Southern Oregon Coast Tradition Marks 80 Years
Bandon Cranberry Festival Marks 80 Years on the Southern Oregon Coast
The Bandon Cranberry Festival celebrates its 80th year in 2026, running September 10 through 13, with the main festival weekend on Saturday and Sunday, September 12 and 13. Bandon sits on Highway 101 between Coos Bay and Port Orford, right where the Southern Oregon Coast turns wild and rugged, and this town has been growing cranberries for over a century. Eight decades in, the festival still runs on the same small-town pride that started it, and it remains one of the best Bandon Oregon events on the fall calendar.
Sponsored by Rogue Credit Union, the festival weekend brings together a parade, a kitchen contest, live music, an artisan market, and enough cranberry treats to make you rethink what the berry is capable of. If you have never tried fresh cranberry salsa or a slice of homemade cranberry pie on a crisp coastal afternoon, this festival is the reason to plan the trip.
80th Anniversary Festival Highlights
The Bandon Cranberry Festival opens Thursday evening, September 10, with the Cranberry Court Coronation at Sprague Community Theater. Friday, September 11, brings the Cranberry Kitchen Contest at the VFW in the morning and the Cranberry Bowl football game at Bandon High School that evening. Saturday, September 12, kicks off with the signature Cranberry Parade through Old Town, followed by a festival market and street vendors along Old Town and the Port of Bandon waterfront. Throughout the weekend, look for a cranberry eating contest, a classic car and farm equipment show, live music on the main stage, and the Old Town street dance that closes out Saturday night.
In past years, local farms have also opened their cranberry bogs for tours during the festival, giving visitors a guided look at how the harvest actually works. It is a rare chance to see Oregon’s agricultural side up close while the fall color is at its best.
Beyond the Bandon Cranberry Festival
A cranberry festival weekend is a good excuse to explore the rest of Bandon, too. Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint is perfect for tidepooling and photos. Old Town’s boutiques and galleries are an easy walk from the festival market, and birders should carve out time for Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge during fall migration. Local restaurants lean into the season with fresh seafood, regional cider, and cranberry-inspired specials.
Before the main festival gets underway, Bandon also hosts pre-festival favorites like the Port of Bandon Art Show and the Bandon Crab Derby, both good reasons to arrive a day or two early.
A Festival Worth the Trip
Eighty years is a long run for any small-town festival, and the Bandon Cranberry Festival has earned its place as one of the most anticipated Bandon, Oregon, events of the year. Between the parade, the bog tours, the coastal air, and a weekend built entirely around a berry this region does better than almost anywhere else, it is easy to see why people plan their fall around it. Stay close to the action at the Inn at Face Rock, and spend the weekend celebrating eight decades of Bandon tradition.
Where to Stay for Bandon Cranberry Festival Weekend
Parking gets tight, and the town fills up fast during festival weekend, so where you stay matters more than usual. The Inn at Face Rock sits about a five-minute drive from Old Town and the festival’s main venues, close enough that you can head back for a break, but far enough to have a quiet room waiting when you need a break.
As one of the top-rated Bandon Oregon Hotels, the Inn at Face Rock offers spacious guest rooms, a private path to the beach, a heated indoor pool and hot tub, and a breakfast buffet to fuel up before a day of festival events. Wide lawns and private patios make it a comfortable base for families, and the property welcomes well-behaved dogs for guests who want to bring the whole crew. Book your stay today and make the Inn at Face Rock your home base for the festival’s 80th year.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Bandon Cranberry Festival in 2026?
The 2026 Bandon Cranberry Festival runs September 10 through 13, marking its 80th year. Pre-festival events take place September 10 and 11, with the main festival weekend on September 12 and 13.
How many years has the Bandon Cranberry Festival been running?
2026 marks the festival’s 80th year, with roots dating back to the 1940s.
What events happen during the Bandon Cranberry Festival?
Highlights include the Cranberry Court Coronation, the Cranberry Kitchen Contest, the Cranberry Bowl football game, the Cranberry Parade, a festival market, live music, a classic car and farm equipment show, a cranberry eating contest, and the Old Town street dance.
Where should I stay for the Bandon Cranberry Festival?
The Inn at Face Rock is about a five-minute drive from Old Town and the festival’s main venues, making it one of the most convenient Bandon Oregon hotels for a festival weekend.