Free Events in Sarasota

Discover free festivals, community events, and things to do in the Sarasota area.

• Family Saturdays: Art for Fresh Starts (with Music Compound) Free Monthly

  📅 Sat, Jan 10 🕐 12-3pm 📍 Art Center Sarasota

  Make vision board collages and personalized intention stones while live music from Music Compound sets the vibe. All ages welcome.

• Sarasota Cars and Coffee Free Monthly

  📅 Sat, Jan 10 🕐 8-10am 📍 The Mall at UTC

  One of the biggest monthly car meets in Florida—exotics, classics, and everything in between. Free coffee, live music, and a different local charity each month. $10 show car parking.

• New Year, New You Health & Wellness Expo Free

  📅 Sat, Jan 10 🕐 10am-3pm 📍 The Mall at UTC

  Free expo with 60+ vendors—medical pros, fitness trainers, holistic health experts, and even pet care. Demos and giveaways included.

• Pop-Up Library and Storytime at The Bay Free Monthly

  📅 Sat, Jan 10 🕐 10am-12pm 📍 The Bay Park

  The mobile library van rolls in with books for all ages plus themed storytime for little ones—different theme each month.

• Tampa Bay Lightning Youth Ball Hockey Tournament and Watch Party Free

  📅 Sat, Jan 10 🕐 3-10pm 📍 Lakewood Ranch Main Street

  Youth ball hockey on Main Street followed by a big-screen watch party for Lightning vs. Flyers. Bring a chair, leave the cooler at home. Dogs welcome.

• Barks and Brews Free Monthly

  📅 Tue, Jan 13 🕐 6-8pm 📍 The Green at UTC

  Furry friends and their families gather for adoptable dogs, craft brews, live music, and pup-friendly vendors supporting Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center.

• Dueling Pianos Free Monthly

  📅 Thu, Jan 15 🕐 6-10pm 📍 Downtown Wellen Park

  Two pianists go head-to-head playing crowd favorites at Solis Hall. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and settle in for the show.

• UTC Night Market Free Monthly

  📅 Thu, Jan 15 🕐 6:30-9:30pm 📍 The Green at UTC

  Shop local makers selling handmade goods, jewelry, and art while live music plays—happens every third Thursday of the month under the stars.

• Sarasota Winter Carnival & Street Food Invasion Free

  📅 Thu, Jan 15 - Mon, Jan 19 🕐 Hours vary 📍 The Mall at UTC

  Five days of carnival rides meet 50+ food vendors for MLK Weekend. Free admission—just pay for rides and all the lobster rolls you can handle.

• Movie in the Park (Elemental) Free

  📅 Fri, Jan 16 🕐 6-8pm 📍 Centennial Park (Venice Ave)

  Pixar's Elemental lights up Centennial Park for a free outdoor movie night. Grab chairs and blankets—downtown Venice makes a great backdrop.

• Karaoke on The Green Free Monthly

  📅 Fri, Jan 16 🕐 7-10pm 📍 The Green at UTC

  Singing is no longer just for your car or shower—rock the mic every third Friday of the month with friends. Show up early for dinner nearby.

• A Century of Cars Free

  📅 Sat, Jan 17 🕐 9am-2pm 📍 St. Armands Circle

  The Sarasota Yacht Club and St. Armands Circle mark their 100th anniversaries with a Main Street parade leading to a 175-vehicle car show extravaganza.

• Dance at The Bay: Dancing with Donald Free Monthly

  📅 Wed, Jan 21 🕐 6:30pm-7:30pm 📍 The Bay Park

  Learn a new line dance each month with Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's resident choreographer. No partner or experience needed—just show up and move.

• Sights + Sounds at Waterside Place: The Sarasota Opera Free

  📅 Fri, Jan 23 🕐 6-7pm 📍 Waterside Place

  Sarasota Opera performs outdoors at Waterside Place—a low-key way to catch some live opera without the formal setting.

• NBP Paddle-a-Thon: A Community Event in Support of our Paddlers Free

  📅 Sat, Jan 24 🕐 6am-6pm 📍 Nathan Benderson Park

  Support the outrigger canoe program while watching paddlers attempt 15 laps of 5k each over 12 hours—new lap every 45 minutes.

• Downtown Venice Craft Festival Free

  📅 Sat, Jan 24 - Sun, Jan 25 🕐 10am-5pm 📍 West Venice Ave

  Stroll West Venice Avenue browsing ceramics, jewelry, stained glass, and metalwork from crafters nationwide. Plus a green market with kettle corn and gourmet goodies.

• Sarasota County's Fire Fest Free

  📅 Sat, Jan 24 🕐 10am-2pm 📍 T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve

  Watch prescribed burns in action at Carlton Reserve, plus hay wagon rides, face painting, and free food for kids. A uniquely Florida family outing.

