Shrimp Festivals Around the World
If you are reading this, you are likely a shrimp lover, and as such, you know this delicious crustacean deserves to be celebrated! You are not alone; throughout the year, many people around the world come together to enjoy music, drinks, and most importantly, shrimp! From national events to celebrations all the way in Japan, these are some of the best shrimp festivals around the world.
Image courtesy of Fernando Andrade / Unsplash
Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival – Fernandina Beach, Florida
Music, costume contests, parades, and lots of shrimp! These are just some of the things that more than 100,000 visitors will enjoy from May 2nd to May 4th at the Fernandina Beach Shrimp Festival. There are activities for people of all ages, so get the whole family and get the forks ready to devour shrimp!
If you plan to attend this year’s edition, check out our event guide from last year to plan ahead and make the most of your visit.
Image courtesy of Nhom Nhom Duong / Unsplash
National Shrimp Festival – Gulf Shores, Alabama
The beautiful beaches of Coastal Alabama are home to the biggest shrimp festival in the world, where more than 300,000 people attend the National Shrimp Festival, celebrating a true Alabama culinary staple. From October 9th to 12th, Gulf Shores will host the 51st edition of this volunteer-driven festival.
Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival – Morgan City, Louisiana
There are even more reasons to celebrate Labor Day weekend in Louisiana, and this is because, apart from the national holiday, more than 150,000 people go all out for the shrimping and petroleum industries in the Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival. The two industries are cornerstones of Louisiana, and locals make sure to celebrate them as such.
Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival – Galway, Ireland
One of the most acclaimed food festivals in Europe, the Galway festival is renowned for being the world’s longest-running oyster festival, celebrated annually in September since 1954. And while oysters are the specialty of this festival, there is no shortage of shrimp orders here!
If you're now craving the taste of Ireland, good news! You don’t have to go all the way to Ireland to enjoy its delicious cuisine; you just have to visit Scully’s! Located in Fernandina Beach, this pub and eatery brings the flavor and tradition of Ireland with a Floridian twist.
Kuruma Prawn Festival – Himeshima, Japan
Himeshima is a small Japanese village that you might have never heard of. But it has something in common with all the previous places on this list: their love for shrimp. Such love is so profound that they celebrate a festival as well. Each October, they take advantage of the prawn (a large shrimp) season to host seafood tastings, accompanied by traditional dances and cultural performances for all attendees.
Often referred to as the “Island of Princesses,” Himeshima is worth learning more about due to its cultural uniqueness. For those seeking a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it is definitely worth visiting. If you're feeling adventurous, the A Different Side of Japan guide is a great starting point for planning your Nippon quest. Just a heads up; in some local traditions, prawns are usually eaten alive here!
Image courtesy of Nigel Seah / Unsplash
A Celebration All Around the World
The impact of shrimp on coastal cities can only be measured by the fervor with which the crustacean is celebrated. All over the world, people come together to dedicate a few days to celebrating shrimp.
And if you want to celebrate shrimp yourself, visit us and have your own shrimp festival at the table!