Garibaldi Days 2026: Where Small Town Oregon Coast Gets Gargantuan on Good Times

Published 07/20/26 at 10:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Garibaldi, Oregon) – Three days in one Oregon coast town are about to become fire. (Courtesy photo)

Garibaldi Days 2026 is set to erupt in the midst of Tillamook County, a three-day summer festival set against the backdrop of Tillamook Bay. Held every last full weekend in July, the celebration draws an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 visitors for a weekend of coastal tradition, family activities, and small-town hospitality.

This time around it runs Friday through Sunday, July 24 – 26.

“Visitors can enjoy a lively parade along Highway 101, live music throughout the weekend, a classic car show, and the crowd-favorite Water Ball Competition between local volunteer fire departments,” said organizers. There's a lot of artisan-made goods and foods from local creators.

Garibaldi Days is more than a festival – it's an embedded tradition. This year is the 66th event the region has had, stretching well back into the last century.

The shindig is also a chance to explore Garibaldi itself. Visitors can stroll the marina, book a fishing charter, ride the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad, visit nearby beaches, and take in the authentic coastal culture that defines the town. Garibaldi Days is like a high-energy sampler of the area: it is an ideal time to experience everything this working waterfront community has to offer.

So what is going on here exactly?

Among Friday’s events and highlights are museum hours at the Maritime Museum, vendors and food along Jerry Creasy Way, the Family Zone at Lumberman’s Park, and tours of the historic Coast Guard boathouse. An oyster panel presentation takes place at the Port event tent in the afternoon.

Saturday brings a full day of activity, starting with the parade shuttle and the parade itself moving down Highway 101. Vendors and food return early and run late into the evening, while the Family Zone, museum, and boathouse all open for the day. The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad adds extra runs, and Waterball returns in the afternoon as one of Garibaldi’s signature competitions. Tribute bands Nevermind (Nirvana) and Petty Fever (Tom Petty) take the stage in the evening, leading into fireworks over the bay at 10pm.

Sunday continues the celebration with vendors in the morning and a Coast Guard appreciation event at the Port tent. The Maritime Museum and historic boathouse open again for visitors, rounding out the final hours of Garibaldi Days.

Garibaldi Days History

The celebration appears to have started around 1960, possibly connected to a Coast Guard class reunion, as early coverage often mentioned former personnel gathering during the festival.

By 1966, Garibaldi Days was already established and featured skydiving, a Coast Guard demonstration, a dance, and even a crab race where visitors could buy a crab for fifty cents and enter it in competition.

In 1974, newspapers reported the event as a major financial success, drawing thousands to the small coastal town. A nighttime lighted boat parade was a standout attraction, and a nine-ride carnival brought in heavy crowds. Coverage also highlighted a Coast Guard reunion that drew more than thirty former members from across the West, described as one of the weekend’s biggest successes. Former Coast Guard Lt. John McCormick received a signed guestbook in an emotional moment, honoring his service that began at the Barview station in 1921. That year also included a bathtub race.

By the 2010s, Garibaldi Days had grown even more, with features like a fish tank, go-karts, a Gyroscope ride, and karaoke adding to the festival’s evolving mix of entertainment.

66th annual Garibaldi Days – July 24–26, 2026 Schedule:

Event locations

Vendor Alley, Jerry Creasy Way between American Ave and the Bay

Port event tent, Jerry Creasy St at American Ave

Family zone, Lumberman’s Park

Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad, 306 American Ave

Maritime Museum , 112 Garibaldi Ave

1936 historic Coast Guard boathouse, 1209 Bay Ln

Library, 107 6th St

Parade route
Hwy 101 between 3rd and 7th

Waterball
Biak Ave off Mooring Basin Rd

Friday schedule
Museum hours - 10am–4pm
Vendors and food - 12pm–8pm
Family zone - 12pm–4pm
Boathouse hours - 12pm–4pm
Oyster panel presentation - 1pm
Bingo - 5pm

Saturday schedule
Parade shuttle - 9am
Vendors and food - 10am–9pm
Library open house - 10am–5pm
Parade - 11am
Family zone - 12pm–4pm
Museum hours - 12pm–4pm
Boathouse hours - 1pm–4pm
Waterball - 3pm

Concerts (tribute bands Nevermind and Petty Fever) - 5:30pm

Fireworks fundraiser - 8:30pm
Fireworks over the bay - 10pm

Sunday schedule
Vendors - 10am–2pm
Coast Guard appreciation - 11am–2pm
Museum hours - 12pm–4pm
Boathouse hours - 12pm–4pm

https://www.portofgaribaldi.org/garibaldi-days

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