Few things rep Boston more than history and seafood. And the Boston Seafood Festival has both. As the main event held by the Boston Fisheries Foundation, this seaside afternoon celebrates the history and sustainability of the oldest industry in the United States – fishing. On the planks of the historic 104-year-old Boston Fish Pier, folks honor fisherpeople and promote maritime heritage in the most obvious and delicious of ways: snapping, cracking, slurping, and splattering their way through local seafood dishes from 20 vendors. Make sure to show up a little early so you don’t miss any of the stellar options, which in 2022 included bites from the likes of Matunuck Oyster Bar, Jasper White’s Summer Shack, and the Shaking Crab. (Word on the street is that the food runs out as the day wanes.)
No matter your poison, you’ll know it is fresh. From slimy oysters to citrus-soaked shrimp, from sides of cobbed-corn and mountains of mussels, from the famous New England Clam Chowder all the way down to the quintessential lobster roll, the Boston Seafood Festival 2023 will paint your fingers with butter and fill your stomach with Atlantic Ocean delicacies. When all that salt starts to feel like too much, you can find relief in a pint from one of two beer gardens onsite.
Bringing kids? No problem. They’ll be able to surf the games, interact with pirate and mermaid-clad actors, listen to live music, and tackle family-fun activities like seashell decorating and face painting. For the adults looking to do more than eat, you can pick up some culinary tips at the 30-45 minute chef demonstrations or root for your favorite oyster-shucker at the Battle of the Shuckers. In 2022, the Boston Seafood Festival highlighted sustainability by showing three documentaries about the fishing industry.
The Specs
- Over 7,000 people will attend.
- Early Bird General Admission, ending on July 31, 2023, gives purchasers $5 off regular pricing. So the Adult Early Bird price is $20 and for Kids it is $10 plus taxes and handling. The Adult Lobster Bake price, which includes lobster, mussels, chowder, corn on the cob, coleslaw, and a water plus General Admission is $65. The Kid Lobster Bake price, including a hotdog, cornbread, and water plus General Admission comes to $25. Kids under 5 years old enter for free.
- If you want to continue the Boston-history-crawl once the Festival ends at 6 p.m. check out Fifty Grande’s coverage of The Green Dragon Tavern in our article America’s Most Historic Bars. While you’re at it, check out our guide to Massachusetts, too.
FAQs
When does Boston Seafood Festival 2023 take place?
It will take place on Sunday, September 10, 2023 in Boston’s Seaport at the Boston Fish Pier.
If I’m using a GPS, what should I use as the address.
Try Boston Fish Pier, Boston, MA 02210.
Who produces this fest?
The annual food festival is hosted by the Boston Fisheries Foundation 501(c)3. (The contact email is above and here: [email protected])
What is the closest airport?
Boston Logan International Airport, of course.
What artists are on the festival lineup?
Nothing from Boston Fisheries Foundation official website or Facebook page has been announced yet, but the Hipshot Band announced on their own that they would be performing for the second year in a row. But you can also look forward to chef demos, a Harpoon beer garden, clambakes, oyster shucking contests, a lobster bake, kids’ programs, roving pirates, and more.
Is the Boston Seafood Festival the same thing as the Boston Local Food Festival?
No. The Boston Local Food Festival takes place on the Rose Kennedy Greenway on September 17. That event features local farmers, restaurants, fisherman and food trucks.