A Harbour Tradition in the Making

About

A celebration of BC waters, coastal food traditions, fishing families, and the communities connected to them.

Why We Do This

Rooted in the Coast

BC CrabFest is a defining summer event rooted in community, connection to place, and life on the coast.

In a global market where BC Dungeness crab is considered a premium luxury, BC CrabFest offers something rare: the opportunity to experience it in its most honest and accessible form, close to where it is harvested.

Gathering around crab is part of a long-standing tradition on the coast. It's how people have come together for generations, shaped by the waters, the seasons, and the fishing families who harvest it. It's how meals are shared, stories are told, and time is marked.

BC CrabFest carries that forward. Simple, generous, and grounded in place — good food, shared tables, and a way of gathering that stays deeply connected to life on the coast.

BC Crab Co. fishing boat on the BC coast
Fresh BC Dungeness crab in a crate on the fishing boat
Guest laughing while enjoying the BC Crab Boil at CrabFest

More Than a Meal

Community Impact

BC CrabFest supports food access, culinary education, and the stewardship of BC waters, the three areas we're committed to every year.

BC CrabFest supporting food access and community programs in Victoria
BC Crab Co fishing boat on the water supporting sustainable BC Dungeness crab harvesting
Food

Food Access

A portion of voluntary entrance donations is directed to Mustard Seed to support local food access in Greater Victoria. All unused festival food is donated directly.

Education

Education

Camosun College Culinary Arts students gain hands-on experience preparing local seafood, participating in a large-scale community event, and running the on-day 50/50 raffle.

Ocean

Ocean Health

Elevating ocean literacy and sustainable seafood through our Educational Marketplace. A portion of donations is directed to the BC Crab Fishermen's Association.

Zero Waste

Zero Waste

Reusable buckets, five-stream waste diversion, and a dedicated Green Team — supported by a Zero Waste Grant from the CRD.

Camosun College

50/50 Raffle

Back the Next Generation of Chefs

Camosun College is running a 50/50 raffle on event day — half to the winner, half to the next generation of culinary professionals.

Buy 50/50 Raffle Tickets

Thank You

Sponsors & Partners

BC CrabFest is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors, funders, and community partners.

Fresh BC Dungeness crab in the wire trap, moments from being hauled aboard
BC Dungeness crab fresh in the mesh trap on the fishing boat

About the Organizers

About BC Crab Co.

BC Crab Co. is a family-run seafood business founded by commercial fishing families committed to sharing sustainably harvested BC Dungeness crab with local communities. The company sells live crab directly to consumers at Fisherman's Wharf in Victoria, connecting people with fresh seafood and the fishing families behind the catch.

Through initiatives like BC CrabFest, BC Crab Co. celebrates coastal foodways and strengthens connections between the public and the waters that sustain BC's seafood.

BC CrabFest is our way of celebrating the waters, people, and practices that sustain life on this coast, simple, generous, and grounded in place.

Dockside Crab Sales

BC Crab Co. runs direct-to-community crab sales at Fisherman's Wharf in Victoria. Locals and visitors can buy live BC Dungeness crab straight from the boats. Fresh, local, and supporting BC fishing families. Check our schedule for upcoming dockside sales throughout the spring and summer.

Join us in celebrating the coast, the catch, and the people who make it all possible. Learn more about BC Crab Co.

We acknowledge that BC CrabFest takes place on the traditional, unceded territories of the Lekwungen-speaking Peoples, including the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, and within the wider coastal territories of neighbouring Nations. These waters have been cared for and sustained for generations. We recognize that our work exists because of these waters, and we are committed to showing respect through how we gather, share food, and support stewardship of the coast.