Ways to Spend Father's Day Weekend in Sarasota

May 21, 2025 - Rita Mann

Feasts and festivities abound to suit any dad’s style this Father’s Day. Here are some ideas for a weekend fit for fathers and the rest of the family, too.

If you’re spending Father’s Day weekend with Dad or Grandpa in Southwest Florida, you’re in luck! There are loads of gatherings in Dad’s honor throughout Sarasota County.

But when it comes to Father's Day, all dads are a little different—some might prefer a day on the golf course while others might prefer to grill out and enjoy a cold craft beer. Whether admiring antique automobiles, eating belly-busting brunches or meeting sports stars – there are abundant opportunities to hone in Dad's favorite hobby.

Whatever his style, we've put together a list of events and activities sure to give any dad a day of well-deserved appreciation and relaxation.

Father’s Day at The Bay

little boy running around playing in public park in sarasota with father

Date: June 15, 2025
Location: The Bay Park, 655 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL

Sundays at The Bay with free music, dancing and park fun are the BEST. This Father’s Day, The Bay invites dads, families and friends to bring chairs and blankets bayside to enjoy toe-tapping tunes by The Rockefellers, a six-piece band from Southwest Florida playing rock, blues, country and pop favorites.

Libations will be available for purchase at The Nest Café and a PopStroke food truck will dish crispy chicken tenders, juicy smash burgers and more to re-energize dad between dance sets and romps around the park.

Celebrate Dad as a Superhero

Date: June 14, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: The Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Dr, Sarasota, FL

Bring your family’s very own superhero to the Dad’s Day Block Party, where you’ll enjoy quality time with Dad and get a chance to meet, greet and maybe even grab selfies with local sports heroes, including Tampa Bay football and hockey players. The “Create Your Own Superhero & Bring Your Super Dad!” means costumes are encouraged – have your old man dress up as your/his favorite superhero or sports athlete.

Activities include:
•    Free Raffles & Giveaways
•    Superhero Cape & Mask giveaways (while supplies last!)
•    Kids Activities & Crafts
•    Resources for Men of All Ages & the whole family
•    Meet & Greets with Tampa Bay Buccaneers Players
•    Appearances by Tampa Bay Lightning Stars
•    Photo Ops with Local Heroes

Go Kayaking or Go to the Beach

family kayaking in the bay sarasota on a summer day

Set out on an adventure with Dad and the fam by grabbing some paddles and heading out on Sarasota's blue, serene waterways. There are endless places to go kayaking all along the coastline, and plenty of local tours to show you around or rental operators if you'd prefer to explore on your own accord!

Prefer to post up in the sand? Sarasota's family-friendly beaches are worth the visit any time of year – let alone a hot summer's day with the fam. Does Dad consider himself king of the grill? Take advantage of the charcoal grills available at Lido Key, Siesta Key, Venice, Nokomis, and Manasota public beach parks to cook up some burgers 'n' hot dogs.

Indulge in His Favorite Pastimes

Does Dad enjoy golfing? Pizza? Tiki Bars? Ice cream? Evie's Tavern on the Range offers a little of everything. From mini golf to the driving range, plus an arcade, there's plenty of fun for the whole family, and bar bites to keep Dad fueled up for a day of play. If Pops prefers to be on the real green, there are plenty of public golf courses around Sarasota County for you to set up a tee time on Father's Day!

For something a bit more thrilling, how about learning to throw hatchets and axes into wood targets and compete for head-of-household bragging rights at Axe & Bull Sarasota? Better yet, see who's king of the treetops by navigating the aerial obstacle courses and zipline of TreeUmph! Adventure Course.

For the more aquatically inclined adventurers, go parasailing or hop onboard a fishing charter with the local captains of Siesta Key's CB's Saltwater Outfitters, Boat Rentals & Parasailing.

Perhaps your Pops could use some new "Dad joke" material. Bring him to a side-splitting evening of standup at McCurdy's Comedy Club. Comedian Flip Schultz – who's appeared on TV shows including Last Comic Standing, Live At Gotham, and Comics Unleashed – brings the laughs to Sarasota on Father's Day weekend.

Treat Dad to the Circus

circus performings hanging under the tent in sarasota fl

Date: June 15, 2025 (or anytime between June 13 – August 9, 2025)
Location: Historic Asolo Theater at The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL

Each year, The Circus Arts Conservatory and The Ringling partner to thrill local and guest audiences with the Summer Circus Spectacular. If your dad is looking for a cool spot for lively entertainment unique to the area, there’s no better ticket than this, as Sarasota is known as the Circus Capital of the World. Expect a summer circus filled with international performers who fly high on trapeze, bend into impossible contortions and juggle and hand balance in acts that will amaze.

For Father’s Day weekend, tickets to the Opening Night Performance, followed by a reception, are $75. For extra savings, admission to the Historic Circus Galleries and the Tibbals Learning Center is only an additional $5 with your Summer Circus performance ticket!

Lures and Lakeside Fun

Date: Father’s Day (or anytime)
Location: Downtown Wellen Park, 19725 Wellen Pk Blvd, North Port, FL

Is your dad into mixing technology and fishing? The Landing on Grand Lake Wellen and the floating dock in Downtown Wellen is the place to go. By scanning a QR code on the dock with a smartphone, dad can preview an animation of the lake’s variety of fish species that include threadfin shad and largemouth bass – then plan his strategy to lure and land a big one!

If Dad's not much of a fisherman, the family can tour the lake on a paddleboard or kayak, rented from Kind Vibes Outfitters. Or try a spin on one of those fancy electric bikes to explore Wellen Park’s trail system.

After some fun, it’s time for food! Enjoy happy hour lakeside or go for the full meal deal at Oak & Stone, a pizzeria with an interactive, self-serve brew wall, Villani & Co, a contemporary raw bar serving up Gulf-caught seafood, or PopDawgs for the all-American favorite gourmet hotdogs.

Hit Up Local Attractions

dad and mom at mote marine aquarium with kids

Take your pops for a walk on the wild side. Dads and Grandads get free admission at Sarasota Jungle Gardens on Father's Day with the purchase of one regular admission ticket. They'll even get to hold a live alligator for free! More special treatment can be found on Lido Key – Dads receive 50% off admission at Mote Marine Aquarium with the purchase of a child's ticket on Father's Day.

Or let dapper Dad drool over vintage rides and classic automobiles at Sarasota Classic Car Museum, where antique, exotic, European and one-of-a-kind vehicles are featured in rotating exhibits. (Sarasota Classic Car Museum is temporarily closed, as it searches for a new location.)

Batter Up Like a Pro!

Date: June 15, 2025 (or anytime)
Location: 6270 Clarity Ct, Sarasota, FL

If your dad is a baseball fan, take him to the cage! 941 Diamond Academy is a premier indoor baseball and softball training facility offering batting cages, pitching lanes and private lessons from expert instructors.
Former MLB player and coach Jack Voigt founded 941 Diamond Academy, designed for both serious athletes and casual hitters. Schedule a lesson for Dad or just some swing time to feel like a kid again himself.

Grab a Brew Old Florida-Style

Spend some quality time with Dad at one of Sarasota's many tiki bars, craft breweries and beer gardens. These are the perfect places to enjoy some Florida sunshine, play cornhole, order food truck bites, enjoy a couple pints and catch live music from local bands.

So grab the troops and load up the car, it’s time for Dad’s Day (weekend) off!