LBI Arts Council that hosts the annual LBI Artist Open Studio and Gallery Tour every June. This year it’s June 29th. According to their website, this tour supports and promotes local artists who work and exhibit on LBI, in order to strengthen the growing cultural community on Long Beach Island.

 

10 New Long Beach Island Shops

Shopping local and supporting local small businesses is an easy thing to do in Long Beach Island. It’s unlikely to find big corporate shopping chains here aside from the Original Ron Jon Surf Shop. What you will find are quality and unique boutiques and handmade goods. Two of the island’s go to centers for shopping are Viking Village in Barnegat Light and Schooner’s Wharf Shopping. Check out our Ultimate Shopping Guide for the buzz on where to shop and snag some discounts.

Have Fun in the Sun with New Long Beach Island Attractions

Long Beach Island is a guaranteed good time for the whole family! Summer is always a blast on LBI, but these new Long Beach Island attractions on the radar are going to attract vacationers all year round. Book your hotel accommodations early for the best deals and gear up for loads of family fun. See you soon!