47th Annual Oyster Festival Brings Exciting Musical Acts, Delicious Food To Norwalk: PHOTOS

NORWALK, CT — The 47th annual Norwalk Oyster Festival is set to take place this weekend at Veteran's Memorial Park, promising a great lineup of music, food, rides and more for guests of all ages.

During a ribbon cutting event held Thursday afternoon ahead of the first day of the festival Friday, Chairman of the Oyster Festival Mike Reilly said the 2025 event will feature the same great lineup of entertainment fans have come to expect, including musical acts such as Parmalee and VOYAGE: Celebrating the Music of Journey.

"We always have great entertainment," Reilly said to Patch. "It's a great value because the ticket price to get into the festival includes all your entertainment, and that's not true in most festivals. These bands charge a lot of money, even at the big casinos you're paying $60 to $80 for a ticket, and you're going to be able to see these guys for $15."

New to this year's festival is the Mohegan Sun VIP area, which guests can access for $50 and includes admission to the festival, as well as three adult beverages and food throughout the day, according to Reilly.

"[You can] hang out in this cool tent on sofas in a bougie area, it sounds like fun," Reilly said, "and it's a good value because your food is included."

Mohegan Sun Online Casino was also announced as the presenting sponsor of the 47th annual festival.

Hosted by the Norwalk Seaport Association, the Oyster Festival is the main fundraiser for both the association and Sheffield Island Lighthouse.

The three-day event celebrates the maritime heritage of Norwalk every September and is known for its music, wide variety of entertainment, family fun, delicious food, children's rides and the New England Craft Village, according to additional press materials provided by the Seaport Association.

Reilly noted the entire festival is put on by a team of dedicated volunteers.

"The reason why we do all this hard work is to raise money for Sheffield Island Lighthouse," Reilly said. "The restoration and the upkeep of an 1868 lighthouse is not easy and very expensive, so that's what we do, and we try to get 2,000 kids out every summer to learn about our maritime heritage."

As the beloved annual event nears its 50th year in 2028, Reilly reflected on what it is about the Oyster Festival that keeps enticing guests back each year.

"I think it's a beautiful venue," Reilly said. "I think that people want to go out and be outside. Obviously oysters are part of it. We have 40 food booths and there's a lot to do, there's a lot to eat...it's a lot of great stuff."

Festival gates will open from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 5, continuing on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 7, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

In a news release Thursday, Police Lt. Tomasz Podgorski said the event is expected to draw large crowds, and drivers should plan for delays in both lower East Norwalk and South Norwalk due to festival traffic.

As part of the traffic plan, the following closures and restrictions will be in effect, according to Podgorski:

• Seaview Avenue will be closed from Fort Point Street to East Avenue during festival operating hours.
• East Avenue, between Seaview Avenue and Van Zant Street, will be one-way for northbound traffic only from Friday at 4 p.m. through Sunday at 9 p.m.

To ensure a safe and enjoyable event for all attendees, uniformed Norwalk police officers will provide enhanced security throughout the festival, Podgorski said.

Additionally, officers will be assigned to traffic control posts in the area to assist with the anticipated increase in both vehicle and pedestrian traffic, according to Podgorski.

"The Norwalk Police Department encourages all attendees to allow extra travel time, follow posted detours and exercise caution while driving near the festival grounds," Podgorski said in a news release.

More information about the festival, including a full schedule of events, is available here.