Experience the 8th SARUS Festival in Wilmington & Wrightsville Beach, Aug 8–10, 2025—celebrating site-specific, experimental art and community.

The much-anticipated SARUS Festival for Site-Specific & Experimental Art is set to return to Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, from August 8th to 10th, 2025. This beloved local festival, organized by the Alban Elved Dance Company, promises a vibrant celebration of creativity, community, and innovative art experiences.

What is the SARUS Festival?
The SARUS Festival is a unique platform that brings together artists from Wilmington, across North Carolina, and around the globe. Now in its 8th year, the festival has become a cornerstone of the region’s cultural landscape, offering a space for visual art, dance, sculpture, performance art, photography, concert music, and film.

This year’s SARUS Festival features an exciting lineup of local, national, and international artists, each presenting work that is both site-specific and experimental. Attendees can expect a multidisciplinary program filled with performances, workshops, a thought-provoking symposium, exhibits, and social events across five diverse venues.

2025 Festival Venues
• The Studio Theater at Cape Fear Community College (Wilson Center, Hanover St.) – August 8
• Jengo’s Playhouse (815 Princess St.) – August 9
• Hope Recovery Faith Community (3403 Winston Blvd.) – August 9 & 10
• Beach Access #2, Wrightsville Beach – August 10
• Barzarre (1610 Castle St.) – August 10

Festival Highlights & New Programs

The Breathing Archive
A brand-new addition for 2025, “The Breathing Archive” is a live, intermedial art project where artwork is created in response to other artwork. Festival-goers, artists, and even audience members are invited to contribute drawings, paintings, and poetry inspired by their experiences at SARUS. Selected works will be auctioned on Friday and Sunday to support the festival.

FLOW & DRIFT Contact Improv Mini Retreat
Explore the playful and improvisational world of contact improvisation dance with the “FLOW & DRIFT” mini retreat. This program focuses on movement, social connection, and creative exploration. Sign up here.

SOUND BODIES – COIL
A highlight of the festival, “SOUND BODIES – COIL” is a collaborative performance blending classical, folk, and experimental music with dance, visual art, and film. Created in partnership with the Cape Fear Community College Music Program, this event showcases the power of artistic collaboration. Learn more.

Creative Ecologies Symposium
On Saturday at Jengo’s Playhouse, join the “Creative Ecologies Symposium”—a full day of presentations, panels, workshops, and performances exploring the intersection of art, nature, and ecology. This program reflects the festival’s ongoing commitment to environmental awareness and conservation, inspired by its namesake, the migratory Sarus crane.

Iconic Beach Showcase
Don’t miss the quintessential SARUS beach showcase on Sunday morning at Wrightsville Beach, featuring original performances and the appearance of “Volo,” the festival’s 30-foot wingspan bird-puppet mascot.

Tickets & Festival Passes
Secure your spot at this immersive arts festival! Tickets can be purchased in advance here or at the door (advance purchase is recommended due to venue capacity and high demand).

Sliding Scale Festival Passes:
• $165 – Financially Precarious
• $190 – Regular
• $220 – Supporter (helps fund discounted tickets for others)

Festival passes include access to all events. Individual event pricing is available on the festival schedule.

Volunteer Opportunities:
Get involved and receive free event access by volunteering. Learn more and sign up.

Why Attend the SARUS Festival?
The SARUS Festival is more than just an arts event—it’s an invitation to experience authentic, site-specific art, build community, and participate in joyful, creative expression. Discover how artists use location and environment as inspiration, and witness how experimental art can challenge perceptions and foster new ways of seeing the world.

Join us August 8–10, 2025, in Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach for a weekend of creativity, connection, and inspiration!

Learn More & Stay Connected:
• Festival Homepage
• Festival Schedule
• Meet the Artists
• Festival Blog

For press inquiries or to schedule interviews, contact:
• Karola Lüttringhaus, Executive Director: (910) 477-3026, sarusfestival@gmail.com
• Brinson Leigh Kresge, Co-Director: (804) 833-2805, leigh.brinson@gmail.com