Family Fun, Local Traditions & Muddy Mayhem on Long Beach
At the heart of the Whitstable Rocks Oyster Festival is the Whitstable Oyster Festival Association (WOFA) — dedicated to preserving the town’s rich maritime heritage and strong sense of community. On Long Beach, the WOFA curates a vibrant programme of free, inclusive activities that capture the soul of Whitstable.
Bring the kids, bring your mates, and join in a day (or three) of pirate pottery, treasure hunts, welly throwing, chalky chalks, kite flying, and more. All activities are completely FREE.
schedule
Friday 11 Sept
21:15 Opening Fireworks Display sponsored by the Whitstable Oyster Fishery Company
Saturday 12 Sept
13:00 Landing of the Oysters
11:00 – 16:30 FREE FAMILY ACTIVITIES
Kite Flying
Oyster Tower Competition
Parrot Treasure Hunt
Pirate Pottery
Welly Boot Throwing
15:00 – 16:00 Oyster Eating Competition
19:30 – 20:30 Mud Tug O’War
Sunday 13 Sept
18:00 Grotter Building & Switch on the Candles
11:00 – 16:30 FREE FAMILY ACTIVITIES
The Big Splash
Chalky Chalks
Oyster Tower Competition
Parrot Treasure Hunt
Pirate Pottery
16:00 Oyster Shucking Competition
FIREWORKS OPENING DISPLAY
Friday, September 11 | 21:15 – 21:45 | Long Beach | All Ages
Sponsored by the Whitstable Oyster Fishery Company, this year the legendary fireworks light up the opening night! Gather on Long Beach as we kick off the festival in dazzling style with a spectacular display over the bay to the tunes of Sugar Soul on The Grading Shed stage.
LANDING OF THE OYSTERS CEREMONY
Saturday, September 12 | 13:00 – 14:30 | Long Beach to East Quay
This iconic, historic ceremony is the soul of the Whitstable Rocks Oyster Festival — a tradition dating back to 1657. Local fishermen and sailors bring in the first symbolic catch of oysters and ceremonially land them on the beach.
A blessing of the sea follows — a timeless ritual of giving thanks and asking for the ocean’s continued bounty.
Accompanied by:
- Whitstable Sea Scouts & Brass Band
- Samba Pelo Mar leading a vibrant community procession to East Quay
All are welcome to join the walk from Long Beach to the Grading Shed stage — a magical celebration of music, history, and community.
MUD TUG O’ WAR
Saturday, September 12 | 19:30 – 20:30 | Long Beach | Ages 18+
Rally your friends, co-workers, or rivals and get aim for glory in Whitstable’s muddiest challenge! Teams of eight compete in this hilariously competitive showdown — a classic tug of war, but in the glorious mess of the intertidal zone.
Winning team gets:
- Bragging rights
- A trophy
- A round of drinks & a platter of Whitstable oysters
Fancy dress highly encouraged!
Attendance suitable for all Ages | Participants must be 18+
Visit the Support The Festival page to sign up
GROTTERS
Sunday, September 13 |18:00 | Long Beach | All Ages
One of Whitstable’s most beloved traditions, the grotter is a miniature oyster-shell grotto, lit from within by a candle. Dating back to Victorian times, these whimsical creations are a beautiful nod to Whitstable’s oyster-trading history.
At sunset, join in a magical moment as 100s of grotters light up Long Beach in a shimmering display of community and creativity.
How to Build a Grotter:
- Collect shells – WOFA volunteers will bring buckets of oyster shells for you to use.
- Find your spot on the beach and prepare a sturdy base.
- Build the foundation – make a circle with the biggest shells, overlapping edges for strength.
- Layer up – continue with smaller shells, building a domed shape like a miniature igloo.
- Add a tea light – the WOFA will provide battery operated tea lights.
- Join the ceremonial switch-on – when everyone lights their grotters at once for a glowing shoreline spectacle.
This is a uniquely Whitstable moment — a mix of childhood wonder, seaside tradition, and community spirit.
BEACH CLEAN
Monday, September 14 | 08:30 – 10:30 | Long Beach | Ages 18+
Let’s leave the beach better than we found it. Join fellow festival-goers, locals, and organisers for a community clean-up of Long Beach the morning after the festivities wrap.
All equipment provided. Open to all volunteers aged 18+
Start your Monday with fresh sea air, good company, a great cause and finish it up at Hotel Continental for a Full Whitstable Breakfast and bubbles.
