The Siesta Key Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival is an unrivaled spectacle. There is no way you can see the end result of the competition and not be completely enamored and impressed by the incredible delicacy and skill that goes into the top ranking creations.
The Siesta Key Crystal Classic has evolved from a modest community event to a huge draw, attracting sand sculptors from across the world to share their talents with the locals and visitors of Siesta Key.
What is this event? What can you discover? Find one of Siesta Key’s most treasured events on your upcoming vacation to the island.
Sand Sculptures Line Up the Siesta Key Beaches
The International Sand Sculpting Festival is, as its title implies, a world-renowned sand-sculpting competition. Every year, about 24 guests, including sand master sculptors and artists of world fame, come to create custom concoctions in a defined space on Siesta Key’s beautiful white quartz sand. It could be a massive face featuring Games of Thrones characters, like 2017’s winner, or a stunning castle, like 2015’s winner.
Competitors are given 24 hours to create their sandy masterpiece, broken up over four days. Visitors come to see the sculptors in action and watch as they progress on some of the most dazzling creations they can muster, undoubtedly putting your childhood sandcastle to shame.
The upcoming 2018 Crystal Classic on Siesta Key Beach features both a doubles and new solo competition. See the pool of talent grow immensely from prior years.
Sandy Activities
The Crystal Classic includes other sand-themed activities for all ages. Sand sculpting lessons will be available. These are only open for individuals who reserve a spot ahead of time.
You don’t have to be a master to participate in some good competition. Guests can join in on some amateur sculpting. A dedicated area will be open for visitors to come and go as they please, using elements and strategies they picked up from admiring the experts and joining in on the lessons. Participants may be eligible for the amateur competition, which will bring brave artists new to the form out to test their skills.
More Than Sand
The Crystal Classic festival has grown tremendously to include more than just sand sculptures. Live music is scheduled for the weekend of the event, with musicians like Reverend Barry & The Funkon and No Filter. Visitors can shop around nearby Siesta Village or get food from one of the on-site vendors.
The event has garnered a total of 260,000 attendees over its nine-year run, with 60,000 attendees in 2017 marking a record high.
Dates and Times of the Event
The event officially begins at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 9th. It runs Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and picks back up November 10th and November 11th from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Come on down Monday, Nov 12th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to see the event wrap up!
Visit the official website for a full rundown of event times. The schedule features times for live music, the amateur competition, and various other activities.
Prices and Admission
The price is $10 per person on site. Tickets can also be bought ahead of time on the official website. Four-day passes, as well as parking passes in dedicated areas, are available on the website. Multi-day passes are $30 per adult and $15 per child.
A trolley is available to get you to and from the location as needed. Simply find the nearest stop by one of our beachfront vacation rentals and hit the Siesta Key Breeze free trolley. If the beach lots are full, you can utilize Turtle Beach or the Village. Both have trolley pick-up and drop-off sites.
The competition has grown from a small local event to a full-blown festival. See it all unfold. This is one of the most impressive Siesta Key events during the fall, and one you certainly won’t want to miss.
Plan Your Visit
While preparing for the Crystal Classic Festival, book online and stay in one of our conveniently located Siesta Key condominiums, located right near the action!
