One of the best reasons to visit Washington’s southern coast is the incredible lineup of community events, festivals, and celebrations that happen throughout the year. From the beloved Grayland Cranberry Harvest Festival in October to summer pirate parades and world-class kite flying, there is always something happening in and around Grayland and Westport. We have put together this comprehensive month-by-month guide so you can plan your coastal getaway around the events that interest you most.
Whether you are a foodie drawn to oyster tours and crab cook-offs, a nature lover hoping to witness a million migrating shorebirds, or a family looking for a fun weekend escape, the Grayland community events calendar has something for everyone. Many of these festivals are free or low-cost, and nearly all of them take place within a short drive of Ocean Spray Beach Resort.
January & February: Storms & Seafood
The year kicks off with one of the coast’s most delicious events. Storms & Seafood runs from January 29 through February 2 and celebrates the wild winter weather and the exceptional seafood harvest that comes with it. More than 12 local restaurants participate with special menus featuring the freshest catches from Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay. Highlights include guided oyster tours where you can see how local shellfish are cultivated, live crab cooking demonstrations, and prix fixe dinners at participating restaurants throughout Westport and the surrounding communities.
This is also prime storm watching season, so you can spend your mornings watching dramatic waves crash against the shore and your evenings savoring a steaming bowl of clam chowder. We think it is one of the most underrated times to visit the coast, and our cozy cottages make the perfect base camp for a winter culinary adventure.
March: International Mermaid Museum Festival & Fishing Derby Launch
As winter transitions into spring, the coast comes alive with two exciting offerings. On March weekends, the International Mermaid Museum Festival in Westport hosts free events celebrating maritime mythology, ocean conservation, and coastal art. It is a wonderfully unique attraction that kids and adults alike enjoy, with interactive exhibits, mermaid-themed crafts, and special guest speakers throughout the month.
March also marks the start of the Westport Charterboat Fishing Derby, which runs from March 8 through October 18. This is no small-town fishing contest. With over $60,000 in prizes, the derby attracts anglers from across the Pacific Northwest. Whether you are a seasoned fisher or a first-timer, booking a Westport fishing charter during derby season adds an extra layer of excitement to your trip. You never know when you might land the catch that puts you on the leaderboard.
April: Crab Races & Coast Clean-Up
April brings two very different but equally rewarding events. On April 18, the World Class Crab Races & Derby takes over Westport with one of the quirkiest and most entertaining competitions you will ever witness. Live crabs race across specially designed tracks while spectators cheer them on. It is silly, it is fun, and it is absolutely unforgettable, especially if you are visiting with kids. Check out our guide to kid-friendly activities in Grayland for more family fun ideas.
Then on April 25-26, the annual Coast Clean-Up gives visitors and locals a chance to give back to the beaches we all love. Organized around Earth Day, this volunteer event brings together hundreds of participants to pick up debris along the shoreline. It is a wonderful way to connect with the community, teach children about environmental stewardship, and enjoy a beautiful spring day on the sand. Supplies are provided, and the sense of accomplishment is well worth the effort.
May: Shorebirds, Art & Remembrance
Festivals and events fill the calendar all year long on the southern Washington coast.
May is one of the most spectacular months on the southern Washington coast. The Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival takes place May 1-3 and draws birdwatchers from around the world. Each spring, approximately one million shorebirds stop in the Grays Harbor estuary during their northward migration along the Pacific Flyway. Species include western sandpipers, dunlins, short-billed dowitchers, and semipalmated plovers. Guided field trips, expert-led workshops, and viewing stations make this event accessible to birders of all experience levels. If you love spring activities in Grayland, the shorebird festival is a must.
Also in May, the Tokeland & North Cove Art Studio Tour opens the doors of 22 or more local artists to the public. You can visit working studios, meet the artists, and purchase one-of-a-kind pieces inspired by coastal life. Painters, potters, glass artists, woodworkers, and jewelers all participate, and many of their studios are set in beautiful rural locations overlooking Willapa Bay. It pairs perfectly with a day trip to Tokeland.
