International Sand Sculpture Festival （FIESA）

An Art Extravaganza Where Imagination Rises from Golden Grains

2026/03/20 - 2026/11/14

Every year, Portugal’s southern Algarve region becomes the stage for the International Sand Sculpture Festival (FIESA), creating the world’s largest open-air sand sculpture gallery. From March to November at SandCity in Lagoa, more than 60 artists from around the globe transform over 35,000 tons of sand into towering sculptures up to 12 meters high. FIESA is a festival that dazzles the senses and celebrates the wonder and creativity of sand art.

Across 15,000 square meters, visitors are immersed in a world of intricate sand creations: lifelike animals, legendary figures, scenes from fantasy and history, all crafted in astonishing detail. By day, you can admire the sculptures under the blue sky; by night, they glow in magical illuminations. Workshops, live performances, and delicious food round out the experience, making it a place where all generations can lose themselves in wonder.

Main Attractions

Giant Sand Sculptures and Themed Worlds

The heart of FIESA is its annually changing themed exhibition. Past themes have included “Hollywood,” “Mythology,” and “Wonders of the World,” with over 100 sculptures created by international artists. Some reach 12 meters high-the height of a four-story building. The creative process is open to the public, so visitors can watch as these masterpieces take shape before their eyes.

At night, the site is illuminated, and the sand sculptures appear even more magical. Live music and circus performances add to the festival’s unique nighttime atmosphere, making it a completely different experience from the daytime.

Workshops, Demonstrations, and Family Fun

FIESA is interactive and hugely popular with families. Daily workshops and demonstrations let children and adults try their hand at sand sculpting under the guidance of professional artists. There are special sand play areas for kids, interactive exhibits, and guided tours. On weekends, fireworks and special events make the festival even more lively.

Cultural and Historical Background

The International Sand Sculpture Festival (FIESA) began in 2003 in Pêra, Algarve, as Portugal’s first large-scale sand art event. Its aim was to provide a platform for sand artists from around the world to showcase their skills and creativity, and it quickly grew in scale and reputation. Now held in Lagoa’s SandCity, FIESA is recognized as one of the world’s largest sand sculpture festivals. Each year, more than 60 artists from over 25 countries participate, creating more than 100 sculptures using over 35,000 tons of sand across 15,000 square meters.

Each year features a new theme, inspiring artists to create massive sand sculptures up to 12 meters high, depicting mythology, pop culture, historical scenes, animals, and more. The Algarve’s sand, mixed with clay-rich lake sand, is ideal for sculpting, and the region’s dry summer climate helps preserve the works throughout the festival season.

FIESA is more than just a visual feast-it’s a celebration of community, creativity, and the fleeting beauty of sand art. The festival offers hands-on workshops, live sculpting demonstrations, and guided tours, making it an interactive, educational event for all ages. Visitors can also enjoy traditional Portuguese music, folk dance, and regional cuisine, making it a true fusion of art and local culture.

For the Algarve, FIESA is a source of regional pride and a highlight of the summer. Tens of thousands of visitors come each year, helping to establish Portugal as a global hub for sand art. For visitors, it’s a chance to witness ordinary sand transformed into extraordinary art, learn from master sculptors, and experience a unique, ephemeral form of creativity that disappears with the season.

Participant Voices

“The moment I stepped into SandCity, it felt like another world. The giant Cristiano Ronaldo sculpture, the intricate Belém Tower-seeing that it was all just sand was simply astonishing.”

Fun Facts

FIESA uses over 35,000 tons of sand and covers 15,000 square meters, making it one of the largest sand sculpture festivals in the world.
Some sculptures reach 12 meters high-the equivalent of a four-story building.
Clay-rich lake sand is mixed in for strength-no concrete or glue is used.
Children under five enter free, and there are dedicated sand play areas for kids.

Festival Dates

The International Sand Sculpture Festival (FIESA) takes place every year from March to November at SandCity in Lagoa, Algarve. Experience the magic of sand art in both daylight and under the festival’s enchanting night lights.