From designer clothing, shoes and handbags, to gently used housewares and holiday decor, you’ll find bargains galore at The Center Square Thrift Shop in Belmar, New Jersey. Living up to its promise of “Not Your Ordinary Thrift Shop,” The Center Square is more like a specialty boutique than a secondhand store. The store is meticulously maintained by its volunteer staff, who dedicate numerous hours each week sorting, pricing and displaying the donated merchandise. “Keeping the thrift shop clean and organized is an ongoing task,” says Belmar resident Joyce Roussell Ciallella, who has been volunteering at the shop since it opened in 2015. “We receive donations on a daily basis, and each item goes through a quality control inspection before going out on our racks and shelves. People will come into the shop and remark that it’s not like any other thrift shop they have been to; some think it is a high-end boutique.” Volunteer Joyce Ciallella with Store Manager Joey Straniero. Sales from The Center Square Thrift Shop benefit The Center in Asbury Park , a nonprofit organization that has been providing support services to people living with HIV/AIDs in Monmouth and Ocean Counties since 1992. The Center assists individuals in need with transitional housing, transportation, home visits, meals, personal hygiene products, and homelessness prevention. Another key initiative is the Center House at 806 Third Avenue in Asbury Park, which provides supportive housing in its 25 fully furnished studio apartments. “When The Center Square Thrift Shop opened here in town, I knew it would be a perfect fit for me and I would be contributing to such a worthwhile cause,” says Ciallella. “I love working with my fellow volunteers and getting to know our regular customers; we are like one big, happy family. Volunteering at The Center Square fills a void for many of our volunteers who are retired and looking to get involved. It is a fun place to be and you never know what treasures you will find!” RELATED : Shopping In Belmar, New Jersey If you have items to donate, please drop them off during the store’s open hours (see below). The Center Square accepts women’s, men’s and children’s clothing, linens, housewares, purses, fashion accessories, shoes, and small kitchen appliances. With Belmar's single-use plastic bag ban in effect, they also need donations of paper bags or reusable totes for customers' purchases. The store does not accept donated furniture, computers, televisions, or large appliances. The Center Square Thrift Store Belmar NJ 800 Main Street Belmar, New Jersey 07719 848-404-9922 Store Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday Closed Sunday and Monday Downtown Belmar, New Jersey, is also home to Selective Seconds, which sells donated furniture, home decor, and accessories. Proceeds benefit the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Find them at 911 Main Street, rear entrance or call 732-894-9393 for more information. RELATED : Favorite Flea Markets Near Belmar Story and images © Christine Cardellino, Belmar Beachcomber Blog, and www.VacationInBelmar.com , 2017 to present. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material, including photography , without express and written permission from this site’s author/owner is strictly prohibited. If you wish to use a photograph from this site, full and clear credit must be given to Belmar Beachcomber Blog  with appropriate and specific links to the original content. Live Like A Local: Rent A Belmar Beach House Day trips down the shore are fun, but it's even better to rent a beach house for the week to experience everything wonderful about the Belmar area. For couples, solo adults and small families, the two-bedroom Blue Hydrangea Cottage rental in Belmar, New Jersey, is the perfect getaway place. The home sleeps up to four people and is consistently rated five stars for cleanliness, amenities and location. Learn more at www.vacationinbelmar.com . RELATED : Plan Your Vacation In Belmar, New Jersey

Officials in Belmar, New Jersey, will light up the summer sky on Saturday, July 5, 2025, with a July 4th fireworks spectacular and computerized light show set to music. The Independence Day festivities will take place outside Taylor Pavilion, 5th and Ocean Avenues in Belmar. July 4th fireworks on Belmar Beach will start with a free concert at 8:30 p.m., followed by the laser light show and fireworks beginning at approximately 9:10 p.m. Although the event is free for the community, Belmar officials are suggesting a donation of $25.00 from each family attending, which will be donated to Rebuilding Warriors. This nonprofit organization provides specially trained service dogs to military veterans who are living with service-related PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, of loss of limbs. This will be the second year that Belmar has supported the Rebuilding Warriors organization through its July 4th fireworks event. Get there early for a prime viewing spot on the sand in front of Taylor Pavilion, or set up your chairs on the grass in Silver Lake Park across from the pavilion (the field where the New Jersey Seafood Festival was held in May). For more information about July 4th fireworks on Belmar beach, contact Belmar Tourism at 732-681-3700, ext. 214. A local nonprofit organization, Raising4 Inc. , is organizing this event in partnership with Belmar Borough. Watching live fireworks at the Jersey Shore is a wonderful way to make family memories that will last a lifetime. RELATED : More events in Belmar, NJ RELATED : Visitor Guide to Belmar Beach Tags, Parking, And More A second fireworks show will take place in Belmar on Friday, September 1, at Silver Lake Park (Ocean Avenue at 5th Avenue) after the Belmar 5 kids' races. July 4th Fireworks Near Belmar In nearby Bradley Beach, New Jersey , July 4th fireworks will be held for the community on Saturday, July 5, 2025, beginning at dusk. Rain date Sunday, July 6. Wall Township, New Jersey , will celebrate Independence Day with fireworks on Sunday, June 29, starting at 9:30 p.m. The July 4th fireworks in Wall Township coincide with the closing night of the annual Wall Fair, which takes place June 26 to 29 at Wall Community Park in the Municipal Complex. Jenkinson's Boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey , has fireworks on the beach every Thursday night beginning at dusk, including July 4th fireworks on the actual holiday. The Point Pleasant fireworks dates for 2025 are June 19 through August 28. Story and photos © copyright by Christine Cardellino, owner of www.VacationInBelmar.com  and publisher of the award-winning Belmar Beachcomber Blog , a travel and tourism guide for the Belmar region of the Jersey Shore. Do not copy any content (including images) without our permission. All rights reserved. Live Like A Local: Rent A Belmar Beach House Day trips down the shore are fun, but it's even better to rent a beach house for the week to experience everything wonderful about the Belmar area. For couples, solo adults and small families, the two-bedroom Blue Hydrangea Cottage rental in Belmar, New Jersey, is the perfect getaway place. The home sleeps up to four people and is consistently rated five stars for cleanliness, amenities and location. Learn more at www.vacationinbelmar.com . RELATED : Belmar Tourism Information

