Whitstable
Dates of the 2014 Whitstable Oyster Festival
The Whitstable Oyster Festival 2014 dates are 26 July to 1 August, 2014. The festival takes place in and around the harbour in Whitstable, Kent.
What is the Whitstable Oyster Festival?
The Whitstable Oyster Festival is an annual food festival that focuses on Whitstable’s most famous culinary product. The festival is a modern revival of an ancient religious festival dating all the way back to Norman times, when local fishermen and dredgers would hold annual ceremonies of thanksgiving for the harvest and their survival at sea.
Today the tradition continues. For one week every summer, Whitstable comes alive with parades, oyster eating contests, food markets, tug o’ war, family activities, live music, performances, and even a dog show. At the end of the week, the festival culminates in a fireworks display on the beach near the harbour.
There are over 80 events taking place throughout the week, so there’s something for everyone. The festival has a different schedule each day, so it’s worth looking at the website to find out what’s on during your visit.
How Much do Tickets for the Whitstable Oyster Festival Cost?
Most events during the festival are free of charge, but there are a few that require tickets or an entry fee. For example, it costs £3 per person to enter the oyster eating competition. You can check the website for more details of prices for specific events.
How to Get to Whitstable
Getting from London to Whitstable is easy by train. Services run from both St Pancras and Victoria stations at regular intervals throughout the day. You can learn more about travelling to Whitstable by train here.
You can also drive to Whitstable, although parking can be a challenge during the festival. However, there is a park and ride available at the Church Street Playing Fields for £7.50 in advance or £10.00 on the day. Regular shuttle buses take passengers from the fields to and from the harbour and high street throughout the day from 8am to 8pm on 26 and 27 July.