Summerside Lobster Carnival 2025: PEI's Ultimate Seafood Festival

Summerside Lobster Carnival 2025: A Feast of Tradition, Flavor, and Island Spirit

Every July, the small, welcoming city of Summerside, Prince Edward Island, transforms into a whirlwind of culinary celebration, musical delight, and coastal camaraderie for one of the most iconic events on the Island calendar—the Summerside Lobster Carnival. Mark your calendars: from July 10–12, 2025, this three-day maritime extravaganza promises mouthwatering lobster dishes, East Coast entertainment, quirky competitions, and heartwarming community spirit.

Whether you're a lifelong Islander or a curious traveler drawn by the call of the sea and the scent of buttery lobster, this is one summer celebration you’ll never forget.

A Legacy Built on Lobster and Laughter

The Summerside Lobster Carnival has been the heartbeat of Prince Edward Island’s summer calendar since its inception in 1956. What started as a four-day community event has grown into one of the province’s most cherished celebrations, spotlighting two of PEI’s greatest passions: lobster and entertainment.

In the post-war era, Summerside was rapidly developing as a service hub in Prince County, and civic leaders were looking for a way to boost tourism and showcase the town’s unique maritime heritage. Enter the Lobster Carnival—spearheaded by local visionaries like Edgar Cannon and Charles Hogan, with support from service clubs like the Rotary, Kinsmen, and Legion. The mission? To bring attention to the town, promote the lobster industry, and draw visitors to experience Island culture firsthand.

The early carnivals leaned heavily into lobster’s growing status as a prized delicacy. With over 4,800 lobster meals served in the first year alone, the festival quickly proved a success. The lobsters themselves were shipped in from Cape Breton during the off-season—considered a premium move to highlight the crustacean’s desirability. Over time, PEI’s own sustainable lobster fishery ensured that Carnival meals would always feature the freshest Island lobster, fished in-season and held in tanks for peak summer demand.

More than just a food festival, the Lobster Carnival evolved into a cultural celebration. From harness racing and parades to music, magic, and maritime traditions, the event captures the spirit of a community that knows how to laugh, dance, and share a meal together. Decades later, it’s still doing just that—bringing people back year after year, one buttery lobster roll at a time.

Day 1: Culinary Starts and Maritime Beats (Thursday, July 10)

The festivities kick off at 12:00 noon, when the Carnival Grounds open at Credit Union Place, bursting to life with the East Coast Amusement Midway and rows of vibrant tents.

The Lobster Culinary Tent

Here, event chef Robert Pendergast—PEI’s culinary showman and seafood aficionado—leads a feast for the senses. He begins the day with a demonstration on how to buy, cook, crack, and shell lobster, with tastings that feature his signature bisque and lobster apple pasta salad.

Can't-Miss Highlights:

• 1:00 PM: Biscuit & Roll Competition—witness (or join) non-professional bakers competing to create the ultimate sidekick to PEI lobster.
• 3:00 PM: Chef Pendergast’s Award-Winning Lobster Roll demonstration (seriously, it’s legendary).
• 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: A Free Community Barbecue with lobster dishes, Island cheese, burgers, and Acadian tunes from Louise and Jonathan Arsenault.

Entertainment Tent Lineup:

Magic shows, big band music, family-friendly performances, and an adrenaline-pumping Lobster Trap Stacking Competition bring high energy and laughter to the tent courtyard. The evening ends with the Amateur Country Music Singing Competition (7:00–10:00 PM), featuring PEI favorites Lawrence Maxwell and Shane Pendergast.

Day 2: Traditional Tastes and Island Talents (Friday, July 11)

Lobster for All

Day two’s culinary focus continues with fresh twists from Chef Pendergast:

• 12:00 PM: Lobster Butter on PEI Oysters.
• 2:00 PM: Lobster Fritter with Spicy Dip.
• 3:00 PM: Flourless Lobster Chowder—yes, it’s gluten-free and glorious.

At 5:00 PM, grab your ticket for the Traditional PEI Lobster Supper, featuring shell-on lobster, potato salad, and live music from fiddle queens Louise Arsenault and Helen Bergeron. Don’t eat lobster? No problem—the cold plate (with ham and turkey) is equally divine.

Family-Friendly Fun

The Entertainment Tent keeps things hopping with:

• Magic shows from Remi Boudreau
• Family music by Michael Pendergast
• Maritime shanties by The Fair Deal Exchange
• Evening performances by Fiddlers’ Sons

Over at the Ice Pond Nature Park, the Annual Fishing Derby brings locals and visitors together for a wholesome competition with cash prizes for kids and adults alike.

Day 3: Parades, Burritos, and Boat Races (Saturday, July 12)

The final day is a full-blown celebration.

Start With a Splash

• 12:00 PM: The Lobster Carnival Parade rolls through downtown Summerside with colorful floats, dancers, and maritime cheer.
• 1:00 PM: Chef Pendergast dives into a unique lobster-studded potato salad.
• 3:00 PM: Lobster for breakfast? Yes, please. The lobster and egg breakfast burrito with smoky hollandaise is a crowd favorite.

Another Traditional Lobster Supper caps off the evening at 5:00 PM, followed by more live music and the grand finale: Pro-Island Wrestling!

Waterfront Wackiness

At Ice Pond Nature Park, two of the quirkiest events make a splash:

• 2:00 PM: Cardboard Boat Race—yes, really. Contestants float across the pond in homemade cardboard creations.
• 2:30 PM: The Rubber Ducky Race sends hundreds of cheerful yellow ducks across the water in a fundraising showdown.

Carnival Roots and Community Pride

More than just food and fun, the Summerside Lobster Carnival is a celebration of Island identity. From the sport of harness racing at the historic Red Shores Raceway to the rich multicultural heritage of Summerside, every detail of the event honors local legacy.

Did you know that in the very first year (1956), nearly 5,000 lobster meals were served in just four days? Or that today's lobster is kept fresh in tanks after spring fishing to meet July’s summer demand?

The tradition has stood the test of time, and in 2025, it’s more vibrant than ever.

Why You Should Go

• For the food: You won’t find fresher, more flavorful lobster anywhere else. Period.
• For the fun: Whether you're watching lobster trap races or wrestling matches, the energy is infectious.
• For the culture: Music, family, storytelling, and community—this is Island life at its finest.

Tickets to the Summerside Lobster Carnival 2025

Getting your hands on tickets for the Summerside Lobster Carnival 2025 is easier than ever! While general admission to the carnival grounds is by donation, you’ll want to grab advance tickets for the Lobster Suppers and special culinary events—these sell out fast every year. Tickets are available online through Eventbrite, offering a hassle-free way to secure your spot at the table for some of the freshest, most delicious lobster on the planet. Whether you're a die-hard foodie or just here for the fun, booking early guarantees a seat at PEI's tastiest celebration.

Explore More While You're Here

Summerside itself is a hidden gem. Walk the 7 km boardwalk, explore local museums like the International Fox Museum or the Wyatt Historic House, and take a scenic drive to nearby Cavendish or the North Cape Coastal Drive.

Whether you're staying for a weekend or planning to linger longer, Summerside’s laid-back charm, rich culture, and friendly locals will make you feel right at home.

So come for the lobster—but stay for the memories, the music, the laughter, and the magic of Summerside. This isn’t just a carnival. It’s a full immersion into PEI’s heart and heritage.