Things to Do in Sarasota This Weekend: April 24–26 | Movies, Music & More
- Mike Payne
- Last Modified:
Looking for the best things to do in Sarasota this weekend? This lineup has a little bit of everything — free outdoor movies, live music, a major rowing championship, a classic local water ski show, and a few good reasons to head a little farther south or north if you want to make more of the weekend.
Whether you want something easy and free, something family-friendly, or just a reason to get out of the house, these are the events actually worth your time around Sarasota and the surrounding towns.
As someone who helps relocation buyers make the move here, I’m always reminding people that Sarasota living is about more than a house — it’s about how life actually feels once you’re here. Weekends like this are a good example.
Quick Weekend Snapshot
🎬 Cinema at The Bay → The Bay Sarasota (Thursday, 7:00 p.m.)
🌳 Arbor Day Celebration & Tree Planting → The Nature Park at Bobby Jones (Friday, 9:30–11:00 a.m.)
🎥 Family Movie Night at The Bay → The Bay Sarasota (Friday, 7:00 p.m.)
✨ Movies Under the Stars → The Green at UTC (Friday, 8:00–10:00 p.m.)
🎶 Music in the Park → Bradenton Riverwalk (Friday, 6:00–8:00 p.m.)
💪 UTC FIT with Sarasota Crew → The Green at UTC (Saturday, 9:30–10:30 a.m.)
🚣 FSRA Sweep Championships → Nathan Benderson Park (Saturday–Sunday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.)
🌊 Ski-A-Rees Water Ski Show → Ski-A-Ree Stadium / Mote area (Sunday, 2:00 p.m.)
Don’t want to search for this every weekend?
I send this out every Thursday morning so you don’t have to think about it.
If You Only Do One Thing This Weekend…
For anyone considering a move to the area, this is also the kind of event that helps explain why Gulf Coast living is hard to understand from listing photos alone.
🎶 Music in the Park
Friday, April 24 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Rossi Park Pavilion, Bradenton Riverwalk
Free
If you only do one thing this weekend, make it Music in the Park in downtown Bradenton.
Yep, I’m recommending this same concert series 3 weeks in a row. I consider the concert series and Riverwalk to be that good.
It’s one of those simple Friday night plans that just works — live music, a riverfront setting, and an easy atmosphere that does not ask much from you except to show up and enjoy it. This week’s performance features the Dr. Dave Band playing classic Southern rock.
Tip: Arrive early for parking and grab dinner at Mattison’s City Grille nearby, then take a stroll along the Riverwalk boardwalk after the show to cap off the evening.
Top Picks This Weekend
🎶 Music in the Park
Friday, April 24 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Bradenton Riverwalk Mosaic Amphitheater
Free
A laid-back Friday night on the Bradenton Riverwalk with live local music in an outdoor setting. This week’s concert features the Dr. Dave Band playing classic Southern rock, which makes it an easy pick if you want something casual, scenic, and low-effort to kick off the weekend. Bring a chair or blanket, enjoy the riverfront setting, and make a simple night of it.
✨ Movies Under the Stars: Wicked For Good
Friday, April 24 | 8:00 p.m.
The Green at UTC
Free
UTC adds more energy than a typical outdoor movie night, with pre-show fun starting earlier in the evening. Expect face painting, concessions, and character visits from Glinda and Elphaba before the movie begins, which makes this a strong family option or a good choice if you want something a little more lively and event-like. It’s the kind of Friday night plan that feels easy but still gives you something extra.
🎥 Family Movie Night at The Bay: The Secret Life of Pets 2
Friday, April 24 | 7:00 p.m.
The Bay Park
Free
This is one of the easiest Sarasota plans of the weekend: a free movie, a bayfront setting, and simple logistics. With free parking nearby and room to spread out with blankets or chairs, it works well for families, couples, or anyone who just wants a relaxed night outside. Add in the waterfront backdrop, and it becomes one of those classic Sarasota evenings that is hard to beat this time of year.
🚣 Florida Scholastic Rowing Association Sweep Championships
April 25–26
Nathan Benderson Park
This is one of the bigger local events of the weekend, bringing high school rowing teams from around the state to Nathan Benderson Park to compete for championships. Even if you do not normally follow rowing, the setting alone makes it worth noting, with plenty of activity on the water and a strong event atmosphere throughout the weekend. It’s a good excuse to spend time outdoors and see one of Sarasota’s major sports venues in action.
🌊 Ski-A-Rees Water Ski Show
Sunday, April 26
2:00 p.m.