On May 24, the Day of Remembrance at the Fishermen’s Memorial in Westport is a moving ceremony honoring the commercial fishermen who have lost their lives at sea. The memorial overlooks the marina, and the annual service includes readings, wreath layings, and the ringing of the ship’s bell. It is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the fishing families who have shaped this community for generations.
June: Rusty Scupper’s Pirate Daze
Pirate Daze brings swashbuckling fun and over 100 vendors to Westport every June.
Ahoy, matey! Rusty Scupper’s Pirate Daze is one of the biggest and most beloved events of the year, running June 26-28. This three-day pirate-themed extravaganza transforms Westport into a swashbuckling wonderland, complete with a visiting tall ship, over 100 vendors, a lively parade through town, live music, costume contests, cannon firing demonstrations, and treasure hunts for kids.
The energy during Pirate Daze is contagious. Locals and visitors alike dress in their finest pirate gear, and the entire marina district buzzes with activity from morning until night. Food vendors serve up everything from fish and chips to smoked salmon, and artisan booths feature handmade jewelry, nautical decor, and coastal artwork. If you are planning a Grayland weekend itinerary, building your trip around Pirate Daze is a fantastic idea. Just be sure to book your cottage early because this event fills up fast.
July: Independence Day, Kite Festival & Art Gallery
July is packed with celebrations on the southern Washington coast. July 4th brings the spectacular Booming Bay Fireworks show over Westport’s marina, plus the charming Tokeland Parade for a small-town Independence Day experience that feels straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting. There is nothing quite like watching fireworks reflect off the Pacific Ocean while wrapped in a blanket on the beach.
From July 10-12, the Windriders Kite Festival fills the sky above Grayland Beach with a breathtaking display of color and artistry. This is not your average kite-flying afternoon. Professional and amateur kite flyers from across the region bring massive show kites, precision sport kites, and whimsical creations that dance and dive in the coastal winds. The Windriders Kite Festival is free to attend, and the wide-open Grayland beach provides the perfect viewing area. Bring a blanket, pack a picnic, and spend the afternoon looking up. Our guide to beach activities in Grayland has even more ideas for enjoying the sand and surf.
July also marks the opening of the South Beach Art Gallery, which runs from July 1 through September 30. This seasonal gallery showcases the work of local and regional artists, with rotating exhibits that feature paintings, photography, sculpture, and mixed media inspired by the coastal landscape. It is a lovely way to spend a rainy afternoon or to pick up a unique souvenir of your trip.
August: Westport Seafood Festival & Summer Fishing
Late summer brings one of the coast's tastiest traditions. The Westport seafood festival celebrates the region's rich fishing heritage with fresh catches prepared by local vendors, live music on the waterfront, and cooking demonstrations. Dungeness crab, razor clams, and fresh-caught salmon take center stage. Check in at the Westport Marina for festival schedules and vendor lineups.
August also marks prime fishing season. Salmon derbies draw anglers from across the state, with prizes for the biggest catches. Even if competitive fishing is not your thing, chartering a boat for a day on the water is one of the best ways to experience the coast. Book early through local fishing charter services as summer weekends fill fast.
September: Grayland Beach Heritage Days
As summer crowds thin out, September brings a quieter celebration of coastal life. Heritage Days highlight the area's history with local storytelling, historical exhibits, and community gatherings. It is also the start of fall fishing season, with coho salmon running strong and crabbing opportunities picking up as water temperatures shift.
October: The Cranberry Harvest Festival
The Grayland Cranberry Harvest Festival celebrates over a century of cranberry farming on the southern Washington coast.
The crown jewel of the Grayland events calendar is the Cranberry Harvest Festival, held October 10-11. Now in its 32nd year, this two-day celebration honors Grayland’s deep-rooted cranberry farming heritage with a lineup of activities that draws thousands of visitors to this small coastal community.
