The beach is calling—and so are the world’s best sand sculptors!
Parksville Beach Festival is making its sun-soaked return from mid-July through to August 17th, transforming the shoreline of Parksville Community Park into one of the most spectacular summer destinations on Vancouver Island.
Running from July 10th to August 17th, this beloved annual event centres around the Quality Foods Sand Sculpting Competition & Exhibition, a must-see for locals and tourists alike.
This year’s theme? Circus by the Sea—and we’re already picturing lions, jugglers and maybe even an acrobat or two crafted entirely out of sand.
From July 10th to 13th, nearly 30 master sculptors from around the world (some working in pairs) will go head-to-head in a high-stakes, world-class competition.
Among them is Karen Fralich, one of Canada’s most celebrated sand sculptors and a five-time world champion.
Based in Guelph, Ontario, Karen is no stranger to Parksville. She placed in the top five solo sculptors in 2024 and is returning this year to wow us once again.
You may also recognize her from CBC’s Race Against the Tide, where she helps judge up-and-coming sculptors from across the country. Don’t miss your chance to see her in action from July 11th to 13th.
Once the competition wraps, the fun continues with a full month of viewing the completed masterpieces at the Sand Sculpture Exhibition, which runs daily from July 14th to August 17th.
Beyond the sculpting showcase, the Parksville Beach Festival is stacked with summer entertainment. Enjoy live concerts every weekend, daily performances by talented buskers, and browse the artisan market for handmade treasures.
For a truly unforgettable experience, be sure to check out the special evening sculpture light-ups, where the sand creations are illuminated after dark—giving them an entirely new dimension under the night sky.
This free-to-attend event (with donations welcome at the gate) helps raise money for local non-profits—and brings thousands of visitors to Parksville’s iconic waterfront each summer.
So mark your calendars, gather the crew, and prepare to be amazed by what a handful of sand and a whole lot of imagination can create!
Friday, July 11: 2:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 12 & Sunday, July 13: 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Parksville Beach Festival
- Where: Parksville Community Park & Beach, 193 Island Highway East, Parksville
- When:
- Competition: Friday, July 11th: 2 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Saturday, July 12th & Sunday, July 13th: 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Exhibition: July 14th to August 17th, Daily from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
