What Is Lobsterfest?
Lobsterfest is Red Lobster’s annual promotional event that runs from late February through April each year. During Lobsterfest, the chain brings in a rotating selection of limited-time lobster dishes that are not available on the regular menu. It is the single biggest lobster-focused marketing campaign in the United States, generating over 200 million dollars in sales each year according to Darden Restaurants, Red Lobster’s parent company.
Red Lobster started Lobsterfest in the early 2000s as a seasonal promotion to drive traffic during the slow late-winter period. It was so successful that it became an annual tradition. The 2026 Lobsterfest menu includes eight specialty dishes priced between 18 and 35 dollars. Most locations participate, though some franchise-owned outlets may have slight menu variations.
The standard Lobsterfest lineup typically includes lobster and shrimp linguini, lobster mac and cheese, lobster lover’s dream, and a rotating new dish each year. The 2026 debut dish is lobster arancini, fried risotto balls filled with lobster meat and mozzarella served with marinara sauce. The lobster and shrimp linguini is the most popular item and accounts for roughly 30 percent of Lobsterfest sales.
If you want the best value during Lobsterfest, go for the endless shrimp add-on, which includes a lobster tail for an extra 7 dollars. This option lets you combine the regular endless shrimp promotion with a single lobster tail. The total comes to roughly 23 dollars depending on location and is one of the cheapest ways to eat lobster at a sit-down restaurant in America. For a more comprehensive look at where to find lobster deals nationwide, our best lobster restaurants guide covers the top spots in every region.
Lobster Fest Maine: The Original Lobster Festivals
While Red Lobster runs Lobsterfest, the real lobster festivals happen along the Maine coast. The **Maine Lobster Festival** in Rockland has run every August since 1947 and serves over 20,000 lobsters across five days. The 2025 festival drew 85,000 visitors. Tickets cost 10 dollars for adults and include access to the seafood tent where a full lobster dinner with corn, potatoes, and coleslaw runs 28 dollars.
The **Wells Lobster Festival** in Wells runs over Father’s Day weekend and features a lobster dinner tent that serves 8,000 lobsters over three days. The **Winter Harbor Lobster Festival** is smaller but more intimate, with 3,000 visitors and a focus on local music and crafts alongside the lobster bake.
Beyond Maine, the **Boston Lobsterfest** in September at the Boston Seaport offers a waterfront lobster bake with live music, priced at 65 dollars per ticket. The **Maryland Lobsterfest** in Annapolis runs a similar event in June. For a full list of every lobster festival by state, including dates and ticket prices, our Maine lobster festivals guide has the complete rundown.
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