Urbanna Oyster Festival Wins Best Festival in Eastern Virginia – Four Years Running

VIP Tickets Go On Sale April 15th! Mark Your Calendars!

The Urbanna Oyster Festival has been named Best Festival in Eastern Virginia in Virginia Living’s 2025 Best of Virginia Readers’ Choice Awards.

This is the fourth consecutive year the festival has received the top honor in the overall festival category, a testament to its lasting legacy and widespread appeal. Held each November in the charming Town of Urbanna, the event draws tens of thousands of visitors for a weekend of oysters, parades, live music, arts and crafts, and unforgettable small-town hospitality.

As the official oyster festival of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Urbanna Oyster Festival continues to celebrate the region’s deep maritime heritage and the treasured oyster that put it on the map.

Come see why we’re the Best of Virginia. Join us this fall to experience all the flavor, fun, and tradition that make the Urbanna Oyster Festival a must-visit event.

Email: oysterfestival@va.metrocast.net

Physical Address: 390 Virginia Street, Suite C, Urbanna, VA 23175

Mailing Address: Drawer C, Urbanna, VA 23175

For more information on accommodations, things to do and other events in the area, see:

Urbanna.com

VirginiasRiverRealm.com

Explore Middlesex App

Oyster Festival Parade Entry Form

By filling out the form below you are expressing interest in participating in the Urbanna Oyster Festival Parade on the Saturday of Oyster Festival at 2:00PM. Upon approval, you will receive a detailed parade information packet in October. If you have any questions, please call the Festival office at 804-758-2122.

NO objects are to be thrown from any parade vehicle, floats or marchers. NO stopping along parade route. Air cannons, loud explosive devices and other objects are prohibited. Current political campaign candidates are NOT permitted in the parade or along the parade route, nor do we allow any political advertisements or promotional materials in the parade. Please Keep in Mind this is a Family-oriented event and parade. We are a Virginia Green Festival.

Name of Group

Name of Official In Charge

Phone Number

Mailing Address

Mailing City

Mailing State

Zip Code

Are you a returning participant?

Yes No

Type of Entry

Please state the quantity of your group if you are one of the following:
Band, Majorette/Marching Unit, Clown, Specialty Unit, Queen(s)

If you are a Float or Other, please state the size.

Brief description of parade entry.

Are you participating in the parade competition?

Yes, in competition No, not in competition

Sponsor Interest Form

As we look forward to our 68th anniversary, November 7-8, 2025, we turn to you, our community partners, to help us put on one of the best Oyster Festivals yet. Year after year we are humbled by the commitment of our volunteers, our vendors, our advocates, and you, our sponsors. Your love for this little town, and this big Festival, make our jobs well worth it. To see our town full of excitement and pride each November brings us joy and gives us motivation to keep working toward the next one. Your monetary support allows us to do things like bring in well-known or locally-grown bands, look out for the wellbeing and safety of our attendees, and put on events like the Antique Car Show and Saturday’s Oyster Festival Parade. It ensures our local schools and visitors alike are exposed to the importance of oysters and water-restoration to the local economy. It means high school seniors have financial support in pursuing higher education.

From the mission of the Urbanna Oyster Festival Foundation, partnering with us means you are aligned with:

• Providing cultural, educational and recreational events for the enjoyment of the community

• Provide leadership, education and training for festivals, event leaders and volunteers

• Promote an appreciation of the history, maritime tradition, and the seafood industry

• Provide a venue for fundraising for civic and non-profit organizations

• Encourage the participation of artists, writers, and craftsmen in festivals and other events

• Encourage involvement of educational organizations and other non-profit groups

• Enhance the quality of life of the local economy and promote visitation and economic development

We appreciate your consideration in partnering with the Urbanna Oyster Festival for our 68th anniversary. To ensure you get the most out of your sponsorship we would like to secure your placement by August 31, 2025.

Business/Organization Name

Contact Person

Phone Number

Sponsorship Level

Specific Location/Item You’d Like to Sponsor

Additional information you would like to provide.