Galveston Sandcastle Competition

This annual Galveston Sandcastle Competition Event brings in dozens of teams from all over the area to build some of the most impressive sand sculptures you will ever see! Located at East Beach Galveston, this competition is one of Galveston’s largest fundraising events. AIA (American Institute of Architects) Houston puts on this event, so the sandcastles are always well-designed and jaw-dropping!

If you and your family are going to be in Galveston in August, you won’t want to miss it! Read some helpful tips for attending the Galveston Sandcastle Competition, like bringing a cooler and staying hydrated.

34th Annual AIA Sandcastle Competition 2021

Teams competed in categories including: Traditional castle, Animal Kingdom, Public Favorite, Greatest Feat of Structural Ingenuity, and many more!.

Some of the Winners

Gold Bucket: Ziegler Cooper Architects – “Olympic in the Pacific – Lilo and Stitch”

Silver Shovel: PGAL – “Hickory Dickory Dock”

Bronze Shovel: Kirksey Architecture – “Mortalorian”

Public Favorite: Ziegler Cooper Architects – “Olympic in the Pacific – Lilo and Stitch”

See some highlights from the 34th Annual AIA Sandcastle Competition, that took place August 21, 2021.

Also, get a couple sandcastle building tips from the winner of the Best Animal Kingdom award, REES, with their sculpture “Let’s Get Kraken”.

You may not be able to build castles as huge or intricate as the ones in this competition, but finding a great spot along Galveston beach and sculpting your very own sandcastle with a bucket or your hand is always great fun! Not to mention relaxing!