HomeBlogA Guide to Crab Fest Weekend

A Guide to Crab Fest Weekend

Nadine Heinen
February 17, 2025
Events & FestivalsFamily-friendly TravelSeasonal Highlights
A man and woman smile for a selfie, both wearing crab-themed hats with large eyes and claws. The man is in a blue shirt and sunglasses, while the woman wears a floral dress and straw hat. They stand by a waterfront with modern buildings in the background.

Your Ultimate Guide to Mandurah’s Crab Fest 2025

Get ready for Mandurah’s biggest event of the year! Crab Fest is back on March 15 & 16, 2025, bringing a weekend of incredible food, live music, family fun, and, of course, plenty of fresh Blue Swimmer Crabs. Whether you’re a foodie, a music lover, or just looking for a fun day out, Crab Fest has something for everyone.

 

What to Expect at Crab Fest 2025

Crab Fest is more than just a festival—it’s an experience. Held annually on the third weekend of March, this free event takes over Mandurah’s stunning foreshore, offering a packed schedule of entertainment, hands-on activities, and mouth-watering local seafood.

 Festival Highlights

  • Live Music: Catch Rogue Traders (Saturday) and Ricki-Lee (Sunday) on the Seaside Estate Music Stage, plus a stellar lineup of local artists.
  • Spudshed Cooking Stage: Watch celebrity chefs whip up delicious seafood dishes with live cooking demos and tastings.
  • Mandurah Action Sports Games: Watch wakeboarding, BMX, skateboarding, and more as top athletes compete for $20,000 in cash and prizes.
  • Alcoa Family Zone: The perfect spot for kids, featuring amusements, a dedicated children’s stage, and roving entertainers.
  • Spectacular Fireworks: Watch the night sky light up over Mandurah’s waterways on Saturday at 8:30 pm. Best viewing spots? Stingray Point, The Boardwalk, and Eastern Foreshore.

 

Upgrade Your Experience: Ticketed Events

Want to take your Crab Fest experience up a notch? Book a VIP experience with special ticketed events, including crab-cracking workshops and even Beer Yoga! Secure your spot early via the Crab Fest website.

 

Getting to Crab Fest

Getting here is easy! Take the train to Mandurah and hop on the FREE shuttle buses running all weekend, dropping you right in the heart of the action.

 

More to Explore During Crab Fest Weekend

The festival may be the star of the show, but Mandurah has so much more to offer. Make the most of your weekend with these must-do experiences.

 

Hop on a Cruise

  • $15 Crab Fest Cruises – See Mandurah’s waterways, canals, and dolphins on a 30-minute cruise with Mandurah Cruises departing every 20 minutes (10 am – 5 pm).
  • Pirate Ship Cruise – Set sail with ‘Pete Blackbeard’ for a 45-minute pirate adventure (kids can dress up and fire water cannons!).
  • Sunset Cruise – Enjoy a 90-minute scenic cruise through Mandurah’s stunning estuary as the sun sets. Bring your own drinks and snacks!

A pirate-themed boat with tattered flags sails on a calm river at sunset. The sky is clear, and the sun is low on the horizon, casting a warm glow over the water. Buildings and trees line the distant shore.

 

Paddle, Pedal & Play

Want to get active? Check out these Down Under Discoveries experiences:

  • Sunrise Paddle & Brekky: Start your day with a peaceful morning paddle and breakfast ($105pp).
  • Pedal the Kwillena Gabi Estuary Pool: Hop on a free waterbike and take a spin at the estuary pool during Crab Fest. (Free activity)

Four people riding yellow waterbikes in pairs on calm, dark green water. The kayaks are bright yellow, creating a striking contrast with the water. The scene is captured from above, showing two pairs of kayakers close together and one individual slightly apart.

 

Crack a Crab at Wood & Stone Cafe

Want to master the art of crab cracking? Join a hands-on crab-cracking experience at Wood & Stone Cafe. Enjoy two Blue Swimmer Crabs, fresh sourdough, and a pint of King Road Brewing Co. beer or cider for just $59 per person. Family-friendly (ages 7+).

A crusty loaf of bread sits beside a blue bowl filled with steamed red crabs. A small dish of dipping sauce and a lemon are partially visible, all placed on top of a wooden cutting board outdoors.

 

Best Spots for Fireworks

The Crab Fest fireworks are a must-see! On Saturday, March 15 at 8:30 pm, the sky will explode with color over Mandjar Bay.

Best viewing locations:

  • Eastern & Western Foreshore
  • Stingray Point (under the fig tree!)
  • Mandurah Bridge pedestrian walkway

Bring a picnic, grab a spot early, and get ready for a breathtaking show!

A group of people silhouetted against a colourful fireworks display over a body of water. The night sky is illuminated with vibrant bursts of red, green, and gold, reflecting on the calm water surface, with city lights in the background.

 

Prefer a Quiet Escape? Try These Activities

If you’d like to escape the festival buzz for a bit, Mandurah offers peaceful, family-friendly attractions just a short drive away.

A woman wearing a helmet and gloves is ziplining through a forest. She is smiling and wearing a red top, navy pants, and white sneakers. The background shows trees and wooden platforms in dappled sunlight.

Plan Your Crab Fest Weekend!

Mandurah’s Crab Fest is a weekend for everyone – whether you’re here for food, fun, adventure, or relaxation. So mark your calendars, grab your mates or family, and start planning an unforgettable weekend getaway!

See you at Crab Fest 2025!