Blue Crab Festival 2026

The Blue Crab Festival, held on Memorial Day weekend along the riverfront in Palatka, Florida, honors and remembers U.S. military members who died while serving our country. This year's Blue Crab Festival runs from Friday, May 22, through Sunday, May 24, 2026, and features carnival rides, a seafood cook-off, live music, arts and crafts, and a petting zoo.

Festival Highlights

The festival kicks off on Friday, May 22, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. and features bands, food, and vendors, and continues from 12:00 to 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 23, and from 12:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 24.

Seafood: The star of the menu is, of course, the blue crab. Harvested from both Florida coasts, the blue crab can be prepared in multiple ways, from simply boiled and served with butter, added to gumbo, or marinated in a salad. Enjoy lots of delicious and fresh seafood at this event, including shrimp, crabs (including blue crab), and scallops. Food is served throughout the weekend.

For the kids: Carnival rides, a petting zoo, a kids zone, and waterslides. There will be pony rides and reptile encounters all day Saturday and Sunday, and a foam party too.

Arts and crafts: Browse works from Northeast Florida artisans.

Live music: Enjoy local and regional performers. This list is from 2025. Times and artists will be updated once new information is posted.

Friday — Vange Durst, Big Engine, Confederate Railroad

Saturday — Sasha Bloom, Ramona + the RIOT, Dats Pressure, Paper City Hustlers, and Nappy Roots

Sunday — The Collective, Gospel Brunch, Contact Buzz, Duval County Line, Preston Pohl, and Vice Versa

Admission and parking: Free

When: Memorial Day Weekend, Friday to Sunday, May 22 - 24, 2026. The festival kicks off on Friday, May 22, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. and continues from 12:00 to 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 23, and from 12:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 24.

Where: Downtown Palatka, at 210 St. Johns Ave. Palatka, Florida 32177.

Visit the event's website for more information, or call (386) 329-0100.