Crab Fest is a big event in Mandurah so we have put together a list of some of the common questions we get on attending or about it.

When is Crab Fest happening? 

17-19 March, 2023 

We’ll kick things off with the Street Party from 4pm on Fri 17 March 10am-9pm Sat 18 March and 10am-5pm Sun 19 March

Where is Crab Fest taking place? 

Crab Fest is happening on the Mandurah Foreshore 

With an extended footprint this year, there’s things happening from the Western Foreshore, Eastern Foreshore, Smart St Mall, Mandjar Square and the Mandurah Ocean Marina

Why do we have Crab Fest?

The Channel 7 Mandurah Crab Fest holds a special place in the hearts of many people across Western Australia and beyond. 

From humble beginnings in 1999 with 3000 attendees, Crab Fest has grown significantly, evolving with the community, and now attracts more than 100,000 visitors from across the state, the country and wider.  

The much-loved festival is a significant and iconic part of Mandurah’s story, and an integral part of the state’s annual event calendar. As well as being WA’s biggest free regional event, Crab Fest is a major and important economic driver for the city. It provides a big injection into the local economy, as well as delivering many social benefits to local businesses and the community. Pre-COVID, the festival generated millions of dollars in economic activity each year, in addition to creating employment opportunities for locals and providing a boost to local tourism and hospitality businesses. 

The festival also provides a platform for local artists, musicians, and performers to showcase their talents, further contributing to our local economy.   

In addition to supporting our local economy, the festival’s success generates positive publicity for Mandurah, promoting Mandurah's cultural and culinary heritage and increasing our profile as a place to visit and invest in.   

Crab Fest is also a significant contributor to WA’s tourism industry. One of the event’s main purposes is to boost the local economy through encouraging tourists to visit Mandurah, thus increasing Mandurah’s brand as a tourist destination. It won back-to-back Gold in the Major Festivals and Events category at the 2016, 2017 and 2018 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards, before being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019. It also won Bronze in the Major Festivals and Events category at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in 2017.   

The festival has become an integral part of Mandurah's identity and a source of pride for our community. As we start to count down to the first Crab Fest in three years, we can appreciate its important role in boosting Mandurah's economic growth and showcasing the city's unique character to the world.   

Read more about Crab Fest, where it has come from and why we have it. 

How do I get to Crab Fest?

Travelling to the Channel 7 Mandurah Crab Fest couldn't be easier! 

With free shuttle buses and bike stations, planning your trip has been made even easier. See below for all your travel options. 

Come to the event by train, bike or scooter, car or taxi 

Read more about getting to Crab Fest

Where are the bike parking stations?

There are bike parking zones in the below locations: 

• Behind the music stage at the southern end of the Eastern Foreshore 
• Reading Cinemas carpark

What is happening at Crab Fest?

As well as the return of the crowd favourites like the Saturday night fireworks, we're excited to bring you some new & exciting elements for the whole family. 

There'll be fresh food, live music, performances, children’s entertainment, competitions, cooking demonstrations, celebrities, aquatic entertainment… the list goes on! 

View the Crab Fest program

Are there fireworks and at what time?

Yes fireworks at Crab Fest will be taking place on Sat 17 Mar at 8.30pm 

Best viewing spots for the fireworks include Eastern and Western Foreshores, under the fig tree, Mandurah bridge pedestrian walkway or out on the water by boat

What are the road and water closures?

To ensure that the Channel 7 Mandurah Crab Fest can safely bring the 2023 event to life, the following road and water closures are needed. 

View the closures page for more info

What celebrities can I see at Crab Fest?

One of the best places to spot the celebs will be at the Spudshed Cooking Stage. 

We're thrilled to welcome this year's Event Ambassador, Fast Ed & Spudshed Cooking Stage host, Paul West to Crab Fest. 

The Spudshed Cooking Stage will be hosted by chef and TV presenter, Paul West, it will feature a range of chefs and Channel 7 stars from across the state and beyond.  From My Kitchen Rules and Home and Away personalities, to internationally renowned Better Homes and Gardens chef and food author, 'Fast' Ed. 

Visit the Channel 7 hub to see Channel 7 stars over the weekend. 

You’ll also be able to catch the epic music headliners including Gretta Ray, Electric Fields, and Vanessa Amorosi light up the Seaside Estate Music Stage. 

And last but not least, for the young and the young at heart, we'll also be welcoming back Fat Cat to Crab Fest this year.

What food and drink experiences are at Crab Fest?

