Milestone lineup and new ticket experiences for 2026
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – The PEI International Shellfish Festival, presented by the Dairy Farmers of PEI, is marking a major milestone in 2026 as Atlantic Canada’s largest kitchen party celebrates its 30th anniversary from Thursday, September 17 through Sunday, September 20, 2026, at the Charlottetown Event Grounds.
For three decades, the festival has brought the world to Prince Edward Island’s shore to celebrate the people, the product, and the passion behind one of the Island’s most iconic industries. As it enters its 30th year, the festival’s mission remains the same: to celebrate PEI’s shellfish industry and the harvesters, farmers, chefs, and producers who fuel it and to help ensure it prospers for generations to come.
The 30th Anniversary of the festival wouldn’t be the same without the signature challenges and competitions taking centre stage. The Garland Canada International Chef Challenge, Raspberry Point International Shucking Competition, Raspberry Point International Oyster Shucking Championship, Irish Point PEI Oyster Shucking Championships, Tie One On Mussel Competition presented by Tidal Marine, and PEI Potato Chowder Championship are all back!
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, May 27 at 10:00 AM ADT at peishellfish.com, with brand new ticket types, expanded daytime programming, and a star-studded entertainment lineup on the Mainstage designed to make this milestone year the most memorable yet.
The celebration has some of its favourites returning, including the beloved festival host Chef Corbin Tomaszeski, Canadian celebrity chef, who will once again take the helm at the mainstage and lead an exclusive culinary demo experience throughout the weekend.
The festival’s signature kickoff event, Feast & Frolic presented by the Lobster Fishers of PEI, returns Thursday, September 17 from 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM. Now in its evolved roaming format, Feast & Frolic invites guests to explore chef-attended stations, abundant harvest and seafood tables (oysters included), Atlantic Canadian flavours, local producers, and live culinary experiences across the grounds.
A Star-Studded 30th Anniversary Lineup
This year’s entertainment lineup brings together the very best of Island and East Coast talent:
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Thursday, September 17 – Jason Martell (of Raglan Road) at Feast & Frolic presented by the Lobster Fishers of PEI
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Friday, September 18 – Girls Night Out, PEI’s powerhouse new vocal band, with festival favourites Signal Hill
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Saturday, September 19 – Local country music icon and Nashville recording artist Ben Chase opening for Craig Fair Productions’ once-in-three-decades show, Shell Yeah! 30 Years of Atlantic Canada’s Biggest Kitchen Party
And so much more to come!
“Thirty years ago, the PEI International Shellfish Festival started as a celebration of our Island’s incredible seafood and the people who harvest it. Three decades later, it’s grown into Atlantic Canada’s largest kitchen party and at its heart, our purpose hasn’t changed. We’re here to celebrate the shellfish industry, to honour the fishers and farmers who make it what it is, and to help ensure it prospers for years to come. This 30th anniversary is a thank-you to everyone who has been part of that story, and an invitation to everyone who hasn’t yet experienced it come and be part of it this September.” — Liam Dolan, Board Chair, PEI International Shellfish Festival.
New for 2026: A Reimagined Ticket Lineup
To mark the 30th anniversary, the festival is introducing several brand new ticket types, with introductory pricing available only for the first 30 days. Prices increase June 27, 2026.
Feast & Frolic | Thursday, September 17 | 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM | $199+ Presented by the Lobster Fishers of PEI, this spectacular roaming chef and producer experience kicks off the festival and the 30th anniversary celebrations. Guests will explore chef-attended stations, abundant harvest and seafood tables (oysters included), Atlantic Canadian flavours, local producers, and live culinary experiences. This event sells out every year — full menu coming soon.
Shellfish Lovers Pass | Friday, Saturday or Sunday Afternoon | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM | $20+ New for the 30th anniversary, every Shellfish Lovers Pass includes tastes of PEI’s finest shellfish and local fare served throughout the day as part of demos, activations and programming across the grounds. Portions are sized for grazing and discovery. The more of the afternoon you explore, the more you’ll get to sample. Includes the Garland Canada Chef Challenge, interactive competitions, live entertainment, and food demos.
Kitchen Party Pass | Friday | September 18 | 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM | $40+ | 19+ Full evening access to the festival featuring the Garland Canada International Chef Challenge semi-finalists and the Irish Point Oysters PEI Shucking Championship, mainstage action, the local food pavilion, and Friday night headliners Girls Night Out and festival favourites Signal Hill.
Kitchen Party Pass | Saturday | September 19 | 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM | $50+ | 19+ Full evening access featuring the Tie One On Competition awards, PEI Potato Chowder Championship heat, and the Raspberry Point International Oyster Shucking Championship, mainstage action, the local food pavilion, and Saturday night’s once-in-three-decades show: Ben Chase and Craig Fair Productions’ Shell Yeah! 30 Years of PEI’s Largest Kitchen Party.
Kitchen Party Bundle | Friday & Saturday Nights | 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM | $80+ | 19+ Full evening access both Friday and Saturday — two nights of Atlantic Canada’s largest kitchen party with Girls Night Out, Signal Hill, Ben Chase, and Craig Fair Productions’ Shell Yeah!
VIP Friday | All Day | $125+ | 19+ The ultimate way to experience the festival. Includes full festival access, exclusive VIP entrance, preferred front-of-stage viewing, a private bar with premium drinks, anniversary specials and a signature cocktail station, curated grazing stations, a private oyster bar, exclusive culinary demos and samplings with Chef Corbin and food and beverage partners, dedicated hosts, a private washroom trailer, live screen feeds from the mainstage, a special 30th anniversary gift, and exclusive VIP contesting. Includes Signal Hill headlining Friday’s kitchen party.
VIP Saturday | All Day | $150+ | 19+ The ultimate way to experience the festival. Includes full festival access, exclusive VIP entrance, preferred front-of-stage viewing, a private bar with premium drinks, anniversary specials and a signature cocktail station, curated grazing stations, a private oyster bar, exclusive culinary demos and samplings with Chef Corbin and food and beverage partners, dedicated hosts, a private washroom trailer, live screen feeds from the mainstage, a special 30th anniversary gift, and exclusive VIP contesting and full access to evening concert featuring Ben Chase and Shell Yeah! 30 Years of PEI’s Largest Kitchen Party with Craig Fair Productions.
The Pearl Package | Table for 10 | Friday or Saturday | $1,200+ per table, per day | 19+ The festival’s premier corporate experience, designed for groups who want to celebrate the 30th anniversary in style. Includes everything in the VIP experience, plus a dedicated table with seating for 10 and your company logo, a personal volunteer ambassador for the day, an assorted food tray, and a group photo with Chef Corbin.
Tickets
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 10:00 AM AST at peishellfish.com. Introductory 30th anniversary pricing is available for the first 30 days only. Prices increase June 27, 2026.
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About the PEI International Shellfish Festival Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, the PEI International Shellfish Festival is Atlantic Canada’s Largest Kitchen Party and the World’s Greatest Shellfish Celebration a four-day celebration of Prince Edward Island’s world-renowned shellfish, chefs, producers, and hospitality. Presented by the Dairy Farmers of PEI and held each September on the Charlottetown waterfront, the festival exists to celebrate and champion PEI’s shellfish industry and to help ensure it prospers for years to come.
The PEI International Shellfish Festival is an initiative of the Aquaculture Alliance and the PEI Shellfish Association.
Media Kit
Media Contact:
Jillian O’Halloran
Director of Marketing
902-315-1795
jill@resonatexm.com
www.peishellfish.com |