Four Belmar restaurants are taking part in Jersey Shore Restaurant Week, March 28 - April 6, 2025 . Held every spring and fall since 2009, Jersey Shore Restaurant Week (JSRW) is a great time to plan a special date or girls night out, or to experience a new restaurant that you've been wanting to try. All of the Belmar restaurants below are offering a three-course prix fixe Restaurant Week menu featuring an appetizer, entrée, and dessert for $32.24 or $42.25. Some restaurants are also offering lunch-only menus for $20.25, or the option of mix-and-match menus for $37.25. Reservations are recommended at each of the participating Belmar restaurants during JSRW. See the full list of participating area restaurants and menus on the Jersey Shore Restaurant Week website . Note that the Restaurant Week menus may not be offered every night, so check availability of the special menu with each restaurant before you make a reservation. Participating Belmar restaurants are listed below in alphabetical order. 1. Berg's Smoked Meats & Poutine 1405 Main Street Belmar, New Jersey 07719 732-749-3266 Berg’s Smoked Meat & Poutine is a unique dining destination in Belmar, known for its indulgent French-Canadian dish known as poutine. Poutine consists of French fries and cheese curds smothered with brown gravy – a Québecian take on New Jersey’s beloved disco fries. Berg's also serves smoked beef brisket sandwiches, which their website describes as, "An iconic sandwich from Montreal, the smokier, melt-in-your-mouth version of pastrami." During Restaurant Week, Berg's is serving "lunch all day" for $20.25, consisting of choice of chili or soup of the day to start, along with assorted 6-ounce meat sandwiches (pastrami, smoked turkey, tuna salad, smoked chicken salad, or Black Russian). For sides, select from three options: poutine, latkes, or smoked cauliflower. (Dessert is not offered during the Restaurant Week "lunch all day" special.) RELATED : Taste Of Belmar - Reuben Dip With Berg’s Beef Brisket [RECIPE] RELATED : Dining Around - Best BYOBs Around Belmar 2. Brandl 703 Belmar Plaza Belmar, New Jersey 07719 732-280-7501 www.brandlrestaurant.com BYOB Chef Chris Brandl and his namesake restaurant in the heart of downtown Belmar are regular participants in Jersey Shore Restaurant Week. Brandl's mouthwatering menu for spring 2025 ($42.25) includes a choice of lobster bisque, burrata with roasted beet salad, lobster bisque, or Caesar salad. E ntrées include your choice of house-made gnocchi bolognese, Thai shrimp over sticky rice, or Bell & Evans roasted chicken with garlic-butter sauce. Satisfy your sweet tooth with Brandl's selection of desserts, including warm apple strudel with vanilla ice cream, chocolate torte, ice cream, or sorbet. RELATED : Dining Around - Skratch Kitchen In Bradley Beach 3. La Dolce Vita Italian Restaurant 400 Ocean Avenue Belmar, New Jersey 07719 732-749-3177 The Jersey Shore Restaurant Week menu at La Dolce Vita starts with three appetizer offerings: roasted beet salad; provolone sausage with white beans and escarole; or sausage-stuffed mushrooms. For dinner, choose from four entrees: Pork osso bucco; filet of barramundi in a white wine and garlic sauce over saffron risotto; spicy rigatoni with plum tomatoes and calabrese peppers; or boneless chicken breast topped with asparagus and fresh mozzarella. Complete your meal with a house dessert of the day, and I highly recommend the espresso martinis at La Dolce Vita. (Note: Beverages not included in Restaurant Week price.) RELATED : Read More Restaurant Stories 4. Mr. Shrimp Seafood Restaurant and Market 1600 Highway 71 732-681-7755 www.mrshrimp.com BYOB Another long-time Restaurant Week participant is Mr. Shrimp on Route 71, across from Turnstile Coffee Roasters. Owner Vincent Petruzziello always goes above and beyond to provide two different fixed-price menus, along with a mix-and-match menu, that caters to various tastes. Among the $32.25 menu items are shrimp cocktail, PEI mussels marinara, or eggplant rollatini for appetizers. Dinner options include hot and spicy shrimp over rice; broiled salmon; chicken Francaise or marsala; and shrimp Parmesan over linguini. The $42.25 menu includes tuna carpaccio salad; king crab and lobster risotto; or chipotle fried calamari for starters. E ntrées include your choice of shrimp and scallop rigatoni in a roasted garlic Parmesan cream sauce; seared halibut encrusted with pistachios; Mr. Shrimp paella; and pan-seared swordfish with lump crab meat stuffing over mashed potatoes with a white truffle-saffron butter sauce. Mix-and-match between the two menus for a special price of $38.25. Dessert for all menus consists of carrot cake, chocolate mousse bar, or rice pudding. RELATED : Dining Around - Spike’s Fish Market & Seafood Restaurant RELATED : A rea Attractions - Fresh Fish Markets Story and images © Christine Cardellino, Belmar Beachcomber Blog, 2017 to present. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material, including photography , without express and written permission from this site’s author/owner is strictly prohibited. If you wish to use a photograph from this site, full and clear credit must be given to Belmar Beachcomber Blog  with appropriate and specific links to the original content. Live Like A Local: Rent A Belmar Beach House Day trips down the shore are fun, but it's even better to rent a beach house for the week to experience everything wonderful about the Belmar area. For couples, solo adults and small families, the two-bedroom Blue Hydrangea Cottage rental in Belmar, New Jersey, is the perfect getaway place. The home sleeps up to four people and is consistently rated five stars for cleanliness, amenities and location. Learn more at www.vacationinbelmar.com .

