Arts, culture
& events.
Sarasota is known as "Florida's Cultural Coast" — and it earns that title every day. From world-class performing arts to vibrant festivals and community gatherings, there's always something happening here.
One of the things that truly sets Sarasota apart from other Gulf Coast communities is its cultural depth. The performing arts scene would impress cities many times its size, the museum and gallery offerings are genuinely world-class, and the year-round calendar of festivals, farmers markets, and community events keeps life here vibrant and connected. Whether you're catching a Broadway touring show, wandering a gallery walk, or just grabbing Saturday morning produce at the farmers market — culture in Sarasota is woven into everyday life.
Recurring events & markets.
The heartbeat of Sarasota's community life. These events happen regularly and are worth building your week around.
Central Sarasota Farmers Market
Central Sarasota
Siesta Key Farmers Market
5104 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key
Lakewood Ranch Farmers Market
Waterside Place, Lakewood Ranch
Siesta Key Drum Circle
Siesta Beach, Siesta Key
Nokomis Beach Drum Circle
Nokomis Beach, Nokomis
Ranch Nite Wednesdays
Waterside Place, Lakewood Ranch
Artwalk Village of the Arts
Village of the Arts, Bradenton
Palm Avenue Gallery Walk
Palm Avenue, Downtown Sarasota
Sundays at The Bay
The Bay Sarasota waterfront
Sarasota's performing arts.
Long known as "Florida's Cultural Coast," Sarasota is home to world-class performing arts venues that rival cities many times its size.
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Sarasota's crown jewel for live performance. Upcoming shows include Derek Hough: Symphony of Dance (August 6), Golden Groovers: Beach Blanket Bingo (August 6), Sarasota Orchestra's "Summon the Heroes" (September 10), and Ron White (September 13).
777 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Visit SiteAsolo Repertory Theatre
One of the most acclaimed regional theaters in the Southeast. The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition plays the Cook Theatre through August 2. Final performances are approaching. The main stage season resumes in the fall.
5555 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Visit SiteSarasota Opera House
The Opera House's inaugural Summer Series continues with tribute band concerts on Saturday nights (Solitary Man: A Neil Diamond Tribute on July 25), classic movie screenings on Fridays at 7 PM, and HD performance broadcasts on Sundays at 1:30 PM. The Food & Wine Festival is September 26.
61 N Palm Ave, Sarasota
Visit SiteFlorida Studio Theatre
A packed summer: Dog Mom (through Aug 2), From Woodstock to Soft Rock (July 7 – Sept 13), The Last Romance (July 22 – Aug 16), Motown & More! (Aug 4 – Oct 4), Forgotten Broadway (July 31 – Aug 1), and Blockbusted/Out of Bounds (Aug 8 – Sept 19). Shows nearly every night.
1241 N Palm Ave, Sarasota
Visit SiteMcCurdy's Comedy Club
A Sarasota institution since the early 1980s. National headliners all summer: JJ Curry (July 23–26), Tom Arnold (July 31–Aug 1), Carmen Ciricillo (Aug 26–27), and Carlos Mencia (Aug 29). Plus Drag Queen Bingo on select Sundays. Friday and Saturday nights are the best seats.
1923 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota
Visit SiteWorld-class museums.
From the legendary Ringling Museum to contemporary art spaces, Sarasota's visual arts scene is genuinely extraordinary.
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
Sarasota's single greatest cultural treasure. A 66-acre bayfront estate with a world-class art museum, the stunning Ca' d'Zan mansion, the Circus Museum, and sculpture gardens.
5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota
Visit SiteSarasota Art Museum
Contemporary art in a beautifully restored 1920s Sarasota High School building. Rotating exhibitions and one of Sarasota's most exciting cultural additions.
1001 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Visit SiteMarie Selby Botanical Gardens
A waterfront botanical paradise hosting world-renowned seasonal art exhibitions. The Sarasota campus features stunning tropical gardens and a world-class orchid collection.
1123 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Visit SiteMark your calendar.
Ringling Summer Circus Spectacular
High-flying acrobats, jugglers, and performers in the Historic Asolo Theater — showtimes at 11 AM and 2 PM weekdays, 2 PM and 5 PM Saturdays. A Sarasota summer tradition. $20 adults / $15 children. Final weeks!
