The 23rd edition of Jesolo Sand Nativity, the famous Sand Nativity scene that enchanted Pope Francis, has as its theme this year "Canticle of the Creatures - Peace with the Earth, Peace on Earth". This message aims to combine interreligious dialogue with reflection on the care of our Common Home.
Jesolo Sand Nativity will be open to the public every day in the marquee set up in Piazza Brescia from Saturday, November 29, 2025, to Sunday, February 8, 2026.
JSN 2025
The "Canticle of the Creatures" is the theme of the 23rd edition of Jesolo Sand NativitySince 2002, the city of Jesolo has organized Sand Nativity, a majestic exhibition of sand sculptures created by the best artists from around the world. The importance of the event and its public appreciation have made it one of the most famous nativity scenes in Italy and abroad, so much so that it was hosted in St. Peter's Square for Christmas 2018 and in the square in front of the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi for Christmas 2023.
What characterizes the Jesolo event is not only the artistic quality of the works, but the contextualization of the Nativity on current themes and events.
The theme of the 2025 edition of Jesolo Sand Nativity, inspired by the Canticle of the Creatures by Saint Francis on the eighth centenary of its writing, aims to combine interreligious dialogue with reflection on the care of our Common Home.
The Works evoke the historical reality of the time of Saint Francis, denounce the current situation of the planet and the state of creation, but at the same time offer a positive vision that celebrates the brotherhood between man and nature..
Particular attention is dedicated to integral ecology and the commitment required of man in protecting the environment, inspired by the principles expressed in the encyclical Laudato si’ by Pope Francis.
Among the sand works, there will be a tactile sculpture aimed at both the blind public and the many curious people who will want to touch it: despite the fragile and brittle material.
The exhibition will open to the public from Saturday 29 November 2025 until Sunday 8 February 2026 in the marquee set up in Piazza Brescia in Jesolo.
After the construction of the tensile structure, which will begin on Tuesday, October 14th, the sand "compaction" work will take place from October 20th to 31st. Meanwhile, from November 6th to 19th, international sculptors will create the majestic sand sculptures that will once again make the Jesolo Sand Nativity so exciting and extraordinary.
The tensile structure is located in the square in front of the Palazzo del Turismo and the Jesolo Ferris wheel in Piazza Brescia, with ample parking available in the immediate vicinity.
Since 2004, the event has funded various charitable projects through free donations from visitors; to date, more than 1 million and one hundred and twenty thousand euros have been raised and donated to humanitarian projects around the world.
- David Ducharme (Canada): artistic director
- Michela Ciappini (Italy)
- Charlotte Koster (Netherlands)
- Susanne Ruseler (Netherlands)
- Marielle Heessels (Netherlands)
- Hanneke Supply (Belgium)
- Enguerrand David (Belgium)
- Pedro Mira (Portugal)
- Nicola Wood (England)
- Inese Valtere (Latvia)
- Jakub Zimacek (Czech Republic)
- Radovan Zivny Radek (Czech Republic)
- Slava Borecki (Ukraine)
- Vadim Gryadov (Russia)
- Nicolay Torkhov (Russia)
PERIOD AND OPENING HOURS OF THE EXHIBITION
From November 29, 2025 to February 8, 2026
From Monday to Friday 9.30am-12.30pm and 2.30pm-7.30pm
Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays open all day from 9.30am to 7.30pm
From 21 December 2025 to 6 January 2026 open all day from 9.30am to 7.30pm
Free admission (without reservation).
GUIDED TOURS
From Monday to Friday (excluding the period from 20 December to 6 January), upon booking at the Tourist Information Office, e-mail: office@jesolo.it
Cost €30, maximum 30 people.
Duration 20 minutes.
Guided tours by private groups are not permitted on public holidays, as the high influx of public on such days makes these activities an impediment to the normal flow of visitors to the exhibition.
PARKING
Parking near the Sand Nativity Scene:
- Nativity Scene Parking: (Public Parking Brescia) via XIII Martiri, near Piazza Brescia in the Kursaal area.
- Parking under Burger King: Piazza Luigi Tenco – entrance viale XIII Martiri Jesolo
- Laguna Shopping Center Parking: Piazza Venezia
Bus Parking
- P 44 PICCHI – municipal Stadium square Armando Picchi (Bus places N. 43)
- P 1 “DRAGO” – Via Gramatica (Bus places 11)
ACCESSIBILITY
No architectural barriers.
Small pets are allowed inside the exhibition and must be kept on a leash and held in the arms.
SERVICES
Bookshop and external toilets near the exit accessible to all.
Some technical data:
- 750 square meters of exhibition area
- 1,000 cubic meters (about 1,500 tons) of sand used
- Sculptors at work from 6 to 19 November 2025
- Since the first edition, over 2 million visitors have visited Jesolo Sand Nativity.
Side initiatives:
- Monday, December 1, 2025, 3:30 p.m. Conference on Interreligious Dialogue: Representatives of the Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist religions will be in dialogue with students from the Montale Classical-Linguistic High School and the Cornaro Hotel Institute.
- End of January 2026: "Creation Seen through the Rules That Govern It." Students in Dialogue with Two Physicists.
The location of the Sand Nativity
Artists at work making sand sculptures (photo: Giovanni De Marco)
Progress and finishing of the sand sculptures (video: Claudio Polotto).
Comment by Phil Mer, musician and art critic: