Jesolo Sand Nativity
The theme of the 2025 edition of the Jesolo Sand Nativity, inspired by St. Francis’s *Canticle of the Creatures* on the 800th anniversary of its composition, aims to combine interfaith dialogue with reflection on caring for our Common Home.
The Jesolo Sand Nativity is open to visitors from November 29 to February 8.
The works on display evoke the historical reality of St. Francis’s time, highlight the current state of the planet and the condition of creation, yet at the same time offer a positive vision that celebrates the brotherhood between humanity and nature.
Particular attention is given to integral ecology and the responsibility that people have to protect the environment, drawing inspiration from the principles set forth in Pope Francis’s encyclical *Laudato si’*.
Among the sand sculptures on display will be a tactile sculpture designed for both the visually impaired and the many curious visitors who will want to touch it—despite the material’s fragility and brittleness.
Since 2004, the event has funded various charitable projects through visitors’ donations; to date, more than 1.12 million euros have been raised and donated to humanitarian projects around the world.
Dates:
- Setup of the tensile structure: starting October 14, 2025
- Sand compaction: October 20–31, 2025
- Sculpture: November 6–19, 2025
- Opening: Monday, December 1, at 6:00 p.m.
Hours:
- Exhibition dates: November 29, 2025, to February 8, 2026
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM–12:30 PM and 2:30 PM–7:30 PM
- Saturday, Sunday, and holidays: open all day from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- From December 21 to January 6, we will be open continuously from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Guided tours are available by reservation via email at office@jesolo.it.
Monday through Friday (excluding the period from December 20 to January 6).
Cost: €30.00
Max 30 people
Duration: 20 minutes
Guided tours for private groups are not permitted on holidays, as the large number of visitors on those days means that such activities would disrupt the normal flow of visitors to the exhibition.
Cast:
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), and Nicolay Torkhov (Russia).
Parking:
Nativity Scene Parking Lot: (Brescia Public Parking) Via XIII Martiri, near Piazza Brescia in the Kursaal area.
Parking lot under Burger King: Piazza Luigi Tenco – entrance on Viale XIII Martiri, Jesolo
Laguna Shopping Center Parking Lot: Piazza Venezia
By bus:
P. 44 Picchi – Armando Picchi Municipal Stadium Plaza (Bus stop no. 43)
P. 1 “Drago” – Via Gramatica (Bus stop no. 11)
For more information, please contact IAT Jesolo (Tourist Information and Reception Office)
Tel. +39 0421 370601
Email: info@jesolo.it
Link: http://jesolosandnativity.it/
