Why You Shouldn’t Miss these NC Seafood Festivals!

It’s festival season and while many associate that with Oktoberfest celebrations and an abundance of bratwurst, in coastal North Carolina we kickoff fall with a different kind of delectable treat: seafood. While seafood is always in abundance here, it’s celebrated extensively throughout the month of October. Up and down the coast, people come together to feast on fresh seafood and show the rest of the country who has the finest fishing around.

Kicking off seafood festival season on October 6-8, 2017 is the always-anticipated and award-winning North Carolina Seafood Festival in Morehead City. This free family-friendly event is in its 31^st year and, unlike seafood, it gets better with age! Festival-goers can expect cooking demonstrations (and tasty samples) from NC’s best chefs as they compete for the coveted Chefs Hat, carnival rides, live entertainment, the Flounder Fling, and so much more! This year is also the inaugural Port of Pours beer tasting event featuring unlimited samples of over 15 craft breweries. To learn more about his event, click here.

Next up is the 63^rd Annual Mullet Festival in Swansboro, NC on October 14^th and 15^th. Oh, you thought it was the hairstyle! Mullet is actually a fish that can be enjoyed fried, broiled, grilled, smoked, stewed and more! Never had it? The Mullet Festival is the perfect place to try it! Head to quaint downtown Swansboro for this free family-friendly event that includes a parade, street carnival, arts & crafts, games, music and more. Click here to learn more!

The Outer Banks, known worldwide for their offshore fishing, is home to the Outer Banks Seafood Festival, taking place in Nags Head on October 21^st. Learn about the area’s rich fishing history and its community while enjoying fresh seafood and live music. Think you know good seafood? Cast your vote for the People’s Choice, “Best Local Dish” and see if your favorite restaurant wins! General Admission tickets are $5 and can be purchased here. 

This next seafood festival shines a spotlight on a food people tend to either love (we’re in this category) or hate: oysters! The NC Oyster Festival, taking place since 1980, happens in Ocean Isle Beach on October 21^st and 22^nd and is sure to be a shucking good time! From shag to country to R&B, festival-goers can dance the days away when they aren’t slurping down oysters or competing in one of the many oyster-themed competitions. Whether you like them raw, steams, broiled, on a cracker, in a soup or straight out of the shell, you won’t want to miss this event! To learn more, click here.

To learn more about North Carolina’s seafood traditions and fishing industry, and how it’s celebrated each year at festivals throughout the state, explore our website. Want to attend one of these events, plan your stay here.