Whitstable Rocks Oyster Festival
2027 dates not announced yet — usually A weekend in mid-September
Venues across Whitstable, including East Quay, the Grading Shed and Long Beach, Whitstable, Kent · South East England
A not-for-profit weekend celebrating Whitstable's oyster heritage with the Landing of the Oysters, free music, family fun and fireworks.
Whitstable's oyster festival was revived in the 1980s and re-launched in its current form in 2022; 2026 was its fifth year. It is run as a non-profit by the Whitstable Oyster Festival Association, the Whitstable Oyster Fishery Company and The Event Umbrella.
It takes place around the harbour and seafront. The Grading Shed and East Quay host music, food and drink, the Lobster Shack serves oysters, and Long Beach has free family activities such as welly-throwing, kite-flying, treasure hunts and grotter building, followed by fireworks.
The traditional Landing of the Oysters ceremony is a highlight, and pubs around town run a fringe programme. Main stage areas are free to enter.
Dates
| Year | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Not announced yet (usually A weekend in mid-September) | Expected |
| 2026 | Friday 11 – Sunday 13 September 2026 | Held |
Dates are taken from the festival’s own website and were last checked on 5 October 2026. Plans can change, so please check with the organiser before you travel. Spotted a change? Tell us.
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