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On May 23, the 20th International Sand Sculpture Festival will take place on Pasta (Post) Island in Jelgava, celebrating a jubilee year. This year, the festival invites visitors on an exciting journey millions of years into the past. The theme will bring stories of the Jurassic era to life in sand, creating an impressive environment where dinosaurs, ancient sea creatures, and rulers of the skies will meet.

This year, 15 sculptors from 10 countries—Turkey, the United States, Ukraine, Spain, Bulgaria, Poland, the Netherlands, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia—will compete in the festival. Artists will reveal the power of nature, the development of life, and the balance between the world’s elements through their sand creations. In addition to the competition works, visitors will also be able to view the impressive demo sculpture “Dinosaur Gathering,” currently being created by Latvian sculptor Agnese Rudzīte-Kirillova and Roger Ferralla from Spain, as well as the park entrance sculptures by Sanita Rāviņa.

Throughout the day, Pasta (Post) Island will transform into a vibrant festive experience filled with activity and joy from morning until night. Visitors can enjoy a diverse program for all ages, including children’s performances, foam parties, large wooden games, creative workshops by “Jogita’s Events,” and witty, energetic shows by improvisational theatre “Spiediens” actors Juris Kozlovskis and Līga Kausa. The festival atmosphere will be lively, dynamic, and full of surprises all day long.

In the evening, the festive mood will reach its peak at the open-air concert hall “Mītava,” where the season opening concert will feature a powerful lineup of artists. Performers will include the strong-voiced Samanta Tīna, one of the most notable new-generation bands “Kautkaili,” the legendary Latvian rock band “Pienvedēja Piedzīvojumi,” and hip-hop artist Fiņķis, creating an energetic and unforgettable evening.

The festival area will be open to visitors from 10:00 AM until 2:00 AM, allowing guests to enjoy both daytime activities and the evening concert program at a relaxed pace.

Visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance, as they are available at a discounted price until May 16. During pre-sale, a day ticket costs €10 for adults, €5 for schoolchildren, students, seniors, and persons with disabilities, while a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children), as well as the “3+ Family Card,” costs €20.

A special discounted offer is available with the Sand Festival coupon published in “Jelgavas Vēstnesis” or by presenting a Jelgava resident card—tickets can then be purchased at the Jelgava Culture House box office for €7, or €4 with a Jelgava student card. Children under 7 can enter the festival free of charge. From May 17 to May 23, ticket prices will be higher. Tickets are available at all “Biļešu paradīze” outlets and online.

A festival day ticket allows visitors to leave and re-enter the area, offering the opportunity to enjoy both the sand art and the diverse events of Museum Night, concluding the day with the concert program at the open-air concert hall “Mītava.”

The event is organized by the City of Jelgava and the institution “Kultūra,” with support from AS “Ramirent Baltic.”