September 13-14
ABOUT THE 2025 EVENT
The American Institute of Architects and La Izquierda Fest partner to enrich the annual AIA Sandcastle Competition, this year presented by 811 Call or Click Before You Dig, with music, vendors, and family-friendly activities at East Beach.
Competing teams have their eyes and shovels set on winning the prestigious Gold Bucket Award. Firms begin months in advance generating ideas, developing designs, and assigning duties. On the day of the event, the teams – stretched along the beach front – meticulously sculpt their piles of sand and work non-stop for five hours.
The judging of the sculptures is rated on the originality of concept, artistic execution, technical difficulty, carving technique, and utilization of the site. At the end of the day, everyone goes home with memories of a great day at the beach filled with fun, sand, and sun.
THE SAND SCULPTURES
Please respect the hard work of our participants by not touching any of the sand sculptures even after the event.
Many spectators visit the beach the next day, on Sunday, to view and enjoy the sculptures.
Schedule & Tickets
Event Schedule:
EVENT DAY
6:30am Beach opens for teams and sponsors
10:00am 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
3:00 – 4:30pm Judging
5:00pm Awards
ACCESSIBILITY
Free beach wheelchairs are available at East Beach on a first come first serve basis and cannot be reserved. They glide through the sand with ease and float in the water, but they are not self-propelled and therefore require assistance to push the wheelchair.
How to get: Please let the gate attendant know you would like a beach wheelchair and meet a staff member on the east side of the pavilion.
TICKETS
General Admission
Saturday: $15
Sunday: $10
Children 12 and under are granted free General Admission.
Parking ($15) is not included with the purchase of ticket(s).
Team and Sponsor Information
2025 TIMELINE
Monday, April 7 | Team Registration Begins
Team Registration is open to firms that meet the following eligibility requirements: architecture, design, and engineering firms who have at least one AIA Architect or Assoc. AIA Architect on their team; or be an AIA Affiliate Member/Firm. Accredited Architecture, Design and Engineering Universities are allowed to participate in the competition. Only one student team per university is allowed.
Friday, July 18 | Team Registration Ends
Team Registration ends at 5:00pm
Click here to access the Registration Form
Forms Links and Deadlines
Links will become active as they become available.
Thursday, July 31 at 5:00PM | Team T-Shirt and Wristband Order
Thursday, July 31 at 5:00PM | Theme-Based Category Selection
Thursday, July 31 at 5:00PM | Tent Rental
Thursday, July 31 at 5:00PM | Ice Order
TBD | Free Team Sign Artwork Deadline
Please provide a print-ready, 24″ x 36″ file with a 5″ white bar on the bottom of your design
Illustrator • Print Ready PDF • TIFF • EPS
Signs will be printed exclusively on our direct-to-substrate printer on 3/16” Gator Board and will be ready for pickup the week of the event.
Printing sponsored by ARC Riot
Thursday, September 4 | T-Shirt Distribution Party (5:30-8:30pm)
Team & Sponsor groups must send at least one representative to pick up t-shirts, vehicle beach pass and event participant wristbands. RSVP required to attend. Complimentary food and drink for attendees.
Location: Debner
September 13-14 | Galveston Sandcastle Festival!
OFFICIAL COMPETITION RULES
Download the 2025 Official Competition Rules HERE.
THEME-BASED CATEGORIES
Each team is permitted to enter only one of the Theme-Based Categories listed below:
- Architectural Icon
- Traditional Sandcastle
- Let the Games Begin!
- Passport & Travel: This World and Beyond!
- Kidtastic: Heroes/Villains
- Foodtastic
AWARDS
Each team is automatically entered in each of the overall categories listed below:
- Gold Bucket (1st Place)
- Silver Shovel 2nd Place)
- Bronze Shovel ( 3rd Place )
- AIA College Challenge (awarded only to university student teams)
- Team Signage
- Team T-Shirt
- 811 Presents: Most Sustainable Team
Each team will be considered for an award for the Theme-Based Category it has entered.
sponsors
Sandcastle Competition Presenting Sponsor
Platinum Bucket Sponsor
Gold Bucket Sponsors
Silver Shovel Sponsor - Beer Tents
Silver Shovel Sponsors
Bronze Shovel Sponsors
Option 1
T-Shirt and Wristband Form
Price range: $10.00 through $20.00
Description
Directions for ordering the Team T-Shirt/Tank Top and Wristband combo: select your item type first, then size. After you have entered the quantity and added the item to your cart, select the “Clear” option that appears under the Size dropdown, then select your next item type. Repeat until you have added all your items to your cart. All t-shirts and tank tops come with a single-size team wristband.
Directions for ordering wristbands ONLY: Select “Wristband Only” as type, and select the same option in the size dropdown. Note: All wristbands come in one size.
If a t-shirt or tank top size does not appear on the size dropdown, please contact Alex Moreno at alexm@aiahouston.org for assistance.
Prices:
Team Wristband T-Shirt or Tank Top/wristband Combo: $20 each
Team Wristband ONLY: $20 each
Friends and Family Wristband: $10 each
All teams receive the first 10 items for free. Use the discount code GSF-TEAM26 at checkout. This code only applies to the Team T-Shirt/Tank Top and Wristband Combo and Team Wristband Only options. Code may only be used once per team, regardless of the number of firms that comprise a team.
Please submit only one order per team.
Wristbands and t-shirts will be available for sale at the distribution party.
Additional information
| Type | T-Shirt, Tank Top, Wristband Only, Friends and Family Wristband |
|---|---|
| Size | XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL, 4XL, Wristband Only, Friends and Family Wristband |
Related products
-
T-Shirt and Wristband Form Sponsors
Price range: $10.00 through $20.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
2026 Sandcastle Ice Order Form
$20.00 Add to cart
Option 2
-
T-Shirt and Wristband Form Sponsors
Price range: $10.00 through $20.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
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