We have two calendars from which to choose! Our Main Events Calendar showcases the Peninsula’s signature events while the Community Calendar has, well just about everything going on here at the beach!
In fact, feel free to add an event to our Community Calendar. Once we’ve taken a quick look at your entry, we’ll push it live (usually less than 24 hours). If you need to edit your event later, send changes to webmaster@funbeach.com.
Long Beach Peninsula Main Events
Razor Clam Dig Days!
Tentative; subject to final marine toxin tests a few days beforehand. Read More.
Gray whales annually pass by the Peninsula twice each year, once on their migration from the Arctic to their wintering and breeding grounds in Southern California and Mexico and on the return trip from the southern climes.
Saturday Market at the Port – April through September
Shop for farm fresh produce, handmade crafts, fine art, plants, cut flowers, baked goods and mouthwatering prepared food. Watch the boats go by & catch of the day come in. Uniquely situated on the waterfront. 10 AM–4 PM every Saturday
Summerfest! – May through September
Entertainment and activities in downtown Long Beach. Balloon and chalk art, horse and wagon rides, face painting and more. The Columbia-Pacific Farmers’ Market and live entertainment are every Friday from 3pm-7pm between 2nd and 3rd Streets South.
Art Walk in Ilwaco – June through September
Businesses open their doors and welcome friends, neighbors and visitors with refreshments and art. Features two raffles with free gifts from all participating shops and restaurants. Peninsula community organizations receive a portion of proceeds.
Waikiki Beach Concert Series – June through August
Free outdoor concerts at amphitheater overlooking Waikiki Beach in Cape Disappointment State Park. One-hour performances start at 7 PM. June 9 & 23, July 14 & 28, Aug 11 & 25, 2012
Wild Mushroom Celebration - October through November
The Peninsula is home to 18 varieties of edible wild mushrooms. Participating restaurant, inn and bed & breakfast owners offer daily wild mushroom specials. Workshops, field excursions and prix-fixe dinners also available.
Saturday Christmas Market - Mid November through December
16 vendors at the Port of Ilwaco delight your senses and help you find the perfect holiday gifts. Saturdays beginning November 26, 2012
The Grass Roots Garbage Gang organizes 3 days annually where hundreds of locals & visitors come out to clean our 28 miles of beach. All are welcome; head to a beach approach at 9:30 am on clean up day. Free chowder included! January 21st, April 21st, July 5th, 2012
Windless Kite Festival (Indoor Kite Fly)
Indoor kite flying extravaganza, featuring kites choreographed to music. Some perform solos; others work in pairs while still others create group performance. ‘Hot Tricks Shoot Out’ matches 2 flyers in nearly acrobatic flying. January 14-15, 2012
Crab dinner hosted by Ilwaco High School Booster Club, benefiting local youth. Hot dogs available for children. Held the Saturday of Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend each year. January 14, 2012
Each year, the World Kite Museum features the kites and cultures of a different Asian country. Uniquely shaped & decorated kites and other folk arts are displayed. Videos, demonstrations and hands-on activities are part of both days’ events. February 4-5, 2012
Enjoy a Valentine’s Dance at the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum. Get your disco dancing shoes on for this year!! – 70′s themed dress optional! February 11, 2012
World Kite Museum hosts their annual Spring Fling Events for kids and families. March and April, 2012
Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum will have over 100 quilts on display, submitted by guild members. Founded in 1996, the Peninsula Quilt Guild has 55 members. Free admission. March 16-18, 2012
Peninsula Arts Association Annual Spring Show
Spring show presents the work of over 60 local artists and unique shopping for inspired creations. Raffle proceeds benefit local high school scholarship. April 1, 2012
For kids ages 1-14. Free pancake breakfast 7AM; fishing starts at 10:30. Hot dog lunch served. An adult must accompany children. Some fishing poles available (first come, first served). Prizes awarded by age group & aggregate weight. April 28, 2012
Children’s Loyalty Day Parade & Blessing of the Fleet
Parade at Noon in Ilwaco followed by Blessing of the Fleet at 1pm. May 5, 2012
Halibut/Sturgeon Fishing Season — Ilwaco
Halibut season will open May 5th and run 3 days a week — Thursday, Friday and Saturday – until the quota has been met.
