If you click on the links in this post, we may earn money from the companies mentioned in this post, at no extra cost to you. You can read the full disclaimer here.
The clams were the original reason for having a Clam Festival in Highlands, New Jersey, and a delicious reason at that. But in the last 30 years, the festival has become so much more! It has been extended to 3 days. It still has clams, but they’re joined by other food. The festival has rides and kids’ activities. And there’s music on the Clam Fest Stage throughout the festivities. And fun will be had by all.
The Clam Festival will be happening on August 1, 2 and 3, 2025, at Huddy Park on Bay and Waterwatch Avenues. Portions of these avenues will be closed off to street traffic. This is where the carnival rides, games, children’s activities, contests and more will be.
On Thursday, the Clam Festival will begin at 6 pm. Music on the Clam Fest Stage will be The Discoteks. They’ll take the stage at 7:30 pm. The festival will end at 11 pm on Friday night.
Clams and seafood will be available at the festival. You’ll also have food trucks with a variety of menus. If you’re a land lubber, you’ll find something you’ll like here. Festival favorites include the Lions Club Funnel Cakes and the Highlands Fire Department BBQ tent.
The Clam Festival will feature a Beer, Wine & Sangria Garden on the corner of Waterwatch and Bay Avenues.
Live Entertainment
On Saturday, August 2, 2025, the festival will open at 1 pm. Johnny 5 Is Alive will be playing on the Clam Fest Stage. They are a cover band from Springfield, New Jersey. They take popular covers and put a reggae ska beach vibe to them.
Big Hix will be performing on 7 pm. Following this performance, there will be a spectacular fireworks show over Snug Harbor Beach at 10 pm. This will be presented by Serpico Pyrotechnics in honor of the Festival’s 30th Anniversary.
On Sunday, August 3, 2025, the festival hours will be from 12 pm to 8 pm. Wrap up this great weekend with The Josh Zuckerman Band at 1 pm and enjoy local favorites, The Clamdiggers, at 2 pm.
Admission
The Clam Festival will have free admission and parking will also be free.
Seafood
If you enjoyed the clams and seafood at the festival and would like to learn more about cooking seafood, try these cookbooks. And use our links to see how you can save on them.
- The New England Clam Shack Cookbook, 2nd Edition by Brooke Dojny
- Eventide: Recipes for Clambakes, Oysters, Lobster Rolls & More by Arlin Smith and Andrew Taylor
- Shellfish: 50 Seafood Recipes for Shrimp, Crabs, Mussels, Clams, Oysters, Scallops & Lobster by Cynthia Nims
- 150 Homemade Clam Recipes by Jutta Kim
If you’d like to visit Highlands for the Clam Festival, here are apartments, homes, condos and other rental units that might be perfect for your trip. Take a look at these rental options.