Your local guide to 4th of July on the North Oregon Coast. Cannon Beach parade, Seaside fireworks, Gearhart, Manzanita and more. By Beth Flora, Windermere Realty Trust.

# 4th of July on the North Oregon Coast: A Local’s Guide to the Best Weekend of the Year

**By Beth Flora | Windermere Realty Trust | June 2026**

If you’ve never spent the 4th of July on the North Oregon Coast, you’re missing one of the best weekends Oregon has to offer. And if you have – you already know why so many people come back year after year, and why some of them eventually decide to stay.

I’ve been spending 4th of July weekends on this coast since I was a teenager. Now that I live here full time, I get to enjoy it all from a local’s perspective – and I want to share what makes this weekend so special.

Here’s your insider guide to celebrating Independence Day from Cannon Beach to Astoria.

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## Cannon Beach: A Fireworks-Free 4th

Cannon Beach does the 4th of July a little differently – and that’s exactly why people love it. Since 2021, Cannon Beach has celebrated with a fireworks-free Independence Day, honoring the wildlife, coastal environment, and the Tufted Puffins nesting on Haystack Rock.

What you will find is a charming small-town celebration that feels like stepping back in time. The Independence Day Parade kicks off at 11:00 AM and winds through downtown along Spruce, 3rd, and Hemlock. Expect kids on decorated bikes, classic cars, local businesses, and entire neighborhoods marching together.

Other highlights include the Great Puffin Watch, a free hot dog cookout at the Cannon Beach Fire Station, the annual used book sale at the library, and a movie in City Park. It’s wholesome, it’s beautiful, and it’s the kind of 4th of July that reminds you what the holiday is really about.

**Insider tip:** If you want the best parade viewing spot, grab a coffee from Sleepy Monk and set up near the corner of 3rd and Hemlock. And don’t miss the Cannon Beach Farmers Market on Tuesdays during the summer – it’s one of the best on the coast.

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## Seaside: The Big Show

If fireworks are what you’re after, Seaside is where you want to be. Seaside puts on one of the largest fireworks displays on the entire West Coast, and the energy downtown on the 4th is electric.

The celebration includes a downtown parade, live music, and the kind of festive beach-town atmosphere that draws thousands of visitors every year. The fireworks launch over the ocean and are visible from the beach, the Promenade, and pretty much anywhere in town.

Seaside is only about 15 minutes north of Cannon Beach, so many families split the day – parade in Cannon Beach in the morning, fireworks in Seaside at night.

**Insider tip:** Plan to arrive early and claim your spot on the beach. Parking fills up fast, so consider walking or biking if you’re staying nearby. And if you want dinner before the show, make a reservation now – restaurants book up weeks in advance for the 4th.

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## Gearhart: The Quiet Gem

Gearhart is where the locals go when they want a quieter holiday. This small, beautiful community between Seaside and the Gearhart Golf Links has a slower pace, stunning beach access, and a charm that’s hard to describe until you’ve experienced it.

Grab a burger and a beer at the Sandtrap at McMenamins Gearhart Golf Links and watch the fog roll in over the course. There’s also live music at McMenamins for the holiday weekend – Mojo Holler is playing a live 4th of July set.

**Insider tip:** Gearhart’s beach is one of the only beaches on the Oregon Coast where you can drive on the sand. It’s a completely different experience watching the sunset from your car on a wide-open beach. And the homes tucked along the ridge in Gearhart? Some of the most coveted properties on the entire coast.

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## Manzanita: Small Town, Big Heart

Just south of Cannon Beach, the tiny town of Manzanita puts on one of the most beloved small-town parades on the coast. The Manzanita Parade runs along Laneda Avenue and features everything from marching bands and classic cars to giant crabs and dancing librarians. It’s quirky, it’s joyful, and it’s completely free.

**Insider tip:** Manzanita is small and parking is limited. Arrive early, park once, and walk everywhere. The beach here is stunning and often much less crowded than Cannon Beach or Seaside.

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## Astoria: History Meets Celebration

At the northern tip of the Oregon Coast, Astoria offers its own unique take on the holiday. With its Victorian homes, incredible Columbia River views, and thriving food and arts scene, Astoria is a destination in its own right.

**Insider tip:** Walk the Astoria Riverwalk, grab fish and chips on the pier, and if you have time, visit the Flavel House Museum or the Astoria Column for panoramic views that will take your breath away.

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## What Every Visitor Should Know

A few things that first-time coastal visitors don’t always expect:

**The weather.** July on the Oregon Coast is gorgeous – but it’s not Southern California. Expect morning fog that burns off by midday, temperatures in the mid-60s, and evenings that call for a light jacket. Layers are your best friend.

**The traffic.** Highway 26 from Portland to the coast will be packed on July 3rd and 4th. Leave early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the worst of it. The drive is normally 90 minutes – on the 4th it can stretch to three hours.

**The lodging.** If you haven’t booked yet, do it now. The North Oregon Coast books up months in advance for the 4th of July, especially Seaside and Cannon Beach. Last-minute options are sometimes available in Gearhart, Astoria, or Manzanita.

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## Thinking About More Than a Weekend?

Here’s what I hear from people every single 4th of July weekend: *”We should really look into buying a place out here.”*

If that thought has crossed your mind – even just as a whisper – I’d love to have that conversation. Whether you’re dreaming about a vacation rental, a second home for long weekends, or a forever home by the sea, the North Oregon Coast has something for you.

The market is active right now. Inventory is up, buyers are engaged, and summer is the perfect time to explore what’s available while you’re already here enjoying the coast.

I’m Beth Flora with Windermere Realty Trust in Gearhart and Cannon Beach. I grew up in Lake Oswego, I’ve been coming to this coast my whole life, and I now live here full time. I’d love to be your guide – to the market, to the neighborhoods, and to the lifestyle that makes this place so special.

**Give me a call or send a text : 503-706-6849**
**email me: bethflora@windermere.com
visit my website www.bethflorarealestate.com**

Happy 4th of July, everyone. See you on the beach. 🇺🇸🌊