North Carolina Oyster Week Is Oct. 11 Through 15
North Carolina Oyster Week is Oct. 11 through 15. The “shellebration” entails a series of in-person and virtual oyster-related events along the coast and in the N.C. Triangle region, featuring opportunities to engage with oyster growers and harvesters, seafood restaurants and retail markets, recreational outfitters, coastal conservation and education organizations, and seafood festivals.
“Oysters benefit our state in myriad ways,” says Jane Harrison, North Carolina Sea Grant’s coastal economist. “North Carolina Oyster Week events will highlight the ecology, culture, economy, and history related to this vital resource.”
Among their ecological attributes, oysters improve water quality as they filter water for food. Oyster reefs also provide habitat for other animals. From an economic perspective, oyster flavors attract diners who help support the livelihoods of watermen and local economies across the state.
North Carolina Sea Grant, the North Carolina Coastal Federation, and the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources are organizing the NC Oyster Week festivities in partnership with the NC Oyster Trail. Events will be listed on the websites of the NC Oyster Trail and NCDNCR.
October is a key month for N.C. oysters harvested from state waters. “The wild-caught season begins on Oct. 15 and continues through April,” Harrison says.
For those who crave oysters all year, Harrison adds that cultivated, or farmed, oysters always are available. “The idea that oysters can only be eaten in ‘r’ months — that is, September through April — is a misconception,” she says. “You can eat cultivated oysters any day with a ‘y.’ In other words, Monday through Sunday, all year long.”
North Carolina Oyster Week events will include cultivated and wild-caught oysters alike. For example, on Oct. 12 at 2:30 p.m., a live-streaming event on YouTube will feature oyster farmer Ryan Bethea of Oysters Carolina, who will delve into the variety of oysters available on our coast.
On Oct. 15 at 5 p.m., Shuckin’ Shack in Surf City and Wrightsville Beach Brewery near Wilmington will host in-person parties for folks to sample these succulent shellfish. Both establishments are part of the NC Oyster Trail, which offers year-round opportunities to taste, learn about, and protect oysters. The trail’s mission is to help sustain and grow N.C. oyster supply and demand, resulting in economic, environmental, and social benefits to the state’s seafood industry and coastal communities.
NC Oyster Week Events
Saturday, Oct. 16 | 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
6800 S. Croatan Highway, Nags Head
Monday, Oct. 11 – Friday, Oct. 15
2000 Sailfish Drive, Manteo
Blue Water Grill’s signature oyster shooter will feature an N.C. oyster for NC Oyster Week. Their daily oyster happy hour (4 – 6 p.m.) is your chance to get N.C. oysters for $1 each!
Meet Oyster Grower Ryan Bethea
Tuesday, Oct. 12 | 2:30 pm
This is a virtual event.
Ryan Bethea started oyster farming on Harkers Island because he wanted to make a difference in providing fresh and local seafood. His job has connections to the food industry, to sustainability, and to the culture of N.C. seafood. Join us as we talk with Ryan about why he got into aquaculture, the challenges he’s faced, and the importance of education in his field.
North Carolina Seafood Festival
Friday, Oct. 1 – Sunday, Oct. 3
412 D Evans St., Morehead City
This educational festival is where seafood and sea-fun meet. Register for Wine & Brine on Oct. 1 to meet N.C. oyster and clam growers and sample their delicious harvest. Each oyster and clam will be expertly paired with a specific wine to enhance their flavor. On Oct. 2, visit the Fisherman’s Village to learn all about marine aquaculture and the production of sustainable seafood.
Friday, Oct. 8 and Saturday, Oct. 9
Downtown Surf City
Don’t miss this beachside festival to benefit the ocean! Enjoy live music, the arts, a surfing competition, and eco-education to learn how you can protect the ocean. Be sure to visit the NC Oyster Trail table and pick up a free bandana or koozie. If you answer an N.C. oyster trivia question correctly, you will be eligible to win free oysters to take home with you.
