Christmas is arriving a little early on the Suncoast, but that is only part of what’s happening around Sarasota this weekend.
You can celebrate Christmas in July in Downtown Venice, watch Tangled under the stars at Waterside Park, see hundreds of cars at Sarasota Cars & Coffee, explore Sarasota County’s history during an America 250 celebration, or enjoy a one-of-a-kind wine dinner surrounded by marine life at Mote SEA.
There are also farmers markets, circus performances, Laser Light Nights, ballet on the big screen, and a Sunday movie at CoolToday Park.
Some events are free. Some require tickets or reservations. Some are perfect for families. Others make a great date night or an excuse to try something completely different.
Here are the top things to do in Sarasota and the surrounding area from July 9–13, 2026.
See you out there.
— Mike Payne
Quick Weekend Snapshot:
🎄 Christmas in July → Downtown Venice — Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
🎬 Movie in the Park: Tangled → Waterside Park, Lakewood Ranch — Friday at sunset
🚘 Sarasota Cars & Coffee → The Mall at UTC — Saturday, 8–10 a.m.
🇺🇸 Celebrate America 250 Through Sarasota County History → Selby Library — Saturday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
🍷 SEA & Savor Wine Dinner → Mote SEA — Saturday, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
🥕 Sarasota Farmers Market → Downtown Sarasota — Saturday, 7 a.m.–1 p.m.
🩰 Swan Lake on the Big Screen → Sarasota Opera House — Sunday, 1:30 p.m.
🎬 Summer Movie Nights: Lilo & Stitch → CoolToday Park — Sunday at 5 p.m.
🥕 Farmers’ Market at Waterside Place → Lakewood Ranch — Sunday, 10 a.m.–2 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.
⭐ Mike's Local Pick
If You Only Do One Thing This Weekend…
If you’re only picking one event this weekend, make it a summer road trip to Downtown Venice for Christmas in July.
Yes, Christmas. In July. In Florida.
Christmas in July in Downtown Venice
Friday & Saturday, July 10–11 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Downtown Venice
Free
Historic Downtown Venice trades snow for sunshine as local shops decorate their windows, Flamingo Elves roam downtown, the trolley rolls through town, and Santa makes several appearances throughout the weekend.
You can shop local, look for special deals and discounts, register to win gift baskets, and even have lunch with Santa.
What makes this event worth the drive isn’t just the Christmas theme. Downtown Venice is one of the most enjoyable places on the Suncoast to spend a few hours. Park the car, stroll the avenues, explore local shops, grab lunch, and enjoy a little holiday cheer beneath the palm trees.
It is quirky, local, and exactly the kind of event you don’t find every weekend.
Sometimes you just have to embrace Christmas lights and flamingos in July.
Keep Exploring Sarasota
More Sarasota guides worth exploring.
Top Things to Do in Sarasota This Weekend
🎬 Movie in the Park: Tangled
Friday, July 10 | Kids activities: 7 p.m. | Movie at sunset
Waterside Park, Lakewood Ranch
Free
Bring blankets and lawn chairs for a free family movie night under the stars featuring Tangled.
Arrive early for inflatables beginning at 7 p.m., grab popcorn or kettle corn, and settle in before the movie begins at sunset. It’s an easy Friday night outing for families looking for something fun without overcomplicating the evening.
🚘 Sarasota Cars & Coffee
Saturday, July 11 | 8–10 a.m.
The Mall at University Town Center — Lot 5
Free for spectators
Hundreds of exotic, sports, import, and classic cars take over UTC for one of Sarasota’s most popular monthly car gatherings.
Enjoy complimentary coffee while checking out an impressive collection of vehicles. This month’s event supports Harvest House and its work helping local children, families, and individuals experiencing homelessness.
Spectator parking is free in Lots 3, 6, and 7.
🇺🇸 Celebrate America 250 Through Sarasota County History
Saturday, July 11 | 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Selby Library, Downtown Sarasota
Free
America’s 250th anniversary celebration continues with a look at Sarasota County’s place in the larger American story.
Explore Sarasota and U.S. history timelines, meet local cultural and preservation groups, contribute to a community art project, and enjoy crafts, hands-on activities, and free refreshments.
Featured presenter Doug Alderson will also share two programs exploring Florida’s culture, imagery, and identity through history and storytelling.
🍷 SEA & Savor: Wine Dinner at Mote SEA
Saturday, July 11 | 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Mote Science Education Aquarium
Advance reservations required
If you’re looking for a date night that’s definitely different, this might be it.
Guests dine beneath Mote SEA’s Florida’s Gulf Coast Portal habitat during an exclusive after-hours multi-course wine dinner.
The communal dining experience combines coastal-inspired cuisine, wine, conversation, and one of the aquarium’s most immersive settings.
Space is limited and advance reservations are required.
🩰 Swan Lake on the Big Screen
Sunday, July 12 | 1:30–3:48 p.m.
Sarasota Opera House
Experience one of classical ballet’s most beloved works on the big screen inside the Sarasota Opera House.
Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score and the Royal Ballet’s production bring the story of Odette, Prince Siegfried, love, betrayal, and forgiveness to life.
It’s a great Sunday afternoon pick for ballet, classical music, and performing arts fans.
🎬 Summer Movie Nights: Lilo & Stitch
Sunday, July 12 | 5 p.m.
CoolToday Park, Venice
$3–$7 | Free parking
Watch Lilo & Stitch on the giant scoreboard at CoolToday Park during the ballpark’s popular Summer Movie Nights.
Stadium seating is available, parking is free, and the movie begins at 5 p.m. No outside food, beverages, or chairs are permitted inside the stadium.
It’s an easy and affordable Sunday outing for families.
🆓 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:
🎄 Christmas in July — Friday & Saturday in Downtown Venice
🎬 Movie in the Park: Tangled — Friday at Waterside Park
🚘 Sarasota Cars & Coffee — Saturday at The Mall at UTC
🇺🇸 Celebrate America 250 Through Sarasota County History — Saturday at Selby Library
🥕 Sarasota Farmers Market — Saturday in Downtown Sarasota
🥕 Farmers’ Market at Waterside Place — Sunday in Lakewood Ranch
More Things to Do This Weekend
🎪 Summer Circus Spectacular
Thursday–Saturday | Multiple showtimes
The Ringling — Historic Asolo Theater
Adults $20 | Children 12 & under $15
One of Sarasota’s signature summer traditions continues inside the intimate Historic Asolo Theater.
The Circus Arts Conservatory and The Ringling bring together circus artists from around the world for a family-friendly show designed to thrill audiences of all ages.
For an additional $5 with your performance ticket, you can also visit the Historic Circus Galleries and Tibbals Learning Center.
🌌 Laser Light Nights
Thursday–Saturday, July 9–11 | 7 & 9 p.m.
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, Bradenton
$15
The planetarium transforms into an immersive laser concert with colorful visuals synchronized to music from artists including Queen, The Beatles, Elton John, Taylor Swift, Metallica, Foo Fighters, and more.
Each night’s lineup varies, so check the schedule before heading out.
The shows are loud and feature bright, flashing lasers that may not be suitable for guests with photo sensitivities.
🥕 Sarasota Farmers Market
Saturday, July 11 | 7 a.m.–1 p.m.
Downtown Sarasota
Free
Start Saturday morning downtown with fresh produce, baked goods, specialty foods, flowers, handmade products, and local vendors.
Grab a coffee, wander the market, and make a morning of exploring Downtown Sarasota.
🎄🍷 Christmas in July Wine Dinner
Saturday, July 11 | 5–9 p.m.
Tzeva at Art Ovation Hotel, Downtown Sarasota
$69 | Reservations required
Christmas in July gets a grown-up twist with a festive three-course wine dinner and a visit from Santa.
The menu features a holiday-inspired selection of sweet potato soup with fire-roasted shrimp, turkey or Wagyu, and fig pudding with whiskey butterscotch. Each course is paired with a selected wine.
It’s definitely not your typical July dinner in Florida.
🥕 Farmers’ Market at Waterside Place
Sunday, July 12 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Waterside Place, Lakewood Ranch
Free
Spend Sunday morning lakeside while browsing more than 100 local vendors selling fresh produce, flowers, breads, baked goods, specialty foods, pet products, jewelry, and handmade finds.
This week’s market also features live music from Carmen Forte performing acoustic covers from the ’70s through the 2000s and activities for kids.
Planning More Sarasota Adventures?
Looking for more local ideas beyond this weekend? Start with a few Sarasota Lifestyle guides locals and visitors actually use.
15 Sarasota Restaurants Locals Actually Recommend
Dependable breakfast, seafood, casual, and special-occasion spots from a longtime local.
Boca Grande Florida Guide
A personal guide to Gasparilla Island, Old Florida charm, lighthouses, tarpon waters, and quiet preservation.
Buying a Home in Sarasota From Out of State
A straight-talking relocation guide to help buyers avoid expensive Sarasota mistakes.
Explore Sarasota
Start here for beaches, neighborhoods, restaurants, events, and local places worth knowing.
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Sarasota Weekend Picks That Also Show How the Area Really Lives
The best Sarasota weekend events do more than fill a calendar.
They show how people actually live here.
This weekend you can watch a movie under the stars, stroll a farmers market, see world-class circus performers, dine beneath an aquarium habitat, admire hundreds of cars, explore local history, or celebrate Christmas in July beneath the Florida sunshine.
That variety is one of the things I enjoy most about living on the Suncoast.
Some weekends are built around the beach. Others are about live music, food, art, family time, or finding something completely unexpected happening twenty minutes down the road.
This weekend gives you a little bit of all of it.
Scroll through the top picks, choose what fits, and enjoy something local.
That’s your Sarasota weekend — whether you’re going out Friday night, exploring Saturday, or keeping it simple Sunday.
See you out there.
— Mike Payne
