LOCAL GUIDE
Things To Do
What's happening around Sarasota — and what's actually worth doing.
What's Happening Around Sarasota
Things worth putting on your calendar — from Sarasota and Siesta Key to Venice, Wellen Park, Waterside and Lakewood Ranch.
Events can change. We link directly to organizers whenever possible, so always confirm dates, times, locations and other details with the event organizer before heading out.
HAPPENING NOW — AUGUST 12–31, 2026
Wellen Park Night Market & Dueling Pianos
Monthly evening market at Downtown Wellen Park with local vendors, food, and live dueling pianos. This is the second-Thursday recurring event — August edition.
Official sourceVenice Wine Walk
Self-guided wine walk through downtown Venice. Participating venues pour samples as you stroll the historic district. 21+ event.
Official sourceFriday Night Concert: Courtney Amber
Live outdoor concert in downtown Venice featuring Courtney Amber. Part of Venice MainStreet's ongoing Friday night music series.
Official sourceMovie in the Park
Free outdoor movie at Waterside Place. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Family-friendly event — movie begins around sunset.
Official sourceInto the Woods
Rise Above Performing Arts presents Sondheim's Into the Woods. Check the company's schedule for specific performance dates and times.
Official sourceMusic Bingo: Dance Party
Music bingo with a dance party twist at Downtown Wellen Park. Part of the regular Wellen Park community events lineup.
Official sourceMosaic & Merlot
Creative workshop pairing mosaic art-making with wine at GROVE in Lakewood Ranch. Check GROVE's event calendar for registration details.
Official sourceA Taste of the Med: Mediterranean Wine Dinner
A curated Mediterranean wine dinner at GROVE in Lakewood Ranch. Check GROVE's event calendar for menu details and reservations.
Official sourceFriday Night Concert: Junction 41
Free outdoor concert at Centennial Park in Venice featuring Junction 41. Bring a chair and enjoy live music in the park.
Official sourceWEEKLY & RECURRING
Always On
Markets, music, and recurring community activities that run on a regular schedule. Links go to official organizer sources.
Sarasota Farmers Market
Open-air market at Lemon Avenue with local produce, food vendors, artisans, and live music. Rain or shine.
Official sourceVenice Farmers Market
Weekly outdoor market in downtown Venice with local growers, prepared foods, and crafts.
Official sourceFarmers' Market at Waterside Place
Weekly market at Waterside Place with local vendors, food, and family-friendly activities.
Official sourceSiesta Key Drum Circle
A beloved Siesta Key tradition — community drum circle on the beach at sunset. Free and open to all. No tickets, no schedule — just show up before sunset.
Official sourceDowntown Wellen Park Live Music
Regular live music programming at Downtown Wellen Park throughout the week. Check the Wellen Park events calendar for current performers and times.
Official sourceWellen Park Night Market & Dueling Pianos
Monthly evening market at Downtown Wellen Park with local vendors, food, and live dueling pianos entertainment.
Official sourceSarasota Art Museum
Contemporary art museum in the historic Sarasota High School building. Rotating exhibitions and permanent collection.
Official sourceRingling Museum of Art
Florida's official state art museum — Baroque masterworks, circus history, and the stunning Ca' d'Zan mansion on Sarasota Bay.
Official sourceSarasota Opera
World-class opera in a beautifully restored 1926 theater. Check the current season schedule for upcoming performances.
Official sourceSEPTEMBER PREVIEW
Coming Up in September
Worth putting on the radar now. Details and tickets through official organizer pages.
Music on Main — Jump Start Band
First Friday of September at Music on Main in Lakewood Ranch. The Jump Start Band performs, with proceeds benefiting Save Our Seabirds.
Official source17th Annual Labor Day Weekend Venice Craft Festival
Annual juried craft festival in downtown Venice over Labor Day weekend. Local and regional artisans, handmade goods, and outdoor festival atmosphere.
Official sourceVenice Beach Party
Afternoon beach party event in Venice. Check Venice MainStreet for details as the date approaches.
Official sourceSarasota Opera Food & Wine Festival
Annual food and wine festival at the Sarasota Opera House. A fundraiser for the opera season featuring local restaurants, wine, and live entertainment.
Official sourceEXPLORE THINGS TO DO
Year-Round in Sarasota
The things that make this area worth living in — any time of year.
Beaches & Water
Siesta Key, Lido Beach, Venice Beach, Casey Key, Caspersen Beach — each with its own character. Siesta Key is famous for its powdery quartz sand; Caspersen is known for shark tooth hunting.
Boating & Water Activities
Kayaking, paddleboarding, boat rentals, fishing charters, and dolphin tours are available throughout the area. Sarasota Bay and the Intracoastal are popular launch points.
Museums & Culture
The Ringling Museum, Sarasota Art Museum, Mote Marine Laboratory, and the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens are among the most visited cultural institutions in the region.
Downtown Exploring
Downtown Sarasota, St. Armands Circle, and historic downtown Venice each offer walkable blocks of restaurants, galleries, boutiques, and waterfront views.
Family Activities
Mote Marine Aquarium, Sarasota Jungle Gardens, Big Cat Habitat, and the Sarasota Children's Garden are popular with families. Most parks have playgrounds and splash pads.
Parks & Outdoor Recreation
Oscar Scherer State Park, Myakka River State Park, and the Legacy Trail (18+ miles of paved trail) are standout options for hiking, biking, and wildlife watching.
Performing Arts
Sarasota has a remarkably active performing arts scene — Sarasota Opera, Florida Studio Theatre, Asolo Repertory Theatre, and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall all have regular seasons.
Markets & Local Shopping
The Sarasota Farmers Market (Saturday), Venice Farmers Market (Saturday), and Waterside Place Sunday Market are the most established. Seasonal night markets and pop-ups run throughout the year.
Distinctive Local Experiences
Watching the sunset from Siesta Key or Lido Beach, the Sunday drum circle, a morning paddle on Sarasota Bay, or a walk through the Ringling grounds — these are the things people remember.
BROWSE BY AREA
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SMART MOVE
"The best way to know if you'll love living somewhere is to spend a weekend doing what locals actually do — not what's on the tourist list."