Summer is gone, and that’s too bad. On the other hand: WELCOME TO THE SEASON OF OYSTER FESTIVALS!
Here are the October and November oyster events I’ve been able to round up so far. If I missed one in your town, please let me (and everyone else) know about it in the comments.
• The 46th annual Chincoteague Oyster Festival is coming up on Sat. Oct. 12. Last I checked, there were tickets available–but it sells out early every year, so no guarantees on availability. Details here.
• The Leipsic (Del.) Oyster Festival is the afternoon of Sat., Oct. 12 along Main Street. Games, family activities, and live music on top of the title attraction. Details here.
• The annual Soule Arnold Oyster Roast & Clam Steam sounds like a sweet bit of small-town bliss. Held in a park on Main Street in Exmore, Va. it’s scheduled this year for the evening of Sat., Oct. 12. Details.
• The Rock Hall Fall Fest on Sat., Oct. 12 is a big street festival with music, crafts, vendors, and lots and lots of oysters–fresh-shucked, fried, stewed, etc. Details here.
• The tradition of a “Big Thursday” season-opening oyster party in Bowers Beach, Del. dates clear back to 1852. The successor to that event is now held on a weekend and known as Bowers Heritage Day. No worries: There are still oysters involved. Sunday, Oct. 13. Details.
• The big annual Oyster Festival at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels is Sat., Oct. 26. Details.
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• The Saxis Island Oyster Roast on Sat., Nov. 2 is an indoor affair with table service that includes steamed oysters, single-fried oysters, clam chowder, fried clam strips, and more. You’ll have to actually walk a few steps to get to the “Shucking Station.” Details.
• The gorgeous Mount Harmon plantation in Earleville, Md. (near Cecilton) has its annual Bull & Oyster Roast on Sat., Nov. 2. The manor house will be open for tours. Scroll down here for details.
• The Oyster Jam at Phillips Wharf Environmental Center on Tilghman Island works a little differently, too. Instead of one big all-you-can-eat fee, you can purchase smaller amounts of “Oyster Bucks” and then come back and buy more if you need them. Sat., Nov. 2. Details here.
• There will be two editions of Shell Shocked, an oyster and craft beer festival at Fager’s Island in Ocean City, Md. The dates are Sat., Nov. 2 and Sat., Nov. 9. Details.
• On Sat., Nov. 9, Chatham Vineyards in Machipongo, Va. will be holding its annual Merroir and Terroir Oyster Extravaganza with raw bar, steamed clams, roasted oysters, clam chowder, live music, and more. Scroll down for details.
• The annual Brew and Oyster Brawl at the Tidewater Inn in Easton, Md. on Sat., Nov. 9 happens smack dab in the middle of the town’s humongous Waterfowl Festival weekend. Details.
• The 2nd annual Delaware Oyster Festival at the Beach on Sat., Nov. 16 will have you hopping from restaurant to restaurants tasing the bivalve creations of local chefs. Details.
• The Local in Cheriton, Va. is having its annual Rockefeller Oyster Roast on Sat., Nov. 16. It’ll be in the park next to the restaurant. Live music and “gourmet nibbles” on top of the title attraction. Details here.
• Ducks Unlimited will be having an Oyster Roast on Sat., Nov. 23 at the Barrier Island Center in Machipongo, Va. Details here.
• The Cape Charles (Va.) Historical Society has its big Oyster Roast every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving–Nov. 30. Here are details.
Happy oystering, everyone!
–Posted by Jim Duffy on Sept. 20, 2018
I did not find a listing for the “Urbanna (VA) Oyster Festival. Since it is one of the largest in the U.S., I do not understand why it is not listed???????
Hi David, thanks for spending time here. This site is specific to the Eastern Shore and the Delmarva Peninsula, so we don’t go over to the other side and the many great events that are on the Western Shore.