Festivals & Events
2026 World Famous Blue Crab Festival Preview
The 44th Annual World Famous Blue Crab Festival is right around the corner! Those who visit the event each year and newcomers to the event should mark their calendar for May 16 & 17, 2026.
This award-winning event is held on the Historic Little River Waterfront and is one of the most popular festivals in the Southeast. Each year, nearly 50,000 people flock to the World Famous Blue Crab Festival to enjoy delicious food, live entertainment, arts & crafts, vendors, kids activities, and much more.
Tickets & Hours
Ticket prices for the World Famous Blue Crab Festival are as follows:
• Online Advance Ticket : $10
• Day-of Admission: $10
• Children 12 & Under: Free
Purchase tickets online here
The event will take place on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day.
Entertainment Schedule
Saturday, May 16
Radio Source
Trae Pierce & the T-Stones
Fringe Benefits
Sunday, May 17
City Lights
SCYTHIAN
*one act TBA
Parking
Parking will be available in the following lots, which will be marked for festivalgoers. There will be shuttles running from these lots to the festival from 9 a.m. until 4:45 p.m.
• Hope Willard at 701 Highway 17 in Little River
• South Brunswick Branch Library at 9400 Ocean Hwy West in Calabash, NC
A water taxi will also be operating out of Harbourgate Marina both days from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The water taxi will leave the marina each hour and leave the festival every half hour. The water taxi is $25 per person and includes a round trip on the Sea Screamer boat, parking at Harbourgate, and admission to the event.