Update 3-7-2025 : Surf's Up Candle is relocating to 19 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, New Jersey, and rebranding as Surf's Up Coffee & Candle co. Belmar Beachcomber loves to support local businesses, and one of our favorite little shops is Surf’s Up Candles. The driving force behind Surf’s Up Candles is founder and owner Michelle Fontanez, a Belmar resident who got started in the candle-making business in 2013. At t he time, Fontanez was recently divorced with four young children. She was looking for a new business opportunity and found herself drawn to handcrafted candles. In a 2020 interview with the Asbury Park Press, Fontanez recalled her early days at the helm of Surf's Up Candle: “I started making candles in a slow cooker in my kitchen in 2013 and spent eight months working on the process," she said. "I learned how to make candles online, as well as through a lot of trial and error, using and burning candles to test them, and called my new venture Surf’s Up Candle; I loved the name from the beginning and designed the packaging myself …. The products, name, and graphics have a vintage, beachy, refurbished vibe and are designed to remind people of a happy and simpler time.” RELATED : Experience The Magic Of Candle Making At Midnight Candle Co. In Belmar Fontanez initially sold her candles at street festivals and vendor markets. She also pounded the pavement at home décor trade shows and in the community to get her candles into local shops such as the former Sunsations in Belmar, Bungalow Road in Avon by the Sea, and Mueller’s Florist in Manasquan, New Jersey — all while still hand-pouring candles at home in her kitchen. As the Surf’s Up brand grew in popularity, Fontanez opened a small retail shop in Lake Como in 2017 and also obtained a large adjacent warehouse/office/manufacturing space.   In 2020, she had a “dream come true” when shopping channel QVC first featured her candles on air. Surf’s Up Candles can now be found in more than 5,000 stores nationwide, according to the Asbury Park Press article, as well as on Amazon and Etsy.   About Surf's Up Candles Surf’s Up Candles are made of 100 percent natural soy wax with all-natural paper and cotton wicks, essential oils, and fragrances. Every batch of candles is hand-poured at the Jersey Shore. The core Surf’s Up Candle product line includes mason jar candles in three sizes (4-ounce, 8-ounce, and 16-ounce), paint can candles, bath bombs, and all-natural sugar scrubs. (The glass mason jars are reusable, too.) Over the years , Surf's Up Candle has expanded with the addition of lip balms, body sprays and lotions, surf dust, car air fresheners, subscription boxes, beachy home décor, alpaca blankets, jumbo mason jar candles, scented oil diffusers, and specialty candle collections (Grateful Dead jars, state license plate labels, seasonal and holiday collections, and zodiac signs). Whether you shop online or in the retail store, you can stock up on your favorite Surf's Up Candle and bring the scent of the Jersey Shore back home with you.   Surf’s Up Candles 19 Monmouth Street Red Bank, New Jersey 07701 848-404-9559 www.surfsupcandle.com   Story and images © Christine Cardellino, Belmar Beachcomber Blog, and www.VacationInBelmar.com , 2017 to present. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material, including photography , without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. If you wish to use a photograph from this site, full and clear credit must be given to Belmar Beachcomber Blog and www.VacationInBelmar.com/belmar-beachcomber-blog  with appropriate and specific links to the original content. Live Like A Local: Rent A Belmar Beach House Day trips down the shore are fun, but it's even better to rent a beach house for the week to experience everything wonderful about the Belmar area. For couples, solo adults and small families, the two-bedroom Blue Hydrangea Cottage rental  in Belmar, New Jersey, is the perfect getaway place. The home sleeps up to four people and is consistently rated five stars for cleanliness, amenities and location. Learn more at www.vacationinbelmar.com .

The Belmar-Lake Como St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee is holding seven fund-raisers for the 2025 parade, now in its 52nd year. According to event organizers, all donations to the Belmar Parade fundraisers directly support the annual event, which ushers in a month of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and festivities throughout New Jersey. The schedule of 2025 Belmar St. Patrick's Day Parade fundraisers is: Sunday, January 5, 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. The Salty Whale & Guesthouse 390 Main Street Manasquan, New Jersey $15.00 donation includes hot and cold buffet, free drink, and live entertainment. Saturday, January 11, 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh 15 Oak Street Old Bridge, New Jersey $25.00 donation includes hot and cold buffet with wine and beer, entertainment by Eamon Ryan, and performances by FSOS Old Bridge pipes and drums band. Sunday, January 19, 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. The Headliner 1401 State Highway 35 Neptune, New Jersey $15.00 donation includes entertainment and hot and cold buffet. Sunday, January 26, 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. Marina Grille 902 Highway 35 Belmar, New Jersey $15.00 donation includes entertainment and hot and cold buffet. Sunday, February 2, 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. Bar Anticipation 703 16th Avenue Lake Como, New Jersey $15.00 donation includes buffet and live Irish music by The Snakes. Sunday, February 16, 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. Reef & Barrel 153 Sea Girt Avenue Manasquan, New Jersey $15.00 donation includes entertainment and hot and cold buffet. Sunday, February 23, 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh 815 16th Avenue Belmar, New Jersey $15.00 donation includes hot and cold buffet, live music, and performances by The Pipes and Drums of the Jersey Shore Shillelaghs. RELATED : Honoring Irish Tradition At The Belmar St. Patrick's Day Parade The annual Belmar Parade fundraisers are a great way to get into the St. Patrick's spirit while also showing your support of this popular annual event, which is great fun for the entire family! Story and photos © copyright by Christine Cardellino, owner of www.VacationInBelmar.com  and publisher of the award-winning Belmar Beachcomber Blog , a travel and tourism guide for the Belmar region of the Jersey Shore. Do not copy any content (including images) without our permission. All rights reserved.  