Florida Scallop, Music & Arts Festival

About this event

<p>Just a scenic 90-minute drive east of Destin on the beautiful Forgotten Coast, the Florida Scallop, Music & Arts Festival is a beloved Labor Day weekend tradition that draws seafood lovers and adventure seekers from across the region. Set on the shores of stunning St. Joseph Bay in historic Port St. Joe, this two-day celebration puts Florida's famous bay scallops front and center in a festival atmosphere that's pure coastal Florida charm.</p><p>From noon to 9 PM each day, the festival grounds come alive with live music on multiple stages, an impressive lineup of arts and crafts vendors, and — of course — the main attraction: fresh bay scallops prepared every way imaginable. The Scallop Cookoff competition brings local chefs and home cooks together in a friendly battle for scallop supremacy, while the Scallop Gallop 5K kicks off the weekend for runners who want to earn their seafood.</p><p>Port St. Joe's downtown charm and the pristine waters of St. Joseph Bay make this festival a worthy road trip from any Emerald Coast base. Spend a morning snorkeling for scallops in the bay, then feast on them at the festival — it doesn't get more authentically Floridian than that. Pair the trip with a stop at Cape San Blas State Park for one of Florida's most spectacular and uncrowded beach experiences.</p>

Seafood lovers, families, art enthusiasts, and road-trippers

Live music noon to 9 PM both days, fresh bay scallops, Scallop Cookoff competition, arts & crafts vendors, Scallop Gallop 5K on Saturday morning

Arrive early on Saturday for the Scallop Gallop 5K. Consider pairing the trip with a morning of snorkeling for scallops in St. Joseph Bay — the season typically runs through September.

Festival admission is generally free; food vendors charge per item, 5K has a registration fee