New Discount, Dates, & Theme for 2024 Sand Sculpture Festival in Clearwater Announced

Rapunzel's Castle Sand Sculpture from the 2015 iteration of Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival. Taken April 18, 2015. Photo by Jared | Flickr

*Uncovering Florida is in no way affiliated with the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival and receives no revenue from reader or visitor purchases.*
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Florida's Clearwater Beach will see the return of the bright and beautiful Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival, celebrating its 10-year anniversary as its biggest year yet and stretching for 17 days between March 29 and April 14, 2024, according to a release from the City of Clearwater.

Fourteen world-class artists will craft elaborate sand sculptures from Clearwater’s internationally famous sugar sand. The works of art will be on display in a 21,000-square-foot structure, with more than 1,000 tons of sand taking shape to whisk visitors away on a "sandtastic" adventure.

This year's theme has been announced as the "Sands of Time," a theme that's set to invoke a sense of nostalgic celebration and appreciation for the festivals of the past ten years, while also looking forward to an even more exciting and inspiring future for the museum and the art of sand sculpting.

From architectural masterpieces created from Clearwater's famous sugar sand to concerts, performers, and daily entertainment, the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival is Presented by Visit St. Pete Clearwater, offering a myriad of ways to play and enjoy the sands of Clearwater Beach alongside the vibrant art of sand sculpting.

While general admission to the sand sculpture exhibit will be $14 per person, children under 3 are always admitted free.

This year will also offer discounted admission at a $10 price point for frontline workers including military personnel, police officers, firefighters, teachers, and healthcare workers on "Frontline Fridays,". These discounted dates are set as March 29, April 5, and April 12, and will be available at the gate only with proper identification. All other tickets will be available online at SugarSandFestival.com beginning in December 2023.

New to the 2024 iteration of this fest are "Timeless Tuesdays" — a discount for festival-goers aged 60 and over; admission for these visitors on Tuesdays April 2 and April 9 will run for only $12 per person.

If you've ever dreamed of creating sand sculptures of your own, this year's exhibitors, Tampa Bay Sandsculpting Co., will be offering free sand sculpting classes throughout the duration of the festival.

According to a press release, the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival continues to grow in popularity and garner national attention. The 2023 event drew more than 200,000 visitors from around the world throughout its 17-day run.

Those interested in learning more about the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival can find a brief overview of festival details, as well as a link to the festival website, below.

Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival
When: March 29 through April 14, 2024.
Where: 1 Causeway Blvd Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
How Much: $14 per person, with children 3 and under admitted free. Discounted tickets for military personnel, police officers, firefighters, teachers, and healthcare workers will be available for $10 each on March 29, April 5, and April 12. Seniors 60 and over can also get a discounted admission on April 2 and April 9 for $12 each.
Website
Article by Rachael Volpe