Whitstable Oyster Festival 2016
Friday 22nd to Sunday 31st July 2016various venues, Whitstable, Kent, England
varies depending upon event
The the 32nd Whitstable Oyster Festival happens from Friday 22nd to Thursday 31st July 2016 at various venues around Whitstable in Kent.
The child friendly festival hosts two weekends of live music and stand-up comedy evenings, live music at the Beach, and a busking area at Deadman’s Corner, plus events ranging from a vivid street parade to the challenging (and undeniably entertaining) mud tug of war, outdoor cinema screenings, Harbour Food Fair and a fireworks finale.
Line-up
The first acts confirmed are The Cuban Brothers, Norman Jay and BAM (Jungle Brothers), Goldie, Thompson Trio plus Friends, Whitstable Oyster Festival Quiz 2016, Street Theatre Walkabout, Harbour Food Fair, Busker's Stage, Music at The Shuck, Parade Camp, Landing of the Oysters at Long Beach, Seafood Parade, Live Music Headliner, Sea Sunday Service, Harbour Food Fair, Made in Whitstable Arts & Crafts Vintage Stall, Beach Stage, I Heart Whitstable, Invicta Jazz Orchestra, Oyster Eating Challenge, Let's Build a Kite, Beach Hut Tales, Oxford Street Fete, Forage Walks, Chalky Chalkie, Crabbing on Horsebridge Beach, Pirate Pottery, Artists at Work, Oystercatchers Treasure Hunt, Whitstable Oyster Festival evening Cinema Screenings, WOF Dinner and a Movie Restaurant Offer, A Walk Round Pirate (Radio) Alley, Toddlers Brunch, Baby Rave, Rude Mechanical Theatre Co. - Macbyrd,, Paul Cheneour, Grotters, Blessing of the water, The Comedy Impro All-Stars, Tombola, Whitstabubble Beach Party, Whitstable Soul Choir, Mud Tug, Fishermans Feast at The Shuck, and Fireworks Finale.
Tickets
Ticket prices vary depending upon event.
More info
The festival is based on the service of thanksgiving held by local fisherman that took place around the feast day of St. James Compostella, a tradition dating back to Norman times. The British native oyster spawns from May to August, during which time they are left alone by the fishermen, hence the traditional closed season for oyster eating in any month with an "r" in it. Pacific rock oysters are farmed year-round and it is these that are available during the festival.
The Romans loved British oysters, cultivated them on the north Kent coast and elsewhere, ate them in great quantities and exported them to the rest of the Roman Empire. After the Romans left, oysters went out of fashion, and Britons did not start eating them again until the eighth century.
The Festival has grown from a community celebration to a massive event, which sees 80,000 people descend upon the seaside town for 10 days of food and live performances. The child friendly festival hosts two weekends of live music and stand-up comedy evenings, live music at the Beach, and a busking area at Deadman’s Corner, plus events ranging from a vivid street parade to the challenging (and undeniably entertaining) mud tug of war, outdoor cinema screenings, Harbour Food Fair and a fireworks finale.
Transport
Rail: Whitstable is easily accessible by rail with regular trains from London Victoria (1hr 30mins) and from Thanet. Whitstable railway station is a short ten-minute walk from the town centre. Singles starts at £21.80 and super off peak web fares start at £21.90 return.
Bus: Whitstable has a regular bus service to and from Canterbury and Herne Bay.
Car: Park and Ride Schemes.
Accommodation
This event does not have camping but there are a number of hotels, hostels and guest houses in the area.
More information will be here when available.
Latest Updates
Whitstable Oyster Festival 2016festival details
