A Guide to Crab Fest Weekend

Crab Fest is Mandurah’s most significant event that attracts visitors from across the State, all keen to get a taste of the lifestyle, location, culture and—most importantly—the famous blue swimmer crabs that are unique to the region. Mark your calendars (15th & 16th March) and get ready to experience the best of Mandurah and the Peel region at Crab Fest.

Crab Fest: A Celebration Of Culture & Cuisine

A Guide to Crab Fest 2025

Crab Fest is Mandurah’s most significant event that attracts visitors from across the State, all keen to get a taste of the lifestyle, location, culture and—most importantly—the famous blue swimmer crabs that are unique to the region. The weekend-long event is full to the brim with fresh food, live performances, children’s entertainment, cooking demonstrations, celebrities and more! Mark your calendars (15th & 16th March) and get ready to experience the best of Mandurah and the Peel region at Crab Fest.

Mandurah’s highlight event is set to take place on 15th & 16th March 2025. Held annually on the 3rd weekend in March in the beautiful coastal city of Mandurah, Crab Fest is a true feast for the senses, offering a wide range of activities for all ages to enjoy.
two people wearing crab hats sitting by the Eastern Foreshore at the Crab Fest Mandurah event
Image credit: City of Mandurah

With the tasty Blue Swimmer Crab a local speciality around the shores of Mandurah, you can get your claws on plenty of fresh, regional shellfish products to enjoy alongside the Peel’s best brewers and wineries, plus pop-up food stalls for every taste.

Highlights of Channel 7 Mandurah Crab Fest

Free Entertainment and Experiences

The Channel 7 Mandurah Crab Fest offers a weekend packed with free entertainment, delicious food, and fun activities for all ages. Highlights include:

  • Live Music: Catch the Rogue Traders DJ Set on Saturday, 15 March, and Ricki-Lee on Sunday, 16 March, performing hits that will keep the whole crowd buzzing. Plus, enjoy a full lineup of incredible artists on the Seaside Estate Music Stage.
  • Spudshed Cooking Stage: Watch celebrity chefs in action with live cooking demonstrations and tasting sessions. Stay tuned for the schedule!
  • Mandurah Action Sports Games: Witness top athletes compete in wakeboarding, BMX, skateboarding, and more, with $20,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs.
  • Alcoa Family Zone: Located in Mandjar Square, this family-friendly area features kids’ activities, a dedicated children’s stage, amusements, and roving entertainers.
  • Crab Tales Exhibition – Visit the Mandurah Museum to explore the fascinating history of Crab Fest, from its humble beginnings in 1999 to the huge festival it is today! View captivating photos, iconic festival moments, and quirky past competitions like the Crazy Crab Capers and the Celebrity Bed Race. Plus, enjoy a special art display by local artist Emma Blyth and hands-on activities for kids on Crab Fest weekend (15 & 16 March).
  • Spectacular Fireworks: Don’t miss the stunning fireworks display lighting up the skies over Mandurah’s waterways on Saturday at 8:45pm. Best viewing spots include Stingray Point, the boardwalk near The Pen, and the Eastern Foreshore.

Ticketed Events

Looking for something extra special? The Crab Fest offers exclusive ticketed experiences for those who want to enhance their weekend. From crab-cracking workshops to Beer Yoga, there’s something for everyone. Visit the Crab Fest Ticketed Experiences page for details and bookings.

Getting to Crab Fest

Getting to Crab Fest is easy. Catch the train to Mandurah and hop on the FREE shuttle buses running all weekend to the heart of the festival.

For more details, visit the Crab Fest website here.

More experiences on Crab Fest weekend

There’s so much to do at the festival but also in and around Mandurah during the Crab Fest weekend. Explore further to discover the activities you’ll want to include in your itinerary. 

Mandurah Cruises’ $15 Crab Fest Cruises

BC Mandurah Cruises 02

See Mandurah’s best sights on Mandurah Cruises’ half-hour $15 Crab Fest Cruises which depart every 20 minutes across Crab Fest weekend, between 10am and 5pm.

Cruise Mandurah’s famous waterways and luxury canals ~ filled with playful dolphins, birdlife and unforgettable scenery!

From the water, take in prime views of Crab Fest’s colours and festivities. Enjoy live commentary from local experts while relaxing in comfort on deck.

Pirate Ship Cruises

Pirate Ship Crab Fest Cruise 1
The Pirate Ship Mandurah

Join ‘Pete Blackbeard’ and his buckos at Pirate Ship Mandurah for a 45-minute cruise during Crab Fest weekend. Kids can dress as pirates, steer the wheel, ring the bell and fire water cannons. It’s fun at its best!

Sunset Cruise

Make your Crab Fest weekend unforgettable with a sunset cruise on the Pirate Ship Mandurah! Departing at 5:30pm from the Eastern Foreshore jetty, this 90-minute adventure takes you through Mandurah’s waterways, stunning canals, and out to the estuary for a magical sunset.

