The 59th Annual US OYSTER FESTIVAL

Ready to celebrate oysters in all their glory? The legendary U.S. Oyster Festival brings you oysters every which way—raw, scalded, grilled, sauced, in tacos, soups, po’boys, or simply chilled on the half shell—alongside live music, artisan vendors, educational exhibits, and family-friendly entertainment galore. The highlight? The nation’s fastest shuckers battle it out in the U.S. National Oyster Shucking Championship, where the winner goes on to represent the U.S. at the World Oyster Opening Championships in Galway, Ireland.

What makes this more than just a festival? Every shell gets a second life. ORP’s Shell Recycling Alliance makes sure the shells re-enter the cycle—curated and returned to local reefs—to help grow the next generation of oysters and keep the Bay healthy.

And here’s the best part for ORP fans: the winner of our World is Your Oyster (WIYO) shucking competition earns a spot in this marquee event, giving our local shuckers a direct path to the national stage.

Come for the shuck-off. Stay for the oysters, the community, the artful eats, and the fact that every discarded shell supports a cleaner, more vibrant Chesapeake Bay.