Guide to Living Arts Festival in Sarasota

The Living Arts Festival, hosted by local arts organization Sarasota Rising, brings 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 8-15, 2026—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 Events & Highlights 

Harmony & Hue at Art Ovation Hotel

The Living Arts Festival officially begins at a free opening night party—Harmony & Hue—in the lobby of Art Ovation Hotel in Downtown Sarasota on Sunday, November 8, 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. 

Seven Days of Screen, Stage, Sand, and Sound

For the next week, the Culture Coast abounds with art of all types, from behind the lens photography to theatre and orchestra on stage. Watch, interpret, and learn as your mind expands from the beauty of art of all kinds, be it performance art or visual art. From local performers to teachers to international stars, the Living Arts Festival incorporates artists at all levels.

Sarasota County’s vast array of creative institutions participate, from Lakewood Ranch to Venice. Venues include Art Center Sarasota, Sarasota Art Museum, Van Wezel, Venice Theatre, Creative Liberties Artist Studios, The Ringling, The Asolo, Sarasota Opera, Sarasota County Libraries, Urbanite Theatre, Waterside Park, Circus Arts Conservatory, Venice Art Center, Tree Fort Productions, Venice Symphony, Even the famous Siesta Key Beach becomes its own canvas as part of the event. 

Choose your preferred medium or locale or try something new. Art is nothing if not an opportunity to explore and break through the norm. 

Rise and Shine Saturday

A community festival highlight is Rise and Shine Saturday on Saturday, November 14, from 10am-5pm. Head out to Village Green for a family-friendly, free arts exposition, featuring vendor booths, exhibits, music, performances, and classes. Rise and Shine aims to encourage arts engagement among children of all ages and backgrounds to pursue their artful passions! 

Closing Performance: Kaleidoscope: A Colorful World of Entertainment

The festival concludes on Sunday, November 15, with Kaleidoscope: A Colorful World of Entertainment at the Sarasota Art Museum. This closing event will be an epic grand finale to a week of art, and tickets will include free entry to the Sarasota Art Museum before the show. The winners of the Teacher Tribute Awards will be announced and the recipients honored for their dedication to our local youth. 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.