Looking for things to do in Sarasota this weekend?
This weekend carries a little more meaning than most.
Friday marks 25 years since September 11, 2001, and communities throughout the Sarasota area will gather to remember those who lost their lives and honor the first responders who answered the call.
I’ve gathered several of those local commemorations below, including my pick this weekend at Sarasota National Cemetery.
The rest of the weekend brings a change of pace: live jazz, Dueling Pianos at UTC, hundreds of cars gathering Saturday morning, outdoor movies, football by the Bay and a few other reasons to get out and enjoy Sarasota.
Here’s what I think is worth knowing about this weekend.
⭐ Mike's Pick This Weekend
25th Anniversary Commemoration of September 11
Friday, September 11 | 5–6:15 p.m.
Patriot Plaza at Sarasota National Cemetery
9820 State Road 72, Sarasota
There are plenty of concerts, cars, football and other things to enjoy around Sarasota this weekend. But Friday is also 25 years since September 11, 2001—and that deserves some space in this week’s guide.
Friday evening, the community will gather at Patriot Plaza for a remembrance service bringing together first responders, veterans, clergy, community leaders, professional musicians and vocalists.
One of the more personal parts of the service comes during the tolling of the bell. Attendees have the opportunity to stand and speak the name of an individual who died on September 11, helping turn an almost unimaginable number into individual people who are still remembered 25 years later.
Why I picked it: Twenty-five years is a milestone. There are several meaningful remembrance ceremonies taking place throughout our area Friday, but this evening gathering gives people an opportunity to come together at the end of the day—to remember those we lost, honor those who responded and make sure a new generation understands why the day still matters.
Some weekends, my pick is simply about having a good time.
This weekend, I think it should be about remembering.
🇺🇸 Remembering September 11, 2001
Friday marks 25 years since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
In addition to the evening gathering at Sarasota National Cemetery, communities from Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch to Venice, North Port and Bradenton are holding their own commemorations.
Rather than treating each as a separate event, I’ve gathered them here so you can find one close to home.
Nathan Benderson Park
8 a.m.–Noon | Finish Tower
The inaugural 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb invites first responders, military members, families and the community to climb in remembrance. Participants can attempt the equivalent of the World Trade Center’s 110 stories or simply climb at their own pace. Registration is free, with an opening ceremony, first responder honor guards and a moment of silence.
Palmetto
8 a.m. | Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County and New College of Florida host a regional commemoration that includes special recognition of Kay Daniels, the Sarasota elementary school teacher who was in the classroom with President George W. Bush when he learned of the attacks.
SCF Venice
8:30–9:15 a.m. | 8000 S. Tamiami Trail
SCF Veteran Services and the Student Veterans of America Club host a remembrance at the campus flagpoles.
Lakewood Ranch
8:30–10 a.m. | Greenbrook Adventure Park Pavilion
A community gathering honoring those who were lost, the courage of first responders and the resilience that followed September 11. Complimentary coffee and donuts will be provided.
SCF Bradenton
9–9:45 a.m. | 5840 26th St. W.
The Bradenton ceremony includes remarks from retired U.S. Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer John “Captain” Phillips, who served more than 31 years.
North Port
9–10:30 a.m. | Circle of Honor
North Port Police, North Port Fire Rescue and city staff gather for the city’s annual Patriot Day Ceremony at 4970 City Hall Boulevard.
Bradenton
9:30 a.m. | Rossi Park
The Manatee County Fire Chiefs’ Association’s annual Tribute to Heroes includes an honor guard, flag ceremony, 21-gun salute and dove release near the First Responder Memorial.
Venice
9:30 a.m. | Patriots Park
Venice Police and Fire Rescue host the city’s 25th Anniversary 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony with speakers and music. Seating is limited, so bringing a chair is encouraged.
⭐ Also Worth Your Weekend
🎷 Jazz Thursday at Sarasota Art Museum
Thursday, September 10 | 5:30–8 p.m.
Sarasota Art Museum | 1001 S. Tamiami Trail
The Colin Leonard New Generation Quartet brings classic and contemporary jazz to the Marcy and Michael Klein Plaza Thursday evening.
The galleries and museum shop stay open during the event, and the Bistro will be serving food and drinks. It’s a nice combination of music, art and an outdoor Sarasota setting to start the weekend.
🎼 Summon the Heroes
Thursday, September 10 | 7 p.m.
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall | $25–$50
On the eve of the 25th anniversary of September 11, Sarasota Orchestra presents a special benefit concert led by conductor Evan Roider.
The program includes Fanfare for the Common Man, Adagio for Strings and John Williams’ Summon the Heroes, along with narration by Nate Jacobs and performances by soprano Amy Owens.
Proceeds benefit Resilient Retreat, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Charitable Foundation, Sarasota Firefighters Benevolent Fund and Sarasota Police Foundation.
🚗 Sarasota Cars & Coffee
Saturday, September 12 | 8–10 a.m.
The Mall at UTC | Lot 5
Spectators: Free
Hundreds of exotic, sports, import and classic cars fill the lot outside UTC Saturday morning for one of the area’s biggest recurring car gatherings.
There’s complimentary coffee, plenty to look at even if you couldn’t tell a Ferrari from a Ford, and this month’s event benefits Blaze of Hope, which provides financial assistance to families with children facing life-threatening medical conditions.
