St. Marys Rock Shrimp Festival | St. Marys Seafood Festival

St. Marys Rock Shrimp Festival: A Guide to the 2026 St. Marys Seafood Festival

If you're searching for the St. Marys Rock Shrimp Festival, you're looking for one of the most recognizable annual events along the Georgia coast. Today, the event is officially known as the St. Marys Seafood Festival, but the Rock Shrimp Festival name is still familiar to many locals and longtime visitors.

The 2026 St. Marys Seafood Festival is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2026, in historic downtown St. Marys, Georgia. The festival will take place along the St. Marys waterfront and is planned as a full day of seafood, live entertainment, arts and crafts, a parade, children's activities, and community fun. Admission is free and open to the public.

For anyone looking for things to do in St. Marys, Georgia, in the fall, this is an event worth putting on the calendar.

What Is the St. Marys Rock Shrimp Festival?

The event that many people still call the St. Marys Rock Shrimp Festival has evolved into the St. Marys Seafood Festival.

The name change doesn't mean the event has lost its connection to seafood or the community's coastal heritage. Seafood remains at the center of the celebration, with local restaurants, food vendors, food trucks, and the Kiwanis Club serving seafood and other food throughout the day.

The festival is organized by the Kiwanis Club of St. Marys, with support from the City of St. Marys and local sponsors. An important part of the event is giving back to the community. Festival proceeds support Kiwanis programs benefiting children and youth in Camden County.

That combination of seafood, coastal culture, entertainment, and community involvement is what makes the event more than just another food festival.

It is a St. Marys tradition.

When Is the 2026 St. Marys Seafood Festival?

The 2026 festival will be held:

Saturday, October 3, 2026

The main festival activities are scheduled for approximately 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and will be centered around the waterfront and historic downtown area.

There are also activities that begin before the main festival gets underway, including the annual 5K and 10K races.

2026 Festival Schedule

The currently published schedule includes:

• 7:30 a.m. — 5K & 10K Run

• 8:30 a.m. — Kids Fun Run

• 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. — Kids Fun Zone, food, arts and crafts vendors

• 9:00–10:00 a.m. — Camden Community Band

• 10:00 a.m. — Festival Parade

• 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. — Grimsley Fighting Arts Demonstration

• 12:30–1:30 p.m. — Saltwater Performing Arts

• 2:00–6:00 p.m. — King Cheese & The Other Mothers

The organizers describe this as a tentative schedule, so visitors should check the official event information as the festival gets closer for any changes.

A Full Day of Seafood

Of course, the biggest reason many people come to the St. Marys Seafood Festival is the food.

The festival brings together local restaurants, food trucks, vendors, and the Kiwanis Club for a day centered around seafood and coastal flavors. Visitors can expect seafood choices along with plenty of non-seafood options for those who aren't seafood fans.

The festival has a long history of serving seafood favorites.

In previous years, the Kiwanis Club's seafood dinner has included items such as fried fish, fried rock shrimp, boiled shrimp, coleslaw, hush puppies, and iced tea. The exact menu and offerings can change from year to year, so visitors should check the current festival information before making specific plans around a particular dish.

For someone visiting from outside the area, this is a great opportunity to experience some of the flavors associated with Georgia's coast.

Why Rock Shrimp?

The term rock shrimp is an important part of the festival's history.

Rock shrimp are a small, hard-shelled shrimp species with a firm texture and a flavor that many people compare to lobster. The name became closely associated with the festival over the years, which is why many longtime residents and visitors still refer to the event as the St. Marys Rock Shrimp Festival.

Even though the official event name is now the St. Marys Seafood Festival, searches for "St. Marys Rock Shrimp Festival" are still useful when looking for information about the event.

For 912 Coastal, that's an important distinction because someone searching Google may use either name.

The St. Marys Festival Parade

One of the most anticipated parts of the festival is the parade.

The 2026 parade is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m.

The St. Marys parade has the kind of small-town character that makes local festivals special. Previous festival parades have featured floats, fire trucks, tractors, golf carts, community organizations, marching bands, and other local participants.

If you're bringing children, arriving early is a good idea so you have time to find a comfortable viewing spot before the parade begins.

The parade also makes the festival more than simply a seafood event.

It's a chance to see the local community come together.

Bring the Kids

The St. Marys Seafood Festival is designed to be family friendly.

The 2026 schedule includes a Kids Fun Zone, along with the Kids Fun Run in the morning. The festival's organizers describe the event as a family-friendly celebration, making it an easy choice for families looking for something to do together on a Saturday.

