Visitors Guide Source 2026 - The Official 2026 Visitors Guide of Sarasota County®
Spotlight on Events
2025-12-15 13:29:30
MUST-SEE FESTIVALS, FEASTS & FAIRS
Foodie Festivals
Forks & Corks Food & Wine Festival in late January is an annual celebration filled with world-class cuisine and wine at The Ringling Courtyard, while the Sarasota Winter Seafood & Music Festival features three days of glorious seafood and arts. Every June, Savor Sarasota celebrates local restaurants and chefs with special prix-fixe menus and deals. And in October, Eat Local Week features farm tours, chef demos, hands-on workshops and a farm-to-table dinner to celebrate the area’s local harvest.
Explore upcoming events and festivals
Holiday Spectacles
Kick the year off with the electric New Year’s Eve Pineapple Drop, taking place in the heart of downtown Sarasota. Mark your summer with show-stopping firework displays for the 4th of July—from Englewood, North Port and Sarasota. Things continue to jazz up at year’s end with Holiday Boat Parades along the bayfronts of Venice, Sarasota and the barrier islands. Throughout the winter, witness a 60-ft tree lighting at St. Armands Circle or the spectacular light shows, pop-up ice rink and horse-drawn carriage rides at University Town Center. Step right up for Wonderland’s magical holiday circus under the giant Big Top. The season also brings Lights in Bloom, a special event at Selby Gardens with two million lights brightening its botanical gardens and walkways.
Novelty Events
Thunder By The Bay Music & Motorworks Festival rolls into town every February with three days of music and revved-up motorcycle fun. Come April, Venice celebrates its moniker of “Shark Tooth Capital of the World” during the Venice Sharks Tooth Festival.
In November, the four-day Siesta Key Crystal Classic features incredible sand sculpting right along gorgeous Siesta Beach, while Sarasota Int’l Chalk Festival turns our downtown pavement into mind-bending 3D masterpieces from chalk artists around the world. Celebrate the area’s mid-century modern architectural legacy during this design-lover’s dream weekend each fall at Sarasota MOD.
Sporting Events
The Scottish Highland Games & Celtic Festival includes athletics and other Scottish activities in late January. Then batter up in February and March for Spring Training to watch the Atlanta Braves or Baltimore Orioles in full swing along with other MLB teams. April is jam-packed with action—including the Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open bringing rising tennis stars and seasoned pros to the courts, top golf pros competing at the Senior PGA Championship and teams from across the world paddle-racing sleek dragon boats across Nathan Benderson Park at the Sarasota International Dragon Boat Festival. Stick around in June to witness the USRowing Youth National Championships, where the top youth crews and clubs compete to win crowning medals and titles.
Art & Culture Gatherings
In March, the Sarasota Jazz Festival showcases our region’s top jazz artists, food and drinks and a Jazz Trolley Pub Crawl. The red carpet rolls out at the Sarasota Film Festival every April, featuring a varied lineup of indie film premiers from around the region and country—stargazing included. La Musica Chamber Music Festival brings world-class chamber music in April, showcasing top international musicians in intimate settings, celebrating both classic repertoire and adventurous new works. Come November, the Living Arts Festival hosted by Sarasota Rising offers a vibrant week-long celebration of performances, exhibitions and hands-on experiences across various art forms.
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