As fall approaches, the countdown to the tastiest festival in North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands begins! To prepare you, we’ve gathered everything you need to know ahead of attending this year’s North Carolina Oyster Festival:
Schedule and Signature Events
The 44th Annual North Carolina Oyster Festival takes place October 18-19, 2025, in Ocean Isle Beach. However, festivities will kick off one day earlier on October 17 with a free outdoor community concert on festival grounds in Town Center Park. The Extraordinaires will provide the tunes, so bring some dancing shoes. Gates open at 4 p.m. and music will begin at 6 p.m.
The NC Oyster Festival’s signature Oyster Shucking Contest will take place on Saturday, October 18, 2025. Both pro and amateur shuckers can put their skills to the test. Pro shuckers will compete at 11:30 a.m. and amateurs at 12:00 p.m. Registration for the event will take place at the contest tent located on 2nd Street on the day of competition.
For the folks who feel they can’t ever get enough oysters, the festival’s Oyster Eating Contest will follow at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 18, 2025. Registration will take place at the contest tent located on 2nd Street on the day of competition. Buckets of oysters are $5 each.
Make sure to return to the festival on the second day, October 19, for the Oyster Stew Cook-Off at 1:00 p.m. You’ll be able to sample the stews of local Brunswick Islands restaurants and help to decide which one deserves the festival’s highest recognition. Separate tickets ($5 each) are required for the cook-off.
Throughout the festival’s two-day run, you’ll also be able to enjoy live music, a variety of food vendors (featuring seafood options, desserts, and more), and several local arts and crafts vendors.
Getting Here and Parking
Please visit our Map and Travel Information page for more information on average travel times, regional airports, and a map of NC’s Brunswick Islands to help you get here.
Visitors to the NC Oyster Festival are encouraged to use the festival’s free shuttle service. The shuttle will operate non-stop during festival hours October 18-19 and stop at the Lowes Foods grocery store (7278 Beach Dr.) and Odell Williamson Municipal Airport (6080 Beach Dr.) lots. Parking in both lots is free. ADA accessible transportation will be available at the Lowes Foods parking lot.
Parking for a fee will be available at the Ocean Isle Beach pier.
Where to Stay
In addition to being the host of the NC Oyster Festival, Ocean Isle Beach is also the perfect homebase during your stay. With numerous restaurants in close vicinity, family friendly things to do, and a beautiful beach strand you can’t go wrong sticking around for a little while longer. October is also the season to take advantage of off-season rates on vacation rental homes across the Brunswick Islands.
After enjoying the festival, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to explore the rest of NC’s Brunswick Islands. For more information on the area, including restaurants and things to do, please visit our Islands and Towns page.
Other Important Festival Information
Tickets for the North Carolina Oyster Festival are cash only. Adult tickets are $5 each and children 12 and under get in for free. ATMs will be available outside of festival grounds.
Same day re-entry into the festival is permitted; just don’t forget your stamp at either of the festival’s gates.
Pets are not allowed on festival grounds.
For more information on festival rules, vendors, and parking and shuttle information please visit the festival’s website at https://ncoysterfestival.com/ or contact the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce.
Join the Fun
For help planning the rest of your visit to North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands ahead of the festivities please visit www.ncbrunswick.com.