SEA ISLE CITY – Sea Isle City’s Division of Tourism will host their 2026 Skimmer Festival on Saturday and Sunday, June 20 and 21, offering a weekend full of activities for all ages.
On Saturday, June 20, the festival begins with a Seaside Vendors Market from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. along the oceanfront Promenade (north and south of JFK Boulevard). The Promenade will be lined with countless tables filled with various giftable items, including handmade crafts, artwork, assorted clothing, accessories, pet and baby items, and much more. In addition to many festival favorites returning, this year features over eighty new vendors.
From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the Skimmer Food Court at JFK Boulevard and Pleasure Avenue, a variety of food and beverages will be available to purchase.
More than just vendors, various nonprofit organizations and civic groups will be located near the festival’s center at JFK Boulevard along the Promenade, where they will distribute information and literature about their organizations. The Sea Isle City Environmental Commission will have their 2026 turtle T-shirts available to purchase. Two new nonprofits joining the festival this year are the South Shore Stitchers Quilt Guild and the Redeemer Health Food Pantry.
On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., free family fun can be found in Excursion Park, including live music from Brass Pocket Band, inflatable bounce houses, balloon artists, face painters, a photo booth, and an art bar. Also, children can create sand art souvenirs for a fee on Saturday.
On Sunday, June 21 (Father’s Day), the Skimmer Antique Auto Show will attract classic vehicles and car enthusiasts to the Promenade (north of JFK Boulevard) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Classic car owners can find the registration information at www.VISITSICNJ.com on the event listing on the calendar or same day registration will also be available. Classic car owners should enter the Promenade at 29th Street and proceed to the check-in table.
The Piney Pickers band will play under the Gazebo on the Promenade at JFK Boulevard from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Mayor Desiderio will present plaques to the car show winners for “Best in Show” and “Mayor’s Choice” in front of the Gazebo at 1:00 PM. Following the awards ceremony, at approximately 1:30 p.m., the vehicles will start the parade by exiting the Promenade at 44th Street. The parade route will run south on Pleasure Avenue to 93rd Street and then run north on Landis Avenue to JFK Boulevard.
The festival’s “skimmer” name originates from the summertime straw hats Victorian gentlemen used to wear. After the infamous Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962, local community leaders started the Skimmer Festival in 1963 to announce that Sea Isle City was open for business. For the last 63 years this event has become an annual tradition for families and visitors to enjoy.
For more information about the 2026 Skimmer Festival Weekend, phone the Sea Isle City Tourism Office at 609-263-8687, go to www.VISITSICNJ.com or visit the Sea Isle City Welcome Center at 300 JFK Boulevard.