Fall is the kick-off to oyster season around the Chesapeake Bay. Get your slurp on at these deliciously fun oyster festivals!
With the resurgence of oysters in the Bay over the last several years, and the growing popularity in oyster farming and local varieties of oysters to slurp, it’s no wonder the oyster festival scene is hot this year. The best news is that even if you’re not an oyster aficionado, you can still have a blast at these festivals, which are packed with fun for the whole family, include plenty of other fresh seafood options and local brews.
Find other great festivals and fairs this fall to enjoy all that Maryland has to offer.
Maryland Oyster Festivals
Updated 2022
Oyster Phest @ Pherm Brewing
September 10
Join Pherm for their first festival, with oysters as the centerpiece! This day will be an awesome assortment of local music, food fare, Pherm beer, and good vibes!
Pherm Brewing, Gambrills
oysterrecovery.org
Westminster Oyster Stroll
October 8
Stroll through Downtown Westminster as you delight in fresh oysters, live music and samples of wine, spirits and beer.
Downtown Westminster
westminstermd.gov
Oyster Phest @ Pherm Brewing
October 8
A bivalve-lovers bash showcasing regional oyster farms, delicious fare from shell recycling restaurants, unique beer, wine, and cocktail pairings, chances to learn to “Shuck Like a Pro,” an official shucking competition, and much, much more!!
B&O Railroad Museum, Baltimore
oysterrecovery.org
Captain Avery Museum Oyster Festival
October 15
Head to the banks of the West River, where you can treat the family with oyster specialties and other seafood favorites, music, crafters, authors, and children’s activities.
Captain Avery House, Shady Side.
captainaverymuseum.org
St. Mary’s County Oyster Festival
October 15-16
This festival hosts the National Oyster Shucking Contest and Oyster Cook-off. Get in early on Saturday to watch the chefs go head-to-head in the cook-off and make sure to get a seat to watch champion shuckers at their best (preliminary and amateur heats Saturday, championships Sunday). There’s also plenty of entertainment for families, including food, arts and crafts, bands, magicians and more.
St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds, Leonardtown.
usoysterfest.com
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s OysterFest
October 29
Oysters every which way, boat rides, retriever demonstrations, live music, craft beers and cooking demonstrations. Children can play Chesapeake-themed games, enjoy activities, and demonstrations, and a chance to build a take-home model boat.
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, St. Michaels.
cbmm.org
Ryleigh’s OysterFest
November 13
Local vendors, Huge raw oyster bar, Crush bar, delicious food, and more!
South Point, West Covington Park, Baltimore.
ryleighs.com
