Falmouth Oyster Festival

The Falmouth Oyster Festival is a highly-anticipated event that takes place in the charming coastal town of Falmouth every October. This 4-day festival is dedicated to celebrating the native Fal Oyster, which marks the start of the annual oyster-dredging season in Falmouth’s waters that runs until March. The festival is now in its 25th year and has become one of Cornwall’s most popular food and music events of the year.

During the festival, visitors can indulge in a range of activities and attractions, from cookery demonstrations and live music to the famous oyster shucking competition. The festival attracts a diverse crowd, including seafood lovers, oyster shuckers, and landlubbers who just want to enjoy a good time. The festival’s harbourside car park location on Church Street offers a perfect vantage point for watching the boat races out on the big blue, as well as the grand oyster parade. In addition to the popular oysters, visitors can also sample a range of seafood, wine, and champagne bars that line the festival site, as well as a selection of Cornish food produce, real ale, arts and crafts.

The festival is free to attend, except for any evening concerts, which were priced at £11 each in 2022. The 2022 edition saw Cornish comedian and entertainer Johnny Cowling, local jazz and funk band Deep Squid, and Celtic folk-rock band The Stowes take to the stage to get the crowds roaring, dancing, and stomping.

The Falmouth Oyster Festival is a significant event for the town, as it contributes significantly to the local economy. The festival offers a fantastic opportunity for locals and visitors alike to come together to enjoy great food, live music, and a fun atmosphere. The 2022 edition saw the festival finally outgrow Events Square in the town and move to a bigger piece of ground on Church Street’s harbourside car park, resulting in packed crowds.