Salt in the air. Music in the background.
The sizzle of seafood on the grill.
Texas knows how to throw a seafood festival, and these aren’t just events — they’re mini-vacations. From the Gulf Coast to charming small towns, each festival offers fresh shrimp, crawfish, oysters, and everything in between.
You’ll wander stalls of steaming boils, watch chefs compete, and find yourself sampling your way through local flavors with a grin you can’t hide.
It’s not just about the food. It’s the live music, the laughter of families and friends, the laid-back vibe that slows the clock and makes a weekend feel endless.
Beach views, riverfront parks, and town squares set the perfect stage for a getaway that’s all about good eats and good times.
Pack light, bring your appetite, and leave your schedule behind — Texas seafood festivals are waiting to make memories.
Texas Crab Festival — Crystal Beach, TX
Crystal Beach makes it easy to kick back with a plate of crab and a cold drink while the band plays under salty breezes. You can wander from gumbo to etouffee to buttery crab claws, sampling from teams that swear their secret spice blend is the best.
Between bites, there are art vendors, crab races, and friendly locals happy to point you toward their favorites.
The Mother’s Day weekend timing means mild weather and a celebratory vibe that works for families and friend groups. Plan to arrive early for the cook-off tastings and stick around for sunset sets on the main stage.
Parking can fill fast, so consider carpooling or biking from your rental.
Budget wise, tasting cups and sampler tickets go a long way, so you can try more without overcommitting. Bring cash for small vendors and be ready for lines at peak hours.
If you love spice, ask for extra heat, but pace yourself with lemonade or a local brew.
After the music, stroll the beach and watch kites dot the sky while pelicans skim the waves. This festival blends coastal charm with down-home hospitality.
You will leave full, sun kissed, and already planning next year.
Galveston Island Shrimp Festival — Galveston, TX
Galveston sets the tone for shrimp lovers with gumbo tastings that snake through downtown’s charming streets. You grab a spoon, vote for favorites, and compare notes with strangers who quickly feel like friends.
The energy builds around Saengerfest Park, where music floats between Victorian facades and sea air.
If you like to earn your bites, the 5K fun run is a cheerful excuse to pregame before gumbo rounds. Costumes are welcome, and photos pop against historic brick and ironwork.
Afterward, hydrate, then dive into shrimp tacos, barbecue shrimp, and classic po’boys.
Strategy helps: buy tasting tickets early, scan team lines, and watch the judges for clues about standout pots. Many booths share stories of family recipes and Gulf traditions that make each spoonful personal.
Bring a small tray or muffin tin to juggle samples with ease.
Cap your day with a stroll along the Strand or a quick detour to the seawall for sunset. The festival blends coastal heritage with pure culinary fun.
By the end, your palate will be happily seasoned and your camera roll stuffed.
Corpus Christi Crawfish Fest & Saltwater Angler Boat Show — Corpus Christi, TX
This combo event pairs spicy crawfish with glossy hulls, so you can browse boats between bites. The air smells like cayenne and lemon as teams dump bright red crawfish onto butcher paper alongside corn and potatoes.
You pick your heat level, crack shells, and chase the burn with cold beer or sweet tea.
Boat fans love hopping aboard center consoles and bay boats while chatting about draft, electronics, and weekend plans. Even if you are not shopping, it is fun to daydream while comparing layouts.
Fishing seminars sometimes pop up, offering local tips on reds and trout.
Dress for the Gulf: sun hat, breathable shirts, and shoes you do not mind splashing. Wet wipes are gold for messy fingers, and a small cooler in the car helps stash market finds.
Families will appreciate shaded seating and kid zones near the music.
Stick around for evening sets when the breeze cools and lights reflect off polished decks. The vibe stays relaxed, neighborly, and just a little rowdy in the best way.
You will leave with full bellies and maybe a new boat on your wish list.
Crawfish Festival SPI — South Padre Island, TX
On South Padre Island, crawfish tastes even better with ocean air and palm shadows on the pavement. Lines move quickly as crews scoop spicy tails into trays with corn and andouille.
Grab a picnic table, crack shells, and let the zydeco rhythm set your pace for the afternoon.
Between refills, check out local vendors selling beachwear, hot sauces, and coastal art. Families drift toward kids’ activities while groups camp near the stage for dancing.
It feels like vacation even if you drove in for the day.
Hydrate and sunscreen early because island sun is no joke. If spice builds, cool off with lemonade or a frozen cocktail, then circle back for another boil batch.
Bring cash for quick purchases and a lightweight tote for souvenirs.
After the festival, wander to the beach for a barefoot stroll or seal the night with sunset at the jetties. The event blends Louisiana flavors with South Texas ease.
Expect to leave sandy, satisfied, and smiling.
Fredericksburg Crawfish Festival — Fredericksburg, TX
Fredericksburg’s Memorial Day weekend festival blends Cajun spice with Hill Country charm. You can wander Marktplatz with a tray piled high, then pivot to a polka or country set on the main stage.
The mix of Texas and Louisiana influences feels effortless and welcoming.
Local wineries and breweries often pour, making pairings a playful adventure. A crisp pilsner with crawfish hits right, while a dry rosé cools the cayenne.
