Guide to Living Arts Festival in Sarasota

The Living Arts Festival, hosted by local arts organization Sarasota Rising, will be the first of its kind—bringing together a vibrant array of local and international artistic talent, creating a one-week celebration of Florida's Cultural Coast®. 

In a collaborative display of events highlighting local and international artistic talent, the festival—running November 2-9, 2025—will showcase Sarasota’s legacy as a world-class arts destination. Expect a dazzling array of performances, exhibitions and hands-on experiences from various art forms and spanning multiple venues throughout the area.

Living Arts Festival Event Itinerary:

Up, Up, and Away at Art Ovation Hotel

The Living Arts Festival officially begins at a free opening night party—Up, Up, and Away—in the lobby of Art Ovation Hotel in Downtown Sarasota on Sunday, November 2, from 2pm-5pm. The event will be an exciting glimpse of the international and local arts programming and performances throughout the week—from artists, dancers, actors and musicians, to a few exciting surprises. 

Rise and Shine Saturday

The festival picks back up the following week on Saturday, November 8, from 9am-5pm. Head out to the civic green near the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium for a family-friendly, free arts exposition, featuring youth performances from local schools and educational organizations. Rise and Shine aims to encourage arts engagement among children of all ages and backgrounds to pursue their artful passions!

Both indoor and outdoor stages will host student performances from various area dance schools, performing arts schools, and public and private school. Stop by to catch a performance or support a day of young talent and expression. Or take part in one of the many interactive arts and crafts, including hands-on mask making, creative drawing, Improv workshops, acting classes and an opportunity to own an original piece of art from an area artist. 

All Roads Lead to Venice

In the neighboring city of Venice, All Roads Lead to Venice showcases the town's thriving cultural community. This year's details are still being confirmed, but last year's festival saw a day-long immersion of Downtown Venice's visual and performing arts scene, full of performances from The Venice Symphony,  live band ensembles play at Centennial Park, a Venice Institute of Performing Arts concert, a Venice Art Center-hosted Art Walk of local galleries and a tour of the nationally-acclaimed Venice Theatre. 

Closing Performance: You Raise Me UP!

The festival concludes on Sunday, November 9, with You Raise Me UP! at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium. This closing night will be where the spotlight shines on the young rising stars of Sarasota, as well as their valued mentors. Witness an uplifting collaboration performance, as talented young artists take the stage alongside the teachers who've helped shaped their journeys. Get your tickets here!

Why the Living Arts Festival Matters:

The Living Arts Festival is more than just a series of events that come around once a year—it’s a unified movement aimed at promoting Sarasota’s vast cultural contributions. With a weeklong itinerary of performances, exhibitions, community collaborations and public engagements, this festival brings together everyone from art enthusiasts to casual visitors to appreciate and support the arts. It’s a chance for the city to shine on the national stage, further solidifying Sarasota’s reputation as a vibrant arts destination.