01July 23–26
Open Water Arena
The sporting heart of the festival and home of the 72-hour challenge.
Experiences
- 72-hour challenge
- Official races
- Starry Night Swim
- Guests and special moments
Swim4Dreams 2026
Event schedule
July 23–26, 2026 · Călărași
The event begins on July 23 with the start of the 72-hour swimming challenge. On July 25, the official races and Starry Night Swim4Dreams take place, and on July 26 the challenge comes to an end.
Sports registrations are closed4 event daysJuly 25 • race daySchedule may be updated
Hub 01
Sports schedule
The official competition schedule for July 25: check-in, briefing, race starts and awards ceremony.
View sports schedule
Hub 02
Event schedule
The extended context of the July 23–26 event: the 72h challenge start, official races, Starry Night Swim4Dreams and the final moment.
Discover the event
Hub 03
Participant access
Vehicle entrance, ALDIS parking, the pedestrian route and access to the ALDIS Pontoon and competition area.
View access and map
Sports schedule
Race day, step by step
The schedule below follows the official race-day structure for July 25 and may be adjusted by the organizers depending on field conditions.
01
08:30 – 09:30
Check-in and race kit pickup
Key momentParticipant presentation, registration verification and official kit pickup.
02
09:30 – 09:45
Mandatory technical briefing
Key momentOfficial briefing about the course, safety, rules and possible logistical adjustments.
03
10:00
START 15 km race
Key momentThe main race of the competition. The start may be organized in waves if necessary.
04
11:30
START 500 m race
First contact with open water, in a controlled and supervised setting.
05
12:30
START 1,500 m race
The distance where rhythm begins to matter and experience settles in.
06
13:30
START 3 km race
The race where endurance, rhythm and control truly come together.
07
17:00
Awards ceremony
Key momentThe official closing of race day, recognition of performance and celebration of the Swim4Dreams community.
Event schedule
The festival, day by day
Four days in which the Steelworks Canal becomes the arena of performance, while Călărași Tourist Port becomes the festival stage, bringing together sport, concerts, activations and community experiences.
01
Thursday, July 23 · 11:00
Official opening and start of the 72-hour challenge
Alexandru Nicoară enters the water for 72 hours of continuous swimming. The moment includes the official festival opening and press conference.
02
Thursday, July 23
The Steelworks Canal becomes the festival arena
The ultra-endurance challenge begins, forming the sporting and symbolic centre of the 2026 Swim4Dreams edition.
03
Friday, July 24 · from 18:00
Opening night at the Tourist Port
Călărași Tourist Port opens its areas for the public, families and young people, with activations, music and festival experiences.
04
Friday, July 24 · 20:30
Live concert: KOMPAS
The first concert evening at the Tourist Port brings together sport, community and live music.
05
Saturday, July 25 · from 08:30
Official competition day
The check-in area opens, followed by briefings and the starts of the 15 km, 500 m, 1,500 m and 3 km races.
06
Saturday, July 25 · 18:00
Official awards ceremony
The athletes and performances of the day are celebrated on the festival stage at Călărași Tourist Port.
07
Saturday, July 25 · evening
Meet & Greet and KILLA FONIC concert
The Tourist Port programme continues with festival guests, public encounters and a live KILLA FONIC concert.
08
Saturday, July 25 · 21:30
Starry Night Swim4Dreams
A special night-swimming moment at the Steelworks Canal, without ranking pressure and alongside the Swim4Dreams community.
09
Sunday, July 26 · 11:00
Finish of the 72-hour challenge
Alexandru Nicoară completes 72 hours of continuous swimming, followed by the official performance validation procedure.
10
Sunday, July 26 · 16:00
National Kendama Competition
The Youth Wave Zone hosts the national competition and activities for children, teenagers and the wider community.
11
Sunday, July 26 · 19:30
Press conference and partner recognition
Authorities, athletes, guests and edition partners gather for the official closing and recognition moment.
12
Sunday, July 26 · 20:30
Final show and fireworks
The festival concludes at the Tourist Port with the final show, fireworks and a celebration of the Swim4Dreams community.
