Whitstable Rocks Oyster Festival 2025
Join us for a weekend packed with live music, family fun, community spirit, and (of course) delicious oysters! We’ve got a full programme of events running across the weekend — from live music and local food to quirky traditions.
Information and details for the festival weekend below:
EVENT TIMINGS
FRI 12
LONG BEACH |Fireworks: 20:15-20:30
THE GRADING SHED | Live music: 17:30-22:00
SAT 13
LONG BEACH | Activities: 11:00-17:30
THE GRADING SHED | Live music: 11:00-21:00
EAST QUAY VENUE | Live DJs: 19:00-00:00
SUN 14
LONG BEACH | Activities: 11:00-20:30
THE GRADING SHED | Live music 11:00-19:45
MON 15
LONG BEACH |Beach clean-up: 08:30-10:30
FESTIVAL LOCATIONS
The main festival site is located on the East Quay of Whitstable Harbour, outside the Lobster Shack restaurant and East Quay venue. This area is free to attend. Here you will find The Grading Shed stage, food vendors, the festival bar and of course- oysters! The Oyster Shed stage is located in the main harbour.
To the right of the main festival you will find Long Beach, where Whitstable Oyster Festival Association will be running activities for all the family to watch and join in throughout the weekend, including a Fireworks Display, The Landing of the Oysters Ceremony and the famous Mud Tug.
We are also pleased to welcome on board a number of additional venues across the town forming our Festival Fringe- please see the individual venues’ websites for info.
See the Festival Map below
FESTIVAL MAP
frequently asked questions
TRAVEL INFORMATION
By Train
The main festival site is a 15 minute walk from Whitstable Train Station.
Whitstable is easy to reach, with direct trains from London Victoria and St Pancras taking around 1 hour 20 minutes, plus services from Thanet and West Kent. Sunday services are slightly reduced – please check directly with train operators for specific information about your journey.
By Car
Whitstable is easy to reach by car via the M2, following signs for the A299 towards the coast. The journey from London typically takes around 1.5 hours, depending on traffic.
Car Parking
Whitstable has a mix of paid and free parking, with prices and availability varying by location and time. Blue Badge holders can park for free in most council-run car parks. For up-to-date details on locations, charges, restrictions, and accessibility, visit the Canterbury City Council parking page.
By Bus
Whitstable is well connected by bus, with regular services from Canterbury (around 30 minutes), Thanet, and parts of West Kent. For current routes, timetables, and fares, visit the Stagecoach South East website.
Are there age restrictions for the festival?
Huey Morgan DJ set at the East Quay Venue is an 18+ event.
All bars and venues will be operating a Challenge 25 policy.
Payment methods
The Festival Bar is CARD ONLY.
Independent food vendors onsite will all accept card but it is at their discretion whether they accept cash.
There are no cash machines onsite – but many on the nearby high street, about 10 minutes’ walk.
Acessibility
The main festival site at East Quay is accessed via a road and concrete areas with pavements. Due to the limited size of the site, only a small amount of trestle table and bench seating will be available, as well as some picnic bench seating outside the Lobster shack.
The Long Beach area is a shingle beach with an uneven surface, which may not be accessible for wheelchair users.
Whitstable’s high street is narrow, with limited-width pavements, some dropped curbs, and pedestrian crossings in place.. A disabled toilet will be available on site, with an additional accessible toilet inside the East Quay venue.
Please see the East Quay, Lobster Shack, and individual fringe venue websites for specific accessibility information, and contact hello@theeventumbrella.com if you have any specific access needs—we will do our best to accommodate.
Our neighbours
Please help us respect our neighbours by leaving the festival site quietly and being mindful of local residents. Use the bins provided on site and around the town to dispose of any litter. We are proud of Whitstable, its beaches, and its natural beauty, and we want to keep it that way.
Please see the East Quay, Lobster Shack, and individual fringe venue websites for specific accessibility information, and contact hello@theeventumbrella.com if you have any specific access needs—we will do our best to accommodate.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are allowed to the festival site but must be kept on a lead at all times .
Accommodation
There are a number of hotels in the area:
As well as a number of Airbnb properties and independent bed and breakfasts available. Please contact any hotels/ accommodation directly if you have specific queries.
I have a general enquiry, who do I contact?
Please email: hello@theeventumbrella.com
Or use the Contact Form at the bottom of this page.
I’m from the media, who do I contact?
Please email: hello@theeventumbrella.com
