Visit Sarasota: May Events and Festivals

Sarasota is blossoming with an exciting events lineup featuring food, art, and music festivals, sports tournaments, and family-friendly outdoor activities throughout May. Start planning your springtime fun today!

May Events

Venice Seafood & Music Festival - Canceled for 2020

Work up an appetite for the Venice Seafood & Music Festival, taking place: May 8-10 at Centennial Park. Festival hours:
Friday 4 - 10 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

St. Armands Seafood & Music Festival - Canceled for 2020

Returning for seconds? The Seafood Fest is on  St. Armands Circle May 22-24. Festival hours:

Friday 4 p.m. - 10 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Sarasota Veg Fest - Canceled for 2020

Vegetarian and vegan foodies to the front for the second annual Sarasota Veg Fest taking place on May 4 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Sarasota Fairgrounds. The event features healthy food demos, speakers, live music, a hands-on Veggie Kids Zone and yoga classes throughout the day.

Harvey Milk Festival - Moved to Virtual Festival at https://harveymilkfestival.org/

Harvey Milk Festival, the largest arts and music festival designed to lift up southwest Florida's LGBTQ community, celebrates its 1th anniversary in 2019. Dance and performance events take place on May 7 and 8, leading up to the big festival date on May 9 from 2:20 - 11:30 p.m.

Outdoor Pops Concert - Canceled for 2019-2020 Season

Don't miss the unique opportunity to experience a full orchestra performing on a baseball field when the Sarasota Orchestra presents its annual Outdoor Pops concert at Ed Smith Stadium, a continuation of the Baltimore Orioles Arts in the Ballpark series. May 8 and May 9 at 8 p.m.

Sarasota International Dragon Boat Festival - Rescheduled for May 15, 2021

Cheer on the amateur crew teams manning colorfully-decorated dragon boats at the Sarasota International Dragon Boat Festival taking place on May 16 at Nathan Benderson Park.

Dig The Beach Volleyball Tournament

An unlucky player may get a mouthful in a last-ditch dive for the ball — but spectators can look forward to having Siesta Key's famously soft sand between their toes at the Dig the Beach Siesta Key Volleyball Classic. The tournament kicks off on May 16 at 7 a.m. and runs through 6 p.m. on May 17.

70’s Soul Party - Canceled for 2019-2020 Season

Back to the ballfield with a show Earth, Wind, and Fire fans will love. The West Coast Black Theatre Troupe sets Sarasota's calendars back to the 21st of September, 1978 for one night in May 2019. Get down at the WBTT's 70's Soul Party with the Baltimore Orioles May 18 at 8 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium, where WBTT's Soul Crooners will perform chart-topping hits from the 1970s that are guaranteed to make fans boogie in the bleachers.

Venice Brew Bash - Canceled for 2020

This event is the perfect opportunity for beer aficionados, beer lovers or just the casual beer drinker. Venice Brew Bash attendees are encouraged to "celebrate the suds this summer" on May 23 from 3 - 7 p.m. in Centennial Park along Venice Avenue. Brewery Representatives will be available to answer questions and educate attendees of their brewing processes and flavor profiles. Sample over 60 different craft and imported beers for $35 in advance or $45 at the door.

SRQ Margarita Festival - Canceled for 2020

In April, there was Whiskey Obsession. In May, tequila takes the spotlight at the SRQ Margarita Festival May 25 from 2 - 10 p.m. at the Van Wezel. The festival features more than 12 types of margaritas, live music, food trucks, games, and a fireworks grand finale over Sarasota Bay.

Patriotic Pops - Canceled for 2020

The Venice Symphony is taking over the brand new CoolToday Park spring training stadium in North Port for their first Patriotic Pops concert during Memorial Day Weekend. Order tickets online or at the stadium box office - $10 for kids and $15 for adults. Gates open May 25 at 5:30 p.m. and the concert will start at 7:30 followed by a firework show.

Siesta Key Village Pub Crawl - Canceled for 2020

Kick off Memorial Day Weekend with the Block That Roxx Memorial Day Pub Crawl May 26, 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. in Siesta Key Village. Participating bars and restaurants include 3.14 Pi Craft Beer and Spirits, Daiquiri Deck, Gilligan's Island Bar and Grill, and Siesta Key Oyster Bar.