SF’s 44th Annual Sandcastle Classic Contest at Ocean Beach (2026)

Submitted by the Event Organizer

On Saturday, October 24, 2026, Leap Arts in Education will take over Ocean Beach for its 44th annual Sandcastle Classic, Northern California’s largest sandcastle competition. Teams of local students, architects, engineers, designers, contractors, and corporate teams will work together to transform the beach into a sprawling showcase of giant sand sculptures.

Since 1983, Leap has hosted the Sandcastle Classic as a fundraiser for Bay Area arts education programs. The free community event brings more than 5,000 people to Ocean Beach each year to watch teams build elaborate sculptures on an impressive scale, with local elementary school students working alongside professional designers and builders.

Bring a blanket, grab a bite, and spend the day at the beach watching the sculptures take shape. The event is free to attend, and the competition culminates with judging and an awards ceremony.

2026 Sandcastle Classic

Saturday, October 24, 2026

The 2026 event will mark the 44th annual Sandcastle Classic. Teams are typically made up of architects, engineers, contractors, designers, corporations, and local elementary school students who work together to design and construct giant sand sculptures. Money raised by participating teams and sponsors helps Leap provide arts programs to Bay Area students.

A few things to know:

• The Sandcastle Classic is free for the public to attend.
• More than 5,000 people typically come out to Ocean Beach for the event.
• More than 25 local schools and 500 donating companies and advertisers participate.
• Celebrity judges evaluate the finished sand sculptures.
• Teams can compete for awards and raise money for arts education.
• Leap is accepting a maximum of 30 teams for the 2026 competition.

2026 Event Schedule

The 2026 schedule has not yet been announced, but here’s a look at what the day typically looks like based on the 2025 event:

• 8–10 a.m. — Teams arrive, check in, and head to their assigned beach sites
• 10 a.m. — Teams begin preparing their sites
• 10–10:30 a.m. — Students arrive
• 11 a.m. — Sandcastle building begins
• 2:30 p.m. — Sandcastle building ends
• 3 p.m. — Awards ceremony
• 3:30 p.m. — Event ends

The 2026 schedule will be announced closer to the event.

Where: Ocean Beach at Balboa Street, San Francisco

When: Saturday, October 24, 2026

Cost: Free to attend

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.