Galveston Sandcastle Festival

Every summer in Galveston, experience over 60 teams competing to win the prestigious Golden Bucket Award.

The AIA Houston & La Izquierda Galveston Sandcastle Festival is a fundraising event for AIA Houston and ArCH Foundation as well as one of the top five revenue-generating events for the City of Galveston.

Date(s): September 21-22, 2024

Event Details

Multiple sculptures on display at the Galveston Sandcastle Competition.

About Galveston Sandcastle Festival

Galveston Sandcastle Festival is a music, food and family festival hosted on East Beach in Galveston, TX, centered around the AIA Houston Sandcastle Competition.

Expect a fun, family friendly atmosphere and an amazing Sandcastle competition showcasing local music, food, art and small businesses from Galveston and the Houston area .

The AIA Sandcastle competition takes place on Saturday, Sept 21st, and the fest goes through Sunday, Sept 22nd with a Sunday Brunch, live music, and activities for the whole fam. Get your tickets today- kids 12 and under get in free! Pet friendly.

What is the weekend schedule?

Saturday, September 21, 2024

6:30AM – Beach opens for Sandcastle teams & sponsors ONLY
10:00AM -Gates open to public *Early arrivals will NOT be able to enter until this time*
10:00AM – 3:00PM – AIA Sandcastle Teams Compete and build!
10:00AM – Vendor Village Opens + Live Music Begins on The Main Stage + Castle Creation Kid Zone (Till 4PM) + Solar Cooking Demonstration (Till 4PM)
11:00AM | 1:00PM | 3:00PM – Sandcastle Building Lessons from a Pro
1:00PM – 4:00PM – Public Favorite Voting
3:00PM – 4:00PM – Judging
5:00PM – Awards
5:00PM – 9:00PM – Live Music Continues on The Main Stage

Sunday, September 22, 2024

10:00AM – Gates open to public, Live Music, Vendor Village, and sandcastle viewing all day
11:00AM– Activities, contests, and family fun on the beach
6:00PM – Gates close

How does parking work for the event?

Parking at East Beach is $15.00 per vehicle (CASH ONLY).

One-time entry with each admission; No re-entry. Unlimited Entry for only $50 with a Seasonal Beach Parking Pass.

Is this event wheelchair accessible?

Yes! To obtain a beach wheelchair, simply ask the gate attendant. You will need to provide a driver’s license to be held until return of the chair. Beach wheelchairs are limited in number and offered on a first-come first-served basis, with no reservations or fees required.

What are the ticket options for the event?

There are two ticket options for the AIA & La Izquierda Galveston Sandcastle Festival.

General Admission Weekend Pass VIP Weekend Pass

Learn more about Galveston Sandcastle Festival here.

Day 1 - Saturday, September 21, 2024

Competition Day

Competitors are hitting the sand and building for five intense hours as they fight to maintain the structural integrity of their sculptures. The competition is considered one of the world’s largest amateur sandcastle competitions and draws thousands of spectators to watch teams vie for the coveted Golden Bucket Award. Plus, attendees can partake in free sandcastle-building lessons from a professional sandcastle builder!

See Schedule

Day 2 - Sunday, September 22, 2024

Bonus Viewing Day

By popular demand, the Galveston Park Board is working to help teams maintain the event's sandcastles overnight for beachgoers to take in these architectural marvels (with smaller crowds). There are also free sandcastle building lessons in conjunction with this viewing at 11AM, 1PM and 3PM.

See Schedule

Directions: Galveston Causeway to East Beach

East Beach is located at the very far eastern tip of the Island on Boddecker Drive. To get there, take Seawall Boulevard past Stewart Beach two miles until it dead ends. Then hang a right on Boddecker and follow the beach road all the way down.

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