Local tip: Get there early. Cars begin arriving well before the official 8 a.m. start, and the morning Florida heat isn’t getting any cooler.
🏈 College Football at The Bay
Saturday, September 12 | Noon–4 p.m.
The Bay | Free
Bring a chair and catch college football on stadium-size screens along Sarasota Bay.
It’s a come-and-go event, which is part of the appeal. Stay for a game, stop by for an hour or make it part of a larger afternoon downtown.
🏴☠️ Buccaneers vs. Bengals at The Bay
Sunday, September 13 | 1–4 p.m.
The Bay | Free
The big screens stay up Sunday as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Cincinnati Bengals.
Bring a chair, grab something to eat or drink from The Nest Café and settle in for some Sunday football by the water.
📷 One More Worth Seeing
Dueling Pianos on The Green
Friday, September 11 | 6:30–9:30 p.m.
The Green at UTC | Free
Two pianos, audience requests and plenty of sing-along favorites make Dueling Pianos one of UTC’s more interactive nights. The musicians work their way through hits from the ’50s through today, with the audience helping decide where the evening goes.
This month’s event will also recognize the 25th anniversary of September 11. UTC is donating $1,500 to the Sarasota Fire Fighters Benevolent Fund and matching 100% of donations made during the event, with the money supporting Sarasota County firefighters and their families during times of crisis.
Local tip: Seating on The Green is limited, so bring a chair or blanket. You’ll find it near Rocco’s Tacos.
🆓 Local Weekend Favorites
Not every great Sarasota experience is tied to a special event. These local favorites happen most weekends and are always worth considering while you’re here.
Sarasota Farmers Market
📅 Every Saturday | 7:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
📍 Downtown Sarasota (Lemon Ave. & Main St.)
💲 Free Admission
One of Sarasota’s favorite Saturday traditions, the market features dozens of local vendors selling fresh produce, flowers, seafood, baked goods, coffee, artisan foods and handmade crafts. Live music often adds to the atmosphere, making it an easy way to start a weekend before exploring downtown or the bayfront.
Waterside Farmers Market
📅 Every Sunday | 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
📍 Waterside Place – Lakewood Ranch
If you’re around Lakewood Ranch or UTC on Sunday morning, the Waterside Farmers Market is one of the area’s nicest weekly traditions. More than 100 vendors offer fresh produce, baked goods, specialty foods, flowers, local art, and handcrafted products along the waterfront. Live music and plenty of outdoor seating make it an easy way to spend a relaxed Sunday morning.
Siesta Key Drum Circle
📅 Every Sunday | About one hour before sunset
📍 Siesta Key Public Beach (green lifeguard stand)
This gives your readers one Saturday tradition, one Sunday morning tradition, and one Sunday evening tradition. It also introduces visitors to three distinctly different Sarasota experiences without competing with your featured weekend events.
O'Leary's Tiki Bar & Grill
📅 Every Friday | Live music 6:00–10:00 p.m.
📍 Bayfront Park – Downtown Sarasota
Looking for a laid-back way to kick off the weekend? On Friday evenings, O’Leary’s comes alive with live reggae from Impulse Reggae while locals and visitors gather beneath the tiki hut, around picnic tables, and on the lawn overlooking Sarasota Bay. Bring a chair or blanket, order a tropical drink, and enjoy one of Sarasota’s most relaxed waterfront settings.
Planning More Time in Sarasota?
Finished planning this weekend? Here are some of Sarasota Lifestyle’s best local guides.
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.
☀️ Sarasota Anytime
Not everything worth doing in Sarasota needs a special date on the calendar.
Summer is actually one of the best times to remember how many local activities happen week after week.
If nothing on this weekend’s event calendar grabs you, try one of these instead:
🥁 Drum Circles
There are opportunities around the area to catch one of Sarasota’s casual sunset drum circles—an easy way to combine a beach evening with something uniquely local.
🧘 Yoga on the Beach
Trade the studio for the Gulf. Recurring beach-yoga sessions offer an entirely different way to start—or sometimes finish—the day.
🏃 Summer Beach Runs
Summer running programs turn an ordinary trip to the beach into an evening activity, with the Gulf providing a pretty good reward at the finish.
🎭 Local Performing Arts
Florida Studio Theatre and Sarasota’s other performing-arts organizations don’t simply disappear when season ends. Summer can be a great time to catch a performance without the winter-season rush.
🌴 UTC Fun
Night markets, movies, live music and other recurring programming make UTC one of the easiest places to check when you’re looking for something casual to do.
🌴 Before You Go...
September is still a good month for the spontaneous side of Sarasota. Head to the beach later in the afternoon when parking is easier and the heat begins to fade. Take an evening walk along the Bayfront. Get on the water early before afternoon storms build. Or take advantage of the quieter dining season and finally try somewhere you’ve been meaning to visit.
Above, I included a few Sarasota Anytime ideas for the entire family. Others certainly include: Sarasota Bayfront at sunset · Siesta or Lido later in the day · morning kayaking or paddleboarding · an unhurried downtown lunch or dinner.
The calendar is starting to pick up again, but for a little while longer, Sarasota itself can still be the plan.
📅 Hosting an Event in Sarasota?
Have a festival, concert, community event, performance or other local experience you’d like considered for an upcoming edition of Sarasota Weekly?
Send me the event name, date and time, location, short description, admission information, website or ticket link, and a high-quality photo.
Thank you,
-Mike Payne
