The Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival returns to Clearwater Beach with breathtaking Sand Sculptures

The excitement is building at the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival, the #1 sand sculpting festival in Florida kicks off on Friday, April 11.

The Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival is a 17 day festival bringing together 17 skilled sand artists from around the world to craft masterpieces using 1,000 tons of sand in a 24,000 square-foot walk-through exhibit near Pier 60. There's no better way to see Clearwater Beach's famous white sand in action!

The festival also offers more than breathtaking sculptures, there’s more fun to have during the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival than grains of sand on Clearwater Beach. The festival offers free sand sculpting classes, live music, weekend fireworks, artisans, food vendors and more!

Additionally, Pier 60 Park features a Ferris Wheel and amusements for added thrills.

The Sugar Sand Festival is a 17-day beach wide celebration of Clearwater Beach’s two most notable natural assets: sugar sand and sunsets. The event also raises money for the community and supports the educational initiatives of the Sunsets at Pier 60 Festival.

The sculptors don’t use molds! Every masterpiece is handcrafted using utility tools, baking tools, brushes, and even dentist tools. Master sand sculptors will be on site throughout the festival adding finishing touches to the exhibit, teaching free sand sculpting workshops, and performing speed sand demonstrations.

Each year the theme of the Sugar Sand Walk Exhibit changes, so you’ll never see the same sculpture twice, with this year’s theme: Dinoshores—A Prehistoric Adventure.

Step into a dino-sized adventure as the beloved Sugar Sand Walk Exhibit expands to 24,000 square feet, featuring jaw-dropping sand sculptures inspired by the age of dinosaurs.

NEW THIS YEAR!

For the first time ever, the Sugar Sand Walk Exhibit will feature projection mapping and augmented reality by Enlightened Monkey Arts. This collaboration between artists Dave Gordon and Elln Hagney combines technology and storytelling to create an immersive, dynamic experience.

Dave, a pioneering new media artist, brings expertise in photography, animation, and interactivity, while Elln, a visionary in exhibit design, crafts transformative spaces that engage and inspire. Together, they push the boundaries of digital art, offering festival visitors a captivating fusion of light, motion, and meaning.

You don’t want to miss this exciting new addition to the Sugar Sand Walk Exhibit!

Live Entertainment at the Sugar Sand Festival

Frenchy's FREE Beach Concerts! 

Friday, April 11, 8 pm: Soul Circus Cowboys featuring Eddy Ravens

Saturday, April 12, 8 pm: TL Jentgens; Fireworks at 9:30 pm!

Sunday, April 13, 7:30 pm: Orlando Ortiz & Karibe Mambo Orchestra

Friday, April 18, 8 pm: Homegrown: The Zac Brown Band Experience

Saturday, April 19, 8 pm: The Black Honkeys Band; Fireworks at 9:30 pm!

Friday, April 25, 8 pm: Stereo FM

Saturday, April 26, 8 pm: TL Jentgens; Fireworks at 9:30 PM!

Sunday, April 27, 6 pm: Orquesta INFINIDAD

Spritz Society Stage

Friday, April 11: 12:00 - 3:00 pm, DJ Jermaine Kearse

Friday, April 11: 3:30 - 7:30 pm, Zachariah Evans

Saturday, April 12: 12:00 - 3:30 pm, DJ Jermaine Kearse

Saturday, April 12: 3:30 pm - 7:30 pm, DJ Jabbar Buggs-Graham

Sunday, April 13: Starting at 1 pm, Salsa and Bachata at the Sugar Sand Festival

Thursday, April 17: 12:00 - 4:00 pm, Tony Rook

Thursday, April 17: 4:30 - 8:30 pm, Josh Austin

Friday, April 18: 12:00 - 3:00 pm, Marie Tess

Friday, April 18: 3:00 - 7:00 pm, Chris Flowers

Saturday, April 19: 10 - 11 am, FREE BEACH YOGA

Saturday, April 19: 12:00 - 4:00 pm, Chris McCarty

Saturday, April 19: 4:30 - 7:30 pm, Zachariah Evans

Sunday, April 20: 1:00 - 3:30 pm, Kyle Ingram

Sunday, April 20: 3:30 - 7:00 pm, Aubrey Wollett

Thursday, April 24: 12:00 - 4:00 pm, Tony Rook

Thursday, April 24: 4:30 - 8:30 pm, ELEMENT

Friday, April 25: 12:00 - 3:00 pm, DJ Jermaine Kearse

Friday, April 25: 3:00 - 7:30 pm, Zachariah Evans

Saturday, April 26: 10 - 11 am, FREE BEACH YOGA

Saturday, April 26: 12:00 - 4:00 pm, Chris McCarty

Saturday, April 26: 4:30 - 7:30 pm, VIBEz Party Duo

Sunday, April 27: Starting at 1 pm, Salsa and Bachata at the Sugar Sand Festival

Tickets

Skip the lines and visit the Sugar Sand Festival website to purchase tickets online. General Admission Tickets are $14, Children 3 and Under are Free, with a VIP option for $70.

Parking

The closest parking to the event is the Pier 60 lot ($3/hr). It is located just southwest of the roundabout, beach side. There is some street parking north and south of the roundabout, two public parking garages located near the venue on Coronado (Hyatt Regency and Surf Style) and one public parking garage located on north beach in the Pelican Walk Plaza.

Don’t Forget Your Complimentary Photo

Every Sugar Sand Walk Exhibit ticket includes a complimentary photo! Check out College Wall Art’s Photo Stop located outside the exhibit to pick up your complimentary souvenir photo. Additional photo souvenirs like canvas prints and more are available for purchase.

Your Change Helps Create Change

Guests will select the winner of the $8,000 Master Sand Sculpting Competition cash prize. Vote for your favorite sculpture by donating cash or small change. The sculptor who raises the most money wins the competition. Every penny counts!

All of the proceeds collected will be donated to Calvin Hunsinger School, Sandy Lane Elementary and Eisenhower Elementary Schools in Clearwater.

For more info and to purchase your tickets: https://www.sugarsandfestival.com.

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