Kids can enjoy the activities while parents explore the food, vendors, waterfront, and entertainment.

The combination of food, music, a parade, and children's activities also means everyone in the family can find something to enjoy.

Arts and Crafts Vendors

Food isn't the only attraction.

Arts and crafts vendors will be part of the festival from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. according to the 2026 schedule.

This gives visitors another reason to spend several hours at the event rather than simply stopping by for lunch.

Local festivals like this are often a good place to find handmade items, coastal-themed artwork, decorations, gifts, clothing, and other items that aren't necessarily available at larger retail stores.

If you're visiting St. Marys for the first time, walking through the vendor area is also a good way to get a feel for the local community.

Live Music and Entertainment

Music will also be part of the 2026 festival.

The morning begins with the Camden Community Band, followed later in the day by Saltwater Performing Arts and an afternoon concert featuring King Cheese & The Other Mothers.

The afternoon concert is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., giving visitors plenty of time to grab some food, explore the vendors, and then settle in for live entertainment.

The waterfront setting makes the entertainment even better.

Instead of attending a festival in a parking lot or convention center, you're spending the day in historic downtown St. Marys alongside the river.

The Waterfront Is Part of the Experience

One of the best things about the St. Marys Seafood Festival is its location.

The festival takes place in the historic waterfront area of St. Marys, where visitors can enjoy views of the river and surrounding coastal landscape.

St. Marys is located along the St. Marys River near the Florida border and Cumberland Island. The city's waterfront is one of the things that gives the festival its distinctly coastal character.

You're not simply attending a seafood festival.

You're attending a seafood festival on the Georgia coast.

That difference matters.

Visitors can walk around downtown, enjoy the waterfront, grab some food, listen to music, and experience a community that has a strong connection to the water.

Make a Weekend Out of It

If you're coming from outside Camden County, there's no reason to limit your trip to the festival itself.

St. Marys and the surrounding area offer plenty of other things to do.

You could turn the festival into a weekend coastal getaway.

Explore Downtown St. Marys

Spend some time walking around the historic downtown area before or after the festival.

The city's waterfront and historic district provide plenty of opportunities for photography, sightseeing, shopping, and simply enjoying the slower pace of coastal Georgia.

Visit Cumberland Island

St. Marys is also the gateway to Cumberland Island National Seashore.

If you're planning an overnight trip, consider adding a visit to the island to your itinerary. The island is known for its beaches, maritime forests, wildlife, and historic sites.

Just remember that Cumberland Island requires additional planning, especially when it comes to transportation and availability.

Explore Crooked River State Park

Another nearby option is Crooked River State Park, which offers opportunities for hiking, paddling, boating, fishing, camping, and enjoying the coastal environment.

For an outdoor-oriented visitor, combining the Seafood Festival with some time on the water or trails can turn the weekend into a full Georgia coast adventure.

Fishing and the St. Marys Seafood Festival

For anglers, the festival also fits naturally into a St. Marys fishing weekend.

St. Marys is surrounded by coastal fishing opportunities, including the St. Marys River, tidal creeks, marshes, and nearby coastal waters.

If you're traveling to the area for fishing, you could schedule a fishing charter before or after the festival and spend another day exploring the local waters.

This is particularly appealing for visitors who want more than a typical tourist experience.

Spend a morning fishing.

Explore the waterfront.

Enjoy a seafood dinner.

Then experience the festival the next day.

That's a pretty good Georgia coast weekend.

What Should You Bring?

Because the festival is outdoors and takes place along the waterfront, it's smart to dress for a typical coastal Georgia fall day.

Consider bringing:

• Comfortable walking shoes

• Hat

• Sunglasses

• Sunscreen

• Lightweight clothing

• Water

• Cash and/or a payment card

• Phone or camera

• A small bag for purchases

You'll probably be doing more walking than you expect, especially if you want to see the parade, food vendors, craft vendors, entertainment, and waterfront.

Comfortable shoes are a must.

And don't forget sunscreen.

Even in October, the Georgia sun can be strong.

What About Pets?

One important detail for people planning to attend with a dog: the 2026 festival organizers specifically ask visitors to leave pets at home for their well-being and for the safety of festival guests.

Service animals are a different matter under applicable laws, but ordinary pets should not be brought into the festival area.

If you're traveling with a pet, plan accordingly before arriving.

Is the St. Marys Seafood Festival Free?

Yes.

The 2026 festival is advertised as free and open to the public.

Of course, you'll want to bring money for food, drinks, shopping, and any other activities or purchases you make during the day.

