Frequently Asked Questions

Upcoming Fall 2026 Events to Visit LBI Again For!
Upcoming Fall 2026 Events to Visit LBI Again For!

Looking for a reason to plan a visit to Long Beach Island to enjoy the coveted “local summer”? Check out our newest Calendar Update, as 2027 will be here before we know it!

Featured FALL Events Coming Up on Long Beach Island:

Note: This is not a complete list of the event happening on LBI from October of 2026. For more information visit, www.welcometolbi.com/events. Know about an event you don’t see? Share with us by email info@welcometolbi.com.

Beach Haven Chowder Cook Off | October 3rd-4th

12th Annual LBI FLY Invitational Kite Fest | October 9th-10th

54th Annual LBI 18-Miler | October 11th

Trunk or Treat: Ship Bottom (10/23)

Harvest Hayride | October 24th

Halloween Hustle 5K | October 25th

LBI FLY Kite Festival Returns for 2026!
LBI FLY Kite Festival Returns for 2026!

Mark your calendars, LBI! October 9-10, 2026 is when our skies become a masterpiece. The 12th Annual LBI FLY Invitational Kite Festival touches down for a weekend of color, wind, and wonder above Long Beach Island’s shores.

Wander the sand and watch kite artists from around the world turn wind into art, right over Long Beach Island, New Jersey. New attractions. Hands-on fun for the kids. A global lineup of fliers pushing what a kite can even be. This is the festival’s biggest, most family-friendly year yet — so grab the crew and claim your spot on the sand.

✨ Festival Dates & Locations

Friday, October 9
📍 Ship Bottom Beaches (18th–27th St)
🕛 12–5 PM

Saturday, October 10
📍 Ship Bottom Beaches (18th–27th St)
🕙 10 AM–4 PM

Saturday, October 10 – Night Fly
📍 Ship Bottom Beaches (23rd-25th St)
🕡 6:30–8:30 PM
(Watch the kites light up the night sky!)

🌍 Who’s Flying This Year?

Our kite fliers are coming in from across the US and beyond — including Utah, Wisconsin, California, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Alaska, Indiana, New York, New Jersey, and even Germany!

We’re thrilled to welcome FIVE special guest fliers for 2026:

      • Rolf Zimmermann (Germany)

      • Ron Gibian (California)

      • Scott Hampton (Utah)

      • Tim Sorenson (Alaska)

      • Doug Hardy (Texas)
      • Kevin Bayless (Florida)

    These talented artists and performers will wow you with intricate kite designs and interactive kite displays.

    👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-Friendly Activities

    We’re proud to make this year’s festival the most engaging experience yet for families and kids:

        • Kids Kitemaking (create your own kite and take it home!)

        • Interactive Kids Kite Field

        • Bubble Blasts on the beach

        • Hands-on Kite Flying with handmade kites

        • Night Fly: On the beach (night fly merchandize available for purchase)

      ✨ Why You Shouldn’t Miss It

      The LBI FLY Kite Festival is more than just a show in the sky — it’s a weekend full of community, art, and family fun. Whether you’re a lifelong LBI visitor or discovering the island for the first time, this is a unique experience you’ll never forget.

      Mark your calendar, grab your family and friends, and get ready for an unforgettable weekend on the beach. We’ll see you October 9-10th, 2026!

      Make sure you follow along to stay in-the-know with any updates or event details:

        Want to feature your business with this unique opportunity? Become a SPONSOR for this year’s Kite Festival! We have curated sponsorship tiers so that businesses of all sizes can be a part of this wonderful event. Simply email us at: info@welcometolbi.com

        Interested in volunteering or want to inquire about flying a kite? Email our Kite Fest Coordinator: djbowlby@me.com

        LBI Summer Guide 2026: Beaches, Lifeguards & Public Bathrooms
        LBI Summer Guide 2026: Beaches, Lifeguards & Public Bathrooms

        Summer is here!! The streets are buzzing, local businesses are open, and beachgoers from across the region are heading to the sand in search of sun, salt air, and sea.

        Before you hit the shore, there’s one thing we want to say clearly: please only swim when a lifeguard is on duty. This season has already brought heartbreaking news with several drowning deaths have occurred along the Jersey Shore, including on LBI. The ocean is powerful and conditions can change without warning. No swim is worth the risk when guards aren’t present. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or you’ve been coming to this island for decades, please make swim safety your first priority.

        We’ve updated all the details below: guarded beach locations, lifeguard hours, public restrooms, and beach badge requirements for 2026, so you can enjoy every single day at the shore feeling prepared, informed, and safe.