Ski-A-Rees Stadium (behind Mote Marine on City Island-Lido Key)
One of Sarasota’s most classic free local traditions, the Ski-A-Rees are the kind of event that feels uniquely tied to life here. The show is fun, easy, and distinctly local, making it a great Sunday choice if you want something outdoors without having to overplan the day. It’s also one of those events that reminds you why Sarasota’s mix of water, weather, and laid-back local traditions gives the area its character.
🆓 Free Things to Do This Weekend
Looking for something to do without spending much? These are some of the best free events happening this weekend:
🎬 Cinema at The Bay: Best in Show
🌳 Arbor Day Celebration & Tree Planting
🎥 Family Movie Night at The Bay: The Secret Life of Pets 2
✨ Movies Under the Stars at UTC
🎶 Music in the Park
💪 UTC FIT with Sarasota Crew
🌊 Ski-A-Rees Water Ski Show
Plan Next Weekend Before Everyone Else
Get Sarasota Weekly every Thursday with the best local events and weekend picks—curated so you don’t have to search. Join 5,000+ locals planning their weekends smarter.
Free. Local. No spam.
More Things to Do This Weekend
🎶 Music in the Park
Friday, April 24 | 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Rossi Park Pavilion, Bradenton Riverwalk
Free
If you want an easy Friday night plan, this is one of the best of the weekend. Bring a chair or blanket, settle in by the river, and enjoy live music from the Dr. Dave Band playing classic Southern rock in one of Bradenton’s best outdoor settings.
✨ Movies Under the Stars: Wicked For Good
Friday, April 24 | 8:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
The Green at UTC
Free
This one feels more like an event than just a movie night. Arrive early for face painting, concessions, and character visits from Glinda and Elphaba, then stay for the outdoor movie once the sun goes down.
🚣 Florida Scholastic Rowing Association Sweep Championships
Saturday, April 25–Sunday, April 26 | 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Nathan Benderson Park
Admission not listed
If you want something active and different, this is one of the weekend’s bigger local events. High school teams from around the state will be competing on the water, and even if you do not follow rowing, Nathan Benderson Park is a great setting to spend part of the day outside.
🌊 Ski-A-Rees Water Ski Show
Sunday, April 26 | 2:00 p.m.
Ski-A-Ree Stadium, 1602 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota
Free
This is one of Sarasota’s most classic local traditions and a very easy Sunday outing. Head near Mote Marine Aquarium, grab a spot, and enjoy a free water ski show that feels uniquely Sarasota.
🎻 Venice Symphony: Ode to America
Friday, April 24–Saturday, April 25
Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave, Venice
Ticketed
If you want something a little more polished this weekend, this is a strong arts pick. The program includes music by John Williams, Bernstein, and Copland, making it a good excuse to head to Venice for the evening.
🤠 Southern Grand Slam Music Festival
Friday, April 24–Saturday, April 25 | 11:30 a.m.
Charlotte Sports Park, 2300 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte
$30–$139 per day
If you are up for a short drive, this is one of the weekend’s bigger regional events. Expect two days of country music and rock and roll, food trucks, vendors, and a crowd that makes it feel more like a full weekend outing than a quick stop.
Sarasota Weekend Picks That Also Show How the Area Really Lives
If you are up for a short drive, this is one of the weekend’s bigger regional events. Expect two days of country music and rock and roll, food trucks, vendors, and a crowd that makes it feel more like a full weekend outing than a quick stop.
One thing I tell relocation buyers and sellers all the time: Sarasota is not just about what a property looks like online. It is about how the area lives day to day — where people gather, how far things really are, what the weekends feel like, and which parts of town match your pace. That is part of why weekends like this are useful.
This one has a good mix of easy local plans and a few bigger events around the area.
You can keep it simple with Music in the Park, do a movie night at The Bay or UTC, spend time at Nathan Benderson Park for the rowing championships, or wrap up Sunday with the Ski-A-Rees. There are also a few good reasons to head to Bradenton, Venice, or Port Charlotte if you want to widen the map a little.
Whether you are already local, thinking about a move, or preparing to sell and want to better understand what draws people here, weekends like this give you a clearer sense of the lifestyle behind the listings.
If you want to talk through Sarasota neighborhoods, buying, or selling, I’m always happy to help.
For more local events happening this weekend, check out Sarasota Lifestyle’s exploding events calendar.
That’s your Sarasota weekend—whether you’re going out Friday night, exploring Saturday, or keeping it simple Sunday. Want this sent to you every Thursday? Join Sarasota Weekly here →
Subscribe here
Love This Post? Share It!
Hi, I’m Mike – real estate agent, photographer, and blogger. Come along as I dive into all things Sarasota, Florida, share insider tips and exciting stories that make this place special. For 20+ years, I’ve helped countless people buy and sell property. Before I transitioned to full-time real estate, I taught high school English & coached basketball.”
