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On your next booking with Casago Bolivar Vacations
On your next booking with Casago Bolivar Vacations
Join thousands for crab, competitions, and coastal fun on Mother’s Day weekend
The Texas Crab Festival is the single biggest event on the Bolivar Peninsula calendar, and it happens every year on Mother’s Day weekend at Swedes Park in Crystal Beach. What started in 1985 as a small effort by local business owners to bring more visitors to town has grown into a three-day celebration that draws an estimated 8,000 people or more.
Here is what makes it worth planning your trip around.
Local business leaders founded the festival in 1985 to promote tourism in Crystal Beach. It has run nearly every year since, growing from a modest gathering into one of the most recognized festivals on the Texas coast.
USA Today has named it one of the “10 Best Festivals to Dive Into,” and it has been featured on Food Network’s Eating America with Anthony Anderson. The festival is organized by Bolivar Peninsula Charities, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that reinvests the proceeds into the community, funding youth scholarships, youth camps, local schools, and volunteer fire departments.
Crab is the centerpiece, and the Crab Gumbo Cookoff is one of the weekend’s most anticipated events. Beyond gumbo, the festival serves up crab claws, boiled crab, and other coastal dishes throughout the grounds.
The competitions lean playful. Live Crab Races draw a crowd every year, and the Wiener Dog Races have become one of the festival’s signature traditions. The “Crab Legs” contest invites entrants of all ages, from toddlers to adults, to show off their best crab walk on the Kid’s Stage.
There is also a Crab and Boudin Ball Eating Contest, a Texas 2-Step Dance Contest, a Horseshoe Tournament, and a Washers Tournament with cash prizes.
Live music runs throughout the weekend, and an arts and crafts market showcases local vendors. Younger visitors can catch magic shows, ride carnival attractions, and take part in a scavenger hunt through the festival grounds. A youth photography and poster contest is open to students from kindergarten through 12th grade, with prizes awarded by age group.
A 5K Fun Run typically kicks off the weekend, and a car, boat, and RV show rounds out the more laid-back attractions for anyone who wants a break from the crowds.
The festival takes place at Swedes Park, 1605 Highway 87 in Crystal Beach, every year on Mother’s Day weekend. The next confirmed dates are May 6 through 8, 2027.
Hours typically run from mid-afternoon on the opening Thursday through late evening on Saturday, with a shorter, family-focused schedule on the final day. Admission is charged on Friday and Saturday, while children 15 and under get in free every day. Parking is free.
Book your accommodations early. Mother’s Day weekend is one of the busiest of the year on the peninsula, and vacation rentals fill up well in advance.
Bring cash for vendors, even though many now accept cards, since lines move faster with exact change.
Sunscreen and a hat are essential, since the festival grounds offer limited shade during peak afternoon hours.
If you plan to cross by ferry, expect longer wait times than usual, since the festival draws visitors from across the region during an already busy holiday weekend.
Casago Bolivar Vacations manages vacation homes across Crystal Beach, Gilchrist, and Port Bolivar, many within walking or golf cart distance of Swedes Park.
When is the Texas Crab Festival in Crystal Beach?
The festival takes place every year on Mother’s Day weekend at Swedes Park in Crystal Beach. The next confirmed dates are May 6 through 8, 2027.
How much does it cost to attend the Texas Crab Festival?
Admission is charged Friday and Saturday, with children 15 and under free every day of the festival. Parking is free. Check the festival’s official website closer to the date for current ticket prices.
How long has the Texas Crab Festival been running?
The festival began in 1985, founded by local business leaders looking to promote tourism in Crystal Beach. It has run nearly every year since and has grown into one of the largest annual events on the Bolivar Peninsula.
What can you do at the Texas Crab Festival besides eat crab?
The festival includes live music, an arts and crafts market, a Crab Gumbo Cookoff, Wiener Dog Races, a Texas 2-Step Dance Contest, a 5K Fun Run, carnival rides, magic shows, and a youth photography and poster contest.
Where does the Texas Crab Festival take place?
The festival is held at Swedes Park, 1605 Highway 87, in Crystal Beach, Texas.
On your next booking with Casago Bolivar Vacations
On your next booking with Casago Bolivar Vacations