Van Wezel Sarasota | Concerts, Comedy & Broadway on the Bay

Van Wezel Sarasota, the iconic “Purple Cow” on the bay, brings Broadway musicals, top performers, and unforgettable concerts to the heart of Florida’s Cultural Coast.

For years, my family and I have been attending shows at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Most of the time it’s been for music groups and concerts, but some of my fondest memories aren’t inside the theatre at all.

I still remember one of the first years of FridayFest, the Van Wezel’s free summer concert series on its south lawn. My kids were young back then, and while my wife and I soaked up the music, they had other priorities—snowcones and food trucks. With sticky fingers and blue-and-red mouths, they couldn’t have been happier. For us, it was pure joy: the band playing as the sun set over the Bay, lawn chairs under the palms, and a welcome break from Sarasota’s summer humidity.

The crowds were small in those early days—Sarasota itself was a quieter, slower place. But the music was excellent, the food truck aromas filled the air like a neighborhood barbecue, and the Van Wezel had already established itself as more than just a building. It was a gathering place.

An Iconic Sarasota Venue

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is hard to miss. Its lavender walls, scalloped roofline, and sweeping bayfront lawn make it one of Sarasota’s most recognizable landmarks. Since opening in 1970, the Van Wezel has brought world-class performances to town while still feeling approachable—a place where locals and visitors alike come to be entertained.

Affectionately nicknamed the “Purple Cow,” the hall has become as much a part of Sarasota’s identity as Siesta Key Beach or the Ringling Museum.

A Schedule That Delivers Every Time

One reason the Van Wezel has remained such a beloved venue is its ability to book exactly the kind of shows Sarasota audiences love. The staff knows its crowd, and it shows in the lineup.

This season includes everything from Broadway musicals and holiday classics to comedy and iconic touring groups:

🎭 Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical

🎩 Haunted Illusions w/ David Caserta

🎶 Mannheim Steamroller Christmas

🎤 The Oak Ridge Boys Farewell Tour

🎹 Michael Feinstein in Coming Home – The Holiday Celebration

🎪 Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland

🎭 A Christmas Carol

🩰 Nutcracker Magical Christmas Ballet

🎸 Kansas

💃 Riverdance 30 – The New Generation

🎼 David Foster & Katharine McPhee

🎵 Al Jardine & The Pet Sounds Band – A Tribute to Brian Wilson

🎻 Celtic Angels Ireland

More Than Concerts At The Van Wezel Sarasota

What makes the Van Wezel truly stand out is its range. Beyond headline concerts, the theatre hosts:

🎭 Broadway musicals

🌍 Top national and international performers

😂 Popular comedians

🎼 World-class symphony orchestras

💃 A compelling mix of classical, modern, and ethnic dance

The Van Wezel also partners with Sarasota’s own cultural institutions. Each year, more than 50 performances are presented here by the Sarasota Orchestra, Sarasota Ballet, Sarasota Concert Association, and the Ringling Library Town Hall Lecture Series.

This mix ensures the Purple Cow isn’t just a stage—it’s a hub for Sarasota’s entire performing arts community.

If you’re visiting Sarasota, an evening at the Van Wezel is a chance to see a show in one of Florida’s most unique venues—plus you can’t beat the sunset views before curtain call. If you’re a local, it’s the place where traditions are made, from holiday shows with family to FridayFest evenings on the lawn.

The “Purple Cow” continues to deliver, year after year, with programming that feels both world-class and comfortably Sarasota.

📅 Check Sarasota Lifestyle’s Events Calendar for upcoming Van Wezel shows and FridayFest dates.

🎟️ Visit the Van Wezel’s official site for tickets and full schedules.

🌟 Explore Things to Do in Sarasota to pair your show with dinner and a night out downtown.