Crab Fest is the ideal foodies' destination so you’ve come to the right place! Crab Fest boasts an enviable array of freshly cooked dishes from local and visiting chefs. 

Whether you choose to visit the gourmet food stalls on Mandurah’s Eastern Foreshore, the quirky food vans on the western foreshore, or the local businesses lining the event footprint, you’ll have a great time! 

Soak up the vibes and Mandurah’s enviable alfresco lifestyle in one of Crab Fest's pop-up bars thanks to some of Mandurah's local breweries. 

Relax, kick back and enjoy some cold wines and brews from the Peel Region in the bar areas along the event footprint. 

Not only does Crab Fest deliver delicious food, we show you how to prepare it too! Check out the all-star lineup on the Spudshed Cooking Stage. 

Read more

Are there any non-seafood options at Crab Fest? 

Not feeling like seafood? Not a problem.  

With over 50 vendors, there’ll be something to suit everyone. 

Read more about the variety of food and drink experiences

Who and what is on the Spudshed Cooking Stage?

Not only does Crab Fest deliver delicious food we show you how to prepare it too! 

This year there is an all-star line-up on the Spudshed Cooking Stage. Learn how to cook like the professionals do with demonstrations from celebrity chefs and Channel 7 stars. 

See cooking stage schedule

Who is performing on the Seaside Estate Music Stage and when?

Show-stopping headline performances, local musicians and good-vibe entertainment will delight crowds at this year's Channel 7 Mandurah Crab Fest with something for everyone. 

The award-winning event will feature entertainment for young and old to enjoy, with a range of artists and performers to take to the Seaside Estate Music Stage, providing the perfect soundtrack to the weekend-long festivities. 

We’re excited to welcome our 2023 headline acts include Gretta Ray, Electric Fields and Vanessa Amorosi. 

See more on the music stage schedule

What music and entertainment can I find at Crab Fest? 

There’s heaps of free entertainment and activities for all the family to enjoy over the weekend. From live music and fireworks to cooking demonstrations and kids' activities, there's something for everyone to enjoy at Crab Fest. 

Read more about whats on for the music and entertainment lovers

What is happening on the Children's Stage?

Join us in the Children's Zone, just up from the foreshore and located through the Smart Street Mall. There will be plenty of fun-filled activities, including the popular Children's Stage and Fat Cat. 

There'll be something for the whole family with loads of free and low-cost family-friendly activities throughout the weekend.  

Check out the Children's Stage where all the talent is sure to keep you entertained. From magic shows or clowns to the numerous dance groups a great Channel 7 Mandurah Crab Fest weekend awaits! 

Check out the schedule

Are the rides and activities free? 

There is a whole range of free and low cost workshops, rides and activities for everyone to enjoy across the footprint.

What can I take my family to see at Crab Fest?

There’s plenty of FREE & low-cost fun across the whole Crab Fest weekend for the whole family to enjoy like...

• children's entertainment on the Alcoa Australia Children’s Stage 
• Yellow Brick Road presented by Spudshed 
• Celebrity spotting with favourites from Channel 7 My Kitchen Rules, Home and Away, Better Homes and Gardens Australia's Fast Ed & Fat Cat 
• Fireworks on Saturday 8.30pm 

PLUS the splash zone, amusements, action sports, roving entertainers, a nature playground, live music, cooking demos, classic car display & yummy food. 

Crab Fest is a family-friendly event for all to enjoy, so for the weekend the foreshore is a smoke free zone (alcohol restricted to licensed bars). 

And so much more, check out the program now

What is happening in the Marina at Crab Fest? 

It's all happening at the Mandurah Ocean Marina with things happening all weekend including:

• NRL Beach Touch 
• DJ on the point 
• Classic Car Show

Where can I watch the Action Sports Games? 

At the Western Foreshore.

The Mandurah Mazda Action Sports Games presented by Drug Aware is returning to the Western Foreshore 17 to 19 March for the Crab Fest weekend. 

See some of Australia's best action sports athletes putting it all on the line competing for over $20,000 in cash and prizes. 

Witness adrenalin pumping action with the wakeboarders lighting up the Mandurah estuary with massive aerial tricks, rolls and spins on Friday and Saturday. 

The Action Sports Games line-up is going to be epic!

