Galway’s celebrated Oyster and Seafood Festival has been voted the second best summer food festival in Europe in a new list.
Big 7 has released their list of the top 25 Summer Food Festivals in Europe, with the Galway festival securing the no. 2 spot.
Big 7 is a travel site and media company that specialises in rounding up the best experiences, food and drink spots and activities around the world. Drawing from recommendations and tips from readers, the editorial team also add in their contributions, curating a selection of ‘best of’ lists across food, travel and more.
Running this year from 26 to 28 September, the Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival was founded in 1954 to coincide with the annual oyster harvest and is the oldest oyster festival in the world, as well as one of the longest-running food festivals in Europe.
A highlight of the festival is the annual Oyster Opening or ‘Shucking’ Competition, which sees more than 20 competitors, representing countries from all over the world flock to Galway to vie for the World Championship title. As well as this, the city is lit up with parades, demos and more over the last weekend of September.
“Sling back oysters by the bucketload, enjoy the toe-tapping trad music, and watch the masters at work – all set against the backdrop of the wind-whipped Atlantic coast”, the editors of Big 7 write.
Taste of Dublin, which takes place 12-15 June, was also named on the list, coming in at no. 23. The annual festival, which takes place in Merrion Square, celebrates the best food producers and chefs in the country and is an excellent opportunity to try new things.
“Festival goers can pick up tips and tricks from demonstrations and panel discussions with top chefs, as well as take part in hands-on classes and tastings”, Big 7 writes. “There’s also a gorgeous slice of the Mediterranean in the Tasting Spain corner – sample meats, cheeses, olive oil, and tapas, and learn from the best with masterclasses and expert wine tastings.”
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The Sardine Festival in Portimão, Portugal nabbed the top spot, a lively celebration of the humble sardine that promises stalls selling local handicrafts, street artists, and live music.
Almo do Vinho in Alenquer, located just 35 minutes from Lisbon, was ranked third on the list. This festival celebrates the region’s wine producers, with guests free to come meet winemakers and indulge in grape-stomping competitions, wine-barrel rolling races, jewellery-making workshops, traditional folk dances and more.
Read the full list of festivals below:
- The Sardine Festival – Portimão, Portugal
- The Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival – Galway, Ireland
- Almo do Vinho – Alenquer, Portugal
- Maschseefest – Hannover, Germany
- Stragusto Food Festival – Trapani, Italy
- Napoli Pizza Village Festival – Naples, Italy
- Fête de l’Ail Rose – Lautrec, France
- Fistiki Festival – Aegina, Greece
- Istrian Pasta Festival – Žminj, Croatia
- Gladmat Food Festival – Stavanger, Norway
- Lymington Seafood Festival – Lymington, England
- Foodies Festival – Across the United Kingdom
- Sarajevo Street Food Market – Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Loch Lomond Food and Drink Festival – Loch Lomond, Scotland
- Copenhagen Cooking Festival – Copenhagen, Denmark
- Cycladic Gastronomy Festival – Sifnos, Greece
- La Tomatina – Buñol, Spain
- Abergavenny Food Festival – Abergavenny, Wales
- Aarhus Food Festival – Aarhus, Denmark
- Trøndelag Food Festival – Trondheim, Norway
- Taste of London – London, England
- Bordeaux Wine Festival – Bordeaux, France
- Taste of Dublin – Dublin, Ireland
- Bite of Amsterdam – Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Matstreif – Oslo, Norway
