- Wednesday night fireworks
- A day on the main beach
- Sunset on the sea wall
- A show at the Casino Ballroom
- The Sand Sculpting Classic (June)
- The Seafood Festival (September)
- Hampton Beach State Park
- The Seashell Stage
- A day trip to Portsmouth
- Rye's beaches and the Seacoast Science Center
The top 10
1. Wednesday night fireworks
Every summer Wednesday at 9:30pm, launched near B and C Streets by the Casino, plus special shows on July 4, Labor Day weekend and New Year's Eve. Watch from the paved sea wall. Fireworks guide.
2. A day on the main beach
Wide sand along Ocean Boulevard with lifeguards in season. Go early on weekends; parking near the center fills by late morning. Parking guide.
3. Sunset on the sea wall
The paved sea wall and sidewalk run along the beach, with the ocean on one side and the strip's food, arcades and shops on the other. It is level and easy for wheelchairs and strollers.
4. A show at the Casino Ballroom
Concerts and comedy all season on Ocean Boulevard. Many shows are seated. Casino Ballroom guide.
5. The Master Sand Sculpting Classic
In mid June, master sculptors compete for a $25,000 purse. Vote for People's Choice on Saturday and come back at night, when the sculptures are lit. Sand sculpting guide.
6. The Hampton Beach Seafood Festival
The weekend after Labor Day, with local seafood vendors and Saturday fireworks. Use the free satellite parking and shuttle. Seafood Festival guide.
7. Hampton Beach State Park
The south end of the beach, with a big flat parking lot, bathhouses and a concrete walkway onto the sand at South Beach.
8. The Seashell Stage
The state park complex in the middle of the beach, with an outdoor stage, the lifeguard station and accessible restrooms. The sand sculpture awards are held here.
9. A day trip to Portsmouth
Market Square, Prescott Park, Strawbery Banke and the harbor, a short drive north. Portsmouth guide.
10. Rye's beaches and the Seacoast Science Center
Quieter beaches at Wallis Sands and Jenness, and indoor exhibits at the Seacoast Science Center at Odiorne Point, open Wednesday to Sunday. Good for a rainy day.
Do all ten without wearing out
We rent scooters, wheelchairs, rollators and beach wheelchairs from Ashworth Ave, steps from the beach.
Tips for your visit
- State meters on Ocean Boulevard are free with a hanging disability placard.
- Town lots on Ashworth Ave, Island Path and Church St charge one flat daily rate, card only.
- Bring a layer for evenings by the water.
- For access details, see wheelchair accessible Hampton Beach.
Top 10 things to do: FAQ
What is the number one thing to do in Hampton Beach?
A summer Wednesday: a beach day, dinner on Ocean Boulevard, then the 9:30pm fireworks from the paved sea wall.
Is Hampton Beach worth visiting?
Yes, especially in summer. It has a long sandy beach, a paved sea wall, weekly fireworks, the Casino Ballroom and big annual events, with Portsmouth and southern Maine close by.
What is free to do in Hampton Beach?
The beach itself (you pay for parking), the sea wall, the Wednesday fireworks and viewing the sand sculptures are all free. See our free things to do guide.
When is the best time to visit Hampton Beach?
July and August for fireworks and the full summer scene. Mid June for the sand sculptures, and the weekend after Labor Day for the Seafood Festival.
Keep planning
Sources
Checked November 11, 2026. Venues and towns change their rules; the official source always wins. Spot something out of date? Let us know.