Live Like A Local: Rent A Belmar Beach House Day trips down the shore are fun, but it's even better to rent a beach house for the week to experience everything wonderful about the Belmar area. For couples, single adults and small families, the two-bedroom Blue Hydrangea Cottage rental in Belmar, New Jersey, is the perfect getaway place. The home sleeps up to four people and is consistently rated five stars for cleanliness, amenities and location. Learn more at www.vacationinbelmar.com . RELATED : Visit Belmar, New Jersey

Matt Dates, owner of Midnight Candle Company, is a self-taught candlemaker whose hand-poured jars and votives are lighting up the retail shopping scene in downtown Belmar, New Jersey. Midnight Candle Company celebrates its 30th year of business in 2025. Tell us a little bit about your business. Midnight Candle Company offers hand-poured scented candles in their own retail space on Main Street in Belmar, as well as to other retail locations in the area. We also have event favors and corporate gifts, and offer fundraising programs. You can also bring in your own container for custom filling. In January 2024, Dates moved his business from 1108 Main Street to the property formerly occupied by Don's Pizza King. What was the inspiration for your business? I started making candles for myself in 1994, and thought they were as good — or even better — than candles I had purchased. Back then, I felt there was a good market for a small, home-based candle business. I started with a table at a local craft fair and got such positive feedback and a bunch of return business immediately. Eventually, I was able to make it a full-time endeavor. People wanted more, so I kept making more! My first physical location was Atlantic Highlands, then West Long Branch, then Farmingdale, then Neptune, which I left in fall 2018 to open the Belmar store. RELATED : Area Attractions Near Belmar, New Jersey Matt Dates, owner of Midnight Candle Company. What do you enjoy most about being part of the Belmar business community? I have been fortunate enough to live in Belmar for over 17 years, so the very same things that I enjoy about living here, I enjoy about doing business here. The amazing indoor and outdoor options combined with so many great people are truly awesome. I’ve always felt so comfortable being here, and the support from the local community has been tremendous. I look forward to the interaction with others during our upcoming workshops and classes. What is something most people don't know about your business? Since, I haven’t officially announced it yet, most aren’t aware that we are now offering Wax Works, which are “make your own” educational workshops for small groups of four to eight people. Participants will create, pour and leave with a minimum of two scented candles that burn for 60 hours each. I want my business to be known for…. Simply providing quality products at fair prices while maintaining a sense of community through fundraising and candle workshops. We’re friendly, positive, and transparent in all we do. People might find it surprising to know that I…. This part was the hardest. I started selling Kirby vacuums in order to raise money to start Midnight Candle Company. If I was asked to describe my background in a few sentences, I would tell you that…. I grew up with amazing, hard-working self-employed parents and began regularly working in retail at 9 years old. I worked in many retail and service environments. I have traveled a lot but was born, raised, educated and lived in New Jersey my whole life. I am a self-taught, pre-YouTube, trial-and-error candle maker. What is the biggest lesson you have learned being in business for yourself? I can't do everything myself, even though I want to. To know when to ask for and to accept help from others is always beneficial. What else would you like to share about your business? We recently started “Fundraise Fridays,” through which we donate a percent of sales from each Friday of the month to a different organization doing great things in the area. Currently, Fundraise Fridays are for in-store sales, but we will be including online sales as well soon. We also have great contests and giveaways on Mondays on Instagram @midnightcandlecompany. Anything else to add? Midnight Candle Company uses only refined paraffin wax that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the National Candle Association (NCA). We use the maximum amount of the highest-quality fragrance oils to produce a strong natural aroma that lasts for the life of the candle. All oils are phthalates-free and approved for burning in candles by the NCA. We use a pre-waxed wick with a zinc core to ensure wicks remain centered, stable and burning safely. All wicks are lead-free and non-toxic. Midnight Candle Company 811 Main Street Belmar, NJ 07719 www.midnightcandle.com RELATED : One-Of-A-Kind Finds - Nourished By Nature Organic Juice Bar Story and photos © copyright by Christine Cardellino, owner of www.VacationInBelmar.com  and publisher of the award-winning Belmar Beachcomber Blog , a travel and tourism guide for the Belmar region of the Jersey Shore. Do not copy any content (including images) without our permission. All rights reserved.  Live Like A Local: Rent A Belmar Beach House Day trips down the shore are fun, but it's even better to rent a beach house for the week to experience everything wonderful about the Belmar area. For couples, solo adults and small families, the two-bedroom Blue Hydrangea Cottage rental in Belmar, New Jersey, is the perfect getaway place. The home sleeps up to four people and is consistently rated five stars for cleanliness, amenities and location. Learn more at www.vacationinbelmar.com .

