Get Your Chairs Ready, Yarmouth Clam Festival is Back 2022

Yarmouth Clam Festival

The Yarmouth Clam Festival - Always the third Friday in July!

Except for when we were all stuck in our houses the last two years. Life is relatively back to normal now which means the 55th Clam Festival is on and it’s coming up soon.

Do you have your chairs out already?

Growing up right outside of Yarmouth, I knew the festival was coming to town when I would start seeing chairs lining up down Main St. and tied together to save their places. Sometimes they would be out weeks in advance, which at the time felt silly to my young mind but now I realize what a big deal this festival is to locals and visitors alike.

The Yarmouth Clam Festival has been a summertime tradition since 1965 and has been an integral part of my family’s summers for years. My parents and grandparents grew up in the area so it has been part of our lives for generations.

Look at this video from the festival in 1987! It’s one of the most consistent things to happen to this little town.

Yarmouth Clam Festival 2022

And it’s finally back!!

Coming up next weekend will be the 55th festival filled with live music, parades, fireworks, arts and crafts, local good food, family events, and plenty to do and see.

Friday, July 15 will be the annual festival parade kicking off at 6 p.m. but you’ll want to get there early, chairs will have already been placed there for days and the roads close at 5:30 p.m. The hour-long, mile-and-a-half parade will have 130+ participants with floats, marching bands, antique cars, entertainers, and more.

Moving into the weekend, you’ll find the carnival with rides for all ages, a craft show with 130+ artisans selling jewelry, clothing, and pottery, at all prices; live music at the Memorial Green Stage with local musicians of different genres; the annual clam chucking contest, antique car show, and of course, fireworks on Saturday night.

This is a lively week in Yarmouth and a lovely place to run into familiar faces and spend time with friends and loved ones while celebrating our favorite traditions. We’ve been sheltered in place and now we can start creating more memories together again.

For the full festival schedule, visit the Clam Festival website here.