Washington State is known for its fresh, local seafood thanks to miles of shoreline and ample waterways. From salmon to oysters, visitors can sample their way through these and more during annual maritime and seafood festivals in Washington.
While harvesting seasons for shellfish and fish vary, it’s easy to find delicious seafood year-round. Here are a few of the major annual seafood festivals in Washington State. Please check the event websites before visiting for the most up-to-date information.
Browse more upcoming Washington events here.
Seafood Festivals in Washington by Month
March
Penn Cove MusselFest, Coupeville
Penn Cove MusselFest on Whidbey Island celebrates all things bold and briny. This multi-day Washington seafood festival features chowder tastings, mussel-cooking demonstrations, guided boat tours of a local mussel farm, kids’ activities, a beer garden, and more. Little ones will love meeting the mermaids. The festival centers around historic downtown Coupeville, and getting there is half the fun. Depending on where you’re coming from, you can either take a ferry or drive across the scenic Deception Pass Bridge.
Also See: Guide to Deception Pass State Park
Razor Clam and Seafood Festival, Ocean Shores
This exciting weekend seafood event on Washington’s Pacific Coast celebrates the state’s seafood bounty. Taste fresh seafood, from razor clams to scallops and oysters. Visitors can enjoy a chowder tasting, live music, wine and beer, a clam gun decorating contests, and more fun activities. While the festival is free to attend, some events require advance registration.
May
Razor Clam Festival, Long Beach
Head to the Long Beach Peninsula in Southwest Washington for all things razor clams. Take clam-digging lessons, attend the chowder taste-off to sample offerings from local restaurants, enter the clam contest where you can show off your own finds, and more. There will of course be live music, a beer garden, craft booths, and plenty of other tasty bites.
Also See: Things to do in Long Beach with Kids
July
Allyn Days Salmon Bake & Geoduck Festival, Allyn
The small town of Allyn throws the family friendly Salmon Bake and Geoduck Festival every year. Located in the middle of Kitsap Peninsula on Case Inlet, Allyn is a beautiful backdrop for this annual seafood-themed festival. Three days of activities feature live musical performances, kids’ activities, a salmon bake dinner, and an oyster shucking competition.
Ballard SeafoodFest, Seattle
An active port for many fishing vessels, Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood is where fishermen have lived and worked for years. This event brings together live music, family activities, arts and crafts booths, succulent seafood, and a craft beer showcase. Those feeling adventurous can participate in Festi-Bowl, an all-ages skateboard event. Don’t miss the Trident Seafoods Salmon BBQ plate.
August
Drayton Harbor Maritime Festival, Blaine
Head toward the Canadian border for a weekend packed with boating and maritime fun. The Drayton Harbor Pirate Festival kicks off in Blaine, a quaint town along the coast. This street fair and maritime festival is packed with kid-friendly games, crafts, a pirate costume contest, and excellent seafood. Blaine and Drayton Harbor are known for oysters, so be sure to save room for these delicious shellfish.
September
Fishermen’s Fall Festival, Seattle
This family friendly festival celebrates the return of the North Pacific Fishing Fleet to the Fishermen’s Terminal in Seattle. Enjoy hands-on art project, including wooden boat building, as well as a salmon BBQ.
SeaFeast, Bellingham
Make your way to Bellingham to celebrate its maritime culture and local seafood at this Northwest Washington festival. Learn about programs that keep Washington’s waters clean, fishing industries that work to keep our fisheries sustainable, and all the fun that Bellingham has to offer. Sample fresh seafood, watch cooking demonstrations, walk the Waterfront Trail, enjoy art and live music, and more at SeaFeast.
October
Dungeness Crab Festival, Port Angeles
This long-running seafood festival on the Olympic Peninsula celebrates the area’s fresh seafood and local communities. Located on the shores of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the area is just a few miles from Dungeness Bay, home of the famous Dungeness crab. At the The Dungeness Crab Festival weekend you’ll find fresh crab and seafood from local tribes, wine and beer tastings, family activities, live music on multiple stages, art by local artisans and tribal members, Coast Guard demonstrations, and more.
Also See: Things to do in Port Angeles
OysterFest, Shelton
You’ll find bivalves, brews, live music, and more at the annual OysterFest weekend. The event includes seafood and other items from 40+ food vendors, a Microbrew Garden & Wine Pavilion, two entertainment stages, kid-friendly activities, educational marine displays, and more. Don’t miss the West Coast Oyster Shucking Championships where you’ll be completely floored at the shucking skill and speed!
Also See: A Salish Sea Oyster Road Trip
Salmon Days, Issaquah
Celebrate the annual return of the salmon at this longtime Washington seafood event in Issaquah. Watch as adult chinook and coho salmon make their way back to the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery to spawn. Check out arts and crafts booths, food vendors, live music, and of course a salmon BBQ. Little ones will love to explore the Field of Fun, while dog lovers can watch dogs catch some air during the DockDogs competition.