Tofino Oyster Festival: The Perfect Balance Between Play, Luxury, and Connection
- Forest Eden Greenwell
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Tofino Oyster Festival Is One Of The Most Balanced Festival Weekends
When you think festival what is the first thing that comes to mind? For me it’s camping, partying, connecting, spending too much money (oops), lifetime memories and unique opportunities.
While most festival settings as we know them are centred around music in some capacity, a food festival isn’t a new concept either. In fact, “festivals” are showing up in most industries these days. But if we look at the root of this word - festive - it comes from the Latin root festivus which essentially means to celebrate, be joyous, to have a holiday. And in Tofino, what holiday could be more appropriate than oysters?
While there is definitely merriment, silliness, and celebration abound this weekend, it also boasts itself to support one of the most modern day luxuries - to disconnect, relax, and spend time.
Unlike most festivals, the weekend of Tofino Oyster Festival doesn’t require you to deplete your inner resources to experience everything. Each day has a unique event in the evening, all a different flavour of celebrating oysters and community.
The Mermaid Ball - Play
The first night is The Mermaid Ball - this is like Christmas and Halloween put together for this tiny coastal town. You can walk there from your hotel (and if its raining, the complimentary umbrellas in the hotel room & the free coat check have you covered) in less than 10 minutes - showing off your costume to the town and building excitement for what’s to come.
People of all ages and industries show up wearing extravagant costumes - some that have been curated for the entire year. Live bands and DJ’s play, unlimited oysters are on deck, and a costume competition peaks the evening. The town gets silly, blows of steam, and dances into the night. It’s a classic festival dance floor of the best kind.
But unlike other festivals where you wake up in a field and rally your resources for the next afternoon, you have an entire generous day to recoup. While staying at Duffin Cove (arguably one of the best places to stay for a perfectly balanced weekend of play and rest) you can wake up to the ocean, have coffee in bed, enjoy a hot waterfall shower and get ready slowly for a recovery brunch.
The Oyster Gala - Luxury
By the time to get ready for night two, The Oyster Gala, this peaceful setting has you recouped. The second night is more elevated - the town is dressed in their finest and so are the oysters as local restaurants and businesses offer up their unique and delicious takes on the start of the weekend.
You enter feeling fabulous and rested, get a complimentary glass of bubbly and start to taste to your hearts content - because yes, once again, it’s all you can eat oysters. This is the night to wine, dine, schmooze and feel like you’re rich. Because what else would you be; staying in an ocean front hotel room, in a room full of beautiful people with some of the most amazing food you’ve ever had?
Once again, when you’ve had your utmost fill of everything, you make your way back to the softest king bed and the lull of the ocean for a deep, rejuvenating sleep.
The Shuckers Showdown - Connection
The third and final day of Oysterfest arrives. Coffee in bed, ocean at the door, maybe a surf or a sauna (or both) is on the agenda. The day unfolds in front of you and fades into the last - but perhaps most exciting - event of the weekend. Shuckers Showdown. While the rest of the weekend has been extravagant to some degree, it rounds itself off with a down-to-earth and true-to-Tofino experience.
In a hoodie and rain boots, you arrive to a full Caesar bar. There is a buzz in the air as the shuckers are called to a meeting to go over the rules, you eat more oysters than you thought were humanly possible (again) and soon the competition starts.
THREE! TWO! ONE! SHUCK!
For the next two hours, you experience the most exciting few minutes back to back, the momentum building each time. The crowd is cheering, the shuckers on stage are sweating, and sooner than you would hope a winner is announced for the best time and quality of shucked oysters.
And it’s still not over - the oldest gathering place for the people, The Dirty MAQ, is hosting the after party. There is one last humble, silly, playful night left as everyone who still has a little bit left in them gathers in the heart of town to drink to their wins and losses.
At the end, for one last glorious night, your gorgeous hotel room that has been home for you for the best festival weekend around greets you with warm light and soft sheets. Although you’ve danced, ate, and played all weekend you know you return home feeling more full than depleted and planning the next years return.