Shuck Hatteras Oyster Festival returns December 20-22
The first-ever Shuck Hatteras Festival, held in mid-December 2022, attracted around 500 oyster fans. The second 2023 edition, also held in the sleepy month of December, had more than 1,000 attendees and ended up being one of the biggest Rodanthe events of the year.
Riding a wave of success and growing popularity, the festival is returning yet again – from December 20-22 – and this year’s event is shaping up to be bigger than ever before.
Framed around the Outer Banks’ love of oysters, but featuring many corresponding events including live music, an artists’ market, fundraising initiatives, and a cook-off competition, the festivities are aimed at giving local residents and visitors an opportunity to celebrate during a time of year when Hatteras Island is traditionally dormant.
Shuck Hatteras is the brainchild of Barry Wells, and with a rapidly growing reputation, Wells has spent the past few months ensuring that 2024’s festival lives up to the hype.
“Every year the culmination of this event just keeps growing, and with that reality, we are striving to accommodate that notion,” said Wells.
This year, the festivities kick off on Friday, December 20, at the Cape Hatteras/Outer Banks KOA Resort, with a “Shuck Off” opening party from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and live music by Hatteras and Ocracoke Island’s own favorite dance band, Raygun Ruby.
Attendance is free, with $1 oysters provided by event sponsor Kinnakeet Oyster Co., and prepared by the inaugural Shuck Hatteras “Best Tasting Oyster” champion Sam Garrity of Waves Market & Deli.
“Also this year, by demand, we are adding the addition of more basic food like beer brats and such for purchase via Tina’s Poolside Café,” said Wells. “Friday night is also your last chance to purchase tickets for the pre-sale price of $30 for the All-You-Can-Eat Oyster Roast on Saturday. They will be $40 on the day of the event.”
The activity heats up at the sprawling Rodanthe site on Saturday, December 21, starting at 10 a.m. with Saturday morning yoga.
Live music will be presented throughout the day from visiting and local bands including Shade (Elizabeth City), Hot Sauce (Kill Devil Hills), PsPsPsPs (in their Outer Banks debut), Howell & Caswell, That Guy Shane, Leisure Report, 2 Hole Punch (Virginia Beach), and more.
The Shuck Town Vendor Market is also an all-afternoon affair that starts at 1:00 p.m. with more than 30 local vendors from the Outer Banks region and beyond.
An Oyster Cook-Off Challenge will run from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., which is always one of the highlights of the festival. This year’s event features restaurant and food connoisseurs from all over eastern North Carolina, stretching as far as Chapel Hill, N.C. Last year was won by OBX’s renowned favorite Cousin’s Oysters, and businesses and organizations who want to join in the 2024 challenge can register here
The main event – the all-you-can-eat Oyster Roast – kicks off at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday
While the entire festival is free and open to the public, tickets to dive into the oyster roast can be purchased in advance for $30, or on-site on the day of the event for $40.
Tickets are now available on Hatteras Island at select festival sponsors, which include:
- Beach Pharmacy in Avon & Hatteras Village
- Inn on Pamlico Sound in Buxton
- Waves Coffee in Rodanthe
- KOA Resort in Rodanthe
- Waves Coffee in Rodanthe
- Soundside Holiday Markets in Nags Head
- Online via VENMO @SeaSharpMusic
All proceeds from the ticket sales will benefit the local Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station and Historic Site in Rodanthe.
“On top of all this, we will have a visit from Santa via the Chicamacomico Banks Fire Dept, Stick Burning BBQ Company from Columbia, N.C., a silent auction for our beneficiary the Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station, a ‘Sports Ring’ via Tri-Village Tiki as the first-ever College Football Playoff debuts on Dec. 21… so, there really is something for everyone,” said Wells.
“We also plan to cap off this beautiful weekend-long Shell-abration with a Polar Plunge Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. at the KOA Pool.”
Additional details are expected to trickle in as the festival draws near, and attendees can keep an eye on the event’s Facebook page for updates.
In the meantime, visitors and locals who are down to shuck can look forward to the return of an event that has gained a reputation as a great reason to be on Hatteras island in the off season.
