Besöksguide och evenemangKalmar International Sand Sculpture Festival
At the Kalmarsund bath, there is more to experience than swimming and sunbathing next to the nice view of Kalmar Castle. In mid-July, there are also some truly amazing sand sculptures to discover – during the annual Kalmar International Sand Sculpture Festival.
The Kalmar International Sand Sculpture Festival premiered in 2013, and some of the world’s best sand sculptors visited already in its first year. The detailed works of art are being created during the course of one week. The festival usually starts on a Monday, when the sand is prepared by being watered and packed. The sand needs to be really compact in order for the sculptures to be as durable as possible.
During the week, it's really exciting to visit the beach from time to time, to see the skilled sculptors at work. Step by step, they transform the sand into fanciful creations. Each day reveals a little more about what the final works will look like, and by the end of the week, the artists chisel out the final details.
On Friday, a winner is chosen, but in one way, that's just the beginning. If the weather permits, the massive sculptures will remain on the beach for many weeks.
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This year's festival takes place from 6th–10th July. Eight skilled teams will participate.
Every year, some of the world’s best sand sculptors take part. Here you can read interviews with some of the artists who participated in 2025.
- The festival has been held annually since 2013, and takes place at the Kalmarsund bath.
- In the summer of 2020, the festival had to pause due to the pandemic. Instead, artistic leader of the festival Edwin Böck created a large sand sculpture in the middle of town. It was aptly named "Staycation". In July 2021, the festival took place with some adjustments for the pandemic. In 2022, the festival was back at full scale.
- The organisers are Destination Kalmar, in cooperation with the Department of Culture and Leisure of Kalmar Municipality.
- The festival is unique in Sweden and enjoys a strong reputation among sand sculptors worldwide. As a result, many artists apply each year.
- The Kalmar International Sand Sculpture Festival 2026 will be held from 6 to 10 July, with eight artist teams participating.
- Already in their application, the artist teams submit sketches and detailed descriptions of the works they plan to create. This ensures that the artworks are always of very high quality.
Make your own stellar summer sandcastle
Five hands-on tips from artistic leader of the Sand Sculpture Festival Edwin Böck.
- Find good sand that is a bit “sticky”.
- Pack it hard with lots of water.
- Use simple tools like spades and knives.
- Keep a spray bottle with water at hand, so you can keep the shapes moist.
- Don't forget your hat.