Belmar Tourism officials will ring in the 2024 holiday season with the annual Christmas tree and menorah lighting ceremonies in Pyanoe Plaza. Don't forget to #shoplocal this Small Business Saturday and throughout the holiday shopping season! Events are free and open to all ages unless otherwise noted. 2024 Holiday Events in Belmar, New Jersey Small Business Saturday Saturday, November 30 Hours and specials vary by business When you're shopping for someone who loves the Jersey Shore, you'll find plenty of great gift ideas in the Belmar business community. And when you shop local in our town — in store, online, or by phone — you're supporting independent, family-owned small businesses and their employees. RELATED : Belmar Shopping And Dining Guide Belmar Christmas Tree Lighting Thursday, December 5, 6:00 p.m. Gather with your family and our local community to ring in Christmas 2024 with the annual Belmar Christmas tree lighting in Pyanoe Plaza (downtown Belmar). Local students will sing Christmas carols beforehand. Information: 732-681-3700, ext. 214 Belmar Historical Society Holiday Pop-Up Shops Saturday, December 7, 1:00-3:00 p.m. Saturday, December 14, 1:00-3:00 p.m. 900 E Street, Union Firehouse Annex Belmar, New Jersey 07719 You'll find plenty of Belmar-themed holiday gifts at the Belmar Historical Society (BHS) holiday pop-up shops. Surprise someone with a classic Christmas tree ornament or a series of vintage Belmar postcards. New for 2024 are colorful "Greetings From Belmar" beach towels and a packaged set of postcards p acked in glassine bags and sealed with the BHS logo. Cash or check only. RELATED : Holiday Gifts With A Jersey Shore Twist Holly Jolly Trolley Tours Friday, December 13, 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30 p.m. Belmar, New Jersey 07719 $20.00/ticket plus $3.18 processing fee The Belmar-Lake Como Chamber of Commerce is holding its first holiday trolley tour! Climb aboard and take in the festive lights and decorations while everyone's favorite holiday songs play in the trolley. Choose from three different starting times and catch the trolley at Café Di Famiglia, 917 Main Street, Belmar, New Jersey. Tickets are $20.00 per person and may be purchased via this link . Complimentary popcorn and hot chocolate will be served on each trolley. Desserts, coffee drinks, and other refreshments will also be available for purchase at Café Di Famiglia before and after the tour. Santa Toy Delivery Monday, December 16, 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. Belmar, New Jersey 07719 Santa will make his annual fire truck tour through Belmar and Lake Como, New Jersey, to deliver children's gifts. Drop off your wrapped gift with the child's name and address clearly marked at Belmar Borough Hall, 601 Main Street, or Lake Como Borough Hall, 1704 Main Street, from December 9-13, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Belmar Christmas Light Shows Friday, December 13, 7:00-7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 21, 6:00-6:30 p.m. Pyanoe Plaza, by Connolly Campion Wright building $25.00 donation requested for a family of four; $15.00 requested for individual donations. All proceeds benefit Rally Cap Sports, a nonprofit organization that engages special-needs children with sports programs. Belmar Candy Cane Hunt Saturday, December 14, 5:00-6:30 p.m. Downtown Belmar Businesses Candy Cane Pick-Up Location: Hot Mess Studio (901 Main Street, Back Entrance)⁠ ⁠Information: 732-681-3700, ext. 214 The Belmar Candy Cane Hunt is for children ages 12 and younger. This event was launched in 2023 to help promote the local Belmar business community. Lofidelic Records, Brandl Restaurant, Hot Mess Studio, Santo Ceviche, Belmar Flower Alley, and Cafè Di Famiglia on Main Street are among the participating Belmar businesses. Pre-registration is required. No day-of entries will be accepted.⁠ Register here: https://parksrec.egov.basgov.com/belmarnj/Search?TagId=840 RELATED : Dining In Belmar NJ Holiday Cookie Baking Class Monday, December 16, and Tuesday, December 17 Wednesday, December 18, and Thursday, December 19 6:00-9:00 p.m. Coney Waffle Test Kitchen 801 Main Street Belmar, New Jersey 07719 $125.00 per person Join Coney Waffle for a two-day holiday cookie baking class and cookie swap on December 16 and 17 or December 18 and 19. In this hands-on class, you’ll bake a variety of holiday cookies, from classic favorites to creative new treats. Space is limited and pre-registration/pre-payment is required. Sign up here https://www.coneywaffle.com/events-and-classes Belmar Christmas Caroling With The B Street Christmas Carolers Saturday, December 21, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. 1101 B Street Belmar, New Jersey 07719 Stop by the Walsh residence at 1101 B Street for live Christmas carols in their driveway. Visitors are asked to bring their own warm beverages and a chair to enjoy the performance, a 12-year tradition in Belmar. Inclement weather date: December 22, 2024. Belmar Menorah Lighting Monday, December 30, 6:00 p.m. Pyanoe Plaza (Downtown Belmar) Free refreshments at Brandl after the lighting Information: 732-681-3700, ext. 214 © Christine Cardellino, Belmar Beachcomber Blog, and www.VacationInBelmar.com , 2017 to present. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material, including photography , without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. If you wish to use a photograph from this site, full and clear credit must be given to Belmar Beachcomber Blog and www.VacationInBelmar.com/belmar-beachcomber-blog  with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Live Like A Local: Rent A Belmar Beach House Day trips down the shore are fun, but it's even better to rent a beach house for the week to experience everything wonderful about the Belmar area. For couples, solo adults and small families, the two-bedroom Blue Hydrangea Cottage rental in Belmar, New Jersey, is the perfect getaway place. The home sleeps up to four people and is consistently rated five stars for cleanliness, amenities and location. Learn more at www.vacationinbelmar.com .

