Seafood Festivals Around The World

Being a foodie in a world with limitless travel options is the ideal excuse to attend one of the best food festivals on the planet. We’ve narrowed down 10 of the best global food festivals for the ultimate food crawl around the world, from chocolate extravaganzas in Europe to lobster tastings in the United States.

If you’re looking for a unique food experience this year, consider attending a seafood festival that promotes local catch and sea flavors.

There are plenty of fishy seafood events to be found around the world, from oyster shucking to fresh lobsters, crabs, and prawns, whether on the coast of Galway in Ireland or the spectacular coast in Australia.

Nothing beats seafood festivals for good times, amazing vibes and some of the best seafood you’ve ever had. These events have everything you need for a good time, from games to live music to incredible, world-class cuisine. If you’re a seafood lover and are planning on visiting these countries with travel restrictions now lifted, try to work your dates around so that you can attend some of the most interesting seafood festivals around the world. 

Here are our picks for the best seafood festivals taking place this year around the world.

1. Auckland Seafood Festival 

Photo Credit: Auckland Hotels 

If you like seafood and happen to be in Auckland in January, don’t miss the Auckland Seafood Festival on Halsey Wharf. The wharf is overrun with stalls selling delectable fresh kai moana (food from the sea).

Try pipi and tuatua, two local delicacies. Meet celebrity chefs and learn how to cook your favorite seafood. It’ll be even better with a cold beer or a glass of New Zealand wine in the beer garden. Take it all in while listening to some of New Zealand’s best musicians.

2. Maine Lobster Festival

Photo Credit: Mainelobsterfestival.com

One of the best seafood festivals in the world, held every year on the first weekend of August in Maine, USA. For five days, enjoy the best seafood, participate in delicious events such as the All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast, watch cooking contests and Maine’s largest parade, as well as a variety of entertainment and other activities. 

Every year, tens of thousands of visitors flock to Rockland, Maine, for the Maine Lobster Festival, which promises fresh, local lobster dinners, nationally renowned entertainers, cooking contests, activities for all ages, and Maine craftsmen and artists.

3. Galway Oyster and Seafood Festival

Photo Credit: The World Pursuit

The Galway Oyster and Seafood Festival is one of the world’s largest seafood festivals. In one year, this massive event attracted over 20,000 visitors. Since its inception in 1954, the festival has set the standard for all important seafood festivals: incredible food, incredible entertainment, and a second-to-none atmosphere. At the end of September, the Irish Coast is the place to be, so plan your trip to the Emerald Isle accordingly. 

Every year, tens of thousands of people attend these festivals to enjoy fun and food from around the world. Add any of these fantastic events to your summer bucket list and enjoy the freshest seafood you’ve ever tasted.

4  Japan’s Fisherman’s Festival 

Photo Credit: Japan Forward

Tokyo’s Fisherman’s Festival, celebrating all things fish, with 86 stalls to choose from is held every year in late November. It was attended by over 140,000 people last year and is filled with the best seafood from across the country. It is run by the Sakana and Japan Festival. 

Try some Japanese specialties, such as deep-sea tempura, as well as some international options, such as paella, all made with the freshest ingredients.

5. Tyne Valley Oyster Festival, Canada 

Photo Credit: Salty 

The Tyne Valley Oyster Festival, home of the Canadian Oyster Shucking Championship and Rock The Boat MusicFest, is a five-day celebration of a small town with big spirit! This year marks the 54th anniversary of the organization. 

Tyne Valley has hosted the Canadian Oyster Shucking Championship since 1973. Oyster shuckers from all over the country gather in Western PEI to compete on the main stage. The musicians aren’t the only rock stars at the festival, it turns out!

Of course, the festival’s main attraction remains the PEI oyster. Festivalgoers can look forward to unlimited oysters, fried oysters, and/or the event’s popular oyster and scallop supper.

6. Texas Crab Festival

Photo CreditL Beaumont CBV 

Crabs of all kinds, live music, a 5k run, and three days of fun await you on the Texas Crab Festival weekend. The Texas Crab Festival will features musical acts, over 60 food and shopping vendors, and over 8,000 festival-goers over the course of three days. Boiled crabs, soft shell crabs, crab cakes, crab nachos, and other dishes will be available. 

The food at the Texas Crab Festival is exactly what you’d expect! There are numerous amazing and unique crab dishes to choose from, and there is even a crab gumbo cook-off where you can participate in sharing great food!

These are our top picks for seafood festivals around the world that you should experience at least once in your life. If a holiday does not fit your time frame this year, you can always still enjoy fresh seafood in the comfort of your home with a crab delivery in Singapore that’s perfect for your seafood cravings!