Sacramento’s beloved ‘Wormie World’ scavenger hunt returns for 3rd year. What to know

The earthworms around Sacramento will look a little different on Saturday.

That’s when Wormie World, an art scavenger hunt featuring hundreds of adorable ceramic worms, will host its third annual free urban art hunt throughout the city’s central neighborhoods.

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What started as a grassroots project by Sacramento ceramicist Brittany Clark Espitia has boomed into a beloved celebration of art, community and worms, with a cult following and support from more than a dozen area businesses.

“I can’t believe it’s only Year 3,” Clark Espitia said. “I’m just so honored that our art is so beloved by people. I say this in the nicest way, we have ravenous, feral fans … they yearn for the worm.”

She and her partner, Sacramento muralist Karen Chen, hand-create, paint, glaze and fire hundreds of worms for the community event, totalling roughly 700 for the 2026 edition. On the day of the scavenger hunt, the team hides its creations around town, while ravenous worm-hunters eagerly await their first hint of where a ceramic worm decorated to look like a pickle, or a crayon, or a rainbow dinosaur, can be found.

Some of these hunters spend hours in hopes of spotting a miniature ceramic smiley face peeking out of a crevice. Last year, Clark Espitia had the opportunity to witness someone finding their first wormie, only minutes after hiding it.

“While I was in my car looking for the next spot (to hide worms), I saw a gal pull up, and she ran out of the car and jumped for joy,” she said.

Worm is the word

Clark Espitia launched her art hunt event in 2024, inspired by a similar global event called Game of Shrooms. She created 150 custom earthworms to hide around the city and advertised it entirely on social media.

The event’s first year was an immediate hit, and Clark Espitia even found her future Wormie World co-host. Chen found out about Wormie World the night before and took to the streets the following morning to find the treasure, when she fell in love with the concept.

“I was ecstatic and just overjoyed, because it was so fun,” she said.

Chen invited Clark Espitia to paint a worm onto a critter-themed mural with her in Oak Park, and the pair instantly connected. They taught each other their mediums, and the following year, Chen helped create pieces for Wormie World and was soon officially the event’s second host.

This year, Wormie World has received support from numerous Sacramento institutions, including the Sacramento Zoo and the Sacramento History Museum, which will offer special goodies in honor of the event. At the museum, visitors can pick up a free worm-themed print from its historic printmaking machine.

All the sponsors, listed on the event’s Instagram, will have a selection of worms hidden in or around their business locations, and Yelp Sacramento is creating a map to mark every location. Some spots, including coffee shops and restaurants, will offer customers a chance of receiving a worm with each purchase.

The pair said one of their favorite things that has come out of Wormie World is the unique community engagement with local artists, area businesses and one another.

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“When someone does something that’s just so generous and clearly giving, it makes you want to give more,” Chen said about the community she and Clark Espitia have fostered. “I do think people feel the generosity and maybe pay it forward through (supporting) a small business.”

How to participate in Wormie World 2026

The third annual Wormie World will be held Saturday starting at 8 a.m. and lasting through the day.

Once Clark Espitia and her team have placed the worm prizes in their spots, they and post hints on the Wormie World Instagram page (@wormieworld_official) to send participants off on their wild worm chase.

She recommends following the event’s account and turning on post notifications on Wormie World day to see each hint as soon as they come out. That is, be an early bird to catch some worms.

“The hints are videos, and within the video, there’s probably 20 worms that we showcase,” Clark Espitia said. “Then hopefully they’re in the right place at the right time.”

The ceramic worms will be hidden around Arden Arcade, downtown and midtown Sacramento, as well as adjoining neighborhoods, she said.

This year, worm lovers also have other opportunities to get in on the fun if they’re unavailable on Saturday.

Passport-holders must visit various small Sacramento-area businesses sponsoring this year’s event and collect stamps, before turning in their passport at Strapping to redeem their prize. Along the way, some participating businesses have their own custom worms or other worm-themed gear for visitors.

“There’s many ways to participate,” Chen said. “It also further promotes the small businesses and keeps the traffic coming.”

Wormie World week kicked off Saturday with a launch party at the Flower Fist Art Market, 1819 E St. in Sacramento, where guests got a sneak peek of the worms that will be hidden during the scavenger hunt.

“(Wormie World) definitely encompasses mine and (Chen’s) values,” Clark Espitia said. “We value art, we value art being accessible, we value community, nonprofits, small businesses. So it’s kind of like everything we love joined together in this silly, harmonious way, with worms.”

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