Down the Shore

Vol. 45 - Week of July 19

July 20, 2026

With a two-week staycation in the rearview mirror and the last game of the World Cup wrapped, we’re feeling a bit of the Sunday blues as we write this. But summer’s not over yet, so what are we crying about?

With more than enough Fridays before Labor Day, this week we’re hooking you up with multiple half-day itineraries if you’re signing off and starting your weekend early, tried and tested by your Down the Shore editors. We were “working” even on break. 😉 


Five Summer Friday Itineraries

We're officially at the midpoint of summer, which means there's still plenty of time to squeeze in a Summer Friday. Whether your employer gives you a half day or you decide to make one of your own, here are five different ways we recommend spending an afternoon off at the Shore.

If You Want to Completely Unwind...

Destination: Long Branch

Book the Wave Massage at Wave Resort, where a self-heating marine mud treatment bubbles gently as it's applied to your problem area of choice. Afterwards, keep your zen going with a stroll along the beach boardwalk before grabbing lunch or an iced coffee in Pier Village. Cowabunga Coffee Roasters, Simply Greek, Hummus Republic, and MOGO Korean Fusion Tacos are all great options.

If You've Got the Kids in Tow...

Destination: Rumson

Grab sandwiches from Brennan’s Deli and then head to the playground next door at Victory Park. Its location on the Navesink River means gorgeous breezes during play. There’s also a small beach, and while it’s not necessarily for swimming, strolling along the sand and dipping your toes in the river to cool off lends another activity to this special spot.

If You're Craving One More Beach Day...

Destination: Sea Bright

Start with Yumi's sushi bento box lunch special, then head across the street to the beach. Our tip: arrive after the morning crowd leaves and you'll often find metered parking spots available in the municipal lot. Don't forget cash for your beach pass—and if you do, Alice's Kitchen has an ATM. If you need a beach read, the Sea Bright Library sits oceanside and often has a rack of free books available out front.

If You're Feeling Playful...

Destination: Asbury Park

Order a creamsicle matcha (or an iced latte) from Offshore inside Convention Hall before wandering the boardwalk shops. Carla Gizzi is one of our favorite places for gifts, while Wanderlust has some of the best Asbury-branded sweats. Lunch options include Mayfair for burgers, Palmetto for Southern fare, or another outpost of MOGO. End the day with a psychic reading from Madame Marie’s—we’ve always been curious!

If Summer Weather Lets You Down...

Destination: Holmdel

Bell Works is a great option if the weather’s not cooperating on your afternoon off. Snag lunch at Mabel (the burger gets our vote), browse Velvet Boutique and Milan's, challenge someone to pickleball downstairs, or spend an hour at the Holmdel Library branch. When happy hour rolls around, enjoy a cocktail and live music at Bar Bella, or for a change of scenery head to Fox Hollow Vineyards, about an 8-minute drive away.

Weekly Forecast

Looks like it’s (generally) going to be an amazing week ahead…

Monday 7/20 - 77°/65° Sunny

Tuesday 7/21 - 77°/72° Heavy Thunderstorms

Wednesday 7/22 - 82°/65° Partly Sunny

Thursday 7/23 - 75°/63° Sunny

Friday 7/24 - 77°/75° Sunny

Saturday 7/25 - 75°/66° Mostly Sunny

Sunday 7/26 - 75°/67° Light Rain

And for the surfers out there, here are the weekly surf conditions in Belmar courtesy of Surf Captain:

Surf Conditions

Mon 7/20

AM: Choppy, 1-2 ft

PM: Fair, 1+ ft

Tues 7/21

AM: Choppy, 1-2 ft

PM: Choppy, 2-3 ft

Weds 7/22

AM: Fair, 3-4+ ft

PM: Clean, 2-4 ft

Thurs 7/23

AM: Choppy, 2-3 ft

PM: Choppy, 1-3 ft

Farmers Market Roundup

And if there are any markets we should definitely feature this season, let us know!

Happenings Down the Shore

This week, you can check out everything from Sopranos-themed trivia at Deal Lake Bar to a vintage market at Bell Works.

As always, if there’s an upcoming event you’d like us to cover, feel free to pass it along!

