Falmouth Oyster Festival 2025: Dates, Chef Line-Up and New Venue Expansion Announced

Top chefs, live music and a brand new venue expansion this October

The Falmouth Oyster Festival is back this autumn, and 2025 promises its biggest celebration yet. Taking place from Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th October, this free daytime event brings together Cornwall’s rich maritime traditions, world-class seafood and a buzzing community atmosphere – all while marking the start of the native Fal Oyster dredging season.

New Venue, More to Explore

This year, the festival returns to its traditional home at Events Square, but for the first time ever it will also expand into the historic Princess Pavilion. The move offers more room for chef demos, music, food stalls and hands-on experiences.

Festival organiser Tim Vigus said:

“We’re thrilled to welcome a host of brilliant Cornish chefs who’ll be sharing their knowledge and cooking up dishes made from delicious seasonal ingredients.

We’re also soon to share more information about our masterclasses, which are new for this year, which will give people the chance to get hands on and learn new skills from the experts.

We’re also excited to reveal our live music line-up too, promising four nights of fantastic entertainment from soul music, shanties and folk to good old fashioned Cornish humour – these aren’t to be missed!”

Local Chefs Take the Spotlight

At the heart of the festival is a celebration of the native Fal Oyster, the only oyster in Europe – possibly the world – still dredged by sail and oar. Visitors will be treated to cooking demos by a talented line-up of local chefs including:

• Ben Palmer, The Sardine Factory & Great British Menu winner

• Hylton Espey, Culture, Falmouth

• Angus Bell, Restaurant Mine, Falmouth

• Finn Johnson, Hevva, Falmouth

• Alfie Hazlitt, INDIDOG, Falmouth

• Elliot Kett, Kelp Canteen, Falmouth

• Jack Frame, The Beach House, Falmouth

• Annie Seabourne, My Fish Kitchen, Mawnan Smith

More names and details of the new masterclasses are expected to be announced soon.

Festival favourites like the Working Boat Race and the always popular Oyster Shucking Competition are also set to return.

Four Evenings of Live Music

Daytime music is free, but the evening entertainment is ticketed, starting from £11 per adult. Acts confirmed so far include:

• Seth Lakeman – Award-winning folk singer

• Johnny Cowling – Comedian and local music favourite

• The Quartermasters – Nautical folk band

• Falmouth Soul Sensation – Twelve-piece soul and funk group

Family Fun and Cornish Flavour

As well as the chefs and music, visitors can expect food stalls, local produce markets, pop-up experiences and plenty of family-friendly activities. The festival promises an atmosphere that’s “truly Cornish and wonderfully inclusive”.

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now
📍 Falmouth, Cornwall | October 9th–12th, 2025
👉 www.falmouthoysterfestival.co.uk