Spirited Springtime Festivals & Events in Sarasota County

Spring on Florida’s Cultural Coast® brings warm sunshine, blooming landscapes and a packed calendar of festivals and happenings across Sarasota County. From outdoor concerts and art festivals to family-friendly fairs and food events, the season offers plenty of ways to celebrate the arrival of longer, brighter days.

Whether you’re visiting for a spring getaway or a local looking for something new to explore, these March through June events highlight some of the best ways to experience Florida's springtime weather.

Arts & Culture Take Center Stage

Spring is a particularly exciting time for Sarasota’s vibrant arts scene, when galleries, theaters and cultural institutions host major festivals and performances.

St. Armands Circle on Lido Key

St. Armands Fine Art Festival

Set against the stylish backdrop of St. Armands Circle, the St. Armands Fine Art Festival transforms this iconic shopping district into a vibrant open-air gallery this spring. Stroll among booths featuring original works from talented artists across the country—including paintings, sculpture, jewelry, photography and mixed-media creations. The juried festival typically takes place in May, with free admission and plenty of nearby dining and shopping to round out the day.

Sarasota Film Festival

Each spring, the Sarasota Film Festival brings filmmakers, actors and movie lovers together for screenings, panels and special events across downtown Sarasota. One of the largest regional festivals in the country, it showcases hundreds of independent films, documentaries and shorts alongside industry conversations and star-studded, red-carpet moments.

Sarasota Jazz Festival

Music lovers won’t want to miss the Sarasota Jazz Festival, a multi-day celebration of world-class jazz performances. Concerts take place at venues throughout the city in March, featuring acclaimed jazz artists, emerging musicians and intimate late-night jam sessions.

Outdoor Festivals & Community Celebrations

With sunny skies and comfortable temperatures, spring is the perfect season for outdoor gatherings and community gatherings themed around food, music and games.

Sarasota County Fair

One of the region’s longest-running traditions, the Sarasota County Fair brings carnival rides, live entertainment, agricultural exhibits and classic fair food to the fairgrounds each spring. Families can enjoy everything from livestock competitions and live music to midway games and local vendors.

Sarasota Wine Festival

Wine lovers can toast the season at the Sarasota Wine Festival, a lively March gathering held at Selby Five Points Park in the heart of downtown. The festival brings together vineyards from around the world for an evening of tastings alongside craft cocktails, live music and local food trucks. Guests can also attend expert-led wine seminars and browse lifestyle vendors while enjoying the festive atmosphere. 

Sarasota Country Music & Food Festival

For a weekend filled with live music and local flavor, the Sarasota Country Music & Food Festival pairs country music performances with food vendors and family-friendly entertainment at the Sarasota Fairgrounds. The multi-day event typically takes place in late March and offers a lively way to kick off spring.

Small Town Boots & Brews Country Music Festival 

For a taste of small-town Florida charm, head to Englewood’s Small Town Boots & Brews Country Music Festival, held in March at Pioneer Plaza along historic Dearborn Street. The all-day celebration features live country music from regional bands, line dancing, local food trucks and plenty of cold drinks in a relaxed outdoor setting.

Crowd-Pleasing Sporting Events

Dragon boat racing at Nathan Benderson Park

Sarasota International Dragon Boat Festival

For a high-energy spring spectacle on the water, don’t miss the Sarasota International Dragon Boat Festival in April at Nathan Benderson Park. This international event features teams of paddlers racing long, ornately decorated dragon boats across the park’s 400-acre lake. Spectators can cheer from the shoreline while enjoying food vendors, festival activities and a lively Health & Wellness Village, making it a fun and unique outing for families and visitors alike. 

Senior PGA Championship 

Golf fans will have the rare chance to see a major championship up close when the Senior PGA Championship comes to The Concession Golf Club in April 2026. The prestigious tournament brings the world’s top PGA TOUR Champions players to Florida’s Gulf Coast for four days of elite competition on one of the country’s most celebrated courses.

Sarasota Open

Also in April, catch rising stars of the sport at the Sarasota Open, a professional men’s tournament on the ATP Challenger Tour that sees top international tennis players flock to Sarasota County each spring. The weeklong event at IMG Academy & Sports Complex features fast-paced matches on green clay courts, along with family-friendly programming and themed days. 

Coastal Events & Unique Local Traditions

Spring in Sarasota County also means celebrating the area’s unique coastal culture and natural surroundings.

Shark teeth found on Venice Beach

Venice Sharks Tooth Festival

The city of Venice is famous for its fossilized shark teeth, and each April the Venice Sharks Tooth Festival celebrates this unique local treasure throughout historic Venice MainStreet. Visitors can browse marine-themed vendors, Megaladon teeth, enjoy live music and learn more about the fossils found along Venice’s beaches.

Spring Fling Skim Jam

Also in April, skimboarders from across the country gather at Nokomis Beach for the Spring Fling Skim Jam, an action-packed competition that celebrates one of the Gulf Coast’s favorite beach sports. Hosted by ZAP Skimboards in partnership with Skim USA, the event features amateur and professional riders competing in a fast-paced skimboarding contest just steps from the shoreline.

Water Ski Shows with the Sarasota Ski-A-Rees

For a classic slice of Old-Florida entertainment, catch a performance by the Sarasota Ski-A-Rees, a water-skiing team that performs free shows throughout the spring season. Their thrilling routines feature pyramids, jumps and impressive tricks on the water.