Ship Bottom NJ Events Calendar 2026
Every festival, parade, concert and tournament on the Ship Bottom calendar — with confirmed 2026 dates.
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Ship Bottom runs 10 annual events across the 2026 calendar, weighted toward sporting events, family events and cultural & heritage events. The Heart of LBI. October is the busiest stretch with 5 scheduled events, and 4 of the town's events are free to attend.
The anchor event is LBI Spring Surf Fishing Derby at LBI beaches island-wide, held April 4 - June 21, 2026.
Daily beach badges run $10 ($45 for the season), so budget for those on top of any ticketed event. Everything below is drawn from our Ocean County events dataset — 9 of the 10 entries carry a confirmed 2026 calendar date.
Coming up in Ship Bottom
Collapse May in Ship Bottom
May in Ship Bottom
All May shore events →Collapse August in Ship Bottom
August in Ship Bottom
All August shore events →Collapse October in Ship Bottom
October in Ship Bottom
All October shore events →LBI Sea Glass & Art Festival
Sea glass and coastal art festival on Long Beach Island.
Ship Bottom Trunk or Treat
Borough and police trunk-or-treat in Ship Bottom, Friday Oct 23.
Beach Haven Chowder Cook-Off (LBI Chowderfest)
LBI's premier fall food festival — free Saturday Merchant Mart, ticketed Sunday chowder cook-off.
LBI FLY International Kite Festival
International kite festival with giant kites and magical night fly.
LBI 18-Mile Run & 12K
53rd annual 18-mile race the length of Long Beach Island.
Collapse December in Ship Bottom
December in Ship Bottom
All December shore events →LBI Christmas Parade
Annual island Christmas parade down Long Beach Boulevard.
Also on the Ship Bottom calendar
- LBI Chowderfest — Early February
- LBI Spring Derby Surf Fishing Tournament — April - June
- Hop Sauce Festival — Late May
- Independence Day Fireworks — July 4th
- Ship Bottom Beach Volleyball Tournament — Mid-July
- Beach Patrol Lifeguard Championships — Early August
- LBI Foundation 5K Run — Late June
- LBI FLY Kite Festival — October 10-11
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Ship Bottom events — frequently asked questions
What events are happening in Ship Bottom, NJ in 2026?
Ship Bottom has 10 annual events on the 2026 calendar. Confirmed dates include LBI Spring Surf Fishing Derby (April 4 - June 21, 2026), LBI Grand Slam Surf Fishing Tournament (May 31, 2026), Lighthouse International Film Festival (June 10-14, 2026), LBI Surf Fishing Classic (August 29 - November 29, 2026), Beach Haven Chowder Cook-Off (LBI Chowderfest) (October 3-4, 2026). Full listings by month are on this page.
What is happening in Ship Bottom in July and August 2026?
Peak season in Ship Bottom brings 1 dated event: LBI Surf Fishing Classic on August 29 - November 29, 2026.
Are there free events in Ship Bottom?
Yes — 4 of Ship Bottom's 10 annual events are free, including LBI FLY International Kite Festival, LBI Sea Glass & Art Festival, Ship Bottom Trunk or Treat, LBI Christmas Parade.
What is the biggest event in Ship Bottom?
LBI Spring Surf Fishing Derby, held at LBI beaches island-wide, is the largest event on the Ship Bottom calendar. 79-day surf fishing tournament with 100% cash payout for striped bass and bluefish.
Where should I stay for Ship Bottom events?
Ship Bottom sits in Ocean County, and event weekends book out well ahead — especially anything falling on a summer Saturday. Hotels and vacation rentals in Ship Bottom and the neighbouring Ocean County towns are the practical options; book before the headline events fill the town.
Where to stay for Ship Bottom events
Event weekends are the hardest nights of the year to book in Ship Bottom. Compare hotels and vacation rentals before the calendar fills.
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Keep exploring Ship Bottom
- Ship Bottom town guide
- Things to do in Ship Bottom
- All Ocean County events
- Jersey Shore events hub
- Events near Surf City
- Events near Beach Haven
- Events near long-beach-township