Red Lobster’s Crab Fest is a beloved annual event that seafood lovers eagerly anticipate During Crab Fest, Red Lobster spotlights an extensive array of crab offerings on their menu From classics like snow crab legs to creative new dishes, it’s crab mania!
Keep reading for everything you need to know about what Crab Fest entails and what makes it so special each year at Red Lobster restaurants.
When is Crab Fest at Red Lobster?
Crab Fest happens once a year, typically in early summer. In 2023, it ran from May 9th through July 3rd. The 2024 dates are June 6th to July 31st.
Crab Fest usually lasts around 7-8 weeks, giving crab enthusiasts plenty of time to indulge. Red Lobster locations across the United States and Canada all participate.
What is Crab Fest?
Crab Fest is a limited-time event where Red Lobster heavily features crab on their menu. Exciting new crab dishes are unveiled alongside classics.
It’s a great chance to enjoy a variety of crab preparations in many different menu categories like appetizers, entrees, side dishes, and more.
Why is Crab Fest So Popular?
There are several reasons Crab Fest attracts so much excitement each year:
- Crab mania – For true crab lovers, Crab Fest is the ultimate event
- New dishes – Creative recipes showcase crab in enticing new ways
- Variety – The crab options span appetizers, entrees, sides, drinks
- Deals – Specials like Endless Crab make crab more affordable
Crab Fest allows people to indulge their cravings and try novel recipes they can’t get any other time of year.
What’s on the Crab Fest Menu?
The star of Crab Fest is always snow crab legs, available by the pound. But so much more crab is showcased on the menu, like:
- Crab-topped entrees and pastas
- Crab dip appetizers
- Crab cakes
- Crab-stuffed fish
- Crab mac and cheese
- Crab salad
- Crab soups and bisques
- Crab sushi rolls
- Crab-garnished drinks
New selections debut each Crab Fest, along with returning favorites. With so many crab creations to choose from, there’s something to satisfy every crab cake craving!
Signature Crab Fest Dishes and Deals
Certain special items and offers define Crab Fest each year. Here are some of the most popular:
Endless Crab Legs
For one flat price, indulge in unlimited crablegs during Crab Fest as long as you’re dining in the restaurant. This lets crab leg fans go wild with multiple helpings!
New Crab-Topped Entrees
Crab Fest always brings exciting new crab-centered entrees, like crab-stuffed cod or crab cakes with unique toppings and sides.
Crab Mac and Cheese
A rich, cheesy pasta studded with crab meat is a new addition people rave about. It’s available as a side or entree.
Crab Cake Brunch Items
For weekend brunch, look for crab cake eggs benedict and crab cake topped waffles when Crab Fest rolls around.
Crab-Filled Appetizers
Buttery crab-filled mushrooms, crab nachos, and crab dip are appetizing ways to kick off your Crab Fest meal.
How Does Crab Fest Differ from the Regular Menu?
Crab Fest takes Red Lobster’s normal menu offerings to the next level by:
- Adding 8-12 new crab dishes
- Expanding crab legs options, including more pound sizes
- Offering deals like Endless Crab Legs
- Having more crab appetizers and sides
- Using crab in drinks and desserts
- Increasing availability of King crab legs
While crab is always on the menu, Crab Fest takes the crab experience into overdrive!
Signature Red Lobster Crab Dishes
While special Crab Fest items shine, some classics remain standouts every year:
Snow Crab Legs
The tender snow crab leg is still the king of Crab Fest. Get them steamed or with flavors like garlic or Cajun.
Dungeness Crab Cakes
Lump Dungeness crab meat blended with spices and breadcrumbs deliver signature sweet flavor.
Crab Linguini Alfredo
Luxurious lump crab meats elevates creamy alfredo sauce and linguini.
Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut Shrimp
While not crab, these coconut-crusted shrimp are a legendary Crab Fest side.
What Drinks are Featured During Crab Fest?
In addition to crab dishes, Crab Fest spotlights fun crab-themed cocktails:
- Mai Tais with crab leg garnish
- “Crabtinis” with crab designs
- Beer boiled with crab legs
- Margaritas with crab shell salt rims
There are also non-alcoholic options like creamy crab bisques and tangy crab gazpacho shooters.
How Long do the Crab Fest Specials Last?
Crab Fest offers the chance to indulge in this abundance of crab for around 2 months. That gives plenty of time to revisit and try different dishes.
The event usually runs from early June through late July. Exact end dates vary by location. Prices also vary by region, with higher prices at popular tourist locations.
