Fourth of July in Bradley Beach
Small-town fireworks & a tree-lined promenade
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Fourth Of July Weekend at a Glance
Thursday
July 2, 2026 (Fireworks)
9:00 PM
Fireworks Start
~$8
Daily Beach Badge
Free
Promenade Access
While You're in Bradley Beach
Make the most of your visit with these local highlights and essential info.
🎯 Don't Miss
- The Buttered Biscuit — Legendary breakfast spot known for incredible biscuits and Southern-style brunch.
- Stone Boardwalk — Distinctive boardwalk with benches and ornate fountains. Perfect for evening strolls.
- Del Ponte's Bakery — Old-school Italian bakery with amazing pastries and bread since 1927.
🚗 Parking Tips
Staying overnight?
Find hotels and B&Bs in Bradley Beach
Book Bradley Beach Tours & Experiences
Make the most of the weekend — book a tour, tasting, or guided experience. Free cancellation on most reservations.
Why Bradley Beach for July 4th?
Bradley Beach is the quintessential old-fashioned Jersey Shore town, with a wide oceanfront promenade lined with shade trees, gazebos, and benches instead of a flashy boardwalk. It is the kind of place where families have returned for generations, and the Fourth of July feels like a neighborhood block party rather than a tourist crush.
The town traditionally launches its fireworks on Thursday, July 2, 2026 at 9:00 PM over the beachfront near the bandshell, so you get the celebration without competing with the busiest holiday-weekend crowds farther up the coast in Asbury Park or Belmar.
With easy NJ Transit access on the North Jersey Coast Line, a compact walkable downtown, and a quieter pace than its neighbors, Bradley Beach is ideal for families who want fireworks, sand, and a slice of pizza without the chaos.
How to Spend the Fourth
Morning Beach Time
Claim a spot on the wide, gently sloping sand early. Bradley Beach badges run about $8 daily; the calmer surf and lifeguarded sections make it a favorite for families with young kids.
Afternoon on the Promenade
Stroll the tree-lined oceanfront promenade, rest in one of the historic gazebos, and grab Korean tacos from Mogo or a snack along Main Street before the evening warms up.
Sunset Dinner
Settle in for dinner at Vic's, the town's Italian institution since 1947, or keep it casual with burgers at Pop's Garage. Reserve or arrive early on a holiday week.
Fireworks Over the Beach
Stake out a blanket on the sand or promenade well before the 9:00 PM Thursday, July 2 show. The open beachfront gives clear sightlines up and down the oceanfront.
Where to Eat
Tables fill up fast over the holiday weekend. Reserve a few days out, especially anywhere with a water view.
Vic's Italian Restaurant
$$Italian
A Bradley Beach institution since 1947, famous for thin-crust pizza and red-sauce classics. Expect a wait on holiday weekends.
Cravings
$$Cafe & Bakery
Beloved local spot for breakfast, brunch, baked goods, and coffee a short walk from the beach.
Mogo Korean Fusion Tacos
$Korean Fusion
Quick, flavorful Korean BBQ tacos and bowls, a boardwalk-favorite grab-and-go before fireworks.
Pop's Garage
$$Mexican / Tacos
Casual fresh-Mex with tacos, guac, and margaritas, popular with families in the Bradley Beach area.
The Bradley Beach Inn Cafe Scene
$$American Cafe
Cozy cafes near the historic inn for coffee, light bites, and a relaxed start to the day.
Giamano's
$$$Italian American
Sit-down Italian and seafood with a full bar, a reliable choice for a holiday dinner out.
Where to Stay
The rooms closest to the beach and the fireworks book up first for the Fourth. Compare hotels and rentals below and reserve early.
Bradley Beach Inn
Historic seaside bed & breakfast
Walkable to the beach and promenade, charming rooms, classic shore-town character
La Reina Bed & Breakfast
Boutique B&B steps from the sand
Intimate rooms, easy promenade access, ideal for couples and small families
The Cabana Bradley Beach
Renovated boutique stay near the ocean
Modern rooms, short walk to downtown dining and the beachfront
VRBO Vacation Rentals
Home away from home
Full kitchens, multiple bedrooms for families
Book Your Stay
Find hotels, vacation rentals, and B&Bs in Bradley Beach
July 4th weekend availability limited
Bradley Beach fills up months in advance
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Things to Do on the Water & Around Town
Things to Do
fourth of july Weekend Tips
Parking Tips
- • Street parking fills fast on fireworks night; arrive early in the evening.
- • Consider parking a few blocks inland and walking to the oceanfront.
- • Take NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line to the Bradley Beach station to skip driving entirely.
Beach Badges
- • Daily beach badges run around $8; buy on the beach or at badge stands.
- • Children under a certain age are free, check current borough rules.
- • You do not need a badge to watch fireworks from the promenade in the evening.
Fireworks Viewing
- • Fireworks are traditionally Thursday, July 2 at 9:00 PM, confirm the date and time with the borough day-of.
- • Stake out a spot on the sand or promenade well before dusk.
- • Bring a blanket, bug spray, and a light layer for the cool ocean breeze.
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More July 4th Shore Towns
Frequently Asked Questions
Plan Your Bradley Beach July 4th
From a classic family beach day to fireworks over the sand, Bradley Beach delivers a relaxed, old-fashioned Jersey Shore Fourth. Start planning your visit.