62nd Annual Loyalty Days parade in downtown Long BeachThe longest consecutively running Loyalty Day celebration in the nation! The fun begins in local schools with the crowning of Junior and Senior Courts. May 6, 2012
Surf Perch Derby – Long Beach Prizes for total weight caught for singles & 3 person teams. Prize for heaviest Surf Perch.
28-miles of garage sales! Grab a copy of the local paper or just follow the signs. There are so many sales, you can practically walk from one to the next up and down the Peninsula. May 25-28, 2012
Fun for dogs of all ages, sizes, shapes and abilities. Let your pup compete in ‘Dunking for Dogs,’ ‘Peanut Butter Lick,’ Shedding Contest and more. Some contests involve participation of handler. June 15-16, 2012
Annual Northwest Garlic Festival
Garlic food and condiments, garlic games, garlic crafts, live entertainment and the Clove Brothers, all in Ocean Park. June 16-17, 2012
Beach to Chowder 10K Run & 5K Walk/Run
5K run/walk or 10K run with ocean waves breaking nearby. Many age divisions, many prizes. Complimentary clam chowder served at awards ceremony. Bring the whole family to this pet friendly event. Fun for everyone. June 23, 2012
Ocean Park’s Old Fashioned 4th of July
Traditional Parade where children are welcome to ride bicycles, adults may build a float & join in and pets can also participate. Nearby, at Sheldon Park, the Art in the Park show – open for artists of all media –features local creations. July 4, 2012
Independence Day Fireworks on the Beach
Fireworks explode over the ocean in front of the Long Beach boardwalk. With thousands of vacationers enjoying personal fireworks along 28-miles of public beach, the displays go on for hours before and after the official show at dusk. July 4, 2012
Fireworks at the Port of Ilwaco
Seating for fireworks over the marina at the Port of Ilwaco is on the lawn in front of the harbor, next to port restaurants and shops. Fireworks at dusk. July 7, 2012
Celebrate the history of the only railroad that ran with the tides, the IR&N, which served the peninsula from 1889-1930. Visitors can enjoy model railroad layouts from regional train clubs, historical presentations, vendors and bus tour. July 14-15, 2012
Tour a variety of Peninsula gardens. Garden styles may include formal, cottage, vegetable, herb & vintage. Some will feature live performances and recorded music by Water Musical Festival performers. July 21, 2012
Sandsations and City Sandsations
Professional sand sculptors build in downtown Long Beach for 3 days, followed by the traditional contest on the beach on Saturday. Free lessons Friday and Saturday. Free hot dogs and Sand Flea Pet Parade Saturday. July 25-29, 2012
Finnish American Folk Festival
Scandinavian costumes, musicians, cultural & historical presentations. Boot Toss, Wife Carry, May Pole. Food, craft, photo, flower & dance demonstrations. Dance lessons, dancing until midnight, pulla & coffee, squeaky cheese, rieska! July 27-29, 2012
67th Annual NPRA Sanctioned Rodeo
Events include: Bareback riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Bull Riding, Calf Roping, Barrel Racing, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping, Stick Horse Race. Enjoy the Drill Team, Cowboy Breakfast, Vendors & Concessions. July 27-29, 2012
Ilwaco Tuna ClassicA series of tournaments are sponsored along the OR/WA coast with teams of up to 6 anglers competing to bring in the 5 biggest tuna in aggregate weight. The catch is donated to area food banks. Prizes are offered for top three teams. July 27-29, 2012
Jake the Alligator Man’s Bachelor and Birthday Parties
Family fun featuring games, cake & party hats & children’s entertainment, along with a Hot Rod car show during the day. Grown-up entertainment with sideshow performers, burlesque dancers & live music in the evening. August 3-4, 2012
Hot bands and a food court with local seafood specials, regional beer & wine make the weekend. Both Friday and Saturday venues are along the marina at the port of Ilwaco. Single ticket or Combo with Jazz & Oysters are available. August 17-18, 2012
