Things to Do in Sarasota This Weekend: May 14-17, 2026 | Big 12 Rowing, Beach Rugby, Outdoor Movies
- Mike Payne
- Last Modified:
Looking for the best things to do in Sarasota this weekend? This lineup has a nice early-summer feel — Big 12 rowing at Nathan Benderson Park, beach rugby on Siesta Key, Hamilton under the stars at The Bay, farmers markets, free outdoor fitness, guided kayaking, family fun at Myakka River State Park, Star Wars Night with the Bradenton Marauders, and live music Sunday evening at The Bay.
This is the time of year when Sarasota starts to shift. The bigger spring festivals are mostly behind us. The weather gets warmer. Afternoon rain becomes more likely. The pace slows down a little.
But that does not mean there is nothing to do.
You can still find plenty of good weekend plans if you know where to look — especially if you like outdoor events, local markets, family-friendly activities, live music, sports, and easy things that do not require a major production.
As someone who helps relocation buyers understand Sarasota beyond the listings, I always think weekends like this are useful. They show how the area really lives — from Benderson Park to Siesta Key, downtown Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Myakka, UTC, and The Bay.
See you out there.
–Mike Payne
Quick Weekend Snapshot:
🎬 Cinema at The Bay: Hamilton → The Bay Park | Thursday, 7:30–10:15 p.m.
🚣 2026 Big 12 Rowing Championship → Nathan Benderson Park | Friday–Sunday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
🌽 Sarasota Farmers Market → Downtown Sarasota | Saturday, 7:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
💪 UTC FIT with F45 Training → The Green at UTC | Saturday, 9:30–10:30 a.m.
🛶 Ride and Paddle at The Bay → The Bay Park | Saturday, 9:00–11:00 a.m.
⚾ Bradenton Marauders Star Wars Night → LECOM Park | Saturday, 6:30 p.m.
🏉 Siesta 7s Beach Rugby Tournament → Siesta Key Beach | Saturday, 9:00 a.m.
🌲 Junior Ranger Jamboree → Myakka River State Park | Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
🥕 Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch → Waterside Place | Sunday
🎻 Sundays at The Bay featuring The Wandering Hours → The Bay Park | Sunday, 6:00–7:00 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…
If you only do one thing this weekend, make it the 2026 Big 12 Rowing Championship at Nathan Benderson Park.
2026 Big 12 Rowing Championship
Friday, May 15 – Sunday, May 17 | 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Nathan Benderson Park
5851 Nathan Benderson Cir, Sarasota, FL
Spectator event
This is not just another local event on the calendar. It brings Big 12 rowing to Sarasota, with Tulsa and Old Dominion joining UCF, Kansas, Kansas State, and West Virginia to compete in the 2026 championship.
Even if you are not a rowing insider, Nathan Benderson Park is one of the better spectator venues in the Sarasota area. You can walk, watch, take in the energy of a major collegiate championship, and see one of the reasons Sarasota has become such a strong destination for rowing and outdoor sports.
For locals, it is a good reminder that Benderson Park is more than a lake next to UTC. For visitors and relocation buyers, it is one of those places that shows how Sarasota blends recreation, events, fitness, and community into everyday life.
If you want something different from the usual beach, brunch, or farmers market weekend, this is the standout.
Top Picks This Weekend
🚣 2026 Big 12 Rowing Championship
Friday, May 15 – Sunday, May 17 | 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Nathan Benderson Park
Spectator event
Nathan Benderson Park hosts the 2026 Big 12 Rowing Championship this weekend, bringing collegiate rowing teams to Sarasota for a major championship event.
This is one of the stronger weekend picks because it feels different. It is active, outdoors, competitive, and very Sarasota in the way Benderson Park events often are — easy to attend, visually interesting, and tied into the area’s outdoor lifestyle.
🏉 Siesta 7s Beach Rugby Tournament
Saturday, May 16 | 9:00 a.m. start
Siesta Key Beach, between the yellow and red lifeguard stands
Free, family-friendly
Siesta 7s brings a full day of beach rugby to Siesta Key, with men’s, women’s, and social divisions, plus music, vendors, food, drinks, raffles, and giveaways.
This is a good pick if you want something energetic but still casual. You can stop by, watch high-energy rugby on the beach, hang out for a while, and still make the rest of your Saturday work.
It also has the kind of easy, local, slightly different feel that makes Sarasota weekends interesting.
🎬 Cinema at The Bay: Hamilton
Thursday, May 14 | 7:30–10:15 p.m.
The Bay Park
Free
Hamilton under the stars at The Bay is one of the best free events of the weekend.
Bring blankets, chairs, and friends, and settle in for a free outdoor showing of the filmed Broadway production featuring the original cast. The Nest Café will have food, popcorn, and drinks available, which makes this an easy Thursday night plan if you want something relaxed but memorable.
It is also a good reminder of how useful The Bay has become for simple, free community events in downtown Sarasota.
🌲 Junior Ranger Jamboree at Myakka River State Park
Saturday, May 16 | 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Myakka River State Park
Family-friendly
The Junior Ranger Jamboree is designed for young explorers, but it is also a good outing for grandparents, visiting family, or anyone looking for a kid-friendly nature day.
The event includes interactive Junior Ranger stations, hands-on activities, games, a quiet reading area, music, and opportunities for kids to learn about wildlife, ecosystems, and outdoor skills.
If your weekend needs something outdoorsy and family-centered, this is one of the better choices.
🆓 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: Hamilton
Thursday night at The Bay Park. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy a free outdoor movie under the stars.
🚣 2026 Big 12 Rowing Championship
Friday through Sunday at Nathan Benderson Park. A great spectator option if you want something active and different.