• Lakewood Ranch Fine Art Festival Free

  📅 Sat, Jan 24 - Sun, Jan 25 🕐 10am-5pm 📍 Lakewood Ranch Main Street

  Fine art from talented artists lines Main Street—paintings, sculptures, jewelry, and more from creators across the region.

• St. Armands Circle Winter Art Festival and Sidewalk Sale Free

  📅 Sat, Jan 24 - Sun, Jan 25 🕐 10am-5pm 📍 St. Armands Circle

  Gallery-style booths fill the park and South Blvd of Presidents with fine art in every medium—painting, sculpture, photography, and more.

• Saigon Night Market Lunar New Year Food and Music Festival Free

  📅 Sat, Jan 24 - Sun, Jan 25 🕐 3-10pm 📍 J.D. Hamel Park

  Thousands gather for two nights of Vietnamese music, glowing lanterns, and Lunar New Year festivities along the bay—authentic eats and cultural immersion.

• Line Dancing on the Grand Lawn Free Monthly

  📅 Tue, Jan 27 🕐 6-7pm 📍 Downtown Wellen Park

  Kick up your boots on the Grand Lawn for line dancing under the lights. No experience needed—just come ready to move and laugh through the missteps.

• Family Movie Night at The Bay: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Free

  📅 Fri, Jan 30 🕐 7:00pm-8:55pm 📍 The Bay Park

  Pack blankets and snacks for this beloved Spielberg classic under the stars. Perfect family night with zero guilt about screen time.

• Ukulele Celebration | Honoring World Ukulele Day Free

  📅 Sat, Jan 31 🕐 12pm-1pm 📍 The Bay Park

  Strum along with fellow uke enthusiasts for a laid-back afternoon of music and community. Bring your own or just listen.

• Classic Car Show Free Monthly

  📅 Wed, Feb 4 🕐 5-8pm 📍 Lakewood Ranch Main Street

  Classic cars line Main Street with live music, food, and prizes. Bring your own ride for $10 or just come to admire.

• Dance at The Bay: Salsa & Sunsets Free Monthly

  📅 Wed, Feb 4 🕐 6:30pm-8:00pm 📍 The Bay Park

  Learn a few Latin dance moves, then hit the floor for a sunset dance party on the bay. Suitable for beginners and advanced dancers.

• Shell Show Free

  📅 Fri, Feb 6 - Sat, Feb 7 🕐 10am-5pm 📍 Sarasota Fairgrounds

  Browse shells, fossils, and ocean treasures from dealers and collectors—plus educational displays about marine life and shell identification.

• Art in the Park Free Monthly

  📅 Fri, Feb 6 🕐 10-11am 📍 The Bay Park

  Get creative outdoors with hands-on art projects—different theme each month, supplies included, no experience needed.

• Music on Main Free Monthly

  📅 Fri, Feb 6 🕐 6-9pm 📍 Lakewood Ranch Main Street

  Live music, food vendors, and kids' activities take over Main Street—with a different band and local charity beneficiary each month.

• Cars & Caffeine Free Monthly

  📅 Sat, Feb 7 🕐 7:30-10:30am 📍 Downtown Wellen Park

  Grab half-off coffee at Foxtail and check out whatever rolls in—classics, customs, all makes welcome. A good early morning hang for car people.

• Barks & Brews Free Monthly

  📅 Tue, Feb 10 🕐 6-8pm 📍 The Green at UTC

  Bring your pup for craft brews, live music, and vendors supporting Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center—a tail-waggin' Valen-dog's Day celebration.

• An Evening at the Fairgrounds! Free

  📅 Thu, Feb 12 🕐 3:30-9:00pm 📍 Sarasota Fairgrounds

  For One Life brings live performances by Aaron Stutzman Family and Jackson Heights plus a raffle to the fairgrounds for a night of entertainment.

• Wellen Park Night Market Free Monthly

  📅 Thu, Feb 12 🕐 6-9pm 📍 Downtown Wellen Park

  Shop local artists and makers for home decor, fashion, art, and specialty food under the lights—with live music and a rotating vendor lineup each month.

• Movie in the Park Free Monthly

  📅 Fri, Feb 13 🕐 6-9pm 📍 Waterside Park

  Grab a blanket and catch a family-friendly flick under the stars at Waterside Park—different movie each month, plus inflatables for the kids.

• Sarasota Cars and Coffee Free Monthly

  📅 Sat, Feb 14 🕐 8-10am 📍 The Mall at UTC

  One of the biggest monthly car meets in Florida—exotics, classics, and everything in between. Free coffee, live music, and a different local charity each month. $10 show car parking.

• Wellen Park Fine Arts Festival Free

  📅 Sat, Feb 14 - Sun, Feb 15 🕐 10am-5pm 📍 Downtown Wellen Park

  A solid excuse to wander Downtown Wellen and check out work from local artists—painting, sculpture, photography, and more spread across outdoor exhibits.

