NEW ORLEANS – The annual New Orleans Oyster Festival will celebrate the oyster, a local delicacy that is an integral part of the unique culinary culture of Louisiana, Saturday, June 3 and Sunday, June 4, at Woldenberg Riverfront Park at the Mississippi River, next to the Entergy Giant Screen Theater/Aquarium, from 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Launched in 2010, the New Orleans Oyster Festival works to educate the country about the benefits of the Louisiana Gulf Oyster, honor and celebrate the restaurateurs and oyster farmers who have solidified the New Orleans French Quarter’s position as the “Oyster Capital of America,” and help raise funds for coastal restoration. The New Orleans Oyster Festival donates a portion of its proceeds to a beneficiary or group of beneficiaries whose purpose and mission align with that of the festival.
The Oyster Festival will feature oyster competitions including the Acme Oyster House® World Oyster Eating Championship, the P&J Oyster Shucking Competition and the New Orleans Fish House Largest Oyster Contest. More than 20 restaurants will be showing off the versatility of our region’s favorite bivalve and the Oyster Festival will feature craft vendors including Party Pirogues, MacBe Oyster Art, Bonfolk Collective, House of Tam and more. Festival goers will be able to purchase an array of New Orleans seafood apparel, jewelry, home décor and culinary appliances.
The Oyster Festival schedule includes:
SATURDAY
10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Pontchartrain Wrecks
12:00 p.m. The P&J Oyster Shucking Competition
Saturday afternoon The New Orleans Fish House Largest Oyster Contest
12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. The P&J Oyster Shucking Competition
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Johnny Hayes & The Loveseats
2:45 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. Billy luso & Restless Natives
4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Bonerama
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Flow Tribe
SUNDAY
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Gospel Performance
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The Acme Oyster House® World Oyster Eating Championship
1:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Luke Winslow King
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. The Mulligan Brothers
4:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. Brass-A-Holics
6:45 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Bag of Donuts
Restaurants participating in this year’s New Orleans Oyster Festival include:
Acme Oyster House
Ajun Cajun
Andrea's Restaurant & Catering
Antoine's Restaurant
Bourbon House
Cafe Reconcile
Creole House Restaurant & Oyster Bar
Desire Oyster Bar
Drago's Seafood Restaurant
Grand Isle Restaurant
Jacques-Imo's Cafe
Mr. Ed's Oyster Bar & Fish House
Nola Snow Snoballs
Oceana Grill
Poppin' Mamas
Red Fish Grill
Royal House Oyster Bar
Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar
Trenasse
Voleo's Seafood Restaurant
VIP passes cost $125 for the entire weekend, $75 daily, and include access to a private VIP hospitality lounge and viewing area. Oyster Festival VIP guests can relax with complimentary beverages, seating and A/C restrooms. Each VIP guest will receive one ticket to redeem for any food item at the festival. The complimentary beverages include five alcoholic drinks (liquor, beer or wine) and unlimited soda and water.
A limited number of VIP passes will be for sale at the festival.
The Oyster Festival has free admission and is open to the public.
