After years of setbacks from COVID and hurricanes, the Sarasota International Chalk Festival returns to downtown Sarasota from November 8-10, bringing “Floralia Infiorata” to the streets of Burns Square and South Pineapple Avenue. Led by founder Denise Kowal, this year’s festival will showcase ephemeral floral art by international artists from Japan, Spain, Italy, Malta, and more, marking the first U.S. gathering of this scale.

Local volunteers have helped prepare 80,000 flowers for the artwork, contributing to an inclusive “Grow the Heart” program that provides tickets to organizations like Boys and Girls Clubs and Senior Friendship Centers.

Nine international teams will feature their floral masterpieces, including Italy’s traditional infiorata designs, Japan’s “Hana Kabuki,” and India’s Rangoli art. Alongside these floral carpets, visitors can enjoy 3-D pavement illusions, interactive illusion rooms, digital murals, a storefront floral contest, and wine tasting. After recent natural disasters, the festival aims to uplift the community, offering a shared space for resilience, creativity, and joy.