Partner Story
Cool off and catch a festival in Coos Bay, North Bend and Charleston — and this summer, gas is on the house.
Planning a coastal getaway from high-season heat? There’s no better time than summer to visit Oregon’s Adventure Coast. From July through September, the communities of Coos Bay, North Bend and Charleston gear up for some of their most anticipated annual festivals and events. From hometown parades to classic-car shows, fireworks, a fun run and music ranging from big band to Native American drumming — you might need more than one trip to take it all in.
And now there’s yet another compelling reason to hit the road to Oregon’s Adventure Coast: a sweet summertime promotion designed to help offset the cost of getting there. Simply make a direct phone reservation by July 31, 2026, for a two-night stay at any participating property and ask for the $75 Summer Fuel Freebie and you’ll get a $75 Visa card to cover the cost of gas. Be sure to mention the promotion when you make your reservation. Note that reservations cannot be made for dates after September 20, 2026, and you can take advantage of this offer as many times as you like. Read on for inspiration for your next summer road trip.
July: Where Independence, Music and Adventure Collide
What better way to celebrate America’s 250th birthday than by watching the largest fireworks display on the Oregon Coast? Running July 3-4, Fireworks Over the Bay is part of a weekend-long celebration throughout Coos Bay. For family-friendly daytime fun, head to Mingus Park for free swimming, fishing, animals and a fun run. On the evening of July 3 leading up to the fireworks show, the Ko-Kwel Casino Resort’s north parking lot transforms into a waterfront food and beer garden.
Now in its 48th season, the Oregon Coast Music Festival holds bragging rights as the longest-running music festival on the Oregon Coast. Running for two full weeks (July 11-25 this year), the event draws musicians and music lovers from near and far for a blend of classical, big band and jazz performances along with music education seminars throughout the greater Coos Bay area. The 2026 festival culminates with the 80-member Festival Orchestra performing three concerts highlighting pops to percussion at the Marshfield High School Auditorium.
Downhill mountain bike enthusiasts looking to experience some of the best single-track in the state are encouraged to load up their gear and head to the Coos County Forest on July 18-19 for Ride the Dirt Wave, a two-day enduro-style mountain biking festival at the Whiskey Run Mountain Bike Trail System. After experiencing the sweeping ocean views at the summit and descents that wind through old-growth evergreens, celebrate your race performance with a trip to the food-cart pod and a pint of 7 Devils Brewing Co. Gnome Wrecker IPA, which is named after one of the gnarly trails at Whiskey Run.
August: Street Eats, Local Arts and Summer Markets
In August, arrive in town hungry for Coos Bay’s annual Food Truck Off. Running Aug. 7-9, 2026, Ko-Kwel Casino Resort hosts up to 20 food trucks from across the Pacific Northwest during this family-friendly waterfront event. With cook-off competitions in several categories, visitors can place votes for the People’s Choice Award, purchase curated sample items from each vendor and enjoy live music.
Timed with Oregon’s blackberry harvest, the annual Blackberry Arts Festival once again highlights the work of local and regional artists and crafters specializing in metalwork, jewelry, hand-painted clothing, candles, wine, carved wood and more. This year’s festival runs August 22-23, with booths, food vendors and live music forming a street fair along Central Avenue in downtown Coos Bay.
September: Honoring Heritage and Hometown Traditions
A tribute to Native American and Coquille tribal culture, the annual Salmon Celebration, in North Bend, marks its 21st year September 12-13. The 2026 lineup includes public canoe rides and tribal canoe races. Live entertainment features traditional Native American dancing, drumming and flute playing, while tribal craft vendors offer demonstrations designed to encourage hands-on participation. A cornerstone of the event is the traditional pit-cooked salmon meal, served with brown rice, cranberries, grilled hazelnuts and traditional fry bread.
The Bay Area Fun Festival calls itself the greatest last party of the summer for good reason. Highlights of the September 19-20, 2026, event include a hometown parade; live music; local food; and the annual Prefontaine Memorial Run, featuring a 10K run and a 2-mile walk honoring a local icon and one of America’s greatest distance runners, Steve Prefontaine. If you’re in town for the festival and also a classic-car enthusiast, you won’t want to miss Cruz the Coos, which brings up to 500 vintage automobiles to cruise the streets of Coos Bay on September 19.
in Events
