Sarasota Lifestyle

Bay Day Festival at Robinson Preserve

Celebrate the beauty of the bay with nature walks, hands-on eco exhibits, kayaking, music, and family activities. Hosted by Around the Bend Nature Tours and the Florida Maritime Museum.

Hunsader Farms Flower Festival

Celebrate spring with flower fields, handmade crafts, pony rides, live music, food, and a country market atmosphere.

Spring Fine Art Festival at Phillippi Estate Park

Explore juried fine art from local and national artists in a scenic outdoor setting. Shop original works in painting, sculpture, jewelry, and more while enjoying food and music.

Wild About Nature Festival

The Wild About Nature Festival is an annual, family-friendly event designed to foster a love for the outdoors and environmental stewardship among attendees of all ages. Festival Highlights: Nature-Based Activities: Engage in a variety of hands-on experiences such as tree climbing, nature printing, kayaking, and wildlife identification. ​ Community Engagement: Over 25 local nonprofits and community organizations will be present, offering educational activities and insights into local environmental initiatives. ​ Live Entertainment: Enjoy live music performances throughout the day, creating a vibrant atmosphere for all attendees. Food Trucks: A selection of food trucks will be on-site, providing a variety of culinary options to satisfy diverse tastes. ​ Parking Information: All parking is offsite at the following locations:​F First Baptist Church of Osprey​ Victory Baptist Church​ The historic Osprey Library Evie’s on the Bay​ Limited accessible parking is available on-site. Attendees attempting to enter the Bay Preserve parking lot without a permit will be re-routed. A shuttle service will run on a loop to transport guests between the event space and parking areas. ​ In 2025, the festival is scheduled for Saturday, April 5th, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at Bay Preserve at Osprey, located at 400 Palmetto Ave, Osprey, FL 34229. ​This free festival offers a unique opportunity to reconnect with nature and participate in a day filled with outdoor adventure and environmental education.

BAM!Fest (Bradenton Art & Music Festival)

BAM!Fest (Bradenton Art & Music Festival) is an exciting, free event that transforms the Bradenton Riverwalk into an immersive celebration of art and music. The festival is scheduled for Saturday, April 5, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM at the Bradenton Riverwalk, located at 101 Riverfront Blvd, Bradenton, FL 34205. ​ Festival Highlights: Great Big Art: Experience large-scale interactive art installations and live demonstrations by local artists on the Great Lawn. ​ Art Tower: Watch artists create massive paintings live and contribute to a community mural at the Banner Tower. ​ BAM!Slam: Enjoy a variety of short performances, including dance, spoken word, and theater, at the Mosaic Amphitheater. ​ Pavilion Party: Rock out to live bands across multiple genres at Rossi Park Pavilion, surrounded by captivating visual art pieces. ​ Meandering Market: Browse and purchase unique, handcrafted goods from local artists along the Riverwalk. ​ Sand Castle Beach: Relax to live beach music and witness expert sculptors craft an epic sandcastle at the sand volleyball courts. ​ Parking Information:​ City Centre Garage: 200 10th Street West (less than a 5-minute walk)​ Manatee County Garage: 414 10th Street West (5-minute walk)​ Judicial Center Garage: 615 12th Street West (10-minute walk) Attendees are encouraged to use rideshare services, with drop-off points at the Manatee Performing Arts Center (502 3rd Ave W) and the Riverwalk Parking Lot (129 Riverfront Blvd). ​ Please note that while Bradenton is part of the greater Sarasota area, the festival itself is held in Bradenton, FL.

Grand Treasures – Sarasota Orchestra

Sarasota Orchestra presents a powerful classical program featuring masterpieces performed by talented musicians at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

Sarasota Veg Fest

Celebrate plant-based living with vegan food trucks, health vendors, cooking demos, animal rescue groups, and eco-friendly merchandise at this annual festival promoting sustainability and wellness.

2025 Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open (ATP Challenger Tour)

The Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open is a premier professional men's tennis tournament on the ATP Challenger Tour. Celebrating its 15th edition in 2025, the event attracts rising stars and seasoned professionals competing on Har-Tru clay courts. The tournament offers a week-long experience filled with high-caliber tennis, community events, and family-friendly activities. Highlights include Kids Day, charity fundraisers, and themed days sponsored by local businesses. The Sarasota Sports Club provides a picturesque setting with its state-of-the-art facilities, including a stadium court with lake views and a 30,000-square-foot clubhouse.

Ski-A-Rees Water Ski Show

The Ski-A-Rees Water Ski Team puts on an action-packed, family-friendly water ski show every Sunday afternoon during their season, showcasing thrilling stunts, human pyramids, barefoot skiing, jumps, and synchronized routines — all set to music and narration. Founded in 1958, the Ski-A-Rees are a non-profit, volunteer-run team that trains year-round and welcomes skiers of all levels, from beginners to professionals. Their shows offer a nostalgic throwback to Sarasota’s waterskiing heritage and are completely free to attend, though donations are appreciated to support the team. ⛱ Tips for Visitors: Bleacher seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and water. Arrive early — shows are popular and seating fills up fast! Free parking is available nearby. 🎟 Event Name: Ski-A-Rees Water Ski Show – Sarasota, FL🗓 Season: Sundays, mid-February through late April🕒 Time: Shows typically begin at 2:00 PM (arrive early for seating)📍 Location:Ski-A-Rees Stadium1602 Ken Thompson ParkwaySarasota, FL 34236(Located near Mote Marine Laboratory on City Island)