The free admission makes the event especially attractive for families.

You can spend the day enjoying the atmosphere without paying an entrance fee.

The Festival Supports the Local Community

One of the best reasons to attend the St. Marys Seafood Festival is that you're supporting a community event with a charitable purpose.

The Kiwanis Club of St. Marys uses proceeds from its festivals and other activities to support children, schools, youth programs, and community organizations in Camden County.

That gives the festival another layer of meaning.

You're not just buying a seafood dinner or a handmade item.

You're helping support local community programs.

The event is a good example of how small coastal communities can combine tourism, local businesses, entertainment, and charitable work into one annual tradition.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of the Festival

If you're planning to attend the 2026 St. Marys Seafood Festival, here are a few simple suggestions.

Arrive Early

The day starts well before the main festival activities, with the 5K and 10K races beginning at 7:30 a.m. and the Kids Fun Run at 8:30 a.m.

Arriving early can make parking and getting around easier.

Plan Around the Parade

The parade begins at 10:00 a.m.

If that's something you don't want to miss, make it one of the first things on your schedule.

Don't Wait Until the Last Minute to Eat

Seafood is one of the main attractions, so popular food vendors can become busy.

If there's something specific you want to try, don't wait until late afternoon.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

The festival covers multiple areas of downtown and the waterfront.

You'll want to walk around and explore.

Check the Schedule Before You Go

Festival schedules can change.

The organizers currently list the 2026 schedule as tentative, so check the official information before heading out.

A Great Time to Visit St. Marys

October is a particularly nice time to experience coastal Georgia.

The heat of summer has begun to ease, but you can still enjoy being outside along the waterfront.

Add the seafood, music, parade, crafts, and family activities, and you have a good reason to spend a fall Saturday in St. Marys.

For visitors coming from Jacksonville, Fernandina Beach, Brunswick, Kingsland, or other nearby communities, St. Marys is an easy destination for a day trip.

And if you're traveling farther, consider turning the festival into a weekend getaway.

St. Marys Rock Shrimp Festival or St. Marys Seafood Festival?

If you're searching online, you may see both names.

That's because St. Marys Seafood Festival is the official current name, while St. Marys Rock Shrimp Festival is the former name that remains familiar to many people.

Visit Kingsland specifically describes the Seafood Festival as having been formerly known as the Rock Shrimp Festival.

So if someone searches:

"St. Marys Rock Shrimp Festival"

or

"St. Marys Seafood Festival"

they're looking for the same longstanding St. Marys coastal celebration.

For anyone researching the event online, knowing both names is helpful.

Why 912 Coastal Thinks It's Worth Checking Out

At 912 Coastal, we're all about the lifestyle that makes this part of the coast special.

Fishing.

Boating.

Kayaking.

Seafood.

Waterfront communities.

Local events.

And spending time outside.

The St. Marys Seafood Festival brings all of those elements together in one place.

It's not a massive corporate festival.

It's a local event built around a coastal community, local organizations, local vendors, seafood, and the waterfront.

That's exactly the kind of experience that makes Southeast Georgia worth exploring.

Plan Your 2026 St. Marys Seafood Festival Visit

If you're planning to attend the 2026 St. Marys Seafood Festival, mark your calendar for:

Saturday, October 3, 2026

St. Marys, Georgia

Main festival: approximately 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Admission: Free

The current schedule includes a morning 5K and 10K, Kids Fun Run, food and arts-and-crafts vendors, a 10:00 a.m. parade, children's activities, live entertainment, and an afternoon concert.

Whether you're coming for the seafood, the parade, the music, the vendors, the waterfront, or simply a day out with the family, the St. Marys Seafood Festival is a great way to experience one of Georgia's coastal communities.

And if you've always called it the St. Marys Rock Shrimp Festival, you're not wrong about the event you're remembering.

The name may have changed, but the coastal spirit is still there.

Come hungry. Come ready to explore. And come experience St. Marys.

2026 Event Information at a Glance

Information Details

Event St. Marys Seafood Festival

Former name St. Marys Rock Shrimp Festival

Date Saturday, October 3, 2026

Location Downtown St. Marys / Waterfront

Admission Free

Main festival hours 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

5K/10K 7:30am

Kids Fun Run 8:30 a.m.

Parade 10:00 am

Food vendors 9:00 a.m.–6:00 pm

Kids Fun Zone 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Afternoon concert 2:00–6:00 p.m.

Pets Organizers request that pets be left at home

Schedule details are based on the organizers' currently published 2026 information and may change.