Urbanna Oyster Festival
Virginia's Official Oyster Festival: the Urbanna Oyster Festival
November 6-7, 2026
There is no better way to experience the Urbanna Oyster Festival and celebrate all things oyster than from your own laid-back luxurious room at The Chesapeake Inn.
Held annually since 1957 on the first weekend in November, the festival brings 60,000 people to this tiny town. Because of the crowds, Urbanna is closed off to traffic, but you won't need a vehicle because the Inn is literally just steps away from all that the Festival has to offer, including:
Oysters prepared raw, roasted, fried and every other way you can imagine
Live music on multiple stages around town
Virginia's official Oyster Shucking contest
Two parades -- a fabulous firetruck parade Friday evening (followed by a dance at the firehouse) and an old fashioned small town parade Saturday afternoon
Oyster Festival Queen and Little Miss Spat crowning
Arts and crafts and shopping all over town
We do still have a few rooms available for 2026. Please call us at 804-758-1111 or book your stay online. Please note that our cancellation policy is very different for the Oyster Festival.
Indulge in A Tapestry of Unforgettable Experiences
From culinary adventures featuring the finest oysters Virginia has to offer to a marketplace brimming with fine art and crafts, to Virginia's official oyster shucking contest, the Urbanna Oyster Festival is a symphony of delightful experiences waiting to be discovered
Culinary Delights
Whether you're an oyster lover or just beginning your culinary journey, explore a myriad of oyster preparations -- fresh, roasted, grilled, stewed and fried -- alongside other local delicacies such as crab cakes, roast beef, and gourmet popcorn, offering something for every palate and every foodie.
Arts and Crafts
Wander through streets filled with art and craft vendors and visit the many local boutiques.
Historical
Venture into a world where Urbanna's past meets the present, offering insights into America's Colonial history through educational displays and exhibits that breathe life into early oystering and Colonial days
