The World Bodypainting Festival is an annual festival held in Seeboden, Carinthia, Austria during the third week of July every year. It is the biggest annual event of the body painting culture and community. Drawing over a hundred artists and models, and thousands of visitors, from all over the world every year, the festival redefines the word "art". Each artist has the opportunity to show his/her own specialities - bodies painted with many different materials and techniques, and sometimes combined with the most fantastic costumes, masks and effects.
The festival lasts a week, of which the first four days consist of special workshops and lessons, and the last three days consist of the actual festival event, which is open to the public without prior reservation. The festival event is open for both adults and children, and many families come there together. The artists compete in three categories: brush and sponge, airbrush, and special effects. At night time there is also a special UV effects contest.
As well as the body painting, the festival holds many live music events from various minor bands all over the world, and has several snack bars and cafes. It also includes a “Body Circus”, a fantasy ball within the historical walls of the castle. The medieval castle “Burg Sommeregg” will transform into a mystical fairy tale location with guests arriving in costume ranging from bodypainting, body decoration and masks, to extreme make-up and fantasy fashion.