Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival, Clearwater Beach

There's no greater feeling than sugar sand between your toes—but at Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival, you're better off using a carving tool. Each year, the festival celebrates the artistry made possible by Clearwater's famous sugar sand. The centerpiece of the festival is a 21,000-square-foot tent filled with sand-sculpted art, all handcrafted by artists from around the world. For 2017, the theme will be FantaSea, evoking the mystical wonders hidden deep in the kingdom of mermaids and lost scuba divers.

Outside the main attraction, visitors can enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities. All ages can try tapping into their owner inner Michelangelo during sand sculpting classes or watch masters at work during speed sand demonstrations and sculpting competitions. Throughout the festival, street performers, vendors, and live musicians provide entertainment along with games such as cornhole and free movie screenings. When night settles over the beach, firework displays pair with the natural spectacle of a Clearwater sunset over the Gulf.