Tips for Attending Red Lobster’s Crab Fest
To make the most of indulging in Crab Fest:
- Preview the menu online to plan what to order
- Arrive early or make reservations to avoid long waits
- Come hungry so you can sample multiple Crab Fest dishes
- Consider takeout to have crab at home for multiple meals
- Check out weekday deals like All You Can Eat Crab on Mondays
- Pair crab with lobster for the ultimate surf and turf
- Check prices at your local restaurant before visiting
With some preparation, you can make the most of this epic yearly celebration of crab at Red Lobster!
The History of Crab Fest at Red Lobster
Red Lobster first launched Crab Fest in 2012 after noticing growing customer obsession with crab. It started with a simple promotion of $15 unlimited snow crab legs on Mondays.
Crab Fest as a multi-week event with expanded menu debuted in 2015. It has returned bigger each year since, adding more crab dishes annually.
Now Crab Fest features over a dozen new crab recipes each year finally satisfy every crab craving out there!
Why Crab Fest Matters for Red Lobster
For Red Lobster, Crab Fest offers many benefits:
- Drives customer excitement and traffic
- Provides innovation incubator for new menu items
- Attracts new customers who love crab
- Caters to the growing consumer taste for crab
- Strengthens Red Lobster’s seafood credentials
- Gives guests a new seasonal tradition to look forward to
Crab Fest has become a defining annual event for Red Lobster that crab aficionados far and wide obsess over.
Crab Fest Spreads Crab Craze Across the Country
Part of Crab Fest’s magic comes from uniting crab lovers nationwide around this shared passion.
For a few months each summer, Crab Fest dominates seafood conversations and social media, spreading crab fever everywhere. People can’t get enough of this time for unbridled crab obsession.
The shared excitement reminds us of how a simple indulgence like crab brings joy when celebrated communally. Red Lobster facilitates this communal bond around crabs, letting people feel connected through crab!
Crab Fest Brings People Together
Whether enjoying Endless Crab Legs solo or splitting one of the many platters piled high with crab in all forms, Crab Fest is best when shared.
Gathering family, friends, or even co-workers to collectively indulge in crabs creates memories and camaraderie that will last beyond Crab Fest. The communal atmosphere Crab Fest fosters is irreplaceable.
Crab Fest Traditions and Memories
Many people have beloved traditions around Crab Fest, like:
- Birthday or anniversary crab dinners
- Reunions with old friends over crab
- Annual guys/girls crab outings
- Family rituals of Crab Fest togetherness
With people loving Crab Fest so much, Red Lobster would face outrage if it ever ended. Fans relish its temporary nature and look forward to making new memories each year.
How Crab Fest Helps Red Lobster
While Crab Fest benefits customers through food and fun, it also helps Red Lobster by:
- Increasing profits and sales
- Attracting new long
Red Lobster – Crabfest (HD 2015)
FAQ
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What is Red Lobster Crabfest?
Starting this week, Red Lobster’s beloved Crabfest is back for a limited time, after four years. What is Crabfest, you ask? A celebration of all things “clawsome” and “crabtastic,” Crabfest is a limited-time event at Red Lobster wherein guests can crack into special deals and exclusive menu items that highlight the titular shellfish: crab.
What’s new at Red Lobster’s Crabfest 2023?
Red Lobster’s Crabfest, starting June 5, 2023, allows customers to get a pound of crab legs with three new flavors – Roasted Garlic Butter, Honey Sriracha and Lemon Pepper. (Photo provided by Red Lobster) Red Lobster Seafood Co. Crabfest is back at Red Lobster along with three new flavor options, a new side, a new dessert and two new cocktails.
What’s new at Crabfest this year?
This year’s Crabfest lineup delivers, with clawsome new menu items including: NEW! Crabby Cheese Fries – Seasoned fries topped with Red Lobster’s cheese sauce and lump crab in a decadent garlic cream. Perfect for sharing! NEW! Strawberry Cheesecake – Red Lobster’s vanilla bean cheesecake with a fresh strawberry topping and whipped cream.
What’s new at Red Lobster?
New! Crabfest® Creations | Red Lobster Seafood Restaurants Every To Go entree comes with two warm Cheddar Bay Biscuits®! Menu/ NEW! Crabfest®/ New! Crabfest® Creations New! Crabfest® Creations 910 – 1510 Calories Enjoy a full pound of crab legs prepared your way over crispy potatoes. Served with choice of side.