• Friday: 11am Wakeboarding Competition, 7pm Rollerskate Competition
• Saturday: 9am Wakeboarding Competition, 10am Apex Radiology BMX Competition, 2pm Scooter Competition, 4.30pm Skateboard Competition
• Sunday: 9am Scooter Competition, 10am Peel Development Commission Electric Racing League Competition, 11am, 12.30 & 2.30 Apex Radiology Freestyle Motocross Demonstration, 12pm Skateboard Competition, 4.30pm BMX Competition

Can I bring my dog to Crab Fest?

We love pets but please leave your furry friends at home this weekend  

For the enjoyment & safety of everyone coming to the Channel 7 Mandurah Crab Fest, dogs are not permitted anywhere within the event footprint.

Is there first aid accessible at Crab Fest? 

Yes, three First Aid stations are set up next to Constable Care in the below locations: 

• Southern end of the Eastern Foreshore (near Estuary Pool) 
• central Eastern Foreshore (near Taste of the State tents) 
• Northern Eastern Foreshore (near playground) 

How do I find my lost child?

If your child is missing, please visit one of the three Constable Care tents. These are located below: 

• Southern end of the Eastern Foreshore (near Estuary Pool)  
• Central Eastern Foreshore (near Taste of the State tents) 
• Northern Eastern Foreshore (near playground) 

Does it cost anything to see Vanessa Amorosi?

We really do have all the senses covered in Mandurah... not only do we tantalise your tastebuds, we have home-grown some pretty fresh sounds too. 

The entertainment on the Seaside Estate Music Stage is FREE. The stage will play host to some of the best local & regional musical talent, plus we are super excited to welcome headliners Electric Fields Music & Gretta Ray on Saturday evening & Vanessa Amorosi on Sunday at 4pm at this year's Crab Fest.

Are there tickets left to the experiences? 

The Channel 7 Mandurah Crab Fest is Mandurah's most significant annual event which attracts visitors from across the State, all keen to get a taste of a unique experience that showcases the best of Mandurah and the Peel region. 

As well as the return of the crowd favourites, we're excited to bring you a series of unique, ticketed Crab Fest experiences. 

All you need to know and to purchase last minute tickets

What time does Crab Fest open?

A highlight of Western Australia’s events calendar, we're excited that the much-loved Channel 7 Mandurah Crab Fest will burst back onto the scene with family fun, amazing entertainment and food experiences from 18-19 March 2023. 

• Friday 17 March: 4pm – 10pm, we kick off with the Crab Fest Street Party 
• Saturday 18 March: 10am – 9pm 
• Sunday 19 March: 10am – 5pm 

Read more

Where can I find more information on road closures and alternative routes?

Getting to Crab Fest is easy peasy. 

Coming from outta town? 

• Catch the train & free shuttle bus 
• Drive & park at locations close by 
• Cruise in by boat from along the coast 

If you're a local... 

• Ride your bike or walk - free secure bike parking stations! 
• Park up & catch the shuttle bus near you
• Boat in & park up 

With free shuttle buses and bike stations, planning your trip has been made even easier. 

All you need to know to plan your weekend, inc road & water closures

Is Crab Fest accessible? 

We're dedicated to creating the best possible experience for all visitors to the Channel 7 Mandurah Crab Fest, March 18-19. 

There's heaps of event info to support people with disability to plan their Crab Fest visit including... 

• parking & drop-off/pick-up bay 
• universal access toilets 
• Changing Places facilities 
• chillout zone 
• social story 
• map and pathway access 
• Auslan interpreter 
• mobility scooter charging station 

PLUS Mandurah Houseboats will showcase the 'Emily Louise' - WA's first wheelchair accessible houseboat 

Plan your Crab Fest weekend, read more about accessibility

Where’s the best place to park?

With a little planning you can take the hassle out of parking! 

The best spot to park is at a designated Charity parking area not far from the event. 

Coming from north of Mandurah?

• Park at John Tonkin High School oval (off Tindale Street) and then catch the free and convenient, regular shuttle service straight to the event.  
• Parking is $5 and available 9am - 10pm Saturday 18 March and 9am - 6pm Sunday 19 March 2023. 
• The Rotary Club works with local clubs and community groups to manage the charity parking with all proceeds donated to the local community and sporting groups. 

Heading to Crab Fest from south of Mandurah?  

• The Western Foreshore car parking, manned by the local SES team, will also have a $5 parking fee with proceeds going to the SES. 
• Then take the short walk over the bridge to get amongst the Crab Fest activities. 
• Not only will it make your parking easier but you will also be helping the Mandurah community. 

Check out the event map for the shuttle bus drop off and pick up spot 

Be sure to check the Closures page, as it may impact your driving plans.