AIA Sandcastle Competition

The annual AIA Sandcastle Competition takes place on East Beach on Sat., Aug. 12. More than 60 teams will work to build gigantic, creative sandcastles in the prestigious competition. 

On Saturday, Aug. 12, more than 60 teams will converge on East Beach to build gigantic sandcastles during the annual American Institute of Architects (AIA) Sandcastle Competition. This year, spectators will be able to view the structures on Sunday and take advantage of free sandcastle-building lessons, too!

Members of the Houston Chapter of the AIA will hit the sand and build for five intense hours as they fight to maintain the structural integrity of their sculptures. The competition is considered one of the world’s largest amateur sandcastle competitions and draws thousands of spectators to watch teams vie for the coveted Golden Bucket Award. The Galveston Park Board is working to help teams maintain their sandcastles overnight in order to remain on display to beachgoers throughout the day on Sunday. The organization is also offering free sandcastle building lessons in conjunction with the sandcastle viewing.

Day 1 (August 12, 2023) - Competition Day
Competitors are hitting the sand and building for five intense hours as they fight to maintain the structural integrity of their sculptures. The competition is considered one of the world’s largest amateur sandcastle competitions and draws thousands of spectators to watch teams vie for the coveted Golden Bucket Award. Schedule: 

6:30am Beach opens for teams and sponsors
9:00am Public is encouraged to begin to arrive to watch the competition
10:00am - 3:00pm Teams compete and build
10:00pm - 4:00pm Castle Creation Kid Zone
10:00pm - 4:00pm Solar Cooking Demonstration
11:00am | 1:00pm | 3:00pm Sandcastle Building Lessons from a Pro
1:00pm - 3:30pm Public favorite voting
3:00 - 4:30pm Judging
5:00pm Awards

Day 2 (August 13, 2023) - Bonus Viewing Day
By popular demand, the Galveston Park Board is working to help teams maintain the event's sandcastles overnight for beachgoers to take in these architectural marvels (with potentially smaller crowds). There are also free sandcastle-building lessons in conjunction with this viewing.