| Where: | Colchester, Essex at the Moot Hall |
| When: | Last Friday in October |
| Time: | 7pm |
The Mayor and dignitaries host the annual Oyster Feast at Colchester each October in a civic custom dating back several hundred years. It’s a lavish affair and worthy guests, sometimes even royalty, visit from all over the country.Attendance is by ticket only and as it’s a popular event a public lottery is held each year so that locals get a chance to participate alongside the invited guests. The oyster fishery at Colchester dates back to Roman times and a charter was granted to the borough by Richard I in 1189.
Helpful Hints
Don’t expect to get in unless you’ve been invited or manage to secure a ticket through the ballot! I’ve included the event on the site because it’s well known and thought it would be useful for potential visitors to know that you must have a ticket to attend.
In 2025 it should be on Friday October 31st.
Click here for the Mayor’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheMayorOfColchester/
Click here for the Council and Mayor’s Office (out of action when I checked but will hopefully get fixed) : http://www.colchester.gov.uk
View this location on the map.
Who are the guests?
I expect the great and good of the district as well as some celebs – but I haven’t been so can’t be sure!
I think you need to be in with the Mayor and civic dignitaries to get an invitation….
No – you go into the ballot to get tickets and they are quite expensive at £140 per head. But if you like civic events and love history – it’s good to go. you don’t have to be in with anyone to be able to go – everyone has a chance who enters the ballot.
Thank you Sharon that’s very useful to know- I’ll amend the article accordingly!
Best wishes,
Averil
Tried to connect via colchester.guv and as with all local government online facilities can’t. It may be 140p or a £140 ticket but what ever the price is they are sure making it difficult for Joe Bloggs to get one. FYI oysters were once the mainstay of working class people and the choice of the masses for al fresco dining but heyho why let history get in the way of making a profit eh?
Hi Alan,
I’m not sure they even sell any tickets whatever the price- think it may be by invitation only (and just for the great and good, not for the likes of rabble like us!!)
Let me know if you manage to get a ticket- I’d be interested in finding out myself…
Best wishes,
Averil