13
Sunday, July 26 · 22:00
Petre Ștefan live concert
Petre Ștefan takes the stage at Călărași Tourist and Leisure Port for the concert closing the festival’s live entertainment programme.
Starry Night Swim4Dreams takes place on July 25 at 21:30, at the Steelworks Canal. Registration for this special moment is not handled through the standard checkout, but directly with the organizers by email or WhatsApp.
Festival experience
The 8 Swim4Dreams zones
The Steelworks Canal and Călărași Tourist Port host eight complementary zones designed for athletes, families, children, young people and the wider community.
02July 24–26
Port Stage
The place where sport meets live entertainment and music.
Experiences
- KOMPAS, KILLA FONIC and Petre Ștefan live concerts
- Awards ceremony
- Meet & Greet
- Official moments
03July 24–26
Family Fun Park
A dedicated area for children, families and festival experiences.
Experiences
- Face painting
- Balloons
- Photo corner
- Magic and experiments
04July 24–26
Youth Wave Zone
Energy, challenges, creativity and content for young people.
Experiences
- National Kendama Competition
- Mini competitions
- Photo booth
- Social media and prizes
05July 24–26
Book & Dreams Zone
Stories, autographs and meetings with festival guests.
Experiences
- Mihai Badea
- Martin Strel
- Autographs
- Readings and children’s workshops
06July 25–26
Sports Experience Zone
Movement and play for all ages.
Experiences
- Table tennis
- Basketball
- Badminton
- Cage Ball and mini competitions
07July 23–26
Community Corner
Partners, activations and experiences built with the community.
Experiences
- Exhibitors
- Interactive activations
- Kind2Be
- Volunteers and community
08July 24–26
Food & Chill Zone
Food, hydration, relaxation and a holiday atmosphere.
Experiences
- Food trucks
- Drinks and hydration
- Relaxation
- Festival atmosphere
Official media
Swim4Dreams 2026 official posters
Explore the general programme, festival zones, audience guide and the posters of the confirmed special guests.
Official material
Festival programme
Access & logistics
How to reach the competition area
Participant access is through the ALDIS premises from DN3 / Călărași West. Vehicles must be left in the designated parking area, followed by an approximately 700–800 metre walk to the ALDIS Pontoon.
01
ALDIS entrance
Vehicle access is from DN3 / Călărași West, using the exit towards Jirlău. Follow the signs and volunteer instructions.
02
Vehicle parking
Leave your vehicle in the designated roadside area or the parking area provided by ALDIS. Do not drive into the factory.
03
Pedestrian route
From the parking area, follow the marked pedestrian corridor through the ALDIS premises. The walking distance is approximately 700–800 m.
04
ALDIS Pontoon
This is the START / FINISH point and the entrance to the competition area on the Steelworks Canal.
Approximately 10–12 minutes on foot from the parking area to the pontoon.
Tap the map to open it at full size.
Important recommendations
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Plan your arrival in advance.
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Wear comfortable footwear for the pedestrian route.
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Use sun protection and make sure you have water.
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Follow the signs and volunteer instructions.
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Do not drive into the factory area.
Before the start
What you need to know on race day
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Arrive early for check-in and kit pickup.
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Attend the technical briefing — it is mandatory.
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Check your race, start time and any updates communicated by the organizers.
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Bring your race equipment and everything you need for the event day.
Starts may be organized in waves, and the schedule may be adjusted by the organizers depending on weather and safety conditions.
Kit pickup
Race kit
500 m / 1.500 m / 3 km
- • Technical T-shirt
- • Swim cap
- • Timing chip
- • Finisher medal
- • Swim bag
The official Swim4Dreams cap is included in all race kits.
15 km
- • Technical T-shirt
- • Swim cap
- • Timing chip
- • Finisher medal
- • Official event backpack
The 15 km race includes the official cap and the official event backpack.
The kit content follows the official event regulations and published materials.
The schedule may change depending on weather, safety conditions and the flow of the races. Participants will be informed in real time through the official event channels.