Everything to know about Shrimp Festival 2026

The Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival returns to Fernandina Beach this week, kicking off a four-day stretch of events that blend parade tradition, waterfront food, live entertainment and one of the Southeast’s largest outdoor arts festivals.

The Shrimp Festival is an independent nonprofit organization run by a volunteer board and committee for the last 61 years. The annual celebration draws tens of thousands of visitors to the historic downtown and riverfront, while also reshaping how the city operates for the weekend — including suspending its controversial paid parking program.

Paid parking suspended for festival

In a notable operational change, the city of Fernandina Beach has suspended paid parking for the duration of the festival, easing access to downtown during what is typically the busiest weekend of the year. The move temporarily removes kiosks and enforcement requirements that have been a focal point of debate in recent months.

Even with the suspension, officials still urge visitors to plan ahead, as demand for parking is expected to far exceed available spaces.

Festival timeline: key events

Thursday: Parade launches festival weekend

• 6:00 p.m. – Shrimp Festival Parade
  • The festival’s traditional kickoff winds through downtown Fernandina Beach, featuring floats, local organizations, marching groups and community participants.
  • The parade draws large crowds and sets the tone for the weekend’s celebration of the city’s shrimping heritage.
  • Sounds on Centre Special Edition featuring The Usual Suspects to immediately follow the parade

Friday: Opening day and evening entertainment

Waterfront Food Booths – 3 to 10 p.m.
Arts, Crafts and Vendors – 5 to dusk
Kids Fun Zone – 5 to 10 p.m.

Shrimp Festival Drone Show follow the 9 p.m. Pirate Invasion

Saturday, May 2, 2026

Festival – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Waterfront Food booths will be open until 8 p.m.
• Kids Fun Zone 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sunday, May 3, 2026

Festival and Features 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Afternoon – Festival officially opens
  • Food vendors, craft booths and exhibits begin operating in the downtown footprint.
• Live music begins
  • Performances start on festival stages and continue into the evening.
• Riverfront and Centre Street activity ramps up
  • Early arrivals get a preview of the full festival experience with lighter crowds than Saturday.

PARKING

Parking will remain the same as it has been for decades with the City’s recently-implemented paid parking program waived from Thursday through Sunday evenings.

There will be two official parking lots – a Park & Ride lot and a Park & Walk lot, both of which are fundraisers for local charities. Park & Ride, at Fernandina Beach High School, is a $15 donation with a FREE air-conditioned shuttle ride. The Park & Walk at Buccaneer Field/Central Park is a $20 donation with a short walk to the festival. There will also be additional free, legal street parking and other private fundraiser parking throughout the neighborhoods surrounding the festival. Accessible parking (with valid disabled parking permit) is available at the library parking lot at Alachua and Fourth streets, and on Ash Street between Fourth and Fifth.

The city of Fernandina Beach’s downtown paid parking program will be waived from Thursday, April 30 at 5 p.m. through Sunday, May 3 at 8 p.m. to accommodate festival activities. Centre Street and side streets from Front Street through Seventh Street will all be closed to vehicular traffic through the weekend.

Shrimp Festival Contests – 2026

Get ready for a weekend of spirited competition and fun at the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival! Whether you’re a pirate at heart, a shrimp aficionado, or just love a good challenge, we’ve got a contest for you.

Saturday Events

Best Dressed Pirate Contests Sponsored by Story & Song Center for Arts and Culture Foundation

• Pirates In Training and Little Pirates (Ages 0–5 and 6–11)
  • Registration: 9:15 to 9:45 a.m. | Contest: 10 a.m.
  • Location: Kids Fun Zone Stage (Waterfront Park on Front Street)
• Best Dressed Jr. Pirate (Ages 12–17)
  • Sponsored by Joe Pocher
  • Registration: 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. | Contest: 11 a.m.
  • Location: Kids Fun Zone Stage (Waterfront Park on Front Street)
• Best Dressed Adult Pirate* (Ages 18+)
  • Sponsored by Cloud Accounting & Consulting, Inc.
  • Registration: 1:45 to 2:15 p.m. | Contest: 2:30 p.m.
  • Location: Pirate Ship Stage (Next to Riverfront Stage)

*Note: Apparel must be “G-Rated.” Prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.

57th Topsy Smith Memorial Beard Contest Sponsored by Dawn A Lunt, Inc.

• Registration: 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
• Contest: 12:30 p.m.
• Location: Pirate Ship Stage (Next to Riverfront Stage)

Shrimp Eating Contest Sponsored by H&S Shrimp Company

• Registration: 3:15 to 3:45 p.m. | Contest: 4:30 p.m.
• Location: Riverfront Stage
• Note: Must be 18+. Contestants randomly selected from registrations at 4 p.m.

Sunday Events

Best Decorated Shrimp Boat Contest and Blessing of the Fleet Presented by The City of Fernandina Beach

• Time: 1:15 p.m.
• Location: Fernandina Harbor Marina on the Amelia River

Ice Cream Eating Contest Sponsored by DeNucci’s Ice Cream Shop

• Registration: 2 to 2:30 p.m. | Contest: 3 p.m.
• Location: Pirate Ship Stage (Next to Riverfront Stage)
• Note: Categories for ages 6–11, 12–17, and 18+. Six contestants per group will be randomly selected 20 minutes prior to start.