The Sarasota International Chalk Festival returns from November 8-10, promising three days filled with breathtaking art and cultural exchange. Running from 10am to 5pm on Friday and Saturday, and extending until 7pm on Sunday, the festival will take place at Burns Square in Sarasota. Tickets are available online.
Founded in 2007, the festival has become a major celebration of art, bringing together over 30 internationally renowned pavement artists from countries as far as Australia and Japan. This year marks the festival’s 18th edition and introduces an exciting new cultural exchange. For the first time in the U.S., multiple delegations of “Infiorata” and “Rangoli” artists will join the event. These artists craft stunning floral carpets using flowers, sand, and other natural materials, honoring traditions that span centuries. The exhibition, called “Floralia Infiorata,” will showcase these intricate, devotional designs to a North American audience.
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Festivalgoers can expect a wide variety of artistic displays. Pavement artists, known as Madonnari, will transform streets into open-air museums with elaborate chalk creations. Meanwhile, 3D Master Artists will turn street corners into interactive illusion rooms, where the ground appears to rise or dip in mind-bending ways.
The “Floralia Infiorata” exhibition will feature flower carpets designed by master floral artists, bringing a unique blend of nature and art. After dark, digital murals will light up the cityscape, blending art and technology to create a truly ephemeral experience.
In addition to the art, there will be plenty of interactive activities. Visitors of all ages can participate in chalk art at the Interactive Zone. The Puppet Parade and Closing Ceremonies on the final day will cap off the event, featuring human puppets, stilt walkers, and Florida-inspired flora and fauna in a whimsical celebration.
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Find a complete list of activities during the Chalk Festival here. 
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