        — Barnegat Light

        • Lifeguards on duty: Full time schedule begins June 20th, then Daily from 10AM – 5PM

        • Guarded Streets: 30th, 27th, 26th, 25th, 22nd, 21st, 19th, 17th, 15th, 14th, 12th, and 10th (25th Bay Beach is guarded for young families)

        • Public Restrooms: Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, W 10th St at the Bay

        • Beach Badges: Required on all Barnegat Light beaches for all beach patrons 12 years and older.

        • Where to Purchase: Beach Badge Booth or on the beach from a Badge Check (no app or online option at this time).

        • More Info (including information on Beach Badges, Beach Wheels, Beach Tram, and Dog Policy)

        — Beach Haven

        • Lifeguards on duty: Full time schedule begins June 27th, then Daily from 10 AM – 5 PM

        • Guarded Streets: 12th, Taylor, 5th, 2nd, Centre, Engleside, Pearl, Belvoir, Essex, Liberty, Kentford

        • Public Restrooms: Centre St. Beach Patrol building, at the beach entrance, and also located a few blocks from the beach at Veterans Park (on Amber St.) and at the Nelson Ave. playground (on Nelson Ave.).

        • Beach Badges: Badges required everyday, except Wednesday, during the season. Badges are also required on all Beach Haven beaches for all beach patrons 12 years and older. Can purchase a physical badge in person or a digital badge via the My Beach Mobile App (refer to the Beach Haven page for more info).

        • Attention from BH Beach Patrol: Tents are not allowed on Beach Haven beaches, per Borough code Chapter 55-9. Only 7ft. umbrellas, with an anchor, and 4ftx4ft baby tents are allowed. Do not block beach entrances and life guard stands with your beach setup. Borough Beach Patrol staff will be monitoring this closely.

        • More Info (including parking, beach taxi, beach mats, and more) and Visit the BH Beach Patrol Page for Beach Badge info.

        — Harvey Cedars

        • Lifeguards on duty: Full time schedule begins June 20th, then Daily, 10 AM – 5 PM

        • Guarded Streets: 86th, 83rd, 80th, 77th, 73rd, 69th, Middlesex, Atlantic, Hudson (also surfing beach), Cape May, 5417 Blvd. (Cumberland), Bergen, Bay Beach at W 75th

        • Public Restrooms: Sunset Park, Borough Hall (75th St)

        • Beach Badges: Badges are required on all Harvey Cedars beaches beginning June 15th for anyone 12 years of age or older. Can purchase a physical badge in person or a digital badge via the My Beach Mobile App (refer to the Beach Haven page for more info).

        • More Info (including post-season schedule) or Click Here for Beach Badge information.

        — Long Beach Township

        • Lifeguards on duty: Full time schedule begins June 20th, then Daily from 10 AM – 5 PM

        • Guarded Streets: Please note general locations of the lifeguard stands can vary per beach due to ocean conditions, so make sure to check the LBT website as guarded locations will be updated daily on the home page.

          • Loveladies: Tract 153 (Dolphin), Tract 141 (Seaview), Coast Ave, Tract 99 (Harbor North), Tract 85, Tract 53 (Harbor South)

          • North Beach: Tract 1119 (Green), Tract 1087 (Flamingo), Tract 1065 (Pump House), Track 1049, Tract 1023, Tract 1005

          • Brant Beach: 32nd Street, 36th Street, 40th Street, 44th Street, 48th Street, 52nd Street, 55th Street, 58th Street, 62nd Street, 65th Street, 68th Street, Bay Beach – 68th Street

          • Beach Haven Crest: 70th Street, 75th Street, 78th Street, 82nd Street, 86th Street, 91st Street, 96th Street, 100th Street, 104th Street, 110th Street, 114th Street

          • Spray Beach: Colorado Ave (118th), Ramp Ave (122nd), Dune Ave (127th), Pennsylvania Ave (131st), 33rd Street, 29th Street, 25th Street, 21st Street, 17th Street, 14th Street, Bay Beach – Pennsylvania Ave (131st)

          • Holgate: Osborne Ave, Marshall Ave, Susan Ave, Rosemma Ave, Scott Dr, Chatham Ave, Jacqueline Ave, Harding Ave, Washington Ave

        • Note: Swim between yellow flags only; surfing between blue flags

        • Public Restrooms: Holgate (at the south end parking lot of Long Beach Blvd at McKinley Ave), Bayview Park (68th Street, Brant Beach), 68th Street (Ocean Beach at Pavillion Ramp), 68th Street Pickleball Courts, Harbor South (Loveladies)

        • Beach Badges: Badges are required on all LBT beaches for anyone 12 years of age or older. Can purchase a physical badge in person or a digital badge via the My Beach Mobile App (refer to the LBT page for more info).

        • Click for more information in LBT: Guarded Beaches, Beach Wheels, Beach Regulations, Bathroom Facilities, Beach Badges