FST: From Woodstock to Soft Rock
Florida Studio Theatre's Court Cabaret celebrates the evolution of '60s and '70s music — from the counterculture anthems of Woodstock to the smooth sounds that followed.
Asolo Rep: The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition
The classic story brought to life by young performers at the Cook Theatre. A wonderful family outing. Final performances!
Selby Gardens: Shared Light — Lynn Goldsmith & Patti Smith
Lynn Goldsmith's botanical photography paired with portraits and poetry by Patti Smith at the downtown campus. Also showing: Bubbles Under the Banyans on Saturday mornings.
Selby Spanish Point: Robert Louis Stevenson Exhibition
"A Child's Garden of Verses" — an immersive exhibition exploring the life and works of Robert Louis Stevenson at the 30-acre waterfront Historic Spanish Point campus in Osprey.
FST: The Last Romance
A tender, funny love story about a widowed man who takes a chance on love later in life. At FST's Gompertz Theatre.
FST: Forgotten Broadway
A special two-night engagement rediscovering lost gems from Broadway's past. Playing at FST's Bowne's Lab.
FST: Motown & More!
FST's Goldstein Cabaret celebrates the Motown sound and beyond — the songs that defined a generation.
FST: Blockbusted & Out of Bounds Improv
Two new improv shows: Blockbusted tackles Hollywood's biggest blockbusters, and Out of Bounds is a comedy free-for-all.
Solitary Man: A Neil Diamond Tribute at Sarasota Opera House
Part of the Opera House Summer Series — tribute band concerts on Saturday nights. Classic movie screenings on Fridays, HD broadcasts on Sundays.
TOTO with Christopher Cross & The Romantics at MIDFLORIDA
An evening of '80s legends — TOTO, Christopher Cross, and The Romantics. Three acts at Tampa's premier outdoor amphitheatre.
Super Freestyle Explosion at Yuengling Center
Stevie B, Lisa Lisa, TKA, The Cover Girls, and Lisette Melendez bring freestyle music to Tampa.
Derek Hough: Symphony of Dance at Hard Rock Tampa
Emmy-winning dancer Derek Hough brings his encore show to the Hard Rock Event Center.
Derek Hough & Golden Groovers at Van Wezel
Derek Hough performs at 7 PM. Also: Golden Groovers Beach Blanket Bingo — a retro evening of music, dancing, and bingo.
Music on Main — Lakewood Ranch
Free monthly street party on Lakewood Ranch Main Street with live music, food trucks, and a dog-friendly atmosphere. First Friday.
Mötley Crüe: Carnival of Sins at MIDFLORIDA
Mötley Crüe returns with pyrotechnics, theatrics, and all the classic hits.
Jim Lauderdale at Fogartyville
Grammy-winning Americana singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale performs in Sarasota's intimate listening room.
Avenged Sevenfold & Good Charlotte at MIDFLORIDA
Metal titans alongside pop-punk legends — a powerhouse double bill.
Jack Johnson: SURFILMUSIC Tour at MIDFLORIDA
Jack Johnson with Lake Street Dive brings laid-back, surf-inspired folk-rock to Tampa.
Rob Zombie & Marilyn Manson at MIDFLORIDA
Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson co-headline with The Hu and Orgy.
Goo Goo Dolls at MIDFLORIDA Amphitheatre
The Goo Goo Dolls bring "Iris," "Slide," "Name," and more to Tampa.
Buckcherry & Black Stone Cherry at Jannus Live
Hard rock heavyweights share the stage at St. Pete's iconic outdoor venue.
Carlos Mencia & Dirty Heads/311
Carlos Mencia at McCurdy's (two shows). Same night: Dirty Heads & 311 at MIDFLORIDA Amphitheatre.
Luke Bryan at MIDFLORIDA Amphitheatre
Country superstar Luke Bryan with Lauren Watkins, Lanie Gardner, and Randall King.
Summon the Heroes — Sarasota Orchestra at Van Wezel
The Sarasota Orchestra presents an inspiring program of orchestral favorites to kick off the fall season.
