BC Crabfest is back, Victoria!
A growing summer favourite, BC CrabFest returns to Victoria’s beautiful Inner Harbour this July.
This is the festival’s fourth year, and will be its second at Ship Point.
This one-day celebration brings locals and visitors together around one of British Columbia’s most prized seafoods: fresh, sustainably harvested BC Dungeness crab.
The festival will also feature live music, coastal culture, and waterfront experiences right on the harbour.
New this year, guests can expect chef demonstrations, sunset drinks from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., and VIP captain’s table for groups of 4 to 8.
There will also be a new “mini” Crab Boil Bucket size, alongside the classic size option.
Guests are encouraged to pre-purchase their Crab Boil Bucket in advance here, as a very limited number will be available onsite.
BC CrabFest continues to grow as a defining summer event, rooted in community, coastal foodways, and connection to place.
At its heart is the Authentic BC Dungeness Crab Boil, a hands-on meal featuring freshly harvested seafood.
These meals will be cooked on-site by top chefs alongside students from Camosun College’s Culinary Arts program with support from Sysco Victoria.
BC Dungeness crab is a defining part of life on this coast, shaped by the waters, the seasons, and the fishing families who harvest it. BC CrabFest brings that story to life not just through what’s served, but through where and how it’s experienced.
What makes the festival exceptional is its proximity to source: world-class seafood, enjoyed dockside, at its freshest.
In a global market where BC Crab is considered a premium luxury, CrabFest offers something rare, a Michelin-calibre ingredient in its most honest and accessible form.
“It’s not just about serving great seafood, it’s about where you are when you’re eating it,” says founder Heather MacLeod.
“You’re on the harbour, with crab that’s come from Vancouver Island, and that connection to place is what makes it different.”
The 2026 festival includes:
- The Authentic BC Crab Boil
- Captain’s Table VIP experience: a premium, family-style Crab Boil served at the very edge of the pier
- Live music and cultural programming
- A family zone with hands-on activities
- An Educational Marketplace focused on ocean health and food systems
- Local BC beverages, extending into the evening with sunset harbour drinks (8 p.m. to 10 p.m.) presented by Driftwood Brewery
- Chef demonstrations and coastal storytelling
The festival is produced by BC Crab Co., a family-run business built by commercial fishing families. It is grounded in a simple idea: keep local seafood accessible and people connected to where it comes from.
BC CrabFest is also committed to responsible event practices and is recognized as a leader among festivals of its size in reducing single-use materials.
Initiatives include reusable, returnable containers instead of traditional packaging, along with interactive guest experiences like a make-your-own bib station.
Admission is by donation, with $10 being suggested. A portion of proceeds will support community partners such as Mustard Seed.
BC CrabFest is supported by other partners including Buy BC, CRD and the City of Victoria.
You can purchase tickets to the festival here—and remember to buy your Crab Boil Buckets soon, they will sell out quickly!
BC CrabFest
- Where: Ship Point, 812 Wharf Street (Victoria’s Inner Harbour)
- When: Saturday, July 18th – 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
BC CrabFest is proud to partner with Buy BC, a program that helps British Columbians identify and support local food producers. Their support ensures that the CrabBoil and festival offerings highlight ingredients grown, fished, and made right here in BC—connecting eaters to the source.
This summer, BC Crab Co. will be running direct-to-community crab sales every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fisherman’s Wharf in Victoria. Locals and visitors can buy live BC Dungeness crab straight from the boats. It’s fresh, it’s local, and it supports BC fishing families—the same people behind CrabFest. For more information on their dockside sales, visit their website here.
This project is supported by the BC Government’s Buy BC Partnership Program; delivered by MNP LLP with funding from the Government of British Columbia.
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