2026 Beach Haven Chowder Cook-Off Weekend: What to Know Before You Go

Fall is one of my favorite times at the Jersey Shore, and one event that always seems to bring people back to Long Beach Island after summer is the Beach Haven Chowder Cook-Off weekend.

This year’s event takes place October 3–4, 2026, on Taylor Avenue behind Bay Village in Beach Haven. It’s a two-day celebration with local food, shopping, music and, of course, plenty of chowder.

I’ve been to the Chowder Cook-Off myself, and if you’ve never experienced it, it’s a fun way to spend an October weekend on LBI.

The Beach Haven Chowder Cook-Off draws quite a crowd. This photo is from my visit in 2024.

Saturday, October 3: Merchant Mart

Saturday kicks off the weekend with the Merchant Mart from 10 AM to 5 PM, and admission is free.

There will be more than 80 local and regional merchants, along with food vendors, beer, wine and seltzer available for purchase, a youth area and music throughout the day.

Dogs are also welcome at Saturday’s Merchant Mart as long as they’re kept on a short leash.

It’s a great day to wander around Beach Haven, do a little shopping and enjoy the atmosphere—even if you’re not attending Sunday’s chowder tasting.

Sunday, October 4: The Chowder Cook-Off

Sunday is when things get serious for chowder lovers!

The Chowder Cook-Off runs from 11 AM to 4 PM and is the ticketed portion of the weekend. Local restaurants compete in two categories: New England (white) clam chowder and Manhattan (red) clam chowder.

Your ticket includes unlimited tastings of the competing red and white chowders, and you get to cast a vote for your favorite in each category.

Sampling chowder from Mud City Crab House during my visit to the 2024 Cook-Off.

And believe me, tasting your way through the different chowders is part of the fun!

Taste, Then Vote for Your Favorites

After sampling the chowders, ticket holders get one vote for their favorite red chowder and one for their favorite white chowder.

Voting is digital, making it easy to cast your vote after you’ve made your way around and chosen your favorites.

The voting station at the 2024 Beach Haven Chowder Cook-Off.

There’s something fun about walking around comparing notes with everyone:

Which white did you like? What about the red?

Everyone seems to have an opinion!

2026 Tickets Are On Sale Now

If you’re thinking about going this year, this is a good time to make your plans.

Advance tickets are $35 per person, plus applicable fees and taxes. Tickets purchased the day of the event are $40.

Sunday’s ticket includes admission, unlimited chowder tastings and voting.

Children under 10 do not need a ticket unless they want to participate in the voting. Everyone else attending Sunday needs a ticket, even if they don’t plan to taste the chowder.

Tickets and current event information are available on the official Beach Haven Chowder Cook-Off website.

Official Beach Haven Chowder Cook-Off tickets

Make a Weekend of It on LBI

One of the reasons I enjoy events like this is that they show a completely different side of Long Beach Island.

Summer may get most of the attention, but LBI doesn’t stop after Labor Day.

Fall weekends can be a wonderful time to walk around Beach Haven, visit the shops, enjoy local restaurants, take a walk on the beach and spend a little more time exploring the Island without the height-of-summer pace.

The Chowder Cook-Off is held on Taylor Avenue behind Bay Village in Beach Haven.

For someone considering a second home near LBI, I think that’s something worth knowing. The beaches and boating may be what first attract you to the area, but it’s the restaurants, traditions, local businesses and community events throughout the year that become part of the lifestyle.

A Few Tips Before You Go

The event is held rain or shine, and tickets are non-refundable. Free street parking is available around Beach Haven, and the Beach Haven School also offers parking in its lot as a fundraiser. Arriving early is a good idea.

If you’d like somewhere to sit, beach chairs are allowed, but they can only be set up in the designated grass area near the music stage. Outside food, beverages, coolers and water bottles are not permitted.

And one difference between the two days that’s worth remembering: dogs are welcome Saturday on a short leash, but aren’t permitted at Sunday’s Cook-Off except for certified service dogs.

Fall at the Jersey Shore

For me, weekends like this are part of what makes living near Long Beach Island so special.

There is certainly something wonderful about a summer day at the Shore, but September and October have their own personality. The pace changes, the weather starts to cool, and events like the Beach Haven Chowder Cook-Off give us another reason to get out and enjoy the Island.

If you’re coming down for this year’s Cook-Off, come hungry and enjoy the weekend!

And if you’ve ever wondered what it might be like to make the LBI area part of your own lifestyle, I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned both as a local homeowner and as a Realtor® who knows and loves this area.

Doris Gill | ERA Central Realty Group
Realtor® | RSPS | SRS | ABR
📲 609.752.2424
📧 dgill@eracentral.com
🌐 dorisgill.com