We Marylanders are modest folk, except when it comes to one thing. We have hands-down the best seafood in the world, and there’s no better time to celebrate that than during the Fall months. Check out these amazing seafood festivals that bring together great people, amazing music, big-time family fun, and did we mention the best seafood in the world?
Also, make sure to check out the Maryland Crab & Oyster Trail
1Crab Feast at Laurel Park
July 28, 2018
Laurel Park again hosts a fan favorite: Crab Feast on the Grandstand Apron. Celebrate live racing and delicious Maryland crabs and other seasonal favorites. $71 per person with soda and draft beer included.
Laurel
2Annapolis Crab Feast
August 3, 2018
Arguably the world’s largest crab feast, the event is an all-you-can-eat/drink party organized by Rotary Club of Annapolis to raise donations for local community & cultural organizations.Rain/Shine. 73rd year.
Annapolis
Photo By: Friends of Fort McHenry3Fort McHenry Crab Feast
August 4, 2018
Enjoy this Annual Crab Feast at Fort McHenry which includes a BBQ option too, Libations are courtesy of Key Brewing Company and Atlantic Wines with tunes of the Eastport Oyster Boys. All served up in the friendly atmosphere which makes this Crab Feast so popular.
4Seafood Feast-I-Val
August 11, 2018
All-you-can-eat menu includes steamed crabs, crab soup, fried clams and more. Named a Top 100 event by the American Bus Association. Live entertainment, crafters and vendors. Rain or shine.
Cambridge
5Chesapeake Crab, Wine & Beer Festival
August 18, 2018
This is the 9th ANNUAL Maryland Tradition! The Festival is an ALL-YOU-CARE-TO-TASTE extravaganza complete with crabs, lots of beer, arts & crafts, live music, family fun and so much more!
National Harbor
Photo By: Patty Hancock Photography6National Hard Crab Derby
August 27 – September 2, 2018
Crab races, crab picking, crab cooking & boat docking contests. Parade, games, rides, seafood, fireworks, arts/crafts, live entertainment; 71st year!
Crisfield
Photo By: Maryland Seafood Festival7Maryland Seafood Festival – Sandy Point State Park
September 8 & 9, 2018
The summer fun continues at the Annual Maryland Seafood Festival. Young and old gather at Sandy Point State Park to listen to eclectic music, participate in exciting contests & indulge in flavorful foods. On the water, there is sand soccer, paddle-boarding, and also a crab soup cook-off.
Photo By: Clark Vandergrift, OTD8A Taste of Smith Island
September 15, 2018
For the cost of $55, guests receive transportation from Crisfield to Smith Island and back via the Chelsea Lane Tyler, and a meal featuring crab soup, clam fritters, crab balls, authentic Smith Island cake, and more. The boat departs Crisfield at 3 pm. Proceeds benefit the Smith Island Cultural Center. To purchase tickets, call 410-425-3351.
Crisfield
Photo By: Chesapeake Oyster & Wine Festival9Chesapeake Oyster & Wine Festival – National Harbor
September 22-23, 2018
A shucking good time with wine! Taste excellent American and International wines paired perfectly with Chesapeake Bay oysters. Be sure to bring a hearty appetite – there will be an incredible selection of seafood dishes (and plenty of delicious non-seafood dishes).
Photo By: Oyster Recovery Partnership10Mermaid’s Kiss Oyster Fest
September 20, 2018
This popular night of all-you-can eat oysters, fresh seafood dishes from iconic and up-and-coming restaurants, and live entertainment helps raise funds for a better Chesapeake Bay. Expect a Bay-themed silent auction, prizes, giveaways and more!
Photo By: Oyster Recovery Partnership11Sprint for Spat – All the Glory, None of the Guts – Ocean City
October 6, 2018
Compete in a 100-meter race (0.10K) at Fager’s Island. The race course features a refueling station at the halfway point (0.05K) where runners rehydrate with a Pearl Necklace oyster shooter. Admission includes Sprint Entry Fee, All you can eat BBQ Chicken, Ribs & fixins, Local Oysters on the half shell, All you can drink Flying Dog Beers, live music, Silent Auction, Oyster Eating Competition!
12Captain Tyler’s Crabhouse Feast & Cruise
October 6, 2018
Go off Grid with Captain Tyler! Enjoy feasting on Maryland’s Eastern Shore food staples, dinning on all you can eat crabs, corn, beer and so much more. All while relaxing by the water in a vintage, one of a kind, rustic crab picking house transformed into a restaurant by Capt. Tyler himself. A salty sailor he is, Captain Tyler will sail you down the Tangier sound to see the beautiful islands of the Chesapeake Bay!
Crisfield
Photo By: Mount Harmon13Bull & Oyster Roast at Mount Harmon Plantation
October 13, 2018
This very popular Fall event is a traditional Eastern Shore Bull & Oyster Roast plus silent and live auctions, tours of the Manor House, live music and much more in a very special setting.
Photo By: www.OysterStrollMD.com14Oyster Stroll – Downtown Westminster
October 13, 2018
Shop, “Slurp” and Stroll along this charming downtown while live music plays. This Festival is more than simply oysters. Other foods and fun are part of this returning event designed to benefit the Chesapeake oyster aquaculture and the Living Reef project that is designed to create an environment for wild oysters.
Photo By: Stella Maris15Stella Maris Crab Feast & Auction
October 14, 2018
Ready your mallets for the 33rd Stella Maris Crab Feast & Auction. The all-you-can-eat steamed crabs, delicious buffet are just the starters. Next up: silent & live auctions, music and dancing.
Photo By: Tilghman Island16Tilghman Island Day
October 20, 2018
Arts and nautical crafts, boat building demonstrations, oyster shucking, crab picking and a look at the life of a waterman.
Photo By: St Mary’s County17U.S. Oyster Festival—St. Mary’s County
October 20-21, 2018
Celebrate the 52nd anniversary of the U.S. Oyster Festival & the opening of the Chesapeake Bay’s oyster season. U.S. National Oyster Shucking Championships & National Oyster Cook-Off.
Photo By: Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum18OysterFest at Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
October 27, 2018
A celebration of the Chesapeake’s oyster featuring live music on two stages, boat rides, retriever demonstrations, oysters and local fare, an oyster stew competition, cooking demos, and children’s activities.
St. MIchaels
Photo By: Phillips Wharf Environmental Center19Oyster Jam & Brew Fest at Phillips Wharf
November 3, 2018
Celebrate Oysters Phillips Wharf Style by exploring the bounty from at least eight aquaculture companies. Then savor the taste of fourteen different brews. Enjoy live music, oysters, a cool auction and great location. Plans are being made so check back for details.
