One of the region’s biggest celebrations has returned. The Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival is happening now on Clearwater Beach, and the No. 1 sand sculpting festival in Florida is celebrating its 10th anniversary as a must-visit attraction. Catch the action daily through April 14 at 1 Causeway Blvd, and get tickets here.

The festival features incredible designs and sand sculptures created by 16 world-renowned artists who spend days on end perfecting their marvels. In addition to the sculptures, the festival hosts live music, fireworks, kid’s play zones and sand sculpting classes, among much more. There are also street performers, artisans, food trucks, speed sand demonstrations and the master sand sculpting competition.

Many of the events surrounding the festival are free, but the main attraction is the ticketed Sugar Sand Walk Exhibit. Inside this 21,000 square foot tent, visitors will find the masterpieces of sand creations, all constructed with more than 1,000 tons of white Clearwater Beach sand. As the festival so perfectly puts it, “these aren’t sandcastles — they’re premiere works of art.”

General Admission tickets for the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival are $14, and children under three get in free. The Sugar Sand Walk Exhibit is open Sunday-Thursday from 10 am to 9 pm, and from 10 am to 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Every Sugar Sand Walk Exhibit ticket includes a complimentary photo, so don’t forget to snag yours at the end of your experience.

There are also VIP tickets available for $70 which give festival-goers access to the Baystar VIP Lounge, which includes: fast lane entrance to the Sugar Sand Festival Exhibit; a complimentary souvenir photo; two beer, wine or seltzer beverages; two soda or bottled water beverages, a festival t-shirt; access to air-conditioned VIP restrooms; and an enhanced dinner menu available 5:30 – 8:30 pm.

The theme this year is “Sands of Time,” commemorating the themes, sculptors and experiences of the past decade of the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival. Learn more and get tickets here.

All sculptures are made without molds

16 award-winning sculptors use upwards of 1,000 tons of Clearwater Beach sand to create their sculptures, and the exhibit is said to be 95% complete on opening day. The festival intentionally leaves small patches unfinished so that visitors can see the final touches being made.

For those interested in the craftsmanship behind the creations, it’s noteworthy that the sculptors don’t use molds for their work. All sculptures are made with 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.

More activities include a cornhole tournament, free beach concerts presented by Frenchy’s, a photo booth, the Tropico Sand Bar, amusement rides, a Jimmy Buffett-themed sculpting competition (complete with a tribute concert), fireworks, yoga, a butterfly exhibit, and even a classic VW car show. The full schedule of daily events can be found here.

Learn more and find tickets at sugarsandfestival.com