Greenport BID Looks Ahead To Winter; No Shellabration Planned, For 2nd Year

NORTH FORK, NY — Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, which has historically organized and led Shellabration in Greenport, will not be producing the event again in 2026, organizers said recently.

"As a result, there will not be a traditional Shellabration this year," the Greenport Business Improvement District said.

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The festival was also canceled in 2025 but another event, "Raise Shell," was organized by Little Creek Oysters and its Hold Fast Fund.

"The BID recognizes that Shellabration has been a valued part of Greenport's December calendar, bringing together local businesses, shellfish growers, residents, and visitors while celebrating the North Fork's maritime and aquaculture communities," a release from the Greenport BID and its president Richard Vandenburgh said.

"The BID appreciates the years of work Cornell, local businesses, oyster growers, and community partners have contributed to Shellabration. Rather than attempting to recreate the event without its longtime organizer, the BID sees this as an opportunity to focus our collective efforts on other winter programming that still tries to incorporate our aquaculture and working waterfront businesses," said Vandenburgh.

Therefore, he said, the BID will focus on supporting the many events and activities already bringing people to Greenport this winter, including the 3rd Annual Holiday Stroll, Greenport BID Winter Wonderland, and other activities, while working with members to encourage new events and activities throughout December and the winter season.

The BID, a release said, remains open to supporting an activity "during the first weekend in December traditionally associated with Shellabration, if there is enough support and engagement of our businesses to keep that weekend active. Over the coming weeks, the BID will seek feedback and ideas from members about what they would like to see this winter. The BID encourages members to complete the survey and questionnaire being sent out in order to share their ideas, plans, and opportunities for collaboration as we work together to make Greenport a vibrant destination throughout the winter."

The BID's role, representatives said, "is to help connect, promote, and support these efforts rather than dictate a single event or format. Therefore, the BID board looks forward to working together with any community organization to build a winter calendar that reflects the creativity and character of Greenport's business community. "