Looking for Something Fun to Do in Sarasota This Weekend?
Father’s Day weekend arrives with a mix of waterfront concerts, outdoor markets, local festivals, family activities, sporting events, and unique experiences across Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, and Venice.
You can shop under the stars at UTC Night Market, enjoy a wine dinner inside Mote SEA, browse local artists at the Downtown Venice Craft Festival, spend Father’s Day at a waterfront blues concert, or catch a movie on the giant scoreboard at CoolToday Park.
Some events are free. Some require tickets. Some are perfect for families. Others are better suited for a date night or adults looking for something different.
Here are the top Sarasota weekend picks for June 18-21, 2026.
See you out there.
— Mike Payne
Quick Weekend Snapshot:
🌙 UTC Night Market → The Green at UTC, Sarasota — Thursday, 6:30–9:30 p.m.
⚽ Watch Party at The Bay: USA vs. Australia → The Bay, Sarasota — Friday, 3–5 p.m.
🍷 SEA & Savor: Wine Dinner at Mote SEA → Mote SEA, Sarasota — Friday, 6:30–8 p.m.
🥕 Sarasota Farmers Market → Downtown Sarasota — Saturday, 7 a.m.–1 p.m.
🐉 Dragon Boat 101 → Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota — Saturday, 8:30–9:30 a.m.
📸 Lynn Goldsmith Exhibition → Selby Gardens, Sarasota — Opens Saturday, June 20
🎨 Downtown Venice Craft Festival → Downtown Venice — Saturday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
🐠 Father’s Day at Mote SEA → Mote SEA, Sarasota — Sunday, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
🥬 Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch → Waterside Place, Lakewood Ranch — Sunday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
🏎️ Summer Movie Night: F1 The Movie → CoolToday Park, Venice — Sunday, 5 p.m.
🎸 Father’s Day at The Bay: JP Soars & The Red Hots → The Bay, Sarasota — Sunday, 6–7:30 p.m.
🏃♀️ Bonus: Kids Summer Beach Runs → Siesta Beach & Brohard Beach — Tuesday & Wednesday, registration 5:30 p.m., run 6:30 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 stroll through downtown Venice, enjoying the Annual Downtown Venice Craft Festival.
Downtown Venice Craft Festival
Saturday & Sunday, June 20-21 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Downtown Venice
Free
If you’re only picking one event this weekend, make it a stroll through downtown Venice.
The 33rd Annual Downtown Venice Craft Festival transforms Miami Avenue into an open-air showcase of creativity featuring handcrafted jewelry, photography, stained glass, home décor, specialty foods, artwork, and unique gifts from talented artisans across the region.
What makes this event special isn’t just the shopping. It’s the setting. Venice’s walkable downtown, historic charm, outdoor cafés, and relaxed coastal atmosphere make it one of the most enjoyable places to spend a few hours on a summer weekend.
Whether you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind piece of art, a gift, or simply an excuse for a day trip, this festival offers a classic Florida weekend experience that’s worth the drive.
Sometimes the best weekends are the ones that don’t require a schedule.
Top Picks This Weekend
⭐ UTC Night Market
Thursday, June 18 | 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
The Green at UTC, Sarasota
Free
Shop, sip, and stroll under the stars at UTC Night Market, a monthly outdoor market featuring live music and local makers selling handmade goods, jewelry, art, gifts, and more. It is an easy Thursday night pick if you want something casual, social, and outdoors.
🍷SEA & Savor: Wine Dinner at Mote SEA
Friday, June 19 | 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Mote Science Education Aquarium, Sarasota
Ticketed
Enjoy an elevated after-hours wine dinner inside Mote SEA, set beneath the Florida’s Gulf Coast Gallery. This intimate dining experience pairs coastal-inspired cuisine with wine, conversation, and one of Sarasota’s most unique settings. Advance reservations are required.
📸Lynn Goldsmith Exhibition at Selby Gardens
Begins Saturday, June 20 | On view through September 13
Selby Gardens Downtown Sarasota Campus
Admission Required
Selby Gardens opens a new indoor and outdoor exhibition featuring legendary American photographer Lynn Goldsmith. The show blends floral imagery with intimate portraits of artist-in-residence Patti Smith, creating a thoughtful mix of art, music, nature, and Sarasota beauty.
🐠Father’s Day at Mote SEA
Sunday, June 21 | 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Mote Science Education Aquarium, Sarasota
Dad gets free admission with paid ticket
Celebrate Father’s Day with marine life, interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, and live comedy performances from Florida Studio Theatre Improv. Dads receive free admission with the purchase of one full-price ticket using promo code DAD26.
🆓 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:
🌙 UTC Night Market — Thursday at The Green at UTC
⚽ Watch Party at The Bay: USA vs. Australia — Friday at The Bay
🥕 Sarasota Farmers Market — Saturday in Downtown Sarasota
🎨 Downtown Venice Craft Festival — Saturday & Sunday in Downtown Venice
🎸 Father’s Day at The Bay featuring JP Soars & The Red Hots — Sunday at The Bay
🥬 Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch — Sunday at Waterside Place
🏃♀️ Bonus: Kids Summer Beach Runs — Tuesday at Siesta Beach & Wednesday at Brohard Beach
More Things to Do This Weekend
Dragon Boat 101
Saturday, June 20 | 8:30 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota
Learn the fundamentals of paddling, teamwork, and technique while experiencing the excitement of dragon boat racing on the water. Whether your goal is to compete, stay active, or simply try something new, this beginner-friendly session offers a fun introduction to one of the world’s fastest-growing water sports.
📸 Lynn Goldsmith Exhibition at Selby Gardens
Begins Saturday, June 20 – September 13
Selby Gardens, Downtown Sarasota
Selby Gardens opens a new exhibition featuring the work of renowned photographer Lynn Goldsmith. The exhibit combines stunning floral imagery with intimate portraits of artist-in-residence Patti Smith, creating a thoughtful blend of art, music, and nature that visitors can explore throughout the summer.
🏎️ Summer Movie Night: F1 The Movie
Sunday, June 21 | 5:00 p.m.
CoolToday Park, Venice
Tickets: $3-$7
Watch F1: The Movie on the giant scoreboard at CoolToday Park for a unique movie-going experience inside the Atlanta Braves’ spring training stadium. Grab ballpark snacks, settle into the seating bowl, and enjoy an evening of racing action on the big screen.
🏃 Kids Summer Beach Runs
Tuesday at Siesta Beach & Wednesday at Brohard Beach
Registration: 5:30 p.m. | Race: 6:30 p.m.
Free
A Sarasota summer tradition returns with one-mile beach runs for children ages 1-17. Kids receive a participation ribbon at every run and can earn a free custom t-shirt after completing four events. It’s a fun way for families to stay active while enjoying some of the area’s most beautiful beaches.
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 week’s lineup includes waterfront parks, outdoor markets, local artisans, marine life, live music, family traditions, and easy summer outings across Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, and Venice.
That is one of the reasons Sarasota works for so many different types of people. Some weekends are about the beach. Others are about food, music, art, family time, or simply finding something easy to do with people you enjoy.
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.
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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