Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival (2023)

Astoria is the crown jewel of Oregon tourism. It is perfectly quiet and laid back but with plenty to see and do. It’s rustic but not too rough around the edges. It’s also the perfect getaway from busy destinations like Portland or Seattle.

Astoria makes an excellent day trip from your Long Beach vacation rental. This Oregon Coast gem has a burgeoning food scene that happens to include one of the most anticipated events of the spring; the eponymous Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival!

About Astoria, Oregon

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This is small-town America but with coastal charm. Astoria draws visitors year-round because of its reputation as an eclectic seaside destination with old-school fisherman roots and relatively close proximity to the expansive and Instagram-famous Cannon Beach.

Drive through Main Street and marvel at the skinny sea salt-adorned homes from another century, or walk along the coast for stunning seaside views. Take in the exceptional seafood, local brews, and world-class wine that Oregon State is known for all while getting your ocean air fix.

The History of the Astoria Food & Wine Festival

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Since 1982 the seaside vacation town of Astoria, Oregon, has been blessing the Pacific Northwest with exceptional coastal cuisine, especially the succulent Dungeness Crab its cold waters are known for.

The very first Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival saw vendors selling out by 5:30 pm and was considered a massive success feeding several thousand people. It also was a huge boost to local businesses, and this annual seafood and wine event has blessed the coast ever since.

Today, this event draws out thousands of visitors over the course of a spring weekend to visit more than 100 vendors selling artisanal goods, wine, and delicious meals made by local chefs each year.

This local celebration of all things seafood may just be the tastiest event in the Pacific Northwest, and it couldn’t be located in a more picturesque destination. It’s also one of the very best things to do in April on the Oregon Coast.

Here is everything you need to know to visit the Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival this year.

Getting to There

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Located just a 30-minute drive from Long Beach, WA, the quaint coastal town of Astoria, Oregon, is a favorite destination for those driving the iconic Highway 101 or going to Portland. But with this festival, Astoria becomes a destination unto itself.

Just take Highway 101 from Long Beach across the long green bridge into Oregon, and you’ll find the seaside city at the mouth of the Columbia River.

There is very little public transit in this area, so you will need access to your own vehicle to visit the festival.

A Quick Guide to the Seafood & Wine Festival

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Sponsored by Fred Meyer, this festival draws a long list of local chefs, artisans, live music performances, and local wineries into their midst to give the public a well-rounded sampling of all Oregon’s north coast has to offer.

A full list of this year’s vendors will be updated closer to the event and can be found on the official website.

What to Eat

You can expect the food vendors to be hawking crab and shrimp melts, crab cakes, fried oysters, seafood ramen, decadent crab mac, crab chowder, and a variety of other non-crab specials. Even if you don’t love seafood or are vegetarian, there are plenty of vendors that can cater to your dietary needs.

Oregon’s wine country will be fully represented here, with over 40 wineries offering a full array of varietals made with highly esteemed Pacific Northwest grapes. Consider Oregon wine a cousin to nearby California wine. Although California gets all the credit, Oregon grapes from Willamette Valley, Columbia Valley, and Umpqua Valley can be just as delicious.

There is also a festival wine competition that will celebrate all things vino and a chance to win the title of “Best of Show White” and “Best of Show Red.”

Lovers of beer and spirits will also be able to find plenty of local brews and cocktails from the festival’s other vendors.

Local Vendors

If you’re looking to support small businesses and take home a really great souvenir while you’re at it, be sure to check out the 100+ artisanal craft vendors, including local artists.

Not only will you be able to stock your kitchen shelves with homemade jams and butter or decorate your home with these lovely wares, but you can also pick up some kitschy crab festival-themed souvenirs as well. The vendors of hand-crafted arts are always a favorite in Astoria at the festival.

For more events held by the Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce, be sure to check out their official website.

Tickets

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Let’s talk logistics. The first thing you’ll need to secure is tickets! Event tickets can be purchased online and in advance – and will also afford you a discounted price. Tickets can also be purchased at the door, but they are roughly 15% more expensive.

Parking

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Parking is earmarked for the festival, but it is limited. The main parking area can be found at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds and reaches capacity near the peak hours of the festival. It costs around $20 per car each day. Keep in mind that RVs or oversize vehicles are not permitted.

To mitigate parking overflow, the festival provides a shuttle service. It costs $3 per person and must be paid in cash. Check out the festival website for exact shuttle stop locations and pick-up times.

No Pets

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We are sure your furry friend would love a glass of wine with a side of fried oysters, but unfortunately, it will be a no-go for Fido at the festival.

Get Your Festival Feast Dining Passport

If the weekend event isn’t enough for you, getting the Festival Feast Dining Passport is a great way to connect with the local restaurants featured at the Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival all month long.

Take this passport to any participating establishment during the month of April (check the festival website for participating attractions), and you will receive a special featured menu and discounts for festival participants. This is a great way to prolong the seafood fun and sample a wide array of local seafood dishes made by Astoria’s favorite chefs and small businesses.

The 2023 Astoria Seafood & Wine Festival

Location

  • Venue: Clatsop County Fair & Expo Center
  • Address: 92937 Walluski Loop, Astoria, OR

When

This year’s festival will take place from April 28th-April 30th, 2023. The dates and times are as follows:

  • Friday, April 28th, 4 PM – 9 PM.
  • Saturday, April 29th, 10 AM – 8 PM.
  • Sunday, April 30th, 11 AM – 4 PM.

Tickets

  • Purchase Tickets Here.
  • $25 in person on Friday + Saturday.
  • $15 at the door on Sunday.
  • Online bookings receive a discount.

Seafood Love in Astoria

Astoria is a lovely destination year-round in Oregon; however, it is particularly gorgeous in the early Spring months when all the Washingtonians are looking to get a dose of sunshine and escape the harsh winter.

A visit to the Astoria Warrenton Crab Seafood & Wine Festival is exactly what the doctor ordered and makes a perfect day trip from your Long Beach vacation home rental!