Festival Schedule
Thursday 23rd September
Guinness Irish Oyster Opening Championships
Time: 8pm
Friday 24th September
The Magnificent Mardi Gras Party
Venue: Radisson SAS Hotel
Time: 7:30pm
Dress Code - Smart Casual
Jazz music will set the tone at our champagne, Guinness and Oyster reception. This will be followed by an extensive hot and cold buffet with wines.
Our delicious buffet includes seafood delicacies, pastas and an array of cold cuts and salads.
Select wines will be served throughout with after-dinner liqueur.
Our selected Pearl will be in attendance as will our Guest of Honor.
The Mayor of Galway will welcome one and all and then the party starts.
The non-stop entertainment on this night, featuring top class artists and cabaret acts, guarantees you’ll be finding your dancing feet before the nights’ end.
Saturday 25th September
Official Opening of the Galway International Oyster Festival
Venue: Eyre Square
Time: Starts at 12 noon. Free public event
Musicians and performers will keep the crowd entertained in Eyre Square until the opening ceremony begins. Our newly crowned Pearl will present the season's first oyster to Galway’s Mayor - a tradition since 1954.
After the ceremony a fun parade will make its way through the streets of Galway to the Oyster Festival Center at the Radisson Blu Hotel. This includes a colourful line-up of musical bands, vintage cars, oyster openers, our Oyster Pearl and visiting dignitaries.
Saturday Afternoon
Oyster Tasting
Venue - Radisson Blu Hotel
Time: 1pm - 5:30pm
1.00pm OYSTER TASTING
Feast on an excellent seafood lunch: Oysters, Guinness/Wine amongst many other delights.
2.00pm GUINNESS WORLD OYSTER OPENING CHAMPIONSHIP
The Guinness World Oyster Opening Championship features contestants from every continent competing for the world title and valuable prizes.
3.00pm ELEGANT LADY COMPETITION
For all the ladies joining us, this years Most Elegant Lady competition is a great excuse to spoil yourself. The Galway International Oyster Festival has always been synonymous with grace and style and this year promises a dazzling display of fashion with a spectacular prize for the winning lady sponsored by Fallers Jewellers. www.fallers.com
3.30pm ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE GUINNESS WORLD OYSTER OPENING CHAMPION -
After the winner of the Guinness World Oyster Opening Championship is announced, the party will get into full swing with an internationally flavoured line-up of entertainment including Irish music and dance.
Oyster Festival Gala Ball
Start time: 8pm
Dress Code - Black Tie
A truly gourmet experience of exquisite food and wines. The night starts with a champagne and oyster reception and your enjoyment is guaranteed by the famous Saturday night cabaret.
Dancing afterwards till late.
Sunday 26th September
Farewell Party
Venue: Live Lounge Radisson Blu Hotel
Finish with style at the final event of an action-packed weekend. Live music will help us bid farewell to the 56th Galway International Oyster Festival.