The festival highlights include guided bog tours where you can walk alongside working cranberry bogs and learn about the growing and harvesting process from the farmers themselves. The annual cranberry cook-off is a friendly but fierce competition where home cooks and professional chefs submit their best cranberry-inspired dishes for judging. Past winners have featured everything from cranberry barbecue sauce to cranberry cheesecake. You can learn more about the fascinating history and process of local cranberry farming in our guide to Grayland’s cranberry bogs.
Beyond the bog tours and cook-off, the Grayland Cranberry Festival features live music, craft vendors, a pancake breakfast, a fun run, and activities for kids. Local farmers sell fresh cranberries by the bag, along with cranberry jams, sauces, and baked goods. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and quintessentially small-town, and it is one of the things to do in Grayland in October that we recommend to every guest.
Planning Your Festival Getaway
Our guests love timing their stays around the coast’s best festivals and community events.
With so many events spread throughout the year, we encourage you to plan ahead. Festival weekends are among our busiest, and our cottages tend to book up quickly for events like Pirate Daze, the Kite Festival, and the Cranberry Harvest Festival. Booking early ensures you get the dates and cottage that work best for your group.
Here are a few tips for getting the most out of your festival visit:
- Check event details before you go. Dates and schedules can shift from year to year. We recommend checking with the Westport-Grayland Chamber of Commerce or local event pages for the most current information.
- Arrive a day early. Many of our guests like to arrive the evening before a festival so they can start fresh in the morning. Use the extra time to explore outdoor activities in Grayland or take a sunset walk on the beach.
- Bring layers. Coastal weather can change quickly, even in summer. A windbreaker and a warm layer will keep you comfortable at outdoor events.
- Explore between events. The Westport Marina area, the Grays Harbor Lighthouse, and the hiking trails around Grayland are all worth visiting any time of year.
- Dine local. Festival weekends are the perfect time to try the best seafood restaurants in Westport and Grayland. Many restaurants offer special menus during major events.
Quick Reference: Grayland & Westport Events Calendar
DateEventHighlightsJan 29 – Feb 2Storms & Seafood12+ restaurants, oyster tours, crab demosMarch weekendsInternational Mermaid Museum FestivalFree admission, ocean-themed exhibitsMar 8 – Oct 18Westport Charterboat Fishing Derby$60K+ in prizesApril 18World Class Crab Races & DerbyLive crab racing, family-friendly funApril 25-26Coast Clean-UpEarth Day beach cleanup volunteer eventMay 1-3Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival~1 million migrating shorebirdsMayTokeland & North Cove Art Studio Tour22+ local artist studios openMay 24Day of RemembranceFishermen’s Memorial ceremonyJune 26-28Rusty Scupper’s Pirate DazeTall ship, 100+ vendors, paradeJuly 4Booming Bay Fireworks + Tokeland ParadeFireworks over the marinaJuly 10-12Windriders Kite FestivalProfessional kite displays on the beachJuly 1 – Sept 30South Beach Art GallerySeasonal gallery with rotating exhibitsOct 10-11Cranberry Harvest Festival32nd annual, bog tours, cranberry cook-off
Stay Close to the Action
No matter which event draws you to the coast, Ocean Spray Beach Resort puts you right in the heart of it all. Our beach cottages and tiny homes are located in Grayland, just minutes from Westport and within easy reach of every event on this list. After a full day of festival fun, you can walk back to your cottage, kick off your shoes, and fall asleep to the sound of the ocean.
Browse our top things to do in Grayland for even more ideas, or check out our guides to day trips from Grayland and dog-friendly beaches to round out your itinerary.
Planning a trip to Grayland or Westport? Ocean Spray Beach Resort offers cozy beach cottages and tiny homes just steps from the Pacific Ocean. Check availability and book your stay today.
