Top image of king tides at Shore Acres State Park, near Coos Bay courtesy Hugh Hull/Shutterstock

Watch for these events annual events on the Oregon Coast. Dates, when known, are for 2023.

January

Catch the first glass float drop of the year in Lincoln City, with 100 floats distributed. Jan 7–8

Participate in the Oregon King Tides Project by taking pictures of areas impacted by extreme tide events at certain spots along the Oregon Coast. Jan 20–22

Catch a range of styles (the 2023 fest includes bluegrass, folk, and dystopian Afrofuturism) at the Winter Music Festival in Florence. Jan 27–29

February

Astoria’s Fort George Brewery promises “dark art, darker entertainment, and the darkest collection of beers” at the stout-centric Festival of the Dark Arts. Feb 18, already sold out

This 21-and-over Newport Seafood and Wine Festival (in addition to the headlining goodies, there are also baked goods, beer, and more) returns in full force for 2023 after a brief hiatus during the pandemic and decentralized format in 2022. Feb 23–26 

Voices from the commercial fishing industry bring poetry, storytelling, and music to Astoria for the annual FisherPoets Gathering. Feb 24–26

March

Eat fresh crabs and race them, too, at Garibaldi Crab Races, with kid and adult divisions. Mar 11–12

Catch migratory whales on their way back north during Spring Whale Watching Week, with volunteers staffing certain viewpoints. Mar 28–Apr 2

April

Labyrinths and land art meet at the beach in Bandon for the annual Circles in the Sand. Apr 21–Aug 5

Help keep the coast looking snazzy by joining in the SOLVE Oregon Spring Beach Cleanup, Apr 22

Sample local bounty and live music at the Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival. Apr 28–30

May

Bring those wide tires to the sand for the Cannon Beach Fat Bike Festival for a pedal past Haystack Rock. May 12–14

June

No vasectomy on the prize list this year, but there's a $1,000 grand prize for 2022's Nehalem Bay Crab Derby at Kelly's Brighton Marina. 

A certified qualifier for the Boston Marathon, the annual Newport Marathon starts at the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse. June 3

Celebrate the Astoria-set 1985 adventure film on the official Goonies Day, though famous filming locations like Ecola State Park can be visited anytime. June 7

The 58th annual Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest includes a bonfire the night before and a fun run the day after. June 10

Expect huge sculptures, a 90-minute quick carve every day, and a live auction every evening over Father’s Day weekend at Reedsport’s Oregon Divisional Chainsaw Carving Championship. Father's Day Weekend

The Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival invites visitors to discover their “inner Viking” at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds every June. June 16–18

Part of a long-running Lincoln City treasure hunt, 50 new colorful orbs are waiting to be found after the Father's Day glass float drop. June 17–18

Go fly a kite, up to its highest height, at the D River State Recreation Site during the Lincoln City Summer Kite Festival. June 24–25

July

Join wildlife experts each morning for the Great Cannon Beach Puffin Watch to learn more about the birds who visit Haystack Rock in breeding season. July 1–4

Independence Day usually brings fireworks to Astoria, Rockaway Beach, Newport, Waldport, Coos Bay, Bandon, and Gold Beach, while quaint parades prevail in communities including Cannon Beach and Oceanside. July 4

Pacific City’s flat-bottomed fishing boats inspire a parade and festival for Dory Days, in the shadow of Cape Kiwanda and the other Haystack Rock. 

Mingus Park, the Oregon Institute for Marine Biology, Shore Acres, and other venues around Coos Bay and Charleston host orchestral music for the Oregon Coast Music Festival. 

Live music, a car show, and firefighter vs. Coast Guard contests fill Garibaldi Days in this fishing town just north of Tillamook. 

Watch where you step when the annual Chalk Art Contest hits the Seaside Prom. 

August

The Pig-n-Ford race (people drive Model Ts while holding pigs) is not to be missed at the Tillamook County Fair. Aug 9–12

Expect teams from around the world at the 41st annual Seaside Beach Volleyball Tournament. Aug 10–13

The Charleston Seafood, Beer & Wine Festival celebrates the local harvest in this fishing town, along with a Clam Jam live music stage and kids’ activities. 

Teams of runners take turns in the Hood to Coast relay race from Mount Hood to Seaside by way of Portland. Aug 25–26, registration is sold out

September

Jazz, chamber music, and more blanket Lincoln City for the Siletz Bay Music Festival. 

The Bandon Cranberry Festival includes a cranberry eating contest, a Cranberry Court coronation, and a crab derby. 

The Cruz the Coos classic car show and Prefontaine Memorial Run highlight the Bay Area Fun Festival in Coos Bay. Sept 16–17 

Help pick up after the summer crowds at the Solve Oregon Beach &
Riverside Cleanup.

String up your kites for the Lincoln City Fall Kite Festival, on the beach at the D River State Recreation Site. Sept 23–24

October

The Great Columbia Crossing 10k run/walk over the Astoria-Megler Bridge is not for acrophobes! Watch for registration to open in the summer for this certain sell-out. Oct 8

A special glass float drop for Halloween in Lincoln City means there are 50 glow-in-the-dark floats to find. Oct 28–31

November

Concerts, whistle workshops, dance performances, and more pack the schedule for the Yachats Celtic Music Festival.

A stunning estate garden by day blossoms at night, too, for the Shore Acres Holiday Lights at this state park between Coos Bay and Cape Arago.   

Participate in the Oregon King Tides Project by taking pictures of areas impacted by extreme tide events at certain spots along the Oregon Coast. 

December

Here's another holiday-timed chance to participate in the Oregon King Tides Project by taking pictures of areas impacted by extreme tide events at certain spots along the Oregon Coast. 

Volunteer to count whales and answer questions during Winter Whale Watching Week, or just show up to look and learn. (Look for a virtual train session for volunteers the first week of November.) Dec 28, 2022–Jan 1, 2023