Bring your own drinks and snacks and soak up the views. Tickets start at $27 for kids and $42 for adults. Book your spot now!

a pirate boat on the water at sunset
Set sail at sunset on Mandurah's Pirate Ship.

Sunrise Paddle & Brekky By the Bay

Experience Mandurah at first light with Down Under Discoveries’ Sunrise Paddle n Brekky By the Baya special Crab Fest weekend experience. Glide through tranquil waterways as the sun rises, spotting wildlife like dolphins and black swans while learning about Mandurah’s rich history.

After your scenic paddle, savour a delicious breakfast featuring local flavours at The Bay Café on the Eastern Foreshore. This two-hour guided adventure is perfect for nature lovers and early risers looking to start the day with a touch of serenity and discovery. Spaces are limited – book now for a memorable sunrise on the water!

a group of people kayaking on the water at sunrise
Sunrise Paddle n Brekky on the Bay Tour with Down Under Discoveries

Crack a Crab at Crab Fest

Get ready for a taste sensation like no other at Wood and Stone Cafe‘s special event during Crab Fest. This hands-on experience is not only delicious but loads of fun too!

Discover the secrets of cracking, peeling, and savoring cooked crab like a seasoned pro. With two huge Blue Manna Crabs included, along with a refreshing pint of King Road Brewing Co. beer or cider, and fresh baked sourdough bread, you’re in for a treat!

Hurry and secure your spot for just $59 per person. But act fast – spaces are limited! And don’t worry about leaving the little ones behind; this activity is kid-friendly, perfect for ages 7 and up. Have a cracking good time at Wood and Stone Cafe!

crabs and bread on a blue plate next to a bowl of sauce

Pedal the Pool: Free WaterBike Fun!

Hop on a free waterbike and take a spin at Kwillena Gabi Pool during Crab Fest! It’s the perfect chance to have a go, enjoy some fun on the water, and experience Mandurah’s beautiful foreshore from a new perspective. Available all weekend – come and give it a try!

Aerial photo of a group of people on waterbikes paddling on Mandurah's estuary

Fireworks Display

Get ready to light up the sky with the most explosive event of Mandurah Crab Fest – the spectacular fireworks show! Mark your calendars for Saturday, 15th March 2025, at 8:45 pm and prepare for a dazzling display that will leave you in awe.

For the ultimate viewing experience, stake out your spot at one of our prime locations along the Eastern and Western Foreshores. Snag a cosy spot under Mandurah’s iconic fig tree at Stingray Point, or head to the Mandurah Bridge pedestrian walkway for front-row seats to the breathtaking spectacle.

Gather your friends and family, pack a picnic basket, and get ready to be amazed as the night sky erupts in a kaleidoscope of colours. It’s a moment you won’t want to miss at Crab Fest.

people waching fireworks
Fireworks over Mandjar Bay, Mandurah | Image credit: City of Mandurah

Escape the crowds

As much as we love the liveliness of Crab Fest, we also understand that some prefer to escape the crowds and find a quieter activity. For those who prefer the latter, there are plenty of quiet activities to enjoy during the festival too. 

Amaze Miniature Park

Amaze Miniature Park 1

Lose yourself in the wonderful miniature world at Amaze Miniature Park. With 70 miniature replicas of well-known historic buildings, you and your little kids will feel like giants as you admire the intricate details of the models. Not to mention, the Park provides a whole day of fun with mazes, mini golf, lego and more. Pack a lunch or purchase from the cafe and you’ll be ready for a whole afternoon of activities at the one location.

Ranger Red’s Zoo

Ranger Reds Zoo

Located on the banks of the Murray River in Pinjarra, Ranger Red’s Zoo is a boutique zoo that offers a hans-on experience. This is perfect for animal lovers and for families who want their little ones to experience something different. Open 9 am – 5 pm over the weekend, it’s worth the ~15-minute drive outside of Mandurah for the visit.

Dwellingup Treetops Adventure

Treetops Adventure Dwellingup

45 minutes from Mandurah, a thrilling adventure awaits in the midst of pine and jarrah trees at Dwellingup’s Treetops Adventure. Choose from a wide range of activities, including Tree Ropes Course, Zipcoasters, Mountain Bike hire and more. Activities cater to all age groups from 1-5yrs, 8-12yrs, teens, adults and the oldies. Get everyone involved and having fun at Dwellingup Treetops Adventure. 

Crab Fest weekend

Mandurah’s Crab Fest is a weekend of fun for everyone. Welcoming families, couples, groups and solo adventurers, if you’re looking for an exciting weekend away, this is the opportunity you’ve been looking for. Mark your calendars for the third weekend of March and start writing up your itinerary—Crab Fest is just around the corner!

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