There’s nothing quite like seafood festivals for fun, friendly competition, and some of the best food of your life. From fishing contests, to live music, to incredible, world-class dishes, these events have everything you need for a good time. Once the sun comes out the play, head to one of these five lively seafood festivals from around the world.
1. Maine Lobster Festival
Maine is a fisherman’s town, so it’s no wonder that the authentic and inspiring Maine Lobster Festival is an iconic event in America. Take a ride on a ferris wheel, participate in some arts and crafts or enjoy the annual parade. There’s so much to do in the four-day event that you might have to pick and choose. Just don’t miss out on the state’s world-famous lobster!
2. Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival
Every Labor Day long weekend, Louisiana hosts a massive, free, four-day festival to celebrate the hard working individuals in the fishing and petroleum industries. Winner of the “Most Unusual Festival Name” award, the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival offers truckloads of food, incredible live music across multiple genres and tons of family-friendly activities. You owe it to yourself to go if you ever find yourself in Louisiana over the September long weekend. Go for the activities and stay for the delicious food.
3. Narooma Oyster Festival
This is far better than the all-you-can-eat bar at the casino. The Narooma Oyster Festival serves up the freshest oysters you’ll ever experience. Found on the southern coast of the “Land Down Under,” this Australian festival aims to show off the culinary expertise of some of the best chefs around. Hosted alongside the Great Southern Blues Festival, this two-day event is jam-packed with family entertainment, fantastic music and mouth-watering food options. Make sure you’re well-rested for it as you’ll find yourself on your feet for most of the day, even when you’re eating!
4. Auckland Seafood Festival
New Zealand has a strong fishing industry so it’s only right that it holds one of the world’s most seafood-centric festivals. The Auckland Seafood Festival invites plenty of musicians to play at two venues and serves specialty meals like steamed mussels and whitebait fritters. You can even catch chef demonstrations that give you a behind-the-scenes look at how some of the city’s best seafood is prepared and served. This is a must-see (and eat) event for all seafood lovers out there.
5. Galway Oyster and Seafood Festival
The Irish sure know how to celebrate, and they do at the Galway Oyster and Seafood Festival, one of world’s largest seafood festivals. This huge event has welcomed more than 20,000 visitors in one year! Since its inception in 1954, the festival has established a standard for all important seafood festivals: amazing food, incredible entertainment and an atmosphere that’s second to none. The Irish Coast is the place to be at the tail end of September, so plan your trip to the Emerald Isle accordingly.
Every year, these festivals invite tens of thousands of people to indulge in fun and food from around the world. Why not join them? Add any of these fantastic events to your bucket list this summer and enjoy the freshest seafood you’ve ever experienced.
Photos: Edan Cohen, Harrison Gulliver, Paul VanDerWerf