Clam Fest 2026 ~ Highlands, NJ

Ciao Tutti!

Thank you for joining “Anthony On The Ave” and my debut post, which happens to be a local (to me) festival! 

The Highlands Clam Fest

As many of you know, I live at the beach in New Jersey. I avoid calling it the "Jersey Shore" (the MTV show ruined that name for me) or saying "down the shore," since I live here full-time now rather than commuting from North Jersey.

While many of the feasts and festivals occur in the cities and larger towns of northern New Jersey, New York and other places, it's always nice when I am able to attend a local festival. This particular one has been going on for 31 years in a small town called Highlands - not to be confused with Atlantic Highlands. 

Some of you - especially those who are from or frequent the beaches of New Jersey - know the Highlands. The Highlands is home to the famous Twin Lights. It is said that the Pledge of Allegiance was first recited at the site of the famous twin lighthouses. You can read more about that here: https://www.twinlightslighthouse.org/post/a-pledge-to-remember. Highlands is also home to Hartshorn Woods, Seastreak Ferry and Bahrs Landing. It is a beautiful location along Sandy Hook Harbor and has amazing views of New York City, Sandy Hook and the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge. 

One of the most iconic and amazing sites along the New Jersey coastline is from the Highlands-Sea Bright Bridge. As you come over the bridge from Highlands and to either Sea Bright or Sandy Hook, you will have an unobstructed view of the magnificent Atlantic Ocean. 

Now more about Clam Fest…

The Navesink River and Sandy Hook Bay - both located near Highlands - have significant clam beds for both hard and soft shell clams. In the Highlands and nearby Sea Bright, clammers come in and bring their clams to processing sites. Some of these processing sites have technology that pumps out all of the sand from the clam. Clams are then distributed to local supermarkets, fisheries and restaurants for sale.

31 years ago, Highlands started its Clam Fest to feature the pride of the local clamming industry, not to mention the deliciousness of the clams. Normally it is in the beginning of August. I had attended once before, but decided I would attend again this year. The festival began on July 31 and ended on August 2. 

As I strolled around the festival on Sunday afternoon, I was amazed at the amount of vendors selling anything from toys, jewelry, fire protection, art studio and hot sauce. You would also think that Clam Fest would limit itself to seafood trucks. You would think wrong. What would be a festival without Italian sausage sandwiches, fried Oreos and zeppole? Clam Fest had all that too. But, I’m a “when in Rome” kind of person. I avoided the sausage sandwich and went right for the lobster roll, which was ok (too much mayo and served on a hot dog roll). Of course, I could not leave clam fest without having…clams. The steamed clams were amazing without one grain of sand in them. There were plenty of other seafood options, such as oysters, mussels, lobster, crabs and seafood risotto. One food truck offered lobster rolls with bacon! (Next time, I intend to scope out all the food options before making my decision.)

Following my consumption of the lobster roll and steamed clams, I washed that all down with a delicious watermelon lemonade. That’s when I passed another food truck, which had deserts. Too full from the roll and clams, I took a chocolate covered key lime pie and cannoli cream stuffed strawberries to go. I can’t begin to tell you how amazing those were. My neighbors were appreciative too. 

In addition to the many food options, Clam Fest had live entertainment for pretty much the entire time. They had water, soda, beer and other libations. They also had fireworks on Saturday night. Along with various 50/50 raffles. 

I’m sad to say that at the writing of this post, Clam Fest is over, but expected back next year. I will plan on attending again!

Stay tuned for my next feast/festival adventure and please share with your family, friends and neighbors.

Buona Festa!