Low Tides Herald Return of Oregon Coast Icon: Cannon Beach Sandcastle Fest 2026

Published 04/20/26 at 6:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Cannon Beach, Oregon) – As sure as the tides come and go, Cannon Beach's beloved Sandcastle Contest is set to return this summer. Indeed, it takes place on one of the lowest tides of the year: This year’s festivities land June 19 - 21, 2026, with the main contest happening Saturday, June 20. (Oregon Coast Beach Connection photo)

Perhaps the pinnacle of Oregon coast events, Cannon Beach’s Sandcastle Contest has roots deeper than most visitors realize. Launched in 1964, the event was dreamed up by four locals looking to lift community spirits after the Good Friday Earthquake sent a tsunami surging through town and wiped out the Elk Creek Bridge.

Strangely, even ironically, it came about because of a tragedy. What started as a way to bring people back together has grown into Oregon’s oldest sandcastle competition, now drawing thousands of spectators to the shoreline each year. It goes back more than 60 years now.

The entire shebang is a full weekend of beach fun and frivolities, but if you want to see the sculptures before the tide claims them, Saturday is the day. Like the old Jethro Tull tune says, they will “dare the tardy tide,” but they will be swept aside. The ocean will wash everything away that evening. As always, the event goes on rain or shine, so pack for Oregon coast meteorological surprises.

The contest takes place on the beach off the “Presidential” streets, west of Ocean Avenue near Madison Street. Spectators can wander in from the north, south, or east.

Registration is now open for builders, volunteers, and the Singing Sands 5K Fun Run.

2026 Sandcastle Contest Schedule

Historical photo of 1960s event

Friday, June 19
10 a.m.–7:30 p.m.| Contestant Packet n’ Pail Pickup at the Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce
10 a.m.–5 p.m.| Live Sandcastle Demonstration with Bill Rose on the beach off 2nd St.
5–7:30 p.m.| Sandcastle Kickoff Celebration at Steidel Community Hall

Saturday, June 20
8:30 a.m. | Beach opens for parking
9:00 a.m. | Sandcastle building begins
2:00 p.m.| Final judging
3:00 p.m.| All cars must be off the beach
7–10 p.m.| Bonfire, s’mores and music on the beach at the west end of 2nd St., free admission

Sandcastle Contest Concert & Bonfire
June 20, 2026 | 7–10 PM

Wrap up the day with live music from CJ and the Wild Tides, beach-chair lounging, and s’mores courtesy of Cannon Beach Bakery. It all happens on the sand just off Second Street - the finale to another year of sand-sculpting magic. See the full website

Courtesy the Sandcastle Fest

Behind the Contest:

After the bridge washed out in the tsunami, it left Cannon Beach locals a little stir crazy for awhile. Yet even once it was rebuilt, residents found the tourists weren’t coming back. By early summer of 1964, Cannon Beach held the first Sandcastle Day Festival to help get them to return to town.

The first one was a low-key event featuring mostly local sand sculptors, put together by Margaret Atherton, daughter Billie Grant and Marian Crowell. It was designed specifically for kids and families, and one of several efforts to draw tourists back to town.

After the tides begin washing the fun away - Oregon Coast Beach Connection

The second, in 1965, was more focused and a bit more publicized. A local newspaper article at the time touts the event happening on July 29. “Judges will be Gerald Gower, Cannon Beach mayor; Francis of the Cannon Beach Commercial Club; Frank Lackaff, local artist, and Mrs. Paul Dueber,” the article says.

Summer on the Oregon coast would never be the same.

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