NC Oyster Month is October 2024!
Get ready to “shellebrate” as North Carolina Oyster Month returns this October, bringing a variety of fun and flavorful events across the state. From oyster farm tours to seafood festivals, there’s no shortage of ways to savor local oysters while supporting coastal conservation.
To highlight the vital role oysters play in our coastal ecosystems, Governor Roy Cooper has again declared October as North Carolina Oyster Month. “North Carolina’s coastal ecosystems are invaluable, and the people who work to protect them are essential in safeguarding species that provide critical benefits such as food, water filtration, and fish habitats,” Gov. Cooper’s proclamation states.
North Carolina Sea Grant, the North Carolina Coastal Federation, and the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources are once again organizing this year’s NC Oyster Month in partnership with the NC Oyster Trail.
Detailed event listings are available below, and updated on the NC Oyster Trail and NCDNCR websites. From oyster chef specials to kayak tours of oyster farms, there is something for everyone during NC Oyster Month.
Photo: Oysters on the half shell from Whalebone Seafood Market in Nags Head.
Every Wed, Thurs, Friday | 5 – 6 pm | Rx Chicken & Oyster, Wilmington
Rx Chicken & Oyster welcomes guests Wed-Fri from 5-6pm for 1/2 their own farmed Lucy Bea oysters.
Happy Hour Oysters Everyday
Everyday in October | 5 – 6 pm | St Roch, Raleigh
St. Roch welcomes guests everyday from 5 – 6 pm for $1.50 oysters. Expect a wide range of N.C. oysters to slurp from the raw bar.
$1 NC Oyster Happy Hour on Mondays
Mondays in October | 5 – 6 pm | Seabird, Wilmington
Visit Seabird every Monday for the N.C. oyster experience! Chef Dean Neff offers our state’s shucked oysters for just $1 each, and often features “Seabirdies” – exclusively farmed by Holdfast Oyster Co.
Oyster Roast for the Coast
Oct. 1 | 5 – 8 pm | Surf City Brewing, Hampstead
As you savor oysters from Ghost Fleet Oyster Company and enjoy a cold brew from Surf City Brewing, you’ll be supporting a crucial conservation effort. All proceeds support the Coastal Land Trust’s campaign to save the sound end of Topsail Island. The evening will also feature music, delicious offerings for purchase from the Fusion Blue food truck, and exciting raffle items.
Oyster Roast at Dune Street Raw Bar & Grill
Oct. 4 | 3 pm – 11 pm | Nags Head
To celebrate their one year anniversary, Dune Street Raw Bar will have drink specials throughout the day to complement their usual slate of culinary delights, then come evening it’ll be oysters galore with an oyster roast (from Kinnakeet, Little Star and Ocracoke Oyster Co) and live music by The Southern Split. Dune Street prioritizes their partnerships with local watermen, farmers, purveyors and artists, ensuring that every ingredient is not only fresh, but also a tribute to the rich tapestry of coastal Carolina.
NC Seafood Festival
Oct. 4-6 | Morehead City
Spend your weekend at the North Carolina Seafood Festival to get a full sense of the importance of seafood to eastern North Carolina. Be sure to stop at Fisherman’s Village (Jack’s Waterfront Bar) on Saturday to meet fishermen, tour a trawler, witness cooking demos, and taste our local shrimp, fish and oysters! The NC Oyster Trail will have an educational table there.
Seraphine Oyster Fest
Oct. 5 | 12 – 4 pm | Seraphine, Durham
Make lunch reservations for Seraphine Restaurant in Durham on Saturday, October 5. Chef Chris Garrett says “We will serve a special menu of 12 raw oysters, including three varieties from the N.C. coast: Croatan Selects from White Oak Oyster Company, Fat Belly’s from Crystal Coast Oysters, and Cherry Point Oysters. Also included is a half dozen of Seraphine’s well-known Dragos Style roasted oysters, and my oyster gumbo served with Leidenheimer bread. Plus you can chat with oyster growers who will be with us all afternoon.” Reservations can be made for noon or 2 pm.
23rd Annual Oink n Oyster Roast
Oct. 5 | 12 – 4 pm | Jolly Roger Restaurant, Kill Devil Hills
What’s better than roasted oysters and live music? Join Jolly Roger for a great day of amazing slow roasted pork, fresh roasted oysters from Lighthouse Shoals Oyster Company, and live music with stylings from Phil Watson.