• Pop-Up Library and Storytime at The Bay Free Monthly

  📅 Sat, Feb 14 🕐 10am-12pm 📍 The Bay Park

  The mobile library van rolls in with books for all ages plus themed storytime for little ones—different theme each month.

• RoboBoat 2026 Free

  📅 Mon, Feb 16 - Thu, Feb 26 🕐 All day event 📍 Nathan Benderson Park

  Student teams from around the world compete with autonomous robotic boats they designed and built themselves.

• Sights + Sounds at Waterside Place: Jazz Under the Stars - The Out-of-Door Academy Free Monthly

  📅 Tue, Feb 17 🕐 6-7pm 📍 Waterside Place

  The Out-of-Door Academy's jazz band and guest artists play an outdoor set at Waterside. A nice excuse to grab dinner nearby and stick around.

• Dance at The Bay: Dancing with Donald Free Monthly

  📅 Wed, Feb 18 🕐 6:30pm-7:30pm 📍 The Bay Park

  Learn a new line dance each month with Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's resident choreographer. No partner or experience needed—just show up and move.

• Dueling Pianos Free Monthly

  📅 Thu, Feb 19 🕐 6-10pm 📍 Downtown Wellen Park

  Two pianists go head-to-head playing crowd favorites at Solis Hall. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and settle in for the show.

• Movie in the Park (IF) Free

  📅 Fri, Feb 20 🕐 6:30-8:30pm 📍 Centennial Park (Venice Ave)

  Catch IF—the heartwarming imaginary friends movie—under the stars at Centennial Park. Free admission, just bring chairs and blankets.

• Karaoke on The Green Free Monthly

  📅 Fri, Feb 20 🕐 7-10pm 📍 The Green at UTC

  Singing is no longer just for your car or shower—grab the mic every third Friday of the month with friends. Show up early for dinner from nearby spots.

• Suncoast Heart Walk Free

  📅 Sat, Feb 21 🕐 9am (Event opens at 8am) 📍 Nathan Benderson Park

  The American Heart Association's annual fundraising walk at Nathan Benderson Park. Walk, raise money for heart health research, and enjoy the morning out.

• Line Dancing on the Grand Lawn Free Monthly

  📅 Tue, Feb 24 🕐 6-7pm 📍 Downtown Wellen Park

  Kick up your boots on the Grand Lawn for line dancing under the lights. No experience needed—just come ready to move and laugh through the missteps.

• Family Movie Night at The Bay: How To Train Your Dragon (2025) Free Monthly

  📅 Fri, Feb 27 🕐 7-9pm 📍 The Bay Park

  Grab a blanket for this live-action reimagining of the beloved Viking-and-dragon friendship tale—outdoor cinema perfect for the whole family.

• Exotic Car Show Free

  📅 Sat, Feb 28 🕐 9am-3pm 📍 Lakewood Ranch Main Street

  Drool over Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and other dream machines while they're parked and purring. Free car candy for the whole family.

• Downtown Venice Art Classic Free

  📅 Sat, Feb 28 - Sun, Mar 1 🕐 10am-5pm 📍 West Venice Ave

  Juried artists from across the country take over West Venice Avenue with sculptures, paintings, jewelry, and ceramics.

• Classic Car Show Free Monthly

  📅 Wed, Mar 4 🕐 5-8pm 📍 Lakewood Ranch Main Street

  Classic cars line Main Street with live music, food, and prizes. Bring your own ride for $10 or just come to admire.

• Dance at The Bay: Salsa & Sunsets Free Monthly

  📅 Wed, Mar 4 🕐 6:30pm-8:00pm 📍 The Bay Park

  Learn a few Latin dance moves, then hit the floor for a sunset dance party on the bay. Suitable for beginners and advanced dancers.

• Art in the Park Free Monthly

  📅 Fri, Mar 6 🕐 10-11am 📍 The Bay Park

  Get creative outdoors with hands-on art projects—different theme each month, supplies included, no experience needed.

• Music on Main Free Monthly

  📅 Fri, Mar 6 🕐 6-9pm 📍 Lakewood Ranch Main Street

  Live music, food vendors, and kids' activities take over Main Street—with a different band and local charity beneficiary each month.

• Irish Celtic Festival Free

  📅 Sat, Mar 7 🕐 11:30am-3:00pm 📍 Greenbrook Adventure Park For Families

  Irish food, beer, whiskey, and stage performances fill the afternoon—plus dancing for anyone ready to test their Celtic moves.

• Sights + Sounds at Waterside Place: The Sarasota Ballet Studio Company Free Monthly

  📅 Sat, Mar 7 🕐 4-5pm 📍 Waterside Place

  The Sarasota Ballet's studio company and conservatory students perform a mix of classical and contemporary dance outdoors at Waterside

• The Lakewood Ranch Block Party Free

  📅 Fri, Apr 10 🕐 6-9pm 📍 Lakewood Ranch Main Street

  Lakewood Ranch's annual community celebration brings live music, beer trucks, and local businesses together for a free street party showcasing life on the Ranch.

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