The Maine Oyster Festival returns June 27-29, 2025, to downtown Freeport. If you love oysters, you’ll want to be there. Even better: Attendance is free, although tastings and some events charge a fee.
Feast on Maine oysters and more
Oysters, natch, are featured raw and cooked at the Maine Oyster Festival sponsored by Visit Freeport.
Sea farms and mobile shuckers will be shucking and serving raw oysters grown along Maine’s coast on Saturday, June 28, from 10 am – 6 pm, and Sunday, June 29, from 10 am – 4 pm. Each tasting ticket, valid for one oyster, costs $3, and advance purchase tickets are available. Last year, more than 40,000 raw oysters were consumed during the Maine Oyster Festival.
Additional oyster dishes and other food choices (including vegan and vegetarian) will be offered by food trucks & mobile vendors such as Cheese the Day, The Ugly Dumpling, Empanada Club, BK’s Fresh Squeezed, Nor’Easter Oyster Co, Colvard & Co, and Lady Shuckers. Oyster menu items include fried oyster po boys, grilled oysters, smoked oyster dip, oyster tacos, and more.
Taste the signature mignonette created for the festival by FIORE Artisan Olive Oils & Vinegars and Freeport Oyster Bar. The official festival hot sauce is Scurvy Dog by Captain Mowatt’s Hot Sauce Company. Check out the festival’s new signature condiment: Kimchi Juice, from Kimchi Beyond Compare.
Maine Oyster Festival includes live music, exhibits, and kids’ activities
Learn about the science of oyster farming from the Maine Aquaculture Association and the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center, and view US Coast Guard and the Maine Department of Marine Resources exhibits.
Enjoy live music throughout the weekend on the L.L. Bean Discovery Park Stage and a second stage in the Mallard Parking Lot. See full schedule.
Experience hands-on crafts for kids with the Boothbay Sea and Science Center and a touch tank with Tidepool Tim from Gulf of Maine Inc, on Saturday, June 28, from 10 am-6 pm and Sunday, June 29, from 10 am-4 pm.
Oyster and shucking competitions
Sustainable Seafood Advocate Barton Seaver will emcee the Oyster of the Year award ceremony on Saturday, June 28, at 3:00 pm on the Discovery Park Stage. Judges will blind taste oysters from all participating sea farms to choose the Oyster of the Year winner.
The Big Shuck, the professional shuckers’ contest, starts at moon on Sunday, June 29, on the Discovery Park Stage and features planned appearances by two nationally ranked shuckers.
Friday kick-off party
The “Meet the Farmer” kick-off party features live music and includes light appetizers and a beverage. Tickets ($15) for the event, hosted by the Freeport Oyster Bar, benefit the Maine Farmed Seafood Coalition. Doors open at 5:30 pm.
Shop
It’s Freeport, so shop till you drop! Vendors include makers of Maine-made products used in serving or preparing oysters, products made from oyster shells, or other industry by-products, and artworks inspired by the sea. Booths are open on Saturday, June 28, from 10 am – 6 pm and Sunday, June 29, from 10 am – 4 pm.
Easy access
Parking is free and plentiful in Freeport plus a free shuttle service will run from L. L. Bean Corporate Headquarters to the festival site. Better yet: Save the driving and parking hassle and ride Amtrak’s Downeaster train to downtown Freeport.
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Love food? Check out Maine’s Best Food Festivals.
