Spotlight on Events 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 Green Zebra Cafe, Savor Sarasota (courtesy photo) 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. Holiday Spectacles Kick the year off with the elec-tric New Year’s Eve Pineapple Drop , taking place in the heart of downtown Sarasota. Mark your summer with show-stop-ping 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 Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights 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. 36 Official Visitors Guide of Sarasota County ® Siesta
The Official Visitors Guide of Sarasota County® 2026: Page 36
