There are few things Vancouverites love more than spot prawn season—and honestly, for good reason. Sweet, delicate, and pulled fresh from Pacific waters, spot prawns have become one of the city’s most anticipated culinary rituals of spring. And on Sunday, May 31, the beloved Spot Prawn Festival is officially returning to False Creek Fishermen’s Wharf for another delicious day celebrating BC seafood at its absolute freshest.
Now in its 20th anniversary year, the annual event is presented by the Chefs’ Table Society of BC and the Pacific Prawn Fishermen’s Association—a collaboration that has become a cornerstone of Vancouver’s food culture.
Each year, thousands of seafood lovers gather dockside to celebrate the short-but-spectacular spot prawn season, with the scent of sizzling seafood, ocean air, and local wine filling the waterfront. The festival offers far more than just an opportunity to indulge (though yes, there will absolutely be spot prawns by the pound). Guests can enjoy live cooking demonstrations from celebrated local chefs, educational seafood talks, family-friendly activities, and an expanded lineup of BC wines, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages.
Of course, one of the day’s biggest draws remains the iconic Spot Prawn Boil: freshly caught prawns quickly boiled in seawater right on the dock, then served simply—with a bun to soak up every last buttery, briny bite.
Beyond the food itself, the festival continues to support an important cause. Proceeds from the event help fund scholarships, mentorship initiatives, and sustainability programs through the Chefs’ Table Society of BC, while also supporting efforts to preserve BC’s rich culinary and fishing heritage.
In a city obsessed with seasonal eating, few traditions feel more quintessentially Vancouver than this one.
Spot prawn season waits for no one. —Michelle Hopkins
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