UNCW Science Open House
Oct. 5 | 10 am – 2 pm | UNCW Center for Marine Science, Wilmington
Visit UNC Wilmington’s Center for Marine Science for a fun day of science adventure with hands-on exhibits, tours of the Shellfish Research Hatchery, a visit to their oyster farm and food trucks too.
A Celebration of the Gilded Oyster
Oct. 5 | 10 am – 6 pm | Empty Nest Studio & Gallery, Frisco
Join Empty Nest Studio for a raffle featuring oyster jewelry and a wine tasting hosted by Lee Robinson’s General Store. Come and enjoy some epicurean oyster delights and lots of fun! Wine tasting and oyster delights begin at 4:00pm.
Oysters and Brews with Wrightsville Brewing
Oct. 9 | 5 – 7 pm | Wrightsville Brewing, Wilmington
Shellebrate the rich history, culture, economy, and ecology of North Carolina’s oysters! From games and educational opportunities to oysters and beer–this event has something for everyone! Wrightsville Brewing also will be donating 11% of proceeds from their ‘Beer of the Month’ to support the North Carolina Coastal Federation throughout October.
Oct. 19 | 10 am – 6 pm | Nags Head
The Outer Banks Seafood Festival will teach you about our state’s fishing industry and heritage, let you savor local seafood, and treat you to live music. Meet fisher folk and see the boats that bring fresh seafood to your table. The NC Oyster Trail will have an educational booth. Be sure to visit!
Oct. 20 | 12 – 6pm | Wrightsville Brewing, Wilmington
Wrightsville Brewing’s annual wild oyster season kickoff party & Oktoberfest celebration shouldn’t be missed. Live music by Back Pocket Buddha and Birdwell Beat. Their best prices of the year for steamed and raw oysters!
Shellebration Sundays
Sundays in October | Coquina Fish Bar, Wilmington
Discounted oysters ($1.50) every Sunday in October all day long! Also, every week in October Coquina will debut a new oyster preparation. From Miso Butter Oysters to Corn Bread and Creamed Spinach grilled oysters, so many yummy things to come!
Seabird’s NC Oyster Happy Hour
Mondays (5 – 6 pm) in October | Seabird Restaurant, Wilmington
Chef Dean Neff celebrates N.C. oysters every Monday with a special $1 oyster. You must try the “Seabirdies,” farmed exclusively for Seabird by Holdfast Oyster Co.
Sea Level’s NC Oyster Happy Hour
Weekdays 2 – 6 pm in October | Sea Level Restaurant, Charlotte
Get your $1.50 Sea Level Salts (SLS) Monday-Friday at Sea Level Restaurant in uptown Charlotte. And during the month of October, don’t miss their delicious SLS Trio: three Sea Level Salts on the half shell with chilled lobster salad and tarragon mignonette. Sea Level sources sustainable seafood from the Carolina coasts including their signature house oyster from Morris Family Shellfish Farm in Sea Level, N.C.
$1 Happy Hour Oysters all October Long
Each week in October | 2 – 4 pm | Shuckin’ Shack, Surf City
Join Shuckin’ Shack for their $1 local oyster happy hour Tuesday-Thursday 2-4 pm for the entire month of October.
Seed to Table Oyster Trail Tours
All October | Coastal Eco Adventures, Sneads Ferry
Discover the unique history and importance of the Eastern oyster on a boat tour! You will meet working watermen and women at oyster farms near Permuda Island Sneads Ferry. Call Coastal Eco Adventures to book your tour today.
Oyster Farm to Fork Kayak Tours with the NC Coastal Federation
Most Wednesdays (Oct. 2, 16, 23, 30) at 11 am | Wanchese
Paddle out to the NC Coastal Federation’s oyster farm and then taste some oysters from local restaurant Dune Street Raw Bar & Grill. Find out how this most sustainable and delicious protein gets to your plate. Be sure to register!
Photo: Three Little Spats Oyster Company which farms 59 acres of water surrounding Permuda Island and Bay River in the Stump and Pamlico Sounds.
Huge thanks to all of our oyster growers and harvesters! We couldn’t shellebrate NC Oyster Month without you!!!
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