South Beach Seafood Festival

The South Beach Seafood Festival is an epic annual celebration of the October kick-off of Miami’s famed stone crab season. It’s taking place from October 22 to 25, and features fabulous VIP dinners, cocktail parties, chef showdowns, special events and more.

The Loews Miami Beach Hotel, in the heart of South Beach, serves as the festival’s official sponsor. Guests can check in and then prepare to eat, drink and indulge at the 13th annual South Beach Seafood Festival alongside 15,000 other “seafoodies.” Perhaps best of all, the event benefits a great cause: CI Foundation’s EAT SMART program, which provides healthy meals and nutritional guidance in public schools across Miami-Dade County.

Read on for a recap of last year's festival

VIP Dinners & Parties

Restaurants, hotels and parks across South Beach will host a series of upscale events from Wednesday through Friday evening.

Wednesday, October 23: An Evening at Joe’s

6:30 p.m.

On Wednesday evening, South Beach’s most historic restaurant, Joe’s Stone Crab, will host An Evening at Joe’s. This ultra-exclusive event is limited to just 50 VIP guests who will indulge in style in the restaurant’s private dining room. The evening includes a cocktail hour followed by a five-course prix-fixe dinner featuring the establishment’s legendary stone crabs, plus wine pairings by Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards. Guests will go home with VIP swag bags and special memories to last a lifetime after this rare experience.

Thursday, October 24: Crabs, Slabs and Cabs at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel

6:30 p.m.

On Thursday night, the Loews Miami Beach Hotel will host Goya’s Crabs, Slabs and Cabs event, a one-of-a-kind, six-course seated dinner with a surf ‘n turf theme and wine pairings. The meal will feature the culinary stylings of eight incredible chefs, helmed by celebrity chef Robert Irvine and Goya’s executive chef Fernando Desa. Top Miami talent includes Zuma executive chef Marco Cannata, Meat Market owner and executive chef Sean Brasel, Pubbelly co-founder and chef Jose Mendin, Osaka Nikkei chef Juan Alfonso Urrutia, Red South Beach owner and chef Peter Vauthy, and Loews Miami Beach Hotel’s own executive chef, Christopher Aguirre. It promises to be an unforgettable night of culinary indulgence.

Friday, October 25: VIP Chef Showdown at Lummus Park

7 p.m.

Friday evening’s exciting VIP Chef Showdown at Lummus Park will pit 22 talented chefs against one another in 11 battles in an epic beach bash showdown where only one chef will emerge as the championship winner. Lucky VIP attendees can sample the chefs’ creations throughout the night and vote for their favorite bites. This year’s battle themes include Taco, Crab, Sushi, Surf ‘n Turf, Salmon, Shrimp, Ceviche, Seafood Pasta, Tuna and Lobster, plus an East Coast vs. West Coast competition. The evening promises to be a fabulous beach party with live entertainment, tropical cocktails and beats by DJ PaulE.

The Main Event

Saturday, October 26: Seafood Slam Best of the Best at Lummus Park

1 p.m.

Come out for the main event Saturday evening at oceanfront Lummus Park. The all-day Seafood Slam Best of the Best mega-seafood party will span four blocks. An all-access pass includes a premium open bar plus all-you-can-eat stone crabs, shrimp cocktail, fish tacos, oysters, lobster waffle cones, seafood ceviche, desserts and more. Guests will vote for their favorite. The afternoon will also feature live music and DJs, entertainment, dance parties, beach games including life-size Jenga and Connect Four, and culinary demos by top chefs at the Milam’s Market Culinary Showcase. Premium food options will be available for an additional cost, and there will be special VIP experiences in the Hospitality Village & Goya Culinary Pavilion.

Ticket Packages

A variety of single ticket and bundled packages are available for the 12th annual South Beach Seafood Festival, ranging from $160 for an all-access pass to Saturday’s Seafood Slam to $1,750 for a three-day VIP festival pass, plus hotel accommodations for two.

By: Shayne Benowitz | September 20, 2024