The 80th Annual Pismo Beach Clam Festival returns October 17–18, 2026, with two days of food, entertainment, and family fun that have anchored this Central Coast tradition for eight decades. The clam chowder cook-off is a signature draw, with local restaurants competing while you sample your way through the contenders.

Tickets sell out, so be sure to buy them when they go on sale September 1. The Saturday 10 AM festival parade brings the community out in force, rolling through town with floats, music, and plenty for kids to cheer on. Add in live entertainment, family activities, and a vendor village full of local treats, and it's an easy weekend to build a Pismo getaway around.