Astoria's Crab, Seafood, Wine Fest Floods N. Oregon Coast with Yumminess in April

Published 04/09/25 at 6:49 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Astoria, Oregon) – Some traditions cannot be topped – unless, of course, it's with a nice sauce or butter, or lemon...etc.

Astoria gets downright crabby on April 25 to 27, as the Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival returns, bringing around 12,000 souls to the north Oregon coast town. The Clatsop County Fair & Expo will swell with the throngs soaking up the vino and scarfing the former ocean dwellers, with advance buyers getting to enjoy discounted pricing: $20 for Friday or Saturday, and just $10 on Sunday. As a bonus, online tickets for Friday or Saturday also get you free admission on Sunday, so you can come back to shop, sip, and savor even more.

“Celebrate the bounty of the Pacific Ocean with the historic coastal communities of Astoria and Warrenton, Oregon, alongside co-presenting sponsors Fred Meyer and Toyota,” said Astoria/Warrenton Chamber marketing manager Regina Wilkie. “This beloved three-day event highlights the authentic flavors of Oregon’s North Coast - from a legendary crab dinner featuring Oregon Dungeness crab to trend-setting artisan producers from across the Pacific Northwest.”

Seafood enthusiasts can savor a variety of mouthwatering dishes, including chowder, crab and shrimp cocktails, smoked oysters, razor clams, crab and shrimp melts, and other delightful delicacies. But the feast doesn’t end there: vendors will also be serving up an array of favorites such as BBQ, Pad Thai, tacos, corn dogs, and more. No matter your craving or culinary leanings, there’s something waiting for you.

Complement your meal with beverages from over 40 Oregon wineries, craft brewers, and local distilleries. If you’re looking for non-alcoholic options, you can enjoy refreshing shaved ice, natural energy drinks, or hydrate at the Hydration Station, sponsored by NW Natural.

The festival crackles with energy as live music fills the air throughout the weekend on two stages. An exciting lineup of artists from across the Northwest - including festival favorites and emerging talents - will entertain with a mix of beloved covers and original tunes. This year’s performers feature Brownsmead Flats, Bruce Thomas Smith, Carrie Cunningham, The Junebugs, Mbrascatu, Red Light Challenge, and others.

History of the Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival

The Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival got its start in 1981, actually briefly called something else: a crawfish fest.

Various chamber members were trying to come up with a new way to snag more visitors in the off-time of the season and that name quickly popped up – but was almost as quickly shut down. A crab and seafood festival seemed much more appropriate.

With that direction in mind, they bet the seafood farm – so to speak – and bought some 800 crab dinners, even amid cries from locals this was not going to work.

Finally, in March of '82 the first “ Great Astoria Crab and Seafood Festival” was held and all 800 crab dinners were sold out in hours. With some time left to go before closing, luckily a variety of food booths were there to soothe the hungry masses.

Also onhand as attractions were some US Coast Guard vessels, which proved popular.

Over the years, the festival grew bigger and bigger and into larger venues, until it moved to Clatsop County Fairground in 2002 where it's been ever since.

See the website for more.

The festival is produced by the Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce with the generous support of countless individuals and groups who help make it happen. With more than 350 volunteer shifts to fill, there’s still time to sign up and be part of the team.

“Volunteers receive a complimentary weekend pass, access to a dedicated shuttle, and other perks. Roles include beer pouring, door monitoring, greeting guests, and more,” Wilkie said.

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Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

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