South Beach Seafood Festival 2025: Miami’s Ultimate Seafood Celebration

From October 22 to 25, 2025, Miami Beach will host the 13th Annual South Beach Seafood Festival, transforming its iconic sands into a culinary playground. Esteemed as one of the country’s premier seafood events, it combines multi-course dinners, chef showdowns, culinary demos, all-inclusive beachfront tastings, and complimentary open bars.
The festival also marks the kickoff of Greater Miami’s stone crab season and supports the CI Foundation’s EAT SMART program, which provides healthy meals and nutritional education to youth in Miami-Dade County schools.

What to Expect: Flavor, Competition & Celebration

Weeklong Culinary Events

South Beach Seafood Festival unfolds over four days with curated dinners and themed evenings:

• Wednesday, Oct 22 – “An Evening in Miami Beach”: Dinner at Carbone with paired cocktails.

• Thursday, Oct 23 – Dinner Series: Simultaneous dinners hosted by Rao’s, Pubbelly Sushi, and Catch Miami Beach—each offering sea-to-table seafood menus with cocktail pairings.

• Friday, Oct 24 – VIP Chef Showdown: Multiple chefs compete on sand, serving tasting samples as guests judge crowd favorites.

• Saturday, Oct 25 – Seafood Slam at Lummus Park: The main event day on the beach, spanning multiple blocks with over 15,000 seafood lovers sampling dishes, enjoying live music, DJ sets, and beverage stations.

In the Saturday Seafood Slam, attendees receive an all-inclusive ticket to sample from dozens of booths, vote for their favorites, and enjoy open bars and beachside entertainment.

Tickets & Access

• All events except Saturday’s Main Event require advance ticket purchase.

• Saturday’s Main Event (Seafood Slam) allows tickets at the gate from 1:00 PM until sold out.

• For the Chef Showdown, VIP All-Inclusive passes are available (general price ~US$175 for that evening).

• The festival is deeply integrated with open bars on the beach portion (Saturday)—beverages (cocktails, wine, beer) are included in tickets for those 21 and over.

Getting There & What to Bring

• The Main Event occurs at Lummus Park, 1130 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach

• Early arrival is recommended, as parking is heavily in demand. Use rideshare or public transportation where possible.

• For daytime on the sand: bring sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, towels, reusable water bottles, and comfortable shoes.

• Bags and larger items may be searched at security checkpoints; beach chairs and strollers are generally allowed.

Why This Festival Stands Out

• It blends gastronomy, entertainment, and beach culture in a single immersive event.

• Acts as a launch for the stone crab season—a celebrated moment in South Florida culinary life.

• Proceeds benefit CI Foundation’s EAT SMART, promoting childhood nutrition in Miami County schools.

After the Festival: Sunset Cruises with Miami Aqua Tours

After indulging in seafood delights and lively performances, extend your evening with a refined water experience. Miami Aqua Tours, based in Bayside Marketplace, offers two standout cruise options to enhance your night:

Open Bar Sunset / Night Cruise

Enjoy approximately 90 minutes of cruising along Biscayne Bay, with unlimited drinks (champagne, wine, beer, cocktails), DJ music, and views of the Miami skyline and celebrity mansions. This is the perfect follow-up for those wanting to carry festival energy into the night.

Champagne Sunset Cruise

For those seeking elegance and serenity, this cruise includes one bottle of champagne per couple (21+ with ID) during a sunset sail. It offers a tranquil contrast to the festival hustle—ideal for couples or relaxing groups.

Book early (especially on festival nights), arrive 30 minutes before departure at the Miami Aqua Tours boarding point, and choose the cruise that best fits your spirit—celebratory or serene.

Conclusion & Call to Action

South Beach Seafood Festival 2025 is shaping up as a must-attend event for food lovers, music fans, and beachgoers alike. With curated dinners, chef battles, and a massive beachfront tasting day, it’s a showcase of Miami’s culinary pulse.

To elevate your experience, don’t just stay on land—glide across the bay. With the Open Bar Sunset Cruise or the Champagne Sunset Cruise, Miami Aqua Tours offers the perfect finale to your festival day.

Reserve your cruise now, toast under the skyline, and let the waves carry you through an unforgettable Miami night.