11-13 September 2026
Stranraer Oyster Festival returns from 11–13 September 2026 for our biggest and most ambitious celebration yet of Loch Ryan's wild, native oysters. Tickets for our headline celebrity chef events are on sale now, and details of the wider festival programme, including an enhanced community programme and more free-to-attend activities, will be announced in June.
Here's a look ahead at some of the highlights!
Sam Heughan: Spirit of Galloway
The festival's flagship Sunday afternoon session belongs to Sam Heughan, the actor and proud champion of Galloway, whose work both on screen, most famously as Jamie Fraser in Outlander, and through Galloway Distillery has placed this part of southwest Scotland firmly on the cultural map. Sam will be in conversation about his life and career, before mixing two signature cocktails paired with dishes from chefs Rosemary Shrager and Julie Lin, inspired by the produce of Galloway's landscape and coastline.
Every celebrity chef from 2025 returns
We are delighted that every single celebrity chef who joined us in 2025 has chosen to return. Matt Tebbutt, Tony Singh, Rosemary Shrager, and Julie Lin are all back in the Kitchen Marquee for 2026. Sunday Oyster Kitchen is also making a return, an idea we shamelessly borrowed from Matt Tebbutt's Saturday Kitchen. It went down so well that we're bringing it back - a relaxed two-hour session to set Sunday off in style.
Scottish Oyster Shucking Championship
The 'Shuck Off' returns on Saturday 12th September, pitting chefs, oyster growers, producers, fishermen and industry professionals against each other for the title of Scottish Oyster Shucking Champion. The winner will go on to represent Scotland at the World Oyster Opening Championships in Galway, Ireland. Entries for 2026 are now open.
The Oyster Bar
The Oyster Bar is where festival-goers go to indulge in the real stars of Stranraer Oyster Festival, the oysters themselves. There are Loch Ryan natives to try, alongside farmed rock oysters, and for anyone trying oysters for the first time, the Loch Ryan Oyster Fishery team are always happy to spend time offering tips and advice on how best to enjoy them.
Live music line-up
The 2026 festival welcomes back local favourites Astoria on Friday evening and the hugely popular Rollin Drones, returning after their stand-out 2025 performance to headline Saturday night. The festival closes on Sunday with Stevie Wonder tribute act Higher Ground.
Inspiring Conversations
Back for a fourth year as host of our Kitchen Marquee is Don Sloan, founder of the Oxford Cultural Collective. Known for promoting the power of food to help places and communities thrive, it's easy to see why he's fallen for Stranraer Oyster Festival. Stranraer's own Helen Cross will be leading the kitchen conversations with our local chefs, speaking of which...
Local Heroes
For many in Stranraer, it's not really an oyster festival without the Lisi brothers. Dougie and Massi have been part of the festival since before it launched and remain among its most-loved fixtures. This year their Saturday evening session, Local Heroes, brings them together again, alongside Erin Bullard of Dark Sky Spirits, the Moffat distillery that has produced a special Stranraer Oyster Festival whisky for several years running, and a local food producer.
Amazing Local Food & Drink
The festival's artisan market and street food stalls are a fantastic showcase of local food, drink and craft producers from across Galloway and beyond. Expect limited-edition Oyster Festival products, exciting new stalls and familiar favourites, it's a fantastic opportunity to discover unique locally sourced products and to fill your basket, and your belly, with all manner of tasty goods.
VIP Weekend Tickets
New for 2026, our VIP Weekend Ticket is designed for those who'd like to enjoy the festival in style while giving a little something back. £150 includes full weekend access, a reserved seat in a private VIP area, complimentary drinks, canapés and oysters across the weekend, visits from our celebrity chefs, complimentary entry to one of four flagship events of your choice, and a dedicated personal contact to look after you in advance. Every penny supports the festival and the community-led work behind it.
Community Events & Experiences
Stranraer Oyster Festival is about growing our community as much as celebrating Loch Ryan's native oysters. Our 2026 community programme will be announced in June, including more free-to-attend activities, family programming, and events that showcase the people, stories and energy that make this town what it is.