🌽 Sarasota Farmers Market
Saturday morning downtown from 7:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. One of the easiest ways to start a Sarasota weekend.
💪 UTC FIT with F45 Training
Saturday morning at The Green at UTC. Free outdoor HIIT-style workout with music by DJ JoeyDEntertainment.
🛶 Ride and Paddle at The Bay
Saturday morning guided kayak tour at The Bay. Free, but space is limited and registration may be required.
🏉 Siesta 7s Beach Rugby Tournament
Saturday on Siesta Key Beach. Free, family-friendly, and one of the more unique events of the weekend.
🥕 Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch
Sunday at Waterside Place with vendors, food, music, and a lakeside setting.
🎻 Sundays at The Bay featuring The Wandering Hours
Sunday evening at The Bay Park. Free live music in a relaxed outdoor setting.
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More Things to Do This Weekend
Cinema at The Bay: Hamilton
Thursday, May 14 | 7:30–10:15 p.m.
The Bay Park
Free
The Bay continues its free outdoor movie series with Hamilton, the filmed Broadway production featuring the original cast.
This is a strong Thursday night pick if you want something easy but still special. Bring chairs, blankets, and friends, and come hungry if you want food, popcorn, or drinks from The Nest Café.
Sarasota Farmers Market
Saturday, May 16 | 7:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Downtown Sarasota
Free admission
The Sarasota Farmers Market remains one of the simplest and most reliable Saturday morning plans in town.
It works whether you want produce, coffee, baked goods, flowers, people-watching, or just a walk downtown before the day gets too hot. It is also one of those weekly events that gives visitors a better sense of the local rhythm.
UTC FIT with F45 Training
Saturday, May 16 | 9:30–10:30 a.m.
The Green at UTC
Free
UTC FIT is back Saturday morning with F45 Training leading a high-energy, full-body HIIT bootcamp workout.
The class is free, open to all fitness levels, and includes music by DJ JoeyDEntertainment. Bring a yoga mat, towel, and water.
If you want to start Saturday with something active, this is a good option.
Ride and Paddle at The Bay
Saturday, May 16 | 9:00–11:00 a.m.
The Bay Park
Free guided kayak tour
Ride and Paddle at The Bay gives you a chance to explore the restored mangroves, bayou, and natural areas of The Bay from the water.
This is an intermediate-level guided kayak tour, with kayaks and life jackets provided. Space is limited, so registration matters. If the tour is full, it may still be worth checking for cancellations or no-shows.
This is one of the better ways to experience downtown Sarasota from a completely different angle.
Bradenton Marauders Star Wars Night
Saturday, May 16 | Gates open 5:30 p.m. | Game time 6:30 p.m.
LECOM Park, Bradenton
Tickets: $10–$14
The Bradenton Marauders host Fort Myers on Saturday night, and this one comes with a Star Wars theme.
Expect character appearances, themed jerseys, ballpark decorations, and post-game fireworks. If you want a family-friendly evening with a little extra energy, this is a fun option just north of Sarasota.
Siesta 7s Beach Rugby Tournament
Saturday, May 16 | 9:00 a.m. start
Siesta Key Beach
Free, family-friendly
Siesta 7s brings beach rugby to Siesta Key with men’s, women’s, and social divisions throughout the day.
There will also be music, vendors, food, drinks, raffles, giveaways, and an after party. It is casual, active, and different from the usual beach-day routine.
If you are already planning to be near Siesta Key, this is worth checking out.
Junior Ranger Jamboree
Saturday, May 16 | 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Myakka River State Park
Family-friendly
The Junior Ranger Jamboree is a relaxed, family-friendly day at Myakka River State Park focused on nature, learning, and outdoor exploration.
Children can visit interactive ranger stations, complete hands-on activities, earn stamps toward a Junior Ranger badge, and learn about wildlife and ecosystems. There will also be games, music, a quiet reading area, and other activities throughout the day.
No registration is needed — just stop by.
Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch
Sunday, May 17
Waterside Place, Lakewood Ranch
Free admission
The Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch is one of the most popular Sunday morning outings in the area.
Expect 100+ local vendors, produce, flowers, baked goods, prepared foods, pet products, jewelry, kids’ activities, food, and live music in a lakeside setting at Waterside Place.
It is a good Sunday option if you want something relaxed but still lively.
Sundays at The Bay featuring The Wandering Hours
Sunday, May 17 | 6:00–7:00 p.m.
The Bay Park
Free
Sundays at The Bay continues with The Wandering Hours, a Tampa Bay-based group that blends old-time, early bluegrass, folk, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, guitar, and upright bass.
This is a good low-key way to wind down the weekend — live music, a park setting, and an easy Sunday evening atmosphere.
Sarasota Weekend Picks That Also Show How the Area Really Lives
This weekend has a good mix of outdoor events, family-friendly options, free community gatherings, local markets, sports, music, and a few bigger draws that show off different parts of the Sarasota area.
You can keep it simple with Hamilton at The Bay, the Sarasota Farmers Market downtown, the Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch, or Sundays at The Bay. You can make it more active with UTC FIT, Ride and Paddle at The Bay, or the Big 12 Rowing Championship at Nathan Benderson Park. And if you want something with more energy, Siesta 7s Beach Rugby and Star Wars Night with the Bradenton Marauders give you two very different Saturday options.
But this weekend, the real headline is the Big 12 Rowing Championship.
Events like this are part of what makes Sarasota more interesting than people sometimes realize from the outside. Yes, we have beaches. Yes, we have restaurants, arts, and sunshine. But we also have serious rowing at Benderson Park, beach rugby on Siesta Key, outdoor movies downtown, farmers markets, state parks, Lakewood Ranch events, and easy live music in public spaces.
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.
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.
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 →
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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.”
