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 10 as sculptors begin shaping their work. Public availability during the competition begins on July 11, and runs through July 13 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 14 to August 17. 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 year.

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

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.

Opening Weekend Concert Featuring Chilliwack! - July 12

Kick off Beachfest with an incredible performance by Chilliwack on their Farewell to Friends tour! Gates open at 4:30 p.m. and Johnny Inappropriate will begin the show at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are available online.

Parksville Canadian Tire Sculpting Zone: Lessons & Demonstrations - July 12 & 13

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

Tim Hortons Summer Concert Series - July 18-August 16

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 14-August 17

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 15 & 16

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 22-August 14

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 Presents Beachfest ROCKS - August 8 - 10

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.

Closing Concert featuring The Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) - August 17

Enjoy RE/MAX Parksville-Qualicum's orchestra concert, showcasing the talents of the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) with gates opening at 2:00 p.m. and the concert running from 3:00 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Art In the Park Artisan Market - July 26 & 27

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 5:00 p.m. on July 26. As for July 27, it begins at 10:00 a.m. and closes at 4:00 p.m.