Sarasota Area Events

Sarasota, Florida offers a variety of events throughout the year put on by a number of non-profit and for profit organizations. From rodeo to wine tasting, and musical events ranging from the latest rock to classical can be found at venues around the Gulf coast.
  • ANNUAL BLACK & WHITE BALL to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The event will feature live entertainment, fabulous food stations, and an open bar. For sponsorship, advertising, and ticket information contact the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at 941-952-5836.
  • CINE-WORLD FILM FESTIVAL
    International film festival, held in November. 941-955-3456
  • EMPTY BOWLS
    The Sarasota Empty Bowls Lunch is an annual community event to benefit the All Faiths Food Bank. Held near Thanksgiving, the event features soups and chowders served in hand-made bowls that you keep. Visit the Food Bank web site for more information.
  • FLORIDA WINEFEST & AUCTION
    A charity event that's a party with a purpose. 4Sarasota
  • GIVING HUNGER THE BLUES
    Annual food and music event held on Hillview Street in Southside Village.
    givinghungertheblues.org
  • GREAT TEDDY BEAR RUN
    Charity event to benefit non-profit KIDS by the SEA, helping local kids with cancer. Sponsored by the Sarasota Harley Owners Group. Includes a bike rodeo, bike show and live music. Held each November. For more information call 941-951-7005
  • HOLIDAY PARADE
    Annual family event in held in December in downtown Sarasota featuring marching bands, holiday decorated floats, live music and children's entertainment.
  • PLAY READING FESTIVAL
    Works by local and national playwrights will be read for discerning audiences at the Players Theater. Discussions will be held after each premiere for guests to share opinions of the scripts.
  • SARASOTA COMEDY FESTIVAL
    Annual Sarasota Comedy Festival to be held in May to benefit the Child Protection Center. 941-365-1277
  • SARASOTA BLUES FESTIVAL
    Annual Blues music event held at Ed Smith Stadium in October.
    sarasotabluesfest.com.
  • SARASOTA READING FESTIVAL
    The Sarasota Reading Festival is a celebration of authors, reading, literacy and the written word. Dozens of events in downtown Sarasota’s Five Points Park, the Selby Public Library, the Sarasota Opera House and the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre, the Festival also features a street-side fair with performances on two stages, booksellers and publishers, sponsors, community organizations and book signings.  November 941-906-1733
  • SARASOTA MEDIEVAL FAIR
    Village marketplace with merchants and food vendors, Human Combat Chess Match, Full-Contact Armored Jousting. Mingle with Queen Elizabeth I, Knights and Ladies, Musicians and Dancers. November 888-303-FAIR
  • SUNCOAST WINE FESTIVAL
    Outdoor celebration at the Sarasota Polo Club of fine wine/foods featuring 300 wines, 40 restaurants, cooking demos, live entertainment, silent auction. November 941-870-0002
  • TASTE OF SARASOTA
    Annual event of the Florida Restaurant Association featuring restaurants from Sarasota and Venice, Florida. November
  • TASTE OF THE SUNCOAST
    Annual event featuring the top restaurants of Sarasota to benefit the All Faiths Food Bank. Held in March. Visit the Food Bank web site for more information.
  • THUNDER BY THE BAY
    A weekend of events each January culminating in a downtown motorcycle rally, poker run and bike show with live entertainment.
  • SUNCOAST OFFSHORE GRAND PRIX
    Annual high-speed powerboat event held in the Gulf of Mexico off of Sarasota. A week of events, live music and parties each year around 4th of July weekend.
Community Calendar

For the Complete calendar visit www.sarasotacalendar.com