Come to Fall Oyster Festival
What: 52nd Annual Fall Oyster Festival, presented by White Rose Bar & Grill
When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18
Admission: Free, with food, beverages and merch pay as you go
Where: Colonial Complex. Pershing Avenue between Market & Philadelphia streets in historic downtown York. For GPS: The festival address is 157 W. Market St., York, behind the Colonial Court House. Parking and transit information coming soon.
New this year:
New menu items including MD crab soup from White Rose Bar & Grill, salads from Wired Chef, and fries and fish & chips
Pulled Pork and Mac & Cheese from Susie Ques!
Kids Corral & Golden Plough Marketplace
Convenient, easy-to-find, “luxury” restrooms
“Lighting Talks” throughout the day at the York County History Center (free admission)
Timed tours of Gates House and Plough Tavern
100 volunteers to ensure everyone has a great time! (Sign up here.)
Improved signage throughout the festival so you’ll always know where to go and what’s happening!
Updated credit card systems for fast, easy checkout. 
A fall family event for the entire community
Crisp autumn air, vibrant colors, live music, amazing food, and fun for the whole family: The Fall Oyster Festival is back, and this year it’s bigger and better than ever, thanks to a generous group of sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor White Rose Bar & Grill. Join us in the heart of historic downtown York for a perfect fall Sunday you won’t want to miss.
Your perfect fall day starts here
There’s no better way to celebrate the season than spending a Sunday afternoon outside surrounded by the beauty of a York autumn. The Colonial Complex provides a stunning historic backdrop for a day filled with great energy, warm flavors, and community connection.
Whether you’re strolling with the kids, exploring with friends, or making it a date day, the Fall Oyster Festival has everything you need for an unforgettable fall outing. Never tried an oyster before? This is your chance. Whether you eat them by the dozen or lean more toward land-locked fare, we have you covered!
An event linked to York’s history
In 1974, the History Center threw an oyster-themed party. The occasion: the 10th anniversary of the restoration of the Gates House and the Plough Tavern, two colonial-era landmarks that anchor our campus in the heart of downtown York. Why oysters? Because the restoration work uncovered layers of oyster shells. Oysters were a common, inexpensive food item in colonial York. For that first Oyster Festival, the community showed up. They’ve been showing up ever since.
Come to this year’s 52nd Fall Oyster Festival and see what makes this one of York’s most anticipated fall traditions.
Find us in the heart of downtown York
The Fall Oyster Festival takes place at the Colonial Complex, nestled in the heart of downtown York along Pershing Avenue between Market and Philadelphia streets. It’s a gorgeous, walkable, historic setting that is close to York’s high-quality shops and restaurants.
A little something for everyone at Oyster Festival
This year’s Fall Oyster Festival menu is bigger and more diverse than ever, spanning “land and sea” and everything in between.
New on the menu:
Fish & Chips
Maryland Crab Soup from White Rose Bar & Grill
Pork & Mac Bowl from Susie Ques BBQ
Chicken Caesar Salad and Garden Salad from Wired Chef
French Fries
Festival favorites are back too, including a bigger Oyster Sandwich, Oysters on the Half Shell, Peel & Eat Shrimp, Pulled Pork, and more.
And if you’re wandering the grounds, don’t miss our specialty vendors: Gnawjaw’s Bacon On a Stick, PA Dairymen’s Association Farm Show Milkshakes, and the Friends of the York County History Center goodie-filled bake sale.
From fall comfort foods to fresh seafood to sweet treats, there’s something to satisfy every craving.
See the full menu
Shop from a hand-picked selection of artisan makers, local craftspeople, unique demonstrations and more – perfect for early holiday gift shopping or treating yourself to something special.
Here is the list of vendors. Watch for new vendors as they are confirmed.
Artisan/Craft vendors
- Alpacas of York
- Colt 45 Designs
- Fly Like Paper Design
- The Grove State Farm Agency
- Old Grumpy Mark’s Hot Sauce
- Rutid
- Susan’s Seaside Pearls
- Wild Flower Glassworks
Historical organizations and nonprofits
- Old Line Museum/Welsh Cottages
- Spring Grove Area Historical Society
- York JCC
Food/beverages
- Holla Vodka
- PA Dairymen’s Milkshakes
Come for the food, stay for the fun. Inside the new Kids Corral, you’ll find vendors ready with activities for the little ones, from an alpaca petting zoo to printmaking, balloon twisting and face painting. The grown-ups can shop in the Golden Plough Marketplace, filled with an array of artisans and vendors, and listen to live music by Sarah and Corey Music and Crossing Abbey Road. And the whole family can tour the Gates House and Plough Tavern and explore the History Center Museum.
And it’s all free all day!
Here’s a rundown of the schedule:
- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. History Center open, free admission all day
- 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Gates and Plough free tours every 15 minutes
- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kids Corral is open, featuring:
- Razzle Dazzle balloon twisting (until 3 p.m.)
- Face painting by Luz
- Shear Heaven alpaca petting zoo
- Creative York fish printing
- Keystone Kidspace: How oysters filter feed
- Martin Library
- York Art Association
- York Garden Club
- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Golden Plough Marketplace is open
- 11 a.m. Central York Middle School Fife and Drum Corps performance
- Noon to 2 p.m. Sarah and Corey Music
- Noon to 12:30 p.m. Lightning Talk (at History Center Museum)
- 1:30 to 2 p.m. Lightning Talk (at History Center Museum)
- 2 to 4 p.m. Crossing Abbey Road (music)
- 3 to 3:30 p.m. Lightning Talk (at History Center Museum
Complete beverage now available!
Explore history for free
A festival with links to colonial York
Thank you to our generous sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Kids Corral Sponsor
Liberty Libations Sponsor
Patriots Premier Privy Sponsor
Heritage Stewards
Friends of the Oyster Festival
Scenes from last year's Oyster Festival
Volunteers wanted!
Behind every great festival is an amazing team of volunteers. And Fall Oyster Festival needs YOU! Join more than 100 volunteers who will welcome guests, keep things moving, help with food and merchandise, lend a hand behind the scenes, and make sure everyone has a fantastic day. Whether you can give a few hours or spend the whole day with us, there’s a place for you on the crew. Come be part of the fun!
We have a variety of roles available, so whether you’re an early riser or an end-of-day hero, there’s a spot for you:
- Early Morning Set-Up: Help us bring the festival to life before the gates open
- Back of House: Fryers, grillers, order fillers, and runners keeping the kitchen humming
- Front of House: Order takers and runners delivering great food and friendly faces to our guests
- Guest Experience: Welcoming visitors, answering questions, and making sure everyone has an amazing day
- Merch Tent: Representing the festival and helping guests find their favorite souvenirs
- Tear-Down & Clean-Up: Helping us wrap up the day and leave the Colonial Complex in great shape
All volunteers receive a free festival meal and commemorative T-shirt.
Questions? Contact Liz Bleacher at 717-848-1587 ext. 226 or ebleacher@yorkhistorycenter.org.
Can't attend? Make a gift today