Between tastings, browse shops around the square for boots, gifts, and handmade sweets.
Arrive mid morning to beat the lunch rush and to claim shaded seating. Parking downtown can be tight, so consider paid lots or a rideshare to keep stress low.
Families appreciate kid zones and plenty of open space to roam.
When the sun dips, strings of lights flicker across the square and music stretches into the night. Pace the spice, sip water, and bring a roll of paper towels for the table.
By weekend’s end, you will swear crawfish and Hill Country sunsets were made for each other.
Celina Cajun Fest — Celina, TX
Celina turns its downtown square into a spicy street party where crawfish, gumbo, and jambalaya steal the show. Live zydeco and country acts keep the beat while families dance between bites.
The square’s brick storefronts frame the fun with small town warmth.
Expect generous portions and friendly vendors ready to tweak heat levels. Gumbo cups make smart starters before a full boil tray lands at your table.
Grab beignets or bread pudding when the sweet tooth calls.
Pro tip: bring a foldable chair and a pack of wet wipes. The festival can get crowded, so a personal base camp helps during peak sets.
Parking around the square fills quickly, but satellite lots and shuttles usually ease the crunch.
As the sun sets, the gazebo glows and the crowd gets louder in the best way. You will meet neighbors you never knew and compare spice strategies like old friends.
By night’s end, the square feels like your backyard boil.
Taste of Palacios Seafood Festival — Palacios, TX
Palacios keeps things friendly and flavorful with a tasting-style festival that lets you graze across the Gulf. Imagine slurping local oysters, sampling grilled shrimp skewers, then chasing it with fish tacos and a limey salsa.
Each booth brings a hometown angle, and volunteers share stories with every bite.
Music drifts from a small stage while kids chase bubbles and neighbors compare plates. The compact layout means less walking and more tasting, ideal for relaxed afternoons.
You can build your own seafood flight without feeling rushed.
Pack sun protection and a reusable water bottle, plus small bills for quick snacking. A pocket notebook or phone notes help track favorite vendors to revisit later.
If you love sauces, ask for house-made remoulade or jalapeno aioli.
Close the day with a waterfront stroll and maybe an ice cream from a local shop. The vibe is gentle, unpretentious, and perfect for low-stress weekend escapes.
You will leave with new favorites and a soft spot for Palacios hospitality.
Port Isabel Shrimp Cook-Off & Seafood Festival — Port Isabel, TX
Port Isabel celebrates Gulf shrimp with a long-running cook-off that feels proudly local and deliciously competitive. Teams sear, sauté, and simmer shrimp in every style, from creamy bisques to spicy tacos.
You get to taste, vote, and chat with cooks who love sharing their craft.
The historic lighthouse peeks over rooftops, adding a postcard backdrop to the action. Vendors sell coastal crafts, while live bands keep the tempo upbeat.
Families spread out under tents and swap tasting tips between samples.
Arrive early for the freshest bites and shorter lines at popular teams. Bring small cash for tastings and pace yourself with water as you track favorites.
Watch the awards ceremony to see whether your pick matches the judges.
Wrap your day with a quick photo by the lighthouse or a drive over to the beach. The festival is approachable, affordable, and full of heart.
You will leave rooting for Port Isabel and craving one more shrimp skewer.
Houston Oyster & SeaFest — Houston, TX
Set in Buffalo Bayou Park, this festival is a love letter to oysters and the waters that grow them. You will try grilled, roasted, charbroiled, and raw-inspired bites, plus seafood dishes that showcase Gulf flavors.
Chefs chat about sourcing while volunteers highlight oyster shell recycling and bay restoration.
The skyline frames the lawns as music drifts across picnic blankets and tasting tents. Expect creative toppings like garlic-herb butter, smoky Parmesan, or bright chimichurri.
If you are new to oysters, start with cooked versions before diving into brinier profiles.
Tickets often include sampler options, and add-ons let you chase favorites. Bring a hat, reusable cup, and a small tray for balancing plates.
Lines move quickly, but early birds nab the best variety and shade.
Before leaving, drop your spent shells at collection points and snap a skyline sunset. The event blends culinary adventure with real environmental impact.
You will walk away fuller, wiser, and hooked on Houston’s bay-forward spirit.
Llano Crawfish Open — Llano, TX
The Llano Crawfish Open feels like a Texas reunion with a Cajun heartbeat. Huge pots roll, volunteers pour out steaming crawfish, and the crowd settles into long tables.
It is part festival, part community fundraiser, and fully committed to a good time.
Expect live music, a golf tournament, and plenty of room to roam by the river. The setting makes everything taste better, from buttery corn to sausages alongside the boil.
You will chat with locals who have attended for decades.
Come early with sun gear, a camp chair, and an appetite for seconds. Cash helps with quick lines, and kids will find activities scattered around the park.
If you like it hot, ask for the extra-shake sprinkle right before serving.
As the band leans into crowd favorites, you will feel that small town magic settle in. The open sky, friendly faces, and heaping trays add up to an easygoing escape.
You will drive home already plotting next spring’s return.