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.
Whale Watching on the Coast
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
Free, family-friendly entertainment and activities in downtown Long Beach. Bands, balloon art, Mother Goose, Chalk Art, Free Horse and Wagon Rides, Face Painting and more.
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 2 PM.
Wild Mushroom Celebration - Mid 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, 2010
Beach Cleanup Day
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, April & July
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 15-16, 2011
Annual Crab Feed
Crab dinner hosted by Ilwaco High School Booster Club, benefiting local youth. Hot dogs available for children. January 2011 – TBA
Asian New Year
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 3, 2011
Spring Break Family Kite Fun
World Kite Museum hosts their annual Spring Fling Events for kids and families. March and April, 2011
Peninsula Quilt Guild Show
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 2011 TBA
Annual Long Beach Bluegrass Festival
A favorite for all ages! Watch top bands, participate in jam sessions, Sunday morning gospel and a TON of FUN! March 25-26-27, 2011
Peninsula Arts Association 19th 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 2011 – TBA
Black Lake Fishing Derby
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 2011 – TBA
Annual Loyalty Day Celebration
The longest consecutively running Loyalty Day celebration in the nation! The fun begins in local schools with the crowning of Junior and Senior Courts. Main events, including two parades, are on Saturday (Ilwaco) & Sunday (Long Beach).April 30, May 1-2 2011
Surf Perch Derby
7 AM breakfast: pancakes, ham, eggs. (Extra meals $7.) 6-9 AM check in before fishing req’d. Raffle, door prizes. Prizes for total weight caught for singles/3 person teams. Weigh in 1-3 PM. Pre-reg. $25 or $30 on day. May 14, 2011
World’s Longest Garage Sale
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 27-30, 2011
33rd Annual Beach to Chowder 10K Run & 5K Walk/Run and Half Marathon
Participants can choose Half Marathon on Discovery Trail through ocean dunes, 5k walk/run or 10k run with ocean waves breaking nearby. Eight age divisions, many prizes; clam chowder served at awards ceremony. June 23, 2011
Southwest Washington Anglers Sturgeon Derby
Family derby at the Chinook Marina limited to 200 teams. Custom Sturgeon Competitor shirt and dinner ticket with each paid entry. Winners receive cash, Lamiglas Rods & Kuma Reels. June 2011 TBA
Doggie Olympic Games
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 24-25
Annual Northwest Garlic Festival
Garlic food and condiments, garlic games, garlic crafts, live entertainment and the Clove Brothers, all in Ocean Park. June 2011 TBA
Music in the Gardens
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. June 2011 TBA
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 2, 2011
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, 2011
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, 2011
Clamshell Railroad Days
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 16-17, 2011
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 20-24, 2011
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 – TBA
66th 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, Beer garden, Vendors and Concessions. Parade Friday. July 31, 2011
Oregon Tuna Classic
A 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 30, 2011
Blues and Seafood in Ilwaco
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 12-13, 2011
Jazz & Oysters in Oysterville
Live jazz event on the expansive lawn of historic Oysterville Schoolhouse. Offerings include grilled oysters, fruit & cheese plates & desserts, beverages and libations. Single ticket or Combo with Blues & Seafood are available. August 14, 2011
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 15-21, 2011
Jake the Alligator Man’s Bachelor and Birthday Parties
Family fun featuring games, cake & party hats & children’s entertainment, along with a Rat Rod car show during the day. Grown-up entertainment with sideshow performers, burlesque dancers & live music in the evening. August 26 – 27, 2011
Labor Day Weekend
Spend the last weekend of summer in the traditional way: at the beach! September 3-6, 2010
6th Annual Chinook Art Festival
Juried arts & crafts featuring blown glass, stained glass, photography, jewelry, oil & watercolors, pottery & more! September 4-6, 2010
Slow Drag at the Port
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 10, 2010
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 11-12, 2010
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. October8-11, 2010
One Sky, One World Kite Celebration
The World Kite Museum joins people across the globe to promote international friendship and peace. Bring a kite or make one at the Museum. On Skype, watch kites flying in Singapore, Columbia, Minnesota and more. October 9-10, 2010
89th Annual Cranberrian Fair
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 9-10, 2010
Water Music Festival XXVI
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 15-17, 2010
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 24, 2010
‘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 12-13, 2010
Holidays at the Beach
A weekend of free activities for the whole family. Friday, the Neptune Theater hosts a free showing of ‘The Polar Express’. Saturday brings lots of magic with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Sunday is Frosty the Snowman’s Birthday Party. November 26-28, 2010
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 4, 2010
Bed & Breakfast Holiday Home Tour
Tour beautiful homes and feed the hungry! A donation of a non- perishable food item is requested for each B&B visited. Many have freshly baked gingerbread houses on display. Monday’s tour also benefits the Boys and Girls Club. December 11-12, 2010
Tuba Christmas
The Astoria Tuba Quartet performs the sounds of the holiday season in an afternoon concert. December 12, 2010
Fireworks at Midnight over the Ocean
10 minutes of fireworks over the Pacific Ocean in front of the boardwalk in Long Beach.
December 31, 2010