Live jazz event in Ocean Park. Offerings include grilled oysters, fruit & cheese plates & desserts, beverages and libations. Single ticket or Combo with Blues & Seafood are available. August 19, 2012
Annual Washington State International Kite Festival
Voted ‘Best Kite Festival in the World’ by Kite Trade Assoc. Int’l. The week includes competitions by professional and amateur kite flyers, choreographed kite flies, mass ascensions, fireworks, lighted night kite flies, vendors & more. August 20-26, 2012
Labor Day Weekend
Spend the last weekend of the year in the traditional way: at the beach! September 1-3, 2012
7th Annual Chinook Art Festival
Juried arts & crafts featuring blown glass, stained glass, photography, jewelry, oil & watercolors, pottery & more! September 1-3, 2012
Hot Rods line up to compete in a coasting competition. Cars have approximately 15 feet in which to accelerate and then coast for 200 yards. To win, a car must cross the finish line and stop closest to the line. September 7, 2012
Rod Run to the End of the World
Annual classic car show features thousands of automobiles, from Model As to the muscle cars of the 60s and 70s. Main events are held at Wilson Field in Ocean Park, but the cars will be seen all over the peninsula. September 8-9, 2012
Discovery Trail Half Marathon
Run a Half Marathon on the Discovery Trail through ocean dunes with ocean waves breaking nearby. Eight age divisions, many prizes; clam chowder served at awards ceremony. September 15, 2012
Peninsula Arts Association Fall Show
Fall show presents the work of over 60 local artists and will have works available for purchasing. Raffle proceeds benefit local high school scholarship. October 5-8, 2012
A series of chamber music performances featuring top-rated professional musicians playing Baroque, light classical music and jazz. The festival includes 5 ticketed concerts, a free concert, and performances for students. October 12-14, 2012
One Sky, One World Kite Celebration
The World Kite Museum joins people all over the globe to promote international friendship and peace. Participants can bring homemade kites or purchased ones; those who wish can make a kite at event headquarters. October 13-14, 2012
During the local cranberry harvest, the Fair celebrates cranberry foods and traditions with craft demonstrations, vendors, the Cranberry Trolley to bog tours and more. October 13-14, 2012
Graveyard of the Pacific Shipwreck Events
The shipwreck heritage of the Columbia Pacific region is commemorated with special events and exhibits. Participants include Columbia River Maritime Museum, Fort Stevens, Cape Disappointment, and Fort Columbia State Parks. October 27-28, 2012
Cribbage Tournament
Sanctioned by the American Cribbage Congress. Starting Fri. night with doubles & singles play. Sat. is the 22 game main tournament and Sat. night is a 9 game tour. (Play-offs on Sunday). November 2-4, 2012
‘Ocian in View’ Cultural Weekend
When the Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery exclaimed ‘Ocian in View,’ they had reached their westward destination. Speakers, bus and walking tours, Chinook tribal seafood dinner and book signings fill this weekend. November 9-10, 2012
3-day weekend of free fun for the family! Friday: ‘The Polar Express’ with Mrs. Claus. Saturday: magic and pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Sunday: Frosty’s Birthday Party & kick off of December’s “Peninsula Present’s” raffle! November 23-25, 2012
Lighted Boat Parade & Crab Pot Christmas Tree
Boat parade from Port of Ilwaco to Cape Disappointment and back. Open to all boats. Parade starts at 6 pm following the lighting of the Crab Pot Christmas Tree, weather permitting. December 1, 2012
Bed & Breakfast Holiday Open House
Some of the Peninsula’s finest Bed and Breakfast Inns beckon you to join in the holiday festivities at their annual holiday open house. December 8-9, 2012
The Astoria Tuba Quartet performs the sounds of the holiday season in an afternoon concert. December 9, 2012
Fireworks at Midnight over the Ocean
5 minutes of fireworks over the Pacific Ocean in front of the boardwalk in Long Beach. December 31, 2012
