The Newport Seafood and Wine Festival calls itself “The Original and Still the Best,” and for long-time attendees, this statement rings true. Newport’s largest annual event with the longest running wine competition in the Northwest attracts crowds from across the U.S with a flavorful selection of seafood and wine — all while supporting the local economy.
This marks the 46th year of the Newport Seafood and Wine Festival and the first in-person run since February 2020. While the 2021 iteration was entirely virtual, with take-home baskets and online demonstrations, the 2022 event was canceled at the last minute due to Covid-19 concerns. This year, you can expect large crowds to once again flock to the Oregon Coast for a taste of seaside flavors and perhaps a bit too much wine. (It’s a food and wine festival, but the emphasis here is on the wine.)
Part of the fun of the Newport Seafood and Wine Festival is the number of people in maritime costume. The festival’s theme for 2023 is “Long Time No Sea,” and festivalgoers are encouraged to dress in Gilligan’s Island-esque attire. Additionally, the event is going green this year with a zero-waste initiative. All vendors are required to use compostable or biodegradable service ware, and the festival’s green team will help attendees dispose of their waste in the correct bins.
The Newport Seafood and Wine Festival runs from Feb. 23 to Feb. 26, but don’t expect the same experience everyday. The festival recommends coming Thursday or Sunday if you’re interested in talking with the wineries, as Friday and Saturday veer more into college party territory. Regardless of when you go, it’s recommended to arrive early, as lines to get inside the event are expected to be long during peak hours.
The Specs:
- Over 25,000 people are expected to attend
- Attendees must be 21+
- Ticket prices depend on what day(s) you’d like to attend. The full breakdown can be found here.
- A free shuttle bus will be available for all attendees. Its 45 minute loop stops at several hotels, motels and Newport neighborhoods.
- Check out Fifty Grande’s guide to Oregon here
Here’s an interview with festival organizers from 2020: