South Oregon Coast in September: Bandon's Cranberry Fest Brings Pie, Music, Parade

Published 09/02/2026 at 9:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Bandon, Oregon) – One of the largest festivals on the entire Oregon coast kicks in soon – and it comes largely in reds.

Cranberry reds, that is.

Now at 80 years old, the Annual Bandon Cranberry Festival doesn't look a day older than...well...whatever number comes to mind. It's still vibrant, buzzing with activity and full of flavor. As usual, the first two days (starting September 10) are about local activities.

Then Saturday and Sunday, September 12 and 13, you'll find yourself immersed in the parade, festival market, evening street dance, and more. Visitors can enjoy live music and performing arts, sports and tournaments, craft markets, shopping and dining, and of course the famously “bitterly-sweet” cranberry-eating contest.

The annual Cranberry Parade will be kicking off the main festivities on Saturday morning.

The Bandon Cranberry Festival goes all the way back to 1947, with newspaper accounts noting the first celebration took place that November. It was then that Wesley Chappel said to local reporters that roughly 174 acres were planted in cranberry bogs, and the region was believed capable of supporting up to 14,200 acres. a That figure is long since surpassed.

Chappel explained that the inaugural festival symbolized the town’s recovery from the devastating 1935 fire that nearly destroyed Bandon. He also suggested the idea may have emerged when cranberry growing was still more of a pastime than a commercial industry, years before the crop became central to the local economy.

“Neighbors helped hand-pick the ripe, red berries,” he recalled. “The men talked of coming elections, the housewives and mothers traded recipes and ideas on child raising — and romance blossomed in the bogs. It was a festive occasion.”

2026 Cranberry Festival Schedule

Cranberry Parade - 10 a.m.
Lineup at 8 a.m.

Team Todd Cornhole - 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Farm & Sea, open to all ages.

Cranberry Festival Vendor Market & Food Court - 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Old Town Bandon with artists, crafters, food trucks, and beverage vendors.

Live Music - 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Old Town Main Stage; chairs and blankets encouraged.
Saturday Main Stage: Rockwork Orange, Royalty in Training, Bryan Oliver Trio, Border Patrol, Saucy

Saturday Alabama Stage: Wildfire, Coos River Ruckus

Cranberry Eating Contest - 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Main stage.

Cranberry Equipment Expo - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Visitors Center parking lot; farming, cultivating, and harvesting equipment.

Petting Zoo & Kid’s Corner - 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
102 2nd St SE; friendly animals, bounce houses, and more.

Cranberry Street Dance - 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Prancing Pet Parade - 9:30 a.m.
545 2nd St; pre-registration by email, leash required.

Cranberry Festival Vendor Market & Food Court - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Old Town Bandon with artists, crafters, food trucks, and beverage vendors.

Car Show - 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Delaware Ave; check-in at 9 a.m. Trophies awarded; open to all years, makes, and models. Proceeds benefit Holiday with a Hero.

Live Music - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday Main Stage: Hopfinger Wishes, Duane Drake & The Derringers
Sunday Alabama Stage: BB Gunn, Antique Dog, Sweet & Juicy

Lion’s Cranberry Run - 2 p.m.
Bandon City Park, 11th St.

Call the Bandon Chamber for more information: 541-347-9616.

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