The beloved AIA Sandcastle Competition is back at Galveston Island’s East Beach for the 37th year with 40 teams of architects designing monumental structures using only sand and water.
The event has now expanded to two days called the Galveston Sandcastle Festival, a celebration filled with sandcastles designed and built by architects, live music from local and regional bands, local vendors, and family-friendly activities.
AIA Houston has partnered with La Izquierda Fest, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the communities of Galveston and the Gulf Coast through surf, the arts, and fostering local culture to bring this expanded experience to life.
Scheduled for September 21 and 22, this year's festival promises to be a weekend full of sandcastles, music, art, food, drinks, and family-friendly activities that will delight attendees of all ages.
This year, La Izquierda will bring an impressive lineup of local and regional bands, showcasing the best of Galveston and the Gulf Coast’s musical talent. The 2024 Galveston Sandcastle Festival band line-up includes several local favorites.
On Saturday, enjoy live music from GALVEZTON, India Tigers in Texas, Kevin Anthony and G-town, DELADY, Austin Gaston, Girl Bouy, Karankawa and Marching Thunder.
On Sunday, Dem Roots Music, Oje Band, Youth Soul Love, Songs For Lila, Raa’ Tansiel and Pachuco Boogie Sound System will perform throughout the day.
Visitors can immerse themselves in local sounds and flavors while exploring a huge vendor market featuring gifts, artists, crafts, and more. Beer lovers will appreciate offerings from the legendary Galveston Island Brewing.
Sunday brings new programming for festival veterans, including a Sunday Brunch with food trucks, drinks, and vendors from 10am to 6pm. Enjoy live music all day, a bloody mary contest dubbed the Beachside Bloody Mary Battle, and a brunch bar with mimosas and bloody marys in the VIP area. A highlight of Sunday’s events is the first-ever locals Sandcastle Building Contest for individual builders.
"La Izquierda Fest is excited to bring the local magic to this already popular creative island event," says Robert Kuhn, Executive Director and musician at La Izquierda Fest.
"We're thrilled to bring art and music to the beach, and we have a lineup that will be a perfect accompaniment to the artistry going on in the sand."
The festival will take place on September 21 and 22, with tickets for the full weekend priced at just $10, and free entry for kids 12 and under. Doors open at 10am both days and the event is pet friendly.
Sandcastle building begins at 10am on Saturday and concludes at 3pm, with AIA’s Sandcastle contest winners announced around 5pm. Live music will continue until nightfall Saturday. Doors close at 6pm on Sunday, and you can view the Sandcastle creations all Sunday.
For more details and to purchase tickets visit www.GalvestonSandcastleFestival.com.