Parksville Beach Festival Guide

Every year, artists participate in this premier event for expert sand sculptors, acting as a qualifying contest for the World Championship of Sand Sculpting. Known locally as Beachfest, watch expert sand sculptors from around the globe compete, creating skilled sand pieces. Be immersed in masterful sand sculptures, taking in awe-inspiring works of art.

When & Where

The competition will start on July 11 as sculptors begin shaping their work. Public availability during the competition begins on July 12, and runs through July 14 with an award ceremony at 5 p.m. This event is held at the Parksville Community Park and Beach.

The sand sculpture exhibition will be available from July 15 to August 18. Spend a day strolling through sculptures with daily available hours starting from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Discover your favorite sculpture and place a vote for it, participating in the “People’s Choice Award.” Capture photographs of the most breathtaking sculptures before the exhibit ends.

Admission Information

The Parksville Beach Festival suggests a donation of $5.00 per person, supporting local-nonprofit organizations and volunteer community programs. Donations will impact local non-profit organizations, generating over $75,000 being placed back into these volunteer community programs.

A sand sculpture of a person moving and playing flute at Parksville Beach Festival

Featured Events

Explore sand sculpting lessons, classic rock-filled concerts, live performances from daily buskers, a variety of goods from an artisan market, a light-up weekend event of the sculptures, and more.

For more details about the Parksville Beach Festival, check out the upcoming events here.

Footprints Security Opening Weekend Concert Featuring Trooper - July 13

Kick off Beachfest with an incredible performance by Trooper – one of Canada’s top five selling bands of all time! Gates open at 4:30 p.m. and The Soul Shakers will begin the show at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are available online.

Parksville Canadian Tire Sculpting Zone: Lessons & Demonstrations - July 13 & 14

Learn sand sculpting from experts with lessons running from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Tim Hortons Summer Concert Series - July 19-August 17

Dance to live music with a variety of country, blues, and rock songs on Friday and Saturday nights, running from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Party City Buskers - July 15-August 18

Jam to a variety of diverse music with local Vancouver Island performers, performing at the beachfront gazebo next to the sand sculpting contest. These performances will run on a daily basis starting at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Coastal Community Credit Union Light Up! - August 16 & 17

Explore stunning displays of lights across the sand sculpture exhibition, beginning from dusk and ending at 11:00 p.m.

Quality Foods Lunch with the Castles - July 23-August 15

Munch on delectable eats before touring the sand sculptures, starting at 11:30 a.m. Each lunch and tour ticket costs $15 per person with groups starting at a minimum of 10 people.

Mid Island Co-op Rock the Park - August 9, 10 & 11

The concert will be held at the Parksville Outdoor Theatre in Parksville Community Park. Groove to live music with premier tribute bands playing songs from legendary artists such as Shania Twain, Bon Jovi and Dixie Chicks. Tickets are available as a weekend pass for $80 per person.

Symphony by the Sea - August 18

Enjoy RE/MAX Parksville-Qualicum's orchestra concert, showcasing the talents of the Vancouver Island Symphony with gates opening at 3:00 p.m. and the concert running from 4:00 p.m. to 6 p.m. Don't miss classic renditions from the works of legendary composers such as Beethoven, Strauss, and more.

Art In the Park Artisan Market - July 20 & 21

Explore this local artisan market that will be located in the gardens near the tennis courts at Parksville Community Park. This event starts at 10:00 a.m. and ends at 6:00 p.m. on July 20. As for July 21, it begins at 10:00 a.m. and closes at 4:00 p.m.