The Must List

Architects Trade Blueprints for Beach Buckets at Galveston Sandcastle Festival

It makes perfect sense, really. Who better to construct massive feats of nothing but sand and water than AIA Houston members, whose job it is to keep buildings steady and safe?

09/11/2025 By Meredith Nudo

Sculpting Strategies

At Texas SandFest, Competitive Sand Sculpting Is at Its Peak

The folks who compete in the annual Port Aransas festival have perfected the art of the sandcastle.

05/02/2025 By Brianna McClane

Let's go to the beach

AIA Houston to Host 2022 Sandcastle Competition in Galveston

Grab your sand bucket: we’re headed to the beach.

08/10/2022 By Amarie Gipson With Alexia Partouche

Life's a Beach

Remember These Creations from Annual AIA Sandcastle Competition in Galveston?

Covid swept away this summer's iteration of the popular beachy pastime, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy some masterpieces from years past.

08/21/2020 Photography by Emma Schkloven

Sand Man

Somebody Made AstroWorld Out of Sand

The Travis Scott-inspired creation was just one of dozens of spectacular structures at last weekend's 2019 AIA Sandcastle Competition.

08/29/2019 By Morgan Kinney

Sandy cheeks

5 Things You Must Do This Weekend, August 24–26

Are you ready for some really, really big sandcastles?

08/23/2018 By Morgan Kinney

Texas Beaches

Port Aransas: The Classic Seaside Town That Takes All Comers

And with more hotel rooms than residents, there’s something for every budget in this quirky coastal village.

06/14/2017 By Michael Hardy

Ice House

How to Crush the Competition in a Sandcastle Contest

Winning big in Galveston's annual competition means going against the grain.

05/25/2017 By Katharine Shilcutt

Houstonia Magazine

Sandcastles