Seasonal Activities

Any time of year is a great time to visit Cannon Beach and each season of the year offers its own set of unique experiences. From whale watching in winter and spring to special summertime hands-on learning events offered by the Haystack Rock Awareness Program, seasonal activities provide a chance to deepen the quality of your Cannon Beach experience. Here is a list of some of our seasonal activities. For information on our annual events, click here.

March – June

WHALE WATCHING

Gray Whales migrate north along the Oregon Coast each spring, with the peak of the migration from mid-March to mid-April, but whales are frequently spotted through June.

April – July

TUFTED PUFFIN WATCHING

Tufted Puffins nest on Haystack Rock beginning in April and can be seen through July.

February – October

HAYSTACK ROCK AWARENESS PROGRAM BEACH PROGRAM

The Haystack Rock Awareness Program sets up at Haystack Rock with informative volunteers, printed resources, and occasionally spotting scopes to help educate visitors on the importance of Cannon Beach’s most iconic and beloved natural feature.

June – September

CANNON BEACH FARMERS MARKET

Produce, specialty foods, music, and prepared food booths fill the City Hall parking lot every Tuesday afternoon from mid-June through late September.

September – June

NORTHWEST AUTHOR SERIES

Northwest authors share their work and discuss the creative process each second Saturday afternoon at the Cannon Beach Library.

November – December 

HAYSTACK HOLIDAYS

The community hosts Haystack Holidays, a series of events designed to put visitors in the holiday spirit, including shopping events, a holiday concert, festive theater productions, and appearances by Santa. Beginning after Thanksgiving, the whole community gets decked out in its holiday best as businesses and homeowners compete in the Cannon Beach in Lights contest.

November – May 

WORLD OF HAYSTACK ROCK LECTURE SERIES

Friends of Haystack Rock offers a free community lecture series every second Wednesday evening at the Cannon Beach Library.

December – January

WHALE WATCHING

Gray Whales migrate south along the Oregon Coast each winter, with the peak of the migration from mid-December to mid-January.