Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest 2025: N. Oregon Coast Tradition Happens June 21

Published 05/05/25 at 7:05 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Cannon Beach, Oregon) – The event itself is almost as much of a staple as the sight of Haystack Rock.

The Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest has been around for 61 years now, filling the north Oregon coast town with thousands on one single day in June (or July, depending on tides). Always set to happen during some of the lowest tides of the year, the 2025 version of Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest happens June 21, with events on June 20 and the 22nd, expanding the experience to a full weekend.

The Cannon Beach Chamber and Visitors Center puts this on every year, along with a sizable army of local volunteers, creating the only day of the year that cars are allowed on the beach as creative minds of all ages and abilities carve out temporary fame in the sands.

Exact times of when the beach opens up to spectators and artists has not yet been revealed: see the contest site for that announcement when it comes CannonBeach.Org.

You can also look forward to some extras with this famed Oregon coast spectacle, including sand carving demonstrations the day before, a beach bonfire and concert after the contest, and the 5K run the following day.

Most notably, the history of the contest goes back to a fairly dark moment: the tsunami of '64 that trashed Seaside and Cannon Beach. When that happened in March, it cut off the town for a little while with the bridge getting taken down. Tourism there slowed, and locals came up with the festival idea to hopefully cajole more back.

They knew they had something.

When they held the second one in '65, it kicked into life and started up a tradition that has achieved national coverage in recent decades. See N. Oregon Coast History: Tsunami Tragedy Started Cannon Beach's Sandcastle Festival

Contest Schedule

Friday, June 20th, 2025

From 10 am to 5 pm, there will be a live demonstration featuring Master Sandcastle Builder Bill Rose on the beach off of 2nd Street.

Packet pick-up will be available at the Cannon Beach Chamber Community Hall from 10 am to 7 pm.

Saturday, June 21, 2025 – Times to be announced

Parking for contestants and volunteers opens, followed by general beach parking.

The contest officially begins at 12:15 pm.

Judging will take place throughout the afternoon, with final judging at 5:15 pm for categories including Sand Fleas, Jr/Teen, Small Group, Individuals, Large Group, and Masters. Awards for the Masters category will be presented at the conclusion of judging.

Porta-potties will be removed from the beach, and all vehicles must be off the beach by 6 pm.

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After the Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest, there's a beach party held from 7 to 10 pm, featuring music, a bonfire, and s’mores. It's a cool 'n cozy way to enjoy the sands with other sandcastle fans outside the contest. At the bonfire, there will be live music and s'mores. Bringing a lawn chair or blanket to sit on is encouraged. This is a free event for all beachgoers and attendees.

The Singing Sands 5k is the final event of the Sandcastle Contest Weekend, happening on Sunday, June 22. This 5k is an out-and-back that has started from a new location as of last year: the Tolovana Wayside parking lot.

“The 5k will begin at 9 am from the Tolovana Wayside Parking lot,” said the visitors center. “This course will take participants down the Tolovana beach ramp, along the tideline, north on the beach to Haystack Rock, and back along the tideline to the finish line at the Tolovana Wayside parking lot.”

While supplies last, participants 12 years of age and older will receive an official Sandcastle Contest T-shirt, and participants under 12 will receive a completion ribbon.

Contestant Information

Master’s Division is by invitation only.

New this year: the Open Division is for individuals of all ages who wish to showcase their sandcastle-building talents. This category is best suited for those who are highly skilled and wish to compete at an advanced level.

Large Group Division allows teams of 4 to 8 contestants, regardless of age, to collaborate on their creation.

Teen Division is open to contestants aged 12 to 18. Teams can have anywhere from 1 to 8 members, and each participant will receive an official Sandcastle Contest t-shirt.

Junior Division is designed for young sandcastle enthusiasts aged 7 to 11. Teams can consist of 1 to 8 contestants, and every participant will receive an official Sandcastle Contest t-shirt. When registering, be sure to purchase a ticket and select the appropriate t-shirt size for each contestant.

For full information about the event, registration, accommodations, and merchandise, visit CannonBeach.Org.

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