End your picture-perfect beach day with a stunning Jersey Shore sunset. In Belmar, the sun makes its daily descent over the serene waters of the Shark River. Along Route 35 in Belmar, Maclearie Park, L Street Beach, and the Belmar Marina are three of the best places to watch the blazing colors unfold as the sun slowly inches down over the western skyline until it disappears from the horizon. For outdoor dining with a sunset view, reserve a table at Rajin’ Cajun restaurant on Route 35 across from the Belmar miniature golf course, or try one of the marina’s two riverfront restaurants, 9th Avenue Pier or Marina Grille. RELATED : Mini Golf With A Water View - 3 Scenic Spots RELATED : Marina Grille: 12,000 Square Feet Of 'Wow!' At The Belmar Marina We’ve also seen some amazing sunsets out at sea, facing the Jersey coastline from a boat a few miles offshore in the Atlantic Ocean. The Ocean Explorer and Golden Eagle are two locally operated commercial fishing boats that offer sunset cruises from the Belmar Marina. For something different, book an afternoon whale-watching trip on the Royal Miss Belmar or the Ocean Explorer , and you’ll get the best of both worlds – humpback whales, sunsets, and maybe even some dolphins – if the timing is right. RELATED : Guide To Fishing Charters And Party Boats At The Belmar Marina For standup paddleboard enthusiasts, Belmar’s Endless SUP Company offers 7:00 p.m. sunset paddles from the L Street bathing beach on Route 35. What a wonderfully tranquil way to bask in the hues of twilight on the water. Along the beachfront, you can take in the watercolor streaks of sunset over Silver Lake to the west and the Belmar beach and boardwalk to the east. Sometimes, Mother Nature even delivers a real standout to our front door, like the sunset below from last fall. Just step outside and take in the splendor of fiery orange, pink and purple ribbons spreading across the sky. Wherever you decide to watch the sun go down, we hope you enjoyed seeing some of our favorite photos of sunsets in Belmar! Story and photos © copyright by Christine Cardellino, owner of www.VacationInBelmar.com  and publisher of the award-winning Belmar Beachcomber Blog , a travel and tourism guide for the Belmar region of the Jersey Shore. Do not copy any content (including images) without our permission. All rights reserved.  Live Like A Local: Rent A Belmar Beach House Day trips down the shore are fun, but it's even better to rent a beach house for the week to experience everything wonderful about the Belmar area. For couples, solo adults and small families, the two-bedroom Blue Hydrangea Cottage rental in Belmar, New Jersey, is the perfect getaway place. The home sleeps up to four people and is consistently rated five stars for cleanliness, amenities and location. Learn more at www.vacationinbelmar.com . RELATED : Visit Belmar, New Jersey

The Belmar Public Library in Belmar, New Jersey, has announced the lineup of local performers for its 2024 Summer Concert Series on the library lawn. The Belmar Library's summer concerts are a family-friendly community event suitable for all ages. Belmar Public Library Summer Concerts Schedule 2024 Corner Of 10th Avenue & E Street On The Library Lawn Belmar, New Jersey Thursday, June 6, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Pat Roddy Band Thursday, July 18, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The Black Ties Thursday, August 15, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Danny White Band Tuesday, August 20, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. E Boro Bandits Thursday, September 19, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Pat Roddy Band - End of Summer Performance RELATED : Belmar Business Spotlight - Beach Music Studios About The Belmar Public Library According to its mission statement: "The Belmar Public Library will work with the community to provide materials, information, technology and opportunities to educate, enrich and entertain people of all ages and backgrounds. The Library is dedicated to providing friendly, outstanding, personal customer service and equal access to resources for all patrons, from preschool through senior adults. We are committed to enhancing the quality of life in our community by meeting the evolving educational, informational, cultural and recreational needs of our Library users." In addition to its Summer Concert Series, the Belmar Public Library holds various events and educational programs for the community throughout the year. For senior adults, offerings include smartphone and mobile technology workshops, free therapeutic exercise and dance programs (called "Healthy Steps"), chair and mat yoga, and social activities such as bridge games. RELATED : Belmar Yoga Classes With An Ocean View Other offerings at the Belmar Public Library include toddler story time; knitting, crocheting and sewing lessons; meditation, Qigong and Tai Chi classes; and a youth art program. If you're a Bruce Springsteen fan, stop by the library lawn and pose for a picture with the gigantic replica of The Boss's famous Fender. The eight-foot-tall guitar is a popular landmark in town. RELATED : Grab A Selfie At The Giant Bruce Springsteen Guitar In Belmar The library in Belmar also provides access to public computers with free wireless Internet service, along with wireless printers and work-study stations. For a small fee, you may also utilize the library's convenient fax and copy services. A Belmar Library card is free for Belmar residents (two proofs of residency are required). Non-residents may join for a $25.00 membership fee. Belmar Public Library 517 10th Avenue Belmar, New Jersey 07719 732-681-0775 Website Story and photos © copyright by Christine Cardellino, owner of www.VacationInBelmar.com  and publisher of the award-winning Belmar Beachcomber Blog , a travel and tourism guide for the Belmar region of the Jersey Shore. Do not copy any content (including images) without our permission. All rights reserved. Live Like A Local: Rent A Belmar Beach House Day trips down the shore are fun, but it's even better to rent a beach house for the week to experience everything wonderful about the Belmar area. For couples, solo adults and small families, the two-bedroom Blue Hydrangea Cottage rental in Belmar, New Jersey, is the perfect getaway place. The home sleeps up to four people and is consistently rated five stars for cleanliness, amenities and location. Learn more at www.vacationinbelmar.com .

