Montauk Event Guide
Montauk Fall Fest 2026: what to know before you go.
The annual chowder contest is the main draw, but Fall Fest is also an easy weekend stop for food, music, local vendors, and children's activities. This guide covers how to time your visit and what is worth knowing in advance.
The Short Answer
The essentials
Montauk Fall Fest runs Saturday and Sunday, October 10-11, 2026, on the Montauk Town Green at 743 Montauk Highway. General admission is free. Saturday's published hours are 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; chowder mug sales begin at 10:00 a.m. and tasting starts at 11:00 a.m.
What the festival is
Fall Fest is Montauk's annual community festival, organized by the Montauk Chamber of Commerce and Visit Montauk. The Town Green fills with food vendors, local bands, children's activities, beer and wine, fall programming, and a silent auction.
The event is family friendly and open to the public. The organizer has not yet published separate Sunday hours, so check the official listing again before traveling that day.
How the Saturday chowder contest works
The clam chowder contest takes place Saturday only. Mugs are available in advance from the Chamber and Visitors Center, with day-of sales outside the building beginning one hour before tasting.
If chowder is your priority, aim to be parked by 10:30 a.m. That leaves enough time to walk to the Green and buy a mug without rushing the start.
Where it takes place
The festival fills the Town Green in central Montauk, beside the Montauk Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center. Once you have parked legally, leave the car where it is; nearby shops and food stops are easier to reach on foot.
Allow extra time for parking, especially on Saturday morning. Temporary signs and event traffic matter more than a usual Montauk parking routine.
A few useful planning tips
Dress in layers and check the forecast that morning. The event is outdoors, and October conditions near the coast can shift quickly.
Bring only what you can carry comfortably through a busy festival, especially with children. If you plan to visit the beach as well, leave chairs and other gear at your rental house rather than carrying it onto the Green.
Hamptons Beach Co delivers and collects beach gear at the house, not at the festival or beach. That keeps Fall Fest simple and leaves the group free to decide on a beach stop when the weather is clear.
Common Questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a ticket for Fall Fest?
No ticket is listed for general admission. Chowder mugs, food, drinks, and vendor purchases are separate.
Can I buy a chowder mug in advance?
Yes. The organizer says mugs are available before the event from the Montauk Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center.
Has the Sunday schedule been published?
The official listing confirms the two-day festival but currently provides detailed hours for Saturday only. Check the organizer's page for a Sunday update before traveling.
Sources and product notes
Dates, location, Saturday hours, chowder timing, admission, and activity details were reviewed from the Montauk Chamber on July 30, 2026. Sunday hours and the final program should be rechecked before the event.
Published by Hamptons Beach Co. Beach rules, access, and product specifications can change; verify current local and manufacturer guidance.