Red Lobster’s annual Crab Fest is a highly anticipated event for seafood lovers. With a wide array of crab dishes at wallet-friendly prices it’s no wonder Crab Fest draws big crowds to Red Lobster restaurants every summer. But with so many tempting options how much should you expect to spend on this crab-tastic feast?
An Overview of Red Lobster’s Crab Fest
Crab Fest first launched in 2016 as a 4-6 week summer promotion at participating Red Lobster locations across the United States and Canada The event was designed to celebrate fresh crab in all its glory, with dishes like Crab-Topped Salmon, Crab Linguini Alfredo, and the guest favorite, Crab Lover’s Dream
Crab Fest quickly became a summer tradition returning each year with new limited-time menu items alongside classic crab dishes. In 2022, Red Lobster revamped Crab Fest with 5 all-new seafood recipes and cocktails to enhance the experience.
While the exact Crab Fest start and end dates vary by location, it generally runs from late June through late July/early August.
Crab Fest Menu Items and Prices
The Crab Fest menu features a range of appetizers, entrées, and sides starring snow crab, king crab, and jumbo lump crab meat. Prices range from $12.99 for starters to $34.99 for premium entrees:
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Appetizers: Crab-Topped Shrimp Cocktail, Seafood-Stuffed Mushrooms, Crab Fondue – $12.99 to $16.99
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Entrees: Crab Lover’s Dream (snow and king crab), Crab Linguini, Crab-Topped Salmon – $19.99 to $34.99
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Sides: Crab Mac & Cheese, Crab Corn Chowder – $7.99 to $8.99
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Desserts: Crab-Topped Cheesecake, Key Lime Pie – $8.99 to $9.99
The prix fixe Endless Crab menu offers unlimited snow crab legs, either roasted or steamed, paired with a side and salad for $29.99.
For special occasions, there’s the Ultimate Feast with lobster tail, shrimp, and snow crab legs for $44.99. Add-on crab legs start at $14.99 for a half pound.
Cost-Saving Tips for Crab Fest
While Crab Fest draws big crowds, there are ways to indulge on a budget:
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Take advantage of Red Lobster deals and coupons – Join the email club for exclusive discounts. Check for printable coupons on their website.
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Come for lunch – Lunch entrees start at $15.99 versus $19.99+ for dinner.
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Split a dish – Many entrees like the Ultimate Feast can easily be shared. Ask for extra plates.
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Fill up on unlimited salad and bread – The Cheddar Bay Biscuits and salad bar are included with your meal.
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Save on sides – Opt for rice or veggies that come with entrées instead of adding a premium side.
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Watch out for drinks and dessert – Stick with water and skip the tempting extras to save calories and dollars.
Estimated Costs for a Crab Fest Meal
Here are some sample Crab Fest meals at various price points so you can plan your budget:
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Inexpensive meal – Crab fondue appetizer ($12.99) + Crab linguini entrée ($19.99) + water = $33 per person
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Moderately priced meal – Shared Ultimate Feast ($44.99) + 2 waters + 1 shared dessert ($8.99) = $27 per person for a party of 2
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Splurge meal – Crab Lover’s Dream entrée ($34.99) + Crab corn chowder ($8.99) + Big Breezy Hurricane cocktail ($11.99) + cheesecake ($9.99) = $66 per person
With strategic planning, you can indulge in Crab Fest without busting your budget. Focus on lighter lunch options or split hearty dishes to maximize savings. And be sure to take advantage of all the free bread and salad you can eat!
Crab Fest Value Compared to Regular Menu
When comparing Crab Fest pricing to Red Lobster’s year-round offerings, the seasonal promotion provides exceptional value:
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5oz. Crab Lover’s Dream (1lb snow & king crab) = $34.99. Regular king crab is $13 per 3oz. and snow crab is $8 per 3oz.
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Endless Crab legs = $29.99. A pound of snow crab on the regular menu is $29.99.
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Crab-Topped Salmon = $21.99. Regular salmon is $18.99 without crab.
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Ultimate Feast = $44.99. A la carte, you’d pay $57 for the same items.
Across the board, Crab Fest dishes provide more generous portions of premium crab for less than purchasing individually off the regular menu.
Is Crab Fest Worth It?
For crab lovers, Crab Fest is definitely worth a visit. The variety of preparations and types of crab mean there’s something for everyone. Portions are large enough to share or take home leftovers. And the prices represent a great value compared to everyday menu prices.
By being flexible on dates and times and choosing lower priced menu items, you can indulge in Crab Fest without overspending. The unlimited salad bar and Cheddar Bay Biscuits help round out the meal for less.
For the ultimate crab experience, Crab Fest is hard to beat. Just strategize ahead of time and take advantage of deals to make the most of this budget-friendly crab celebration.
New Crabfest menu at Red Lobster
For this years Crabfest, Red Lobster is offering two new Seafood Boils — Mariners Boil and Sailors Boil — which the restaurant has designed to be served tableside and can be customized with various flavor options.
The Mariners Boil features a Maine lobster tail, a dozen shrimp, snow crab legs, corn, and red potatoes, while the Sailors Boil is a mix of shrimp, smoked sausage, corn and red potatoes.
Diners can choose to finish either order with Roasted Garlic Butter, Cajun Butter, or Old Bay seasoning.
New dishes featuring crab include the Crabby Stuffed Mushrooms, an appetizer with crab stuffing; Crab-Topped Asparagus, a premium side dish; Crab-Topped Potato, another premium side dish; Steak Oscar, a sirloin topped with lump crab meat in a cream sauce; and Salmon Oscar, an Atlantic salmon filet topped with lump crab meat in cream sauce.
There are also three new beverages for the Festival Summer of Sips menu.
– The Headliner: Purple Haze by Dre & Snoop, featuring STILL G.I.N. by Dre and Snoop, desert pear, handcrafted lemonade and sparkling gold shimmer.
– Opening Act: Passion Star Spritz, featuring Titos Handmade Vodka and passionfruit, topped with Wycliff Sparkling Wine and garnished with a gold-dusted dried starfruit.
– Encore: Starry Eyed Surprise, featuring Patron Silver Tequila, guava and blue Curaçao, topped with Starry Lemon-Lime and garnished with a sugar sprinkles rimmer.
When is Red Lobster Crabfest?
Crabfest is available for a limited time from June 23 through Sept. 14.
Red Lobster Boil Bag HONEST REVIEW: Crab Fest:
FAQ
How much is the crab leg fest at Red Lobster?
| Red Lobster Crab Fest Menu | Dish | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Crab Legs | Snow Crab Legs | $24.99 |
| King Crab Legs | $36.99 | |
| Crab Cakes | Maryland Crab Cakes (2 per order) | $15.99 |
| Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes (2 per order) | $18.99 |
How long is lobsterfest at Red Lobster in 2025?
Lobsterfest® returns from February 11 through April 20, 2025, and this year, it’s not just great, it’s the GLOAT: The Greatest Lobsterfest of All Time.
How does lobsterfest work at Red Lobster?
First introduced in 1984, Red Lobster’s Lobsterfest features dishes that are only available during the event. The menu tends to include a mix of old favorites and new creations to tempt lobster lovers. There are also classic sides like the chain’s iconic Cheddar Bay Biscuits, which are actually baked in-house.
What’s the crab fest at Red Lobster?
Crabfest at Red Lobster is an annual promotional event that celebrates crab dishes and offers a variety of crab-centric menu items, including seafood boils and other crab-focused dishes.