Sand Nativity

An evocative journey through golden sand sculptures

In 2026 one of the most eagerly awaited winter events returns to Lignano Sabbiadoro: the Sand Nativity, now in its 23rd edition and a true symbol of the festive season in this Friulian seaside resort.

The 2026 theme: “On the Way: Roads, Thresholds, Encounters. The Echo of the Gospels in Everyday Steps”

The 23rd edition of the Sand Nativity takes visitors along a path of eighteen works devoted to the journey as a universal human experience: movement through space, but also an inner path, a sequence of choices, encounters, passages, doubts and transformations. Rather than a traditional representation, the sculptures start from situations and questions of our time, and each one carries an echo of the Gospel stories, especially those of the Nativity.

The works are created by ten internationally renowned Italian and international artists, under the technical direction of master sculptor Antonio Molin, using only sand and water, with no binders or additives.

What’s new: “Trema”

At the end of the path, in a dedicated space, you will find Trema, an installation by Gianni Schiumarini marking fifty years since the Friuli earthquake. Combining sand sculpture with projected photographs, documents and archive footage, it remembers the tragedy of the earthquake and the solidarity that followed, including the welcome Lignano gave to around 30,000 people from Friuli left homeless after the September tremors.

Free admission.

Find out more on the Sand Nativity website

OPENING DAYS AND HOURS 2026-27

Open every day from 5 December 2026 to 31 January 2027, from 10.00 to 18.00.