Saturday, Oct. 9
2637 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd., Durham
Saltbox Seafood Joint draws inspiration from classic American fish camps and waterside seafood shacks, placing an emphasis on local, fresh seafood. Chef Ricky Moore will offer a special one-day-only oyster dish for the fall season, celebrating N.C. oysters: “Oysters Smothered in Crab Fat Gravy & Grits.” Don’t miss it!
Saturday, Oct. 9 | 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
South Durham Farmers Market, 5410 NC-55, Durham
When you pick up your local veggies, don’t forget the N.C. oysters. White Oak River Company grows oysters in the White Oak River near Swansboro and delivers them fresh at the South Durham Farmers Market. A free NC Oyster Trail bandana or koozie will be included with every oyster purchase on October 9.
Tuesday, Oct. 10 – Friday, Oct. 15 | 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 16 | 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
1414 S Saunders Street, Raleigh
For every N.C. oyster purchase you make the week of October 10 – 16 at Earp’s, receive a free bottle of sauce for your seafood cooking adventures. Cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, teriyaki marinade, hot sauce — go wild!
Volunteer Event: Shoreline Monitoring and Clean-Up
Monday, Oct. 11 | 9 – 11 a.m.
Morris Landing, 898 Morris Landing Road, Holly Ridge
Join the North Carolina Coastal Federation to assess the development of shoreline oyster reef and salt marsh restoration projects along the coast. No special skills or knowledge are required. Volunteers will also clean up marine debris from the marsh.
Monday, Oct. 11 – Saturday, Oct. 16
2519 Fairview Road, Raleigh
Mandolin is a premier destination for celebrating North Carolina cuisine and has been named one of the “50 Best Southern Restaurants in America.” As usual, they will offer their N.C. oyster happy hour from Sunday to Thursday, 5:30 – 6:30 pm, $1.50 each. And Chef Sean Fowler will offer baked N.C. oysters throughout the week.
Monday, Oct. 11 – Friday, Oct. 15
Wilmington (multiple locations), Leland, Spout Springs, Stanford
Seaview Crab Company is dedicated to providing fresh seafood, including N.C. oysters, to their customers. Be sure to visit them during NC Oyster Week for their oyster specials. Ask to sample their many varieties of cultured and wild oysters so that you can get exactly what you’re looking for.
Monday, Oct. 11 – Friday, Oct. 15
223 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh
St. Roch Fine Oysters & Bar is dedicated to the soulful, seafood-focused cuisine of New Orleans. They will be offering a special week-long Oyster Happy Hour from 4 – 6 p.m. the week of Oct. 11 – 15, $1.50 each.
Oct. 11, 14, and 15
1 S. Front St., Wilmington
Set in a historic building in downtown Wilmington, Seabird celebrates the seasonality of the seafood and ingredients found in North Carolina and its storied coast. Chef Dean Neff has collaborated with oyster man Matt Schwab of Hold Fast Oyster Company to source oysters farmed exclusively — and named for — Seabird! Visit from 5 – 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 11, 14, 15, and enjoy all the shucked Seabirdie oysters you can eat for just $1/each!
Friday, Oct. 15 | 5 p.m.
6201 Oleander Drive, Wilmington
Wrightsville Beach Brewery is committed to serving sustainable seafood and only serves oysters from North Carolina — and from within 60 miles, whenever possible. Kick off the start of the wild oyster season with a mini party at the Brewery on October 15th.
Roast for the Coast at Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar
Friday, Oct. 15 | 5 – 8 p.m.
13460 NC Highway, Surf City
Join Shuckin’ Shack in Surf City for their first oyster roast of the season. Slurp down oysters while you listen to tunes from the band Back of the Boat. The event will benefit the North Carolina Coastal Federation and feature local Permuda Island oysters from Three Little Spats Oyster Company, which is co-sponsoring the event.
