Things to Do in Sarasota This Weekend (April 3–5): Easter Events & Live Music

This weekend in Sarasota, we celebrate Easter — He is Risen.
I’ve included several Easter services for your convenience, along with some of the best live music and outdoor events happening across the area. From Fresh Fridays in downtown Sarasota to Music on Main in Lakewood Ranch, UTC Live on the Green, the Bradenton Riverwalk, and Venice’s Music in the Park, it’s one of those weekends where there’s something happening everywhere you turn.
Whether you’re planning a relaxed Easter weekend or looking to get out and explore, here are the top things to do in Sarasota this weekend.

✝️ Easter Services Across Sarasota
🎶 Fresh Fridays → Downtown Sarasota
🎤 Music on Main → Lakewood Ranch
🌆 UTC Live on the Green → University Town Center
🎸 Venice Music in the Park
🌴 Bradenton Riverwalk Events

Plan next weekend in 10 seconds →

If You Only Do One Thing This Weekend…

If you only do one thing this weekend, make it Fresh Fridays in downtown Sarasota.

This is one of the best recurring events in the area — live music, food vendors, and a great downtown atmosphere all in one place. It’s the kind of event where you can show up, walk around, grab a drink, listen to live music, and just enjoy being out in Sarasota.

With Easter weekend bringing more people into town, Fresh Fridays is a great way to kick things off before Sunday’s celebrations. It’s easy, it’s local, and it consistently delivers a good time.

Top Picks This Weekend

🌆 UTC Live on the Green

Thursday, April 2 | 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Location: University Town Center (UTC)

Outdoor entertainment in a relaxed setting with live music and space to unwind. Great for families or a casual night out.

🎶 Fresh Fridays – Downtown Sarasota

Friday, April 3 | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Downtown Sarasota

Fresh Fridays brings live music, food vendors, and a lively downtown atmosphere. It’s one of Sarasota’s most popular recurring events and a great way to kick off the weekend.

🎤 Music on Main – Lakewood Ranch

Friday, April 3 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Lakewood Ranch Main Street

A local favorite featuring live music, food vendors, and a strong community vibe. Arrive early for parking and stay for the full evening — this one always draws a crowd.

🎸 Venice Music in the Park

Friday, April 3 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Centennial Park, Venice

A laid-back concert setting in the heart of Venice. Bring a chair, relax, and enjoy live music with a strong local crowd.

✝️ Easter Services Across Sarasota

Sunday, April 5 | Various Times
Locations: Churches Throughout Sarasota & Surrounding Areas

Celebrate Easter Sunday with sunrise services, traditional church gatherings, and community celebrations across Sarasota. From beach sunrise services to more traditional settings, there are plenty of options to choose from this weekend.

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More Things to Do This Weekend

Photos with the Easter Bunny
Now through April 4
The Mall at University Town Center

Step into Bunnyville, an interactive Easter-themed village where kids can meet the Easter Bunny and take photos. It’s a simple, family-friendly stop if you’re already at UTC.

Fresh Fridays – Downtown Sarasota
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Downtown Sarasota

One of Sarasota’s most popular monthly events featuring live music, food vendors, and a lively downtown atmosphere. A great way to kick off the weekend.

Venice Music in the Park
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Centennial Park, Venice

Enjoy a relaxed evening of live music in a park setting. Bring a chair, unwind, and enjoy a strong local crowd.

From bars to restaurants and small venues, live music is happening all across Sarasota Friday night. Plenty of options depending on your vibe.

Sarasota Farmers Market
Saturday, April 4 | 7 a.m.–1 p.m.
Downtown Sarasota
Free

Start your Saturday strolling through one of Florida’s top-rated farmers markets, where dozens of vendors line the streets with fresh produce, baked goods, local honey, prepared foods, and handmade items. Live music and a steady crowd give it a lively but easygoing feel that’s become part of the Sarasota routine.

Phillippi Farmhouse Market
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Phillippi Estate Park, Sarasota

A smaller, laid-back market set under the trees along Phillippi Creek, featuring local vendors, food options, and a relaxed park setting.

Easter Egg Hunt – The Children’s Garden
Saturday, April 4 | 10 a.m.
The Children’s Garden and Art Center
Ticketed

This is one of the more unique Easter events in the area, set inside a colorful, storybook-style garden. Kids can collect eggs, win prizes, and meet the Easter Bunny, all within a creative space that feels more immersive than your typical park-based hunt.

Easter Eggstravaganza – Venice
Saturday, April 4 | 10–11:30 a.m.
Centennial Park
Free

A classic community egg hunt with a strong local turnout, plus a thoughtful addition—a beeping egg hunt designed for visually impaired children. It’s a well-rounded, family-focused event that keeps things simple and fun.

Easter Sunrise & Sunday Services

Siesta Key Beach Sunrise Service – Pine Shores Presbyterian
Sunday, April 5 | 6:30–8 a.m.
Siesta Key Beach
Free

One of Sarasota’s most scenic Easter traditions, this sunrise service takes place right on the sand near the pavilion. As the sun rises over the Gulf, the setting creates a calm, reflective atmosphere that draws both locals and visitors each year.

Riverwalk Sunrise Service – Loving Hands Ministries
Sunday, April 5 | 6:30 a.m.
Riverwalk Amphitheatre
Free

Set along the Manatee River, this sunrise gathering offers a peaceful waterfront alternative to beach services. The open amphitheater setting makes it easy to attend and enjoy a relaxed, welcoming community atmosphere.

Anna Maria Island Sunrise Service – Kiwanis
Sunday, April 5 | 6:30 a.m.
Manatee County Public Beach
Free

This is one of the largest Easter services in the region, often drawing over 1,000 attendees. With multiple churches participating and the Gulf as a backdrop, it feels like a true community-wide event rather than a single congregation gathering.

Venice Sunrise Service – First Baptist Church
Sunday, April 5 | 7 a.m.
First Baptist Church of Venice
Free

Held outdoors at the church’s lakefront campus, this sunrise service offers a quieter, more intimate setting. It’s a good option for those looking to avoid the larger beach crowds while still enjoying an outdoor experience.

Outdoor Theatre Service – The Tabernacle
Sunday, April 5 | 7 a.m.
The Tabernacle Church
Free

Set in a natural outdoor theatre, this service blends a peaceful environment with a structured Easter celebration. Surrounded by greenery, it offers a slightly different feel from the beach or waterfront gatherings.

Chapel on the Beach – Siesta Key Chapel
Sunday, April 5 | 9–9:45 a.m.
Siesta Beach Pavilion
Free

A later-morning option for those who prefer not to wake up before sunrise, this beach service combines worship with a relaxed coastal setting. The shorter format and shuttle option make it especially convenient.

Easter Brunch at Selby Gardens
Sunday, April 5 | 10:30 a.m. | 12 p.m. | 1:30 p.m.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Ticketed

A more elevated way to spend Easter Sunday, this brunch features a full buffet by Michael’s On East along with garden access, making it feel like a full-day experience. Families will appreciate the added touches like egg hunts and kid-friendly activities.

Ski-A-Rees Water Ski Show
Sunday, April 5 | 2 p.m.
Ski-A-Ree Stadium
Free

Close out the weekend with one of Sarasota’s most unique traditions. The Ski-A-Rees deliver a high-energy show featuring jumps, pyramids, and coordinated routines on the water—equal parts athletic performance and local nostalgia.

That’s a look at what’s happening around Sarasota this weekend.

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