The Top Seafood Festivals and Culinary Events to Attend in 2025

If you love seafood, there’s nothing better than experiencing it fresh, expertly prepared, and served in a lively festival atmosphere like seafood restaurant in Suffolk. Across the globe, 2025 promises some of the most exciting seafood festivals and culinary events, bringing together top chefs, fresh catches, and unforgettable dining experiences. Whether you’re craving oysters straight from the sea, buttery lobster rolls, or innovative seafood creations, these festivals are a must for any foodie.

From coast to coast, here are some of the best seafood festivals to attend in 2025.

1. The Maine Lobster Festival – Rockland, Maine

Few seafood experiences compare to a steaming, buttery Maine lobster, and there’s no better place to celebrate it than at the Maine Lobster Festival. Held annually in Rockland, this event draws thousands of seafood lovers from around the world.

Expect five days of lobster feasting, cooking contests, and live entertainment, all set against the stunning backdrop of Maine’s rugged coastline. The festival’s legendary Maine Lobster Dinner is a must-try, featuring a whole lobster with corn on the cob, a fresh roll, and blueberry cake for dessert.

For those interested in the culinary side of things, there are lobster cooking demonstrations and a seafood-themed parade. And if you fancy getting your hands dirty, the lobster crate races over the harbor are an exciting highlight.

Date: July 30 – August 3, 2025
Location: Rockland, Maine

2. The Charleston Seafood & Spirits Festival – Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is known for its rich Southern seafood traditions, and this festival brings them all together in one delicious event. The Charleston Seafood & Spirits Festival showcases fresh-caught shrimp, oysters, crab, and fish, paired with top-tier cocktails and local craft brews.

Chefs from some of the city’s best seafood restaurants put their own spin on Lowcountry classics like shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, and seafood boils. Visitors can attend cooking demos, oyster-shucking competitions, and even exclusive tasting events with Charleston’s top chefs.

Beyond the food, the festival features live jazz, beachside bonfires, and mixology sessions where you can learn to craft the perfect seafood-pairing cocktails.

Date: October 17–19, 2025
Location: Charleston, South Carolina

3. The New Orleans Oyster Festival – New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is synonymous with bold flavors and unforgettable seafood, and the Oyster Festival is one of the best places to experience it all. This two-day event is a tribute to Louisiana’s Gulf oysters, which are among the best in the country.

Here, you can sample chargrilled, fried, and raw oysters from top restaurants, learn about oyster farming, and watch professional chefs compete in an oyster-shucking contest. A real highlight is the Acme Oyster House World Oyster Eating Championship, where competitors attempt to eat as many raw oysters as possible in just eight minutes.

Pair all of that with live brass bands and classic New Orleans cocktails, and you’ve got a festival experience that perfectly captures the spirit of the city.

Date: June 7–8, 2025
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana

4. Pacific Northwest Seafood Festival – Seattle, Washington

If you love wild-caught seafood, the Pacific Northwest Seafood Festival in Seattle is a must-visit. This event celebrates the bounty of the Pacific, from Dungeness crab and wild salmon to geoduck and black cod.

One of the best parts of this festival is the focus on sustainability and responsible fishing practices. Visitors can attend panel discussions from local fishers, take part in seafood cooking workshops, and sample some of the freshest seafood dishes from Seattle’s finest chefs.

A major highlight is the Copper River Salmon Cook-Off, where renowned chefs compete to create the best dish using the prized Alaskan salmon. If you’re a fan of sushi, poke, or seafood charcuterie, this festival has plenty to offer.

Date: August 9–11, 2025
Location: Seattle, Washington

5. Virginia Beach Neptune Festival – Virginia Beach, Virginia

For a mix of fantastic seafood, beach vibes, and live entertainment, the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival is the place to be. This annual event celebrates the region’s rich seafood heritage, featuring fresh Chesapeake Bay oysters, blue crabs, and she-crab soup.

One of the festival’s most exciting events is the Seafood Feast, where top chefs prepare the best of the Atlantic right on the beach. Beyond the food, the Neptune Festival includes art shows, live music, and a famous sand sculpture competition that draws artists from around the world.

A short drive inland will take you to Suffolk, where seafood restaurant Suffolk offers some of the best fresh seafood in a more intimate dining setting, perfect for those looking to escape the festival crowds while still indulging in incredible coastal flavors.

Date: September 27–29, 2025
Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia

6. The Key West Seafood Festival – Key West, Florida

For a tropical seafood experience, head down to the Key West Seafood Festival, where fresh Florida spiny lobster, Key West pink shrimp, and stone crab claws take center stage.

This laid-back festival is all about celebrating local fishermen and their incredible catches, with plenty of grilled, fried, and ceviche-style seafood dishes to enjoy. Attendees can take part in seafood cooking classes, visit a seafood market with fresh catches to take home, and even go on guided fishing excursions.

The Key West Seafood Festival is also famous for its Caribbean-inspired cocktails, making it the perfect winter escape for seafood lovers.

Date: January 18–19, 2025
Location: Key West, Florida

Final Thoughts

Seafood festivals are more than just a chance to indulge in delicious dishes—they’re a celebration of local fishing communities, culinary innovation, and the incredible flavors the ocean has to offer. Whether you’re looking for a classic lobster feast in Maine, a fiery seafood boil in Charleston, or a tropical seafood escape in Key West, 2025 has something for every seafood lover.

No matter which festival you attend, one thing’s for sure: you’ll walk away with a full belly, a greater appreciation for fresh seafood, and maybe even a few new recipes to try at home.