One of the UK’s most iconic specialist food festivals makes its vibrant return this autumn as the Falmouth Oyster Festival 2025 celebrates the start of the native Fal Oyster dredging season — with a fresh format, expanded venues, and a stellar line-up of chefs and musicians.
Running from Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th October, the festival is free to attend during the day and showcases the best of Cornwall’s maritime heritage, seafood culture, and community spirit.
This year sees an exciting new chapter, with the festival returning to Events Square and expanding for the first time into the historic Princess Pavilion – offering more space, more music, and more flavour-packed experiences than ever before.
Chef Demos: First Wave Announced
At the heart of the festival is a celebration of the native Fal Oyster, sustainably harvested using sail and oar. Falmouth is the only oyster fishery in Europe, if not the world, where such traditional methods must be used.
The first wave of talented local chefs announced to demo at the 2025 festival are:
- Ben Palmer – The Sardine Factory & Great British Menu Winner, Looe.
- 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
Further chefs and masterclass hosts will be revealed in the coming weeks. Festival staples including the Working Boat Race and the crowd-favourite Oyster Shucking Competition will also return.
Live Music: Cornwall’s Sounds by the Sea
The festival soundtrack promises to be just as rich as its food. Daytime music performances are free, while evening entertainment is ticketed (from £11 per adult) and features:
- Seth Lakeman – Award-winning folk singer.
- Johnny Cowling – Comedian and musician bringing local laughs and tunes.
- The Quartermasters – Nautical folk with harmonies to match the harbour.
- Falmouth Soul Sensation – Twelve-piece soul and funk powerhouse
Festival organiser, Tim Vigus, says: “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 gets 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!’
A Celebration of Seafood, Culture & Community
With family-friendly activities, food stalls, local produce markets, and special pop-up experiences, this year’s festival promises an atmosphere that’s truly Cornish and wonderfully inclusive.
🎟️ Tickets on sale now
📍 Falmouth, Cornwall | October 9–12, 2025
To stay up to date with the latest Falmouth Oyster Festival news please visit falmouthoysterfestival.co.uk or join the conversation online @Faloysterfest.