When you're looking to meet up with friends for appetizers and adult beverages, you'll find plenty of options for casual fare and cocktails in Belmar, New Jersey. Here are the Belmar Beachcomber's top picks for happy hour dining. 1. Flames Brazilian Steakhouse 1000 Main Street Belmar, New Jersey 732-681-7680 www.flamesbraziliansteakhouse.com At Flames Brazilian Steakhouse in Belmar, you can enjoy happy hour at the full-service bar Monday to Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and all day Sunday. Happy hour specials include half-price appetizers and $5.00 cocktails and house wine. Try a refreshing caipirinha cocktail made with Brazilian rum, Sao Paolo Tropical with Grey Goose vodka, or a pitcher of Portuguese sangria. For appetizers, half-price small plates are perfect for sharing. RELATED : An All-You-Can-Eat Rodizio Feast At Flames Brazilian Steakhouse 2. Klein's Seafood Restaurant & Waterfront Café 708 River Road Belmar, New Jersey 732-681-1177 www.kleinsfish.com With its tranquil views of the Shark River, Klein's Tiki Bar is a popular spot for happy hour dining. Outdoor bar seating during happy hour is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Happy hour specials are currently available between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday (bar only). The bar menu includes $5.00 Tito's cocktails, $5.00 house wines by the glass, $5.00 sangria by the glass or $20.00 by the pitcher, half-priced well drinks, and specials on both draft and bottled beer. Happy hour food specials include $12.00 tavern burgers, $5.00 California and vegetable rolls, $6.00 shrimp tempura rolls, $6.00 chicken tacos, $4.00 onion rings, and $7.00 fried shrimp appetizers. If you're looking to order off the regular dinner menu, the Belmar Beach and Spicy Mama sushi rolls and boom-boom shrimp are two of my favorite things to order at Klein's. RELATED : Dine With A Water View At These 5 Belmar Restaurants 3. La Dolce Vita Italian Restaurant 400 Ocean Avenue Belmar, New Jersey 07719 732-749-3177 http://laterrazzabelmar.com/ In addition to specially priced appetizers ($5.00 and $7.00) and drink specials, you'll enjoy the people-watching and ocean views during happy hour at La Dolce Vita on Ocean Avenue. During a recent visit, we enjoyed half-price house pinot grigio, meatball sliders, filet mignon tip sliders, and mozzarella towers. Happy hour specials are currently available Sunday through Friday, 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., but this is subject to change, depending on the season. 4. 10th Avenue Burrito Company 801 Belmar Plaza Belmar, New Jersey 732-280-1515 www.tenthaveburrito.com Happy hour at 10th Avenue Burrito Co. in Belmar is available Monday to Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the inside and outside bars. Snack on $5.00 nachos and $5.00 Mexican corn bites, while sipping on a happy hour drink special. Happy hour cocktails include $3.00 domestic drafts, $5.00 well drinks and wine, and $7.00 la casa margaritas. If you're ordering off the regular dinner menu, our favorite appetizers are the pork molé nachos with guacamole and sweet chili chicken wings served with avocado ranch dressing. The sweet and spicy corn soup is also terrific! RELATED : Favorite Mexican Restaurants In Belmar And Beyond 5. 801 Craft Kitchen At Beach Haus Brewery 801 Main Street Belmar, New Jersey 07719 732-202-7782 www.beachhausbeer.com After acquiring the liquor license from the former Jack's Tavern in 2019, the owners of Beach Haus Brewery introduced a full-service bar with specialty drinks, wine, beer cocktails, craft spirits and, of course, beer flights (four samples per flight). Happy hour specials are available Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the brewery's second-floor restaurant, 801 Craft Kitchen & Spirits. Monday night is industry night at Beach Haus, with 50 percent off your check with proof of employment in the restaurant or bar business. Just outside the taproom and restaurant, a palm-lined deck with umbrella tables is the perfect spot to take in the sweeping views of the Belmar Marina and downtown Belmar. Seating is first-come, first-served, so it's best to get there early to avoid long waits, especially on the weekends. RELATED : Best Spots For Outdoor Dining In Belmar 6. Anchor Tavern 713 Main Street Belmar, New Jersey 732-280-2266 www.anchortavernnj.com Anchor Tavern, a Chef's International dining establishment, has happy hour specials at the inside and outside bars every day from 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., making it a popular place among locals and visitors alike. Some of the drink specials include $3.00 domestic drafts, $4.00 domestic bottles, $4.00 well drinks, $5.00 White Claws, and select wines for $5.00. A selection of small plates is available for happy hour dining at Anchor Tavern. The choices includ wings, ricotta toast, a crock of chili, onion rings, empanadas, nachos, and pulled pork tacos. Other Popular Places For Happy Hour You'll find lots of other choices for happy hour dining in Belmar, including the Marina Grille at the Belmar Marina and the seasonal 9th Avenue Pier waterfront bar at the Belmar Marina. In nearby Lake Como, New Jersey, Bar Anticipation (Bar A) is a year-round destination for Friday happy hour with live music inside. Some of the local bands that perform during happy hour at Bar A include the popular Moroccan Sheepherders, local favorite Pat Roddy, and the Eddie Testa Band. RELATED : Marina Grille - 12,000 Square Feet Of "Wow!" At The Belmar Marina Outside of Belmar, we recommend the happy hour at Pagano's UVA Italian Restaurant and Wine Bar, 800 Main Street, Bradley Beach, New Jersey. Happy hour at UVA is Tuesday through Friday, noon to 7:00 p.m.; noon to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday; and all day on Sunday (noon to 10:00 p.m.). The bar menu features pasta dishes, salads, pizza, grilled sandwiches, and other selections. Also, Tuesday is specially priced pasta night with $4.00 house wine by the glass at UVA in the dining room and at the bar. Enjoy a discounted pizza menu all day at the bar on Thursdays at UVA, or half-price pasta on T We've also enjoyed happy hour at The Elbow Room, 416 Main Street, Bradley Beach. Their bar menu includes appetizers (try the hummus platter with veggies and warm flat bread), small plates (fried calamari with sweet chili sauce is good), quesadillas, burgers, sides, sandwiches, and house specialties. Cheers! Story and photos © copyright by Christine Cardellino, owner of www.VacationInBelmar.com  and publisher of the award-winning Belmar Beachcomber Blog , a travel and tourism guide for the Belmar region of the Jersey Shore. Do not copy any content (including images) without our permission. All rights reserved. Live Like A Local: Rent A Belmar Beach House Day trips down the shore are fun, but it's even better to rent a beach house for the week to experience everything wonderful about the Belmar area. For couples, single adults and small families, the two-bedroom Blue Hydrangea Cottage rental in Belmar, New Jersey, is the perfect getaway place. The home sleeps up to four people and is consistently rated five stars for cleanliness, amenities and location. Learn more at www.VacationInBelmar.com .

