Hampton Beach Fourth of July 2023: Here the lineup for fireworks, music and more

HAMPTON BEACH — The Fourth of July week is expected to draw crowds to watch fireworks, see the shows, and enjoy everything else the beach has to offer.

From free shows on the Seashell Stage and free yoga on the beach to country stars Maddie & Tae returning to rock Bernie’s Beach Bar on July 2, there is something for everyone.

Here’s a look at the big Hampton Beach events during the Fourth of July week:

Fireworks on the Fourth of July and next day, too

A special Fourth of July fireworks spectacular will take place at 9:30 p.m. on the beach. The fireworks are set off at the top of B and C Streets.

Officials said those attending the fireworks should arrive early to secure a parking space. The Village District advises that fireworks could be canceled due to inclement weather and advises checking its website at hamptonbeach.org or its Facebook page for updates.

If you want to avoid the crowds on the Fourth, the beach will have another show Wednesday, July 5.

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Here’s the lineup for free shows on the Seashell Stage

Holiday week brings something for all music tastes on the Seashell Stage, from blues to country, and even an Elvis impersonator.

There are two performances each night, the first from 7 to 8 p.m., and the second from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. All shows are free and sponsored by the Hampton Beach Village District.

Beginning Friday, June 30, and running nightly the rest of the week, performers include YellowHouse Blues Band, Sweep the Leg party band (July 1), the 39th Army Band (July 2), and Club Soda (July 3).

The Continentals take the stage on July 4, playing a range of music, from classic rock and roll to Motown, from the Beach Boys to the Bee Gees.

The Ray of Elvis Tribute Band follows on July 5, with King Kountry (July 6), The Reminisants (July 7), and Dave Macklin Powerhouse Party Band (July 8).

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Maddie & Tae return to Hampton Beach July 2

Maddie & Tae, the duo who took on "bro-country" with their hit song "Girl In A Country Song,” will be returning to Hampton Beach on July 2.

The duo will perform at Bernie’s Beach Bar at 76 Ocean Blvd. for a ticketed show at 8 p.m. Ticket information is found at berniesnh.com/calendar. Last year, they headlined Hampton Beach Country Fest.

Maddie & Tae rose to national fame in 2014 with "Girl in a Country Song," which mocked how young women are typically portrayed in country songs. They followed that with other hits like "Fly," "Friends Don't," and "Die from a Broken Heart."

Other acts coming to Bernie’s include The Quasi Kings, performing a free show on July 3.

Wally’s Pub at 144 Ashworth St. also offers fun with Black Stone Cherry on July 2, and Loss Becomes on July 3. Both require tickets and are for patrons 21 or older.

The Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom line-up includes June 30, Michael Franti and Spearhead; July 1, Badfish; July 2, Elvis Costello and the Imposters; July 6, Trevor Hall; July 8, Gimme Gimme Disco.

Hampton Beach Village District Commissioner Chuck Rage said many beach restaurants will also have live music.

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Free Yoga on the Beach

The Hampton Beach Village District is partnering with Hampton Beach Yoga & Mindfulness to offer free yoga classes on the beach for vacationers.

Classes are held every Tuesday and Thursday, with sessions beginning promptly at 7 a.m. on the beach south of the Seashell Complex, near the children’s playground. Attendees must register at hamptonbeachyoga.com, using the coupon code FREEYOGAHBVD.

Hampton Beach Yoga & Mindfulness is owned by Rianna Frady and Susan Bezreh. The studio was previously known as Retreat 339 before rebranding.

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Where to park at Hampton Beach

Finding a parking space at Hampton Beach on a hot sunny day is always a challenge, but on the Fourth of July it's even more difficult.

Metered parking is run by the state of New Hampshire throughout the coast along Route 1A from Hampton to Rye. Most spots are managed by multi-space pay stations.

A new beach parking payment system is now in place, allowing visitors to pay for parking with their phones.

Visitors can use one of two mobile phone apps, ParkMobile and Park Smarter, to pay for parking by entering their license plate and payment information. The parking payment kiosks — located at crosswalks, near beach entrances, or on the east side of the center lots — are still available for those who want to pay that way.

Parking costs $3 per hour and meters are in operation from 8 a.m. to midnight.

The town of Hampton runs three municipal parking lots on Ashworth Ave, Island Path and Church Street. All three lots are pay-and-display lots. This means you pay at the meter and display the printed ticket on the dash of your car.

There are also many privately owned parking lots like Chat Chew & Play, Central Parking and the large lot behind the Hampton Beach Casino. Prices at these lots are for the day and fluctuate.

Hampton Police Chief Alex Reno said parking on the side streets is reserved for Hampton residents only. He reminds drivers not to block private driveways, private properties, intersections, sidewalks, side streets, or restricted areas. Officers will be on patrol, he said, and those parking illegally are subject to tickets or towing.

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What police want you to know

Hampton police and state troopers are planning for the popular holiday weekend with additional patrols on duty.

“We really want people to come and have a good time,” said Hampton Police Chief Alex Reno, “but we want them to come and be safe. For example, with so many people at the beach, if children wander off, it can quickly become a problem.”

Reno reminds parents or guardians bringing children to keep a close eye, advise kids to stay close and to keep family members in their line of sight. If children find themselves lost, they should report to a lifeguard station. Guards will help children find misplaced parents.

In addition, the use of private fireworks is not allowed on the beach or public property, Reno said, and the drinking of alcoholic beverages is unlawful on the beach or anywhere in public.

New Hampshire State Police Capt. Christopher Vetter said they will have extra patrols, designed to address speeding, impaired and distracted drivers.

“Please don’t drive impaired,” Vetter said. “Make arrangements for a ride if you consume alcohol.”

To expedite travel out of the beach following the fireworks on the Fourth of July, Reno said police have special traffic patterns it employs. Drivers should follow those patterns and not go off on their own to find shortcuts.

“This year, we’ve made a few adjustments to our patterns to help things go smoothly,” Reno said. “We’re working with the State Police to use some of their tools, like drones. With drones up in the air, we can learn if there are traffic snags on the roads and make adjustments.”

Most of all, Reno said, those who come to enjoy the beach or fireworks should expect delays leaving.

“Follow the traffic patterns; they really are your quickest way home,” he said. “Most of all, be patient.”

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Hampton Beach NH Fourth of July 2023: Fireworks, music and more