Channel 7 Mandurah Crab Fest a cracking success

More than 100,000 people descended on Mandurah at the weekend for another successful Channel 7 Mandurah Crab Fest.

Mandurah's city centre and waterfront areas came to life with free entertainment, food and family fun on March 14 and 15.

Mayor Amber Kearns said the City of Mandurah’s signature event once again put the very best of the Mandurah lifestyle on display. 

“Crab Fest is one of those weekends that really showcases Mandurah, our relaxed atmosphere and the strong sense of community that makes this city so special,” Mayor Kearns said. 

“When times are tough, free events like Crab Fest give families the opportunity to enjoy time together and create special memories without the pressure of cost. 

“It’s always wonderful to see locals and visitors, families and friends, enjoying the foreshore together and experiencing everything we love about living in Mandurah.” 

This year featured a strong line‑up of entertainment, including headline performances by Havana Brown and Thelma Plum on the Seaside Estate Music Stage, alongside 16 hours of local music acts across the weekend. 

Food lovers enjoyed a wide range of culinary experiences, with live demonstrations on the Spudshed Cooking Stage led by international cooking ambassador Diana Chan, and national cooking ambassador Brendan Pang.

They were supported by local personalities and celebrities as guest chefs, including Spudshed’s Tony Galati, Pete Curulli, Home and Away stars Ada Nicodemou and James Stewart, My Kitchen Rules contestants, and Susannah Carr, Rick Ardon, Angela Tsun and Tim McMillan from 7News Perth. 

Food vendors and local businesses also dished up plenty of delicious offerings highlighting Mandurah’s celebrated blue swimmer crab, while the Spudshed Yellow Brick Road was busy all weekend with homegrown products for all to enjoy.

“Whether people came for the music, the cooking demonstrations or simply to soak up the atmosphere, there was something for everyone,” Mayor Kearns said. 

Crab Fest also featured free children’s activities, roving entertainment, the Alcoa Family Zone and a spectacular fireworks display, presented by the Lane Group, over the water on Saturday night, drawing crowds across the foreshore. 

Mayor Kearns said the event delivered significant benefits for the local economy, building on the strong legacy of previous years. 

“Events like Crab Fest play a really important role in supporting our local businesses and showcasing Mandurah as a place people love to visit and love to call home,” Mayor Kearns said. 

“In 2025, Crab Fest saw an injection of $16.1 million into the region and, based on what we saw over the weekend, we’re confident 2026 was even bigger. 

“A big congratulations and thank you to everyone involved in bringing Crab Fest to life - Channel 7 and all our sponsors, partners, volunteers, local businesses and suppliers. We could not have done it without you. 

“We’re incredibly proud to deliver this event and to share our city with everyone.” 

Australian Idol's Gisella Colletti performed on the main stage. PIC: City of Mandurah