Some of Belmar's most treasured environmental gems are nesting refuges for endangered coastal birds such as the American Osytercatcher. One such refuge is nestled in a remote protected area of the Shark River Inlet between the Belmar Fishing Club and the neighboring town of Avon by the Sea. According to the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, "Piping plovers, least terns, and black skimmers, referred to collectively as beach nesting birds, are among New Jersey’s rarest and most threatened wildlife species." The American oystercatcher has been named a "species of special concern," and the piping plover has been designated as threatened by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service since 1986 ( source ). Populations of New Jersey's beach nesting birds are sadly declining due to several factors. Predatory birds and animals are taking a toll on bird eggs and hatchlings in particular. Changes to the birds' natural habitats caused by overdevelopment, rising sea levels, and coastal flooding are also negatively impacting nesting sites along the Jersey Shore coastline. In an Appendix to its 2023 Beach Nesting Bird Project Report , the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey shared, "Predation of nests is a primary driving factor of low productivity for all beach-nesting bird species with a conservation status in New Jersey. A number of techniques are already used to mitigate this threat, with varying degrees of success. As predation remains a limiting factor for the recovery of these species despite those approaches, in 2023 NJFW biologists experimented with four novel approaches to mitigate this risk." Should you come across any of the protected nesting bird habitats while walking on the Belmar beach, please respect the posted signs and do not disturb the birds' breeding ground. Belmar allows licensed, leashed dogs on the beach from October 1 through April 30. If you're walking your dog near the birds' habitat during this time, please keep your pet out of the roped-off area. In addition, while we ALWAYS strongly discourage daily beach visitors from leaving their trash on the beach (seriously, who does that?!), cleaning up after yourself is especially important near the birds' breeding area to avoid attracting predators such as gulls, raccoons, foxes and even cats that might harm the vulnerable eggs and chicks. RELATED : Tree Of Heaven - A Devil In Disguise The Conserve Wildlife Foundation's beach nesting bird project team, its volunteer breeding bird surveyors, and partner agencies will continue their dedicated efforts to protect these species and their natural habitats. As the conservationists say: "Share the shore" and enjoy the natural beauty of these endangered birds from afar. Read More Conserve Wildlife beach nesting bird project New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection beach nesting bird management program Black skimmer fact sheet from New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife NJDEP Endangered Beach Nesting Birds Brochure Story and photos © copyright by Christine Cardellino, owner of www.VacationInBelmar.com  and publisher of the award-winning Belmar Beachcomber Blog , a travel and tourism guide for the Belmar region of the Jersey Shore. Do not copy any content (including images) without our permission. All rights reserved. Live Like A Local: Rent A Belmar Beach House Day trips down the shore are fun, but it's even better to rent a beach house for the week to experience everything wonderful about the Belmar area. For couples, solo adults and small families, the two-bedroom Blue Hydrangea Cottage rental  in Belmar, New Jersey, is the perfect getaway place. The home sleeps up to four people and is consistently rated five stars for cleanliness, amenities and location. Learn more at www.vacationinbelmar.com .

From the beachfront to the business district, Belmar is a great shore town to explore on bicycle. Two of the best places to rent bikes when you're vacationing in Belmar, New Jersey, are Jersey Shore Bike Rentals right here in town and Shore Riders Bike Rentals out of Point Pleasant Beach. Both companies offer free delivery and pickup of the bikes from your vacation rental location. Jersey Shore Bike Rentals 732-440-9891 text or call Website $25.00 for 24 hours Discounts available for multiple-day rentals Shore Riders Bike Rentals 732-595-2453 text or call Website $30.00 for one day $100.00 for six nights If you want to rent an electric bike, check out the selection of e-bikes at Pedego Electric Bikes in Spring Lake, New Jersey. Pedego Electric Bikes 732-201-4117 Website $50.00/day, age 17 and older Biking On Belmar Boardwalk Once you rent a bike in Belmar, if you want to ride your bike to the beach, Belmar provides plenty of bike racks at every beach entrance. In peak summer season, bike riding is permitted on the Belmar boardwalk between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. only. RELATED : Area Attractions Near Belmar Where Else To Ride If you want to bike outside of Belmar, the Beachcomber Blog recommends the Edgar Felix Memorial Bikeway in Manasquan, New Jersey. This 5.5-mile paved bike path is part of the New Jersey Capital to the Coast Trail, a mixed-use network of trails that spans 55 miles from the state capital in Trenton to Manasquan in Monmouth County. The Asbury Park boardwalk is another favorite day trip destination on the bike. From Belmar to Asbury Park, it's about a five-mile ride hugging the coastline north along Ocean Avenue. In Asbury Park, popular sights include the historic Convention Hall and Paramount Theater, the Stone Pony, and the Wonder Bar. You'll also find a wide variety of restaurants to fuel up for the ride back to Belmar. Beachcomber Blog recommends Langosta Lounge and Pop's Garage on the boardwalk and Porta Pizza a couple of blocks west of the boardwalk. RELATED : Day Trip Destination - Asbury Park Boardwalk Story and photos © copyright by Christine Cardellino, owner of www.VacationInBelmar.com  and publisher of the award-winning Belmar Beachcomber Blog , a travel and tourism guide for the Belmar region of the Jersey Shore. Do not copy any content (including images) without our permission. All rights reserved.   Live Like A Local: Rent A Belmar Beach House Day trips down the shore are fun, but it's even better to rent a beach house for the week to experience everything wonderful about the Belmar area. For couples, solo adults and small families, the two-bedroom Blue Hydrangea Cottage rental in Belmar, New Jersey, is the perfect getaway place. The home sleeps up to four people and is consistently rated five stars for cleanliness, amenities and location. Learn more at www.vacationinbelmar.com . RELATED : Visit Belmar, New Jersey