August is the perfect time to visit the Oregon Coast. Seaside towns come alive with energy, tradition, and fun summer events like sandcastle contests, parades, music festivals, and beach sports. Whether you’re cheering on runners at Hood to Coast, enjoying fresh oysters at a waterfront fair, or exploring the coast for your next celebration, the Oregon Coast has something for everyone.
Planning a trip this August? You’re in the right place. We’ve mapped out the top events, key travel tips, and where to stay with Meredith Lodging so you can relax and roam, all summer long.
Top August 2025 Events on the Oregon Coast
Seaside Beach Volleyball Tournament (August 7–10)
Seaside transforms into the world’s largest amateur beach volleyball tournament with 150+ nets, 1,500 teams, and thousands of cheering fans. The beach becomes a hub of energy, music, and family-friendly fun. You’ll see everything from elite youth and adult players to enthusiastic first-timers, with multiple divisions playing across four days.
Seaside Beach Volleyball Tournament with more than 1,500 teams and 150+ nets at the world’s largest amateur beach volleyball tournament.
Announcers call the games, spectators cheer under umbrellas, and vendors serve up festival-style treats. It’s free to watch, and families often spend the whole day beachside hopping from court to court. After the matches, Seaside’s iconic Promenade and vibrant downtown offer arcades, taffy shops, and beach eats.
Astoria Regatta Festival (August 6–9)
Astoria’s longest-running celebration honors its maritime roots with parades, sailboat races, live music, and community pride. The Regatta includes a Grand Land Parade, Admiral’s Reception, block parties, and a traditional seamen’s memorial ceremony.
Parades, live music, and community pride at the Astoria Regatta
Downtown fills with floats, marching bands, and families waving at the Regatta Queen as she rolls through the streets. On the water, the Astoria Yacht Club hosts colorful races with views from the Riverwalk. At Regatta Square, you’ll find food trucks, beer gardens, and kids’ games.
Lincoln City Sandcastle Contest (August 9)
Set on Siletz Bay in Lincoln City’s Taft District, this one-day event invites everyone – pros and amateurs, to create incredible works of art from sand. You’ll see everything from towering castles to whimsical sea creatures crafted during the morning low tide.
Sandcastle Contest event at Siletz Bay in Lincoln City’s
The setting is stunning, with calm bay waters, bobbing seals, and friendly competition in the air. Judges award prizes in multiple categories, and spectators are encouraged to roam among the builders and snap photos.Arrive early for parking and take time to explore the surrounding shops, food spots, and the bay. Staying in a Meredith Lodging home nearby means you can walk to the beach and return to comfort when the crowds thin. End your day with chowder from Mo’s or ice cream by the bay.
Siletz Bay Music Festival (August 14–24)
A beloved series of classical, jazz, and Broadway-inspired concerts, the Siletz Bay Music Festival offers intimate performances near the coast. Music lovers can enjoy multiple shows across 10 days in venues with beautiful backdrops.
Siletz Bay Music Festival: classical, jazz & Broadway near the Oregon Coast.
The Lincoln City Cultural Center, a transformed schoolhouse, hosts many of the events, while other performances may pop up around the bay or in surrounding neighborhoods. It’s a rare opportunity to hear Mozart, Gershwin, and original compositions just blocks from the ocean.
Hood to Coast Relay Finish (August 22–23)
Celebrate at the finish line of Oregon’s most iconic relay, where teams race from Mt. Hood to Seaside. The beach party welcomes runners with food, music, and an unbeatable vibe.
Hood to Coast Relay Race – from Mt. Hood to Seaside
Cheering at the Hood to Coast finish line is a fun and inspiring experience. Thousands gather on Seaside Beach to support the runners, play music, and celebrate the end of the 200+ mile race. The whole town turns into a lively beach party full of energy and excitement.
More Oregon Coast Events You Shouldn’t Miss
Rockaway Beach Art Fair (August 1–3)
Start your month with a stroll through this juried fair featuring over 100 artists and makers. You’ll find fine art, handmade goods, jewelry, home decor, and coastal crafts, all near the beach. Live music and food vendors complete the festive vibe.
Clatsop & Tillamook County Fairs (July 30–August 9)
Two classic county fairs kick off the month with livestock, craft displays, carnival rides, and local flavor. Watch the famous Pig-N-Ford races – a quirky tradition involving vintage cars, pigs, and a dirt track. It’s family fun with a small-town twist.
Oregon Tuna Classic (August 15–16, Garibaldi)
Anglers race offshore in pursuit of the biggest tuna near Garibaldi, then return for weigh-ins and seafood tastings. Visitors can watch the catch come in, sample fresh tuna, and enjoy a festival-like atmosphere with live music and fundraising auctions supporting the Oregon Food Bank.
Nestucca Valley Artisans Festival (August 16–17, Pacific City)
This community-focused arts event showcases pottery, paintings, fiber arts, and more in a relaxed setting by the sea. Walk through the festival, meet the makers, then head to Cape Kiwanda for sunset views and a pint at Pelican Brewing.
Pearl & Oyster Festival (August 23–24, Bay City)
End your August with seafood and music at this waterfront festival. Local oyster farms serve fresh shucked oysters in every style – grilled, raw, fried, while regional bands perform throughout the weekend. With a bayfront setting and family-friendly atmosphere, it’s the perfect late-summer outing.
Central Coast Highlights: Pacific City to Yachats
While the north coast hosts many headline events, the central coast delivers just as much magic. Pacific City is ideal for those seeking surf, sand, and scenery – climb the dunes at Cape Kiwanda or watch dory boats launch into the surf. Stay steps from the beach and sip Pelican beer with your toes in the sand.
Lincoln City is an event-hopper’s hub. You’ll find seven miles of beach, the Siletz Bay Music Festival, and the Sandcastle Contest all within reach. For a quieter coastal pace, Gleneden Beach and Lincoln Beach offer hidden trails, fewer crowds, and easy access to both Lincoln City and Depoe Bay.
Further south, Depoe Bay is a prime whale-watching location. Spot gray whales just offshore, visit the spouting horns, or take a charter tour. Otter Rock’s Devil’s Punchbowl and surf cove add adventure, while Yachats brings a peaceful, artistic vibe, perfect for unwinding between festivals.
Smart Tips for August Event-Hopping
Book Early: August is peak travel season. Lock in lodging near events before dates fill up.
Use Event Shuttles: Seaside, Astoria, and Lincoln City often offer shuttles or remote parking for big weekends.
Day 5–6: Siletz Bay Music Festival and a relaxing night at your Gleneden Beach rental.
Full Coast-Hopper Adventure
Start with Rockaway Art Fair or Tuna Classic, head south through Pacific City, and finish with Hood to Coast in Seaside.
Space out driving with rest days in Lincoln City or Yachats, and mix in a concert, beach day, or clamming adventure in between.
Where Every Stay Feels Like Part of the Celebration
Meredith Lodging is a locally owned and operated vacation rental company with deep roots in Oregon and a long-standing commitment to service, quality, and community.
You can enjoy sandcastle contests, cheer on relay teams, and attend live music events-all just steps from your stay. Every booking with Meredith Lodging also supports local communities through our Meredith Gives program, helping youth, veterans, animals, and disaster relief efforts.
