Cornwall’s biggest and best-loved specialist food festival, Falmouth Oyster Festival, takes place from Thursday 10th  to Sunday 13th  October 2024  and promises the return of a packed programme full of flavoursome fun.

The festival brings together a blend of esteemed local chefs, hardworking oyster fishermen, food and drink enthusiasts and an eclectic mix of musicians, all in celebration of the start of Falmouth’s unique oyster fishery season.  With methods that have changed little in the last 500 years, only vessels powered by sail or oar can operate, and their catch the native Fal Oyster, with its salty liquor and sweet flesh, is generally considered far superior to the Pacific variety.

Cookery demonstrations by top chefs and food experts from Cornwall’s hotels and restaurants, inspire visitors to try their hand at unusual and exciting seafood combinations and indulge in the tastes of native oysters and local produce. The vibrant programme includes live music, Cornish food produce, arts and crafts, real ale and wine bars, oyster and seafood bars, working boat racing, a grand oyster parade and a most fiercely contested oyster shucking competition.

Chef Demos

Get inspired to try your hand after watching local chefs demonstrate unusual and exciting seafood combinations,  showcasing the native Fal Oyster.  Experts are on-hand to divulge their tips on choosing, preparing and cooking the great variety of fresh sustainable seafood readily available in Cornwall.

Oyster Bar

With methods that have changed little in the last 500 years, only vessels powered by sail or oar can operate.  Their catch, the native Fal Oyster with its salty liquor and sweet flesh, is generally considered far superior to the Pacific variety.  Les Angell and his team run the Oyster Bar, shucking fresh oysters to order each day – pair yours with Champagne for a perfect match.

St Michaels Seafood and Champagne Bar

Hosted by sponsors St Michaels Resort, the Seafood Bar’s brassiere style menu brings the freshest and greatest produce that Cornwall’s abundant waters have to offer. Wash it down with a glass of champagne from one of the world’s leading houses, Moet & Chandon, while you soak up the festival atmosphere.

Meet the Makers

Indulge in the tastes of native seafood, locally produced wines, ales and home-grown produce.  There’s a wide range of mouth watering Cornish food and drink, hot and cold, to eat in or take away.  With local producers, the arts and craft marquee is filled with a carefully chosen selection of goods for sale.

   For full details of the 2024 festival programme including tickets, please visit www.falmouthoysterfestival.co.uk.