#United States #Brooklyn #Therme Group #Domino Park #Culture of Bathe-ing

America's Largest Sauna Festival: Culture of Bathe-ing

Introduction

Beginning February 12 and extending to March 1, 2026, New York City will host its first large-scale public sauna festival, the "Culture of Bathe-ing," at Domino Park, located on the Williamsburg waterfront. This unprecedented festival promises to transform the traditional concept of bathing into a vibrant communal and cultural event.

A New Era of Bathing

The festival, driven by the vision of Robert Hammond, co-founder of the High Line and President of Therme Group US, aims to elevate the sauna experience beyond mere wellness. Instead, it presents an opportunity for cultural engagement through a rich combination of saunas, art, rituals, and performances. The event will feature thousands of hours of wellness and cultural programming, encouraging attendees to see bathing as a communal activity.

Residents and visitors can take advantage of the open grounds with a variety of free public experiences and workshops throughout the festival's duration. Ticketed sauna sessions will be available ranging from $60 to $125, reflecting the time and day. As a commitment to making wellness accessible, more than 1,000 free tickets will be offered, allowing broader participation in this unique social sauna experience.

Transforming the Waterfront

The Culture of Bathe-ing festival will turn Domino Park into an immersive, open-air bathing environment, focusing on shared cultural experiences rather than isolating wellness retreats. The initiative is an ambitious collaboration that brings together both local and international bathing practitioners and artists. With seventeen architecturally varied saunas, the festival is expected to host over 1,000 guided sessions led by internationally renowned Aufguss World Champions and notable practitioners from popular local establishments like Bathhouse and Othership.

Additionally, the festival will feature cultural programming in partnership with Pioneer Works, Brooklyn's leading center for experimental art. This collaboration not only aims to enhance the sauna experience but also to introduce various live performances, soundscapes, rituals, and immersive art installations, crafting a unique social setting branded as "Hot Bodies."

During the festival, the program will include free public events and ticketed workshops scheduled for NYC's spring break week. Some notable contributors include Aziwke Mohamed from Black Painters Academy and Samer Ghadry of Tone Center. Amplifying the message, Hammond expressed, "Bathing is at the start of a cultural wave, think yoga in the '90s or coffee in the '80s. We want to ensure the cultural aspect of bathing isn’t overshadowed by wellness trends."

Bathing as Civic Infrastructure

Cultivating a communal bathing culture reflects New York's emerging role within a global movement that blends ancient practices with modern design and performance. This event highlights the collective experience of bathing, emphasizing its significance as a social and cultural touchpoint. Hammond advocates for the importance of bathhouses becoming a staple in every neighborhood, contributing to community well-being and connection.

Robert C. Hanea, Founder and CEO of Therme Group, advocates for the role of bathing as civic infrastructure, shedding light on its ability to support collective restoration. The festival situates bathing as a vital cultural experience and demonstrates how cities can nurture well-being within their communities.

A Collaborative Future

Each sauna experience is designed to foster social and cultural connections among attendees. Working with Pioneer Works feels like a natural fit, given their commitment to innovative programming. Gabriel Florenz, the founding artistic executive director at Pioneer Works, shares enthusiasm for the joint venture, explaining that their initiatives create a space for exploration using heat as both a medium and a metaphor for personal connection and presence.

With a backdrop of Therme Group’s extensive experience in producing large-scale bathing projects and cultural festivals like Franchise Freedom in Central Park, the Culture of Bathe-ing is set to be a remarkable debut in the realm of urban wellness. Media previews and interviews will be available on select festival days for those interested in exploring the festival's deeper themes and objectives.

Conclusion

The Culture of Bathe-ing underscores the importance of communal bathing in supporting interpersonal relationships and societal well-being. As the festival arrives at Domino Park, it is poised to drive home the essential role bathing can play in modern urban life, reshaping how we perceive wellness, culture, and community engagement. This initiative serves as a reminder that the rituals of human connection and shared experiences remain vital in encouraging healthy, connected urban environments.