Grupo Frontera at Yuengling Center
Mexican-American music sensation Grupo Frontera brings their 'Triste Pero Bien Cabron Tour' to Tampa.
Ron White at Van Wezel
Grammy-nominated comedian Ron White brings his dry wit and storytelling to Sarasota's bayfront stage.
Empire of the Sun at MIDFLORIDA
Australian electronic duo brings their visually spectacular, genre-defying show to Tampa.
Tinsley Ellis at Fogartyville
A night of scorching blues guitar from one of the genre's most respected living players.
Sarasota Opera Food & Wine Festival
A celebration of culinary excellence at the historic Sarasota Opera House.
Selby Gardens: 46th Annual Juried Photographic Exhibition
Annual juried photography exhibition at Historic Spanish Point campus celebrating art and nature.
Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival
Lakewood Ranch's premier blues festival returns to Waterside Park. Mark your calendar.
Season of the Arts (Peak Season)
The Sarasota Opera, Van Wezel performances, film festivals, gallery walks, symphony concerts, and theater productions.
Siesta Key Crystal Classic
World-class sand sculptors transform Siesta Key Beach into an outdoor gallery. Free to attend.
Sarasota Film Festival
Ten days of independent and international film screenings, Q&A sessions, and parties.
Siesta Key Seafood & Music Festival
Fresh Gulf seafood, live music, and community spirit.
Holiday Boat Parade & Lighting
The Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade lights up the bay, with downtown tree lighting and holiday markets.
Live music &nightlife.
The greater Tampa Bay area's live music scene is bigger than most people expect. Here are the local spots where the music is always playing.
The Gator Club
The legendary downtown dance hall. Live bands every weekend, two floors, and one of the best old-school Sarasota vibes.
1490 Main St, Sarasota
Cask & Ale
A gastropub on Main Street known for its impressive craft beer selection, whisky collection, and live acoustic music on weekend evenings.
1546 Main St, Sarasota
Pangea Alchemy Room
A craft cocktail lounge with an intimate atmosphere and rotating live performances. Jazz, singer-songwriters, and more.
1557 Main St, Sarasota
Fogartyville
A well-known Sarasota listening room for folk, roots, and singer-songwriters. Intimate, no-frills, all about the music.
5252 Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Marina Jack
Live music nightly on the outdoor deck with waterfront views. Sunset cocktails and a quintessential Sarasota evening.
2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota
Concerts & big stages.
Beyond Sarasota's intimate local venues, the greater Tampa Bay region is home to some of Florida's most iconic concert arenas and amphitheatres. These are the major destinations where the biggest touring acts, festivals, and headline shows come to play — all within easy driving distance.
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa
Tampa's premier entertainment destination. The Hard Rock hosts major concert tours, headlining residencies, comedy shows, and large-scale events in its state-of-the-art Event Center. A go-to for big-name acts and a full nightlife experience.
Tampa
Visit SiteMIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
One of the largest outdoor concert venues in the Tampa Bay area, located at the Florida State Fairgrounds. With a capacity of around 20,000, it draws major touring artists and festival-style shows every season.
Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa
Visit SiteYuengling Center
A versatile indoor arena on the University of South Florida campus in Tampa. Hosting concerts, comedy tours, family shows, and sporting events year-round, it strikes the balance between big production and a close-up experience.
University of South Florida, Tampa
Visit SiteVinoy Park
A beautiful waterfront park in downtown St. Petersburg that serves as the setting for some of the area's biggest outdoor festivals and concerts. From the Tampa Bay Blues Festival to Food & Wine festivals, the park's bayfront location makes every event feel special.
Downtown St. Petersburg
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Sarasota's crown jewel for live performance. This striking bayfront theater hosts Broadway touring productions, the Sarasota Orchestra, major concert acts, ballet, and comedy in roughly 1,700 seats.
777 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Visit SiteJannus Live
One of the most iconic outdoor concert venues on Florida's west coast. This open-air courtyard in the heart of downtown St. Pete hosts national touring acts across rock, indie, alternative, and hip-hop — all in an intimate setting with room for about 2,000 fans.
Downtown St. Petersburg
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