Shuck, Savor, and Celebrate: The New Jersey Oyster Festival Returns to Port Norris

If you’re looking to feast on the freshest local seafood and tap into a bit of South Jersey history, make your way to the New Jersey Oyster Festival 2025 this Saturday, October 18, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Bayshore Center at Bivalve in Port Norris. According to the Cape May County Herald, this marks the fourth annual celebration of the region’s oyster industry—a cornerstone of South Jersey’s coastal culture.

Ticket holders can enjoy unlimited freshly shucked oysters on the half shell, live bluegrass by Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass, and presentations from local experts highlighting the history and sustainability of oyster farming along the Delaware Bay. The festival also supports the Bayshore Center at Bivalve, a nonprofit known for its work with the historic Tall Ship A.J. Meerwald and the Delaware Bay Museum.

Visitors can expect to sample oysters from some of New Jersey’s finest purveyors, including Cape May Salts, Southern State Oyster Company, and Ludlam Bay Oyster Company. Local favorites like Julio’s on Main and Fat Boyz Kitchen will be on-site serving up fried flounder sandwiches, cheesesteaks, and authentic Mexican fare—perfect for pairing with the briny freshness of a local oyster.

Beyond the food and music, the event features an Educational Speaker Series, with insights from experts such as Port Norris oysterman Barney Hollinger and researchers from Rutgers’ Haskin Shellfish Laboratory, exploring everything from oyster reef restoration to the leasing of coastal waters for shellfish cultivation.

Tickets are $50 in advance or $60 on the day of the event, and organizers emphasize that the festival often sells out. So, whether you’re a seafood enthusiast or simply curious about South Jersey’s maritime traditions, this year’s New Jersey Oyster Festival promises an unforgettable afternoon of food, culture, and community by the Maurice River.