Monday 7/20

Brielle - BookTowne Welcomes Kelly Rimmer, Author of The Story Keeper at Brielle Public Library (6 pm - get tix)

Loch Arbor - Sopranos Trivia Night at Deal Lake Bar + Co (7:30 pm)

Oceanport - Weekly Trivia at Skinny Flowers Brewing (6:30 pm)

Point Pleasant Beach - Beach Walk with Jenkinson’s Aquarium staff (6 pm)

Red Bank - Sam Sims at Birravino (6 pm - live music)

Tuesday 7/21

Highlands - Vlasic Classic Open Mic Night at The Chubby Pickle (8:30 pm)

Red Bank - Steve Delopoulos at Birravino (6 pm - live music)

Red Bank - Trivia with Jenn at Jamians (7:30 pm)

Spring Lake - RETRO: A Novel Event with Author Jessica M Goldstein at Thunder Road Books (6 pm - get tix)

Wednesday 7/22

Bradley Beach - Summer Jazz & Blues: Zach Lorelli Quartet at Riley Park (7 pm - live music)

Holmdel - Peas and Carrot Children’s Singalong at Holmdel Public Library in Bell Works (11 am)

Long Branch - Fiber in the Hive (Craft Happy Hour by Knit in the Pit) at Beach Bee Meadery (6 pm)

Red Bank - Kids Karate on BroadWalk (11 am)

Red Bank - Karaoke at Jamians (8 pm)

Tinton Falls - Bingo & Brews at Twin Lights Brewing (6 pm)

Thursday 7/23

Bradley Beach - Summer Yoga in the Garden at The James Bradley (6:30 pm - get tix)

Holmdel - Latin Night: A Colombian Celebration with Lulada Club at Bell Works (6:30 pm)

Loch Arbor - Mahjong Thursday at Deal Lake Bar + Co (10 am)

Red Bank - Short Story Salon: The Red Convertible by Louise Erdrich at Crazy Story (6 pm - learn more)

Red Bank - Conor Quigley at The Molly Pitcher Inn (6 pm - live music)

Red Bank - Skinny Amigo at Jamians (8 pm - live music)

Sandy Hook - Captain Peg Leg Larry's Lost Treasure: A Kid-Friendly Scavenger Hunt at Sandy Hook (12 pm - learn more and note that this event also runs July 24–27!)

Spring Lake - Spring Lake Summer Nights Block Party on 3rd Avenue in Spring Lake (5 pm - learn more)

Tinton Falls - Trivia on Tap at Twin Lights Brewing (7 pm)

 

Friday 7/24

Asbury Park - Movie Night at Baronet: Barbie 2023 at The Asbury Hotel (8 pm - get tix)

Belmar - Friday Night Concert Series: Beach Music Rock Band (6 pm - live music)

Holmdel - Baily G Blues at Fox Hollow Vineyard (6 pm - live music)

Loch Arbor - Zimmer + Galeen at Deal Lake Bar + Co (5 pm - live music)

Manasquan - Wrong Exit at Harpoon Willy’s (8:30 pm - live music)

Oceanport - Charlie Krause at Skinny Flowers Brewing (6 pm - live music)

Red Bank - James Larsen at The Molly Pitcher Inn (6 pm - live music)

Red Bank - Shayne & the People at Jamians (9 pm - live music)

Saturday 7/25

Asbury Park - Little Stranger at The Asbury Lanes (7 pm - live music)

Bradley Beach - Summer Yoga in the Garden at The James Bradley (7 am - get tix)

Holmdel - Sundown Sessions at Bar Bella: feat. Virginia Cavaliere Duo in Bell Works (5 pm - live music)

Holmdel - Amanda & Nick at Fox Hollow Vineyard (2 pm - live music)

Loch Arbor - Kevin Hill at Deal Lake Bar + Co (8 pm - live music)

Manasquan - The Salt Brothers at Harpoon Willy’s (8:30 pm - live music)

Oceanport - Sean Collichio at Skinny Flowers Brewing (6 pm - live music)

Red Bank - The Kicks at Jamians (9 pm - live music)

Red Bank - Frank Rainey at The Molly Pitcher Inn (6 pm - live music)

Sandy Hook - Free Yoga on the Beach (8 am - learn more)

Sunday 7/26

Holmdel - Storer Avenue Jazz Project at Fox Hollow Vineyard (2 pm - Live Music)

Holmdel - REFRESH Vintage Market (July 2026 Edition) at Bell Works (11 am)

Loch Arbor - Stu Hooten at Deal Lake Bar + Co (5 pm - live music)

Did we miss an event? Let us know.

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