Long Beach Island in summer is eighteen miles of celebration. Birthdays at the beach house, engagements on the sand, families gathering for a week they've planned since January.
It's also the hardest time of year to get a display on short notice. Here's how to not miss out.
The Booking Calendar, Honestly
Memorial Day – mid-June: manageable
The island is waking up. Book one to two weeks ahead and you'll almost certainly get your date. This overlaps with graduation season on the mainland, so we're busy — but LBI itself isn't full yet.
Late June – August: book early
This is peak. Every rental house is full, every weekend is somebody's birthday, and Saturdays are the tightest day of the week by a wide margin.
Book two to three weeks out minimum. For a Saturday in July or August, three weeks is not overcautious.
The Fourth of July: book now
Our single busiest day. If you want a display over the Fourth, reserve it a month ahead. We are not being dramatic.
September – October: wide open, and gorgeous
The island empties, the weather is perfect, and we have real availability. If your date is flexible, a September display on LBI is the best-kept secret in this business.
If You're Renting a House
This is the part that trips people up. Three things:
- Get the owner's okay. We need permission from whoever owns the property. Most owners are completely fine with it — the stakes leave nothing behind — but ask first. A quick text to the rental manager usually settles it.
- Confirm the exact address. LBI addresses get confusing fast. Long Beach Boulevard runs the whole island and house numbers repeat across towns. Double-check the town, not just the number.
- Watch your check-in day. If you check in Saturday and want a display for a Sunday birthday, we need to set up Saturday night — which means we need access. Coordinate with us.
Timing the Setup on the Island
Causeway traffic is a real factor. On a summer Saturday it can be brutal, which is one more reason night setups are popular — the bridge is quiet at 9pm.
Sandy soil, meanwhile, is a gift. Stakes go in easily and pull out clean. Island displays are some of the sturdiest and tidiest we install.
What Works Best on LBI
- Tropical and beach themes. Obviously. Palm fronds, surfboards, hibiscus.
- Milestone birthdays. Families come to the island specifically to celebrate the big ones.
- Engagements. Proposals happen on that beach constantly. A "She Said Yes" display waiting back at the house is a strong finish.
- Welcome displays. Family arriving from out of town? Mark the house.
Where We Set Up
The whole island: Ship Bottom, Surf City, Beach Haven, and everything from Barnegat Light down to Holgate. Plus the mainland: Manahawkin, Beach Haven West, and beyond.
Free delivery, free setup, free pickup — no island surcharge, ever.
Reserve Your Date
If your summer date is on the calendar, get it on ours. Request a free quote — it takes two minutes, and nothing is charged until you approve.