Sarasota County’s Centennial Celebrations

From art hubs to iconic buildings to cultural cornerstones and a golf club, these centennials give residents and visitors alike a golden opportunity to reflect, celebrate and reconnect with what makes Florida's Cultural Coast® unique.

Whether you’re a longtime local or here for a night of music, an art show, a history walk or simply to explore, there’s never been a better time to explore Sarasota County’s legacy—a time to honor what was, celebrate what is and dream up what’s next.

2026 Landmark Centennials

The City of Venice

The city of Venice is commemorating its Centennial Celebration with an 18-month program of parades, art installations and community events running through spring 2027 to celebrate "Your City on the Gulf." Special events include:

Holiday Parade Kickoff: The Annual Holiday Parade in Historic Downtown Venice served as the official launch of festivities with an "All Aboard the Centennial: theme referencing the city's train era. The theme paid tribute to the railways and early settlers that shaped Venice’s origin. Catch the 2026 parade next November!

Explore Symbolic Statues: In recognition of Venice’s original city plan, the unveiling of the John Nolen statue in Centennial Park on February 18, 2026, will pay homage to the visionary planner who helped shape the city's early streets and layout. Admire the all-bronze statue of this public figure while at the park, as well as the "Shark Spotting" series of bronze shark sculptures, which symbolize the island as the "Shark Tooth Capital of the World."

"Venice Turns 100!" Exhibit: Running through August 26, 2026, at the Venice Museum—a historic landmark itself, built in 1927 as an example of Venice’s Northern Italian architecture—"Venice Turns 100!" visibly charts the seaside city's journey with vintage photos, artifacts, oral histories and public events. 

Block Party: Many of the city’s beloved traditions will carry fresh, centennial-era energy, including a Gulf Coast Community Foundation Block Party on March 14, 2026, at West Blalock Park.

250th Anniversary of Independence Day: A patriotic mid-summer event in Historic Downtown Venice and at the Venice Community Center will bring together community members, families and visitors for a parade and picnic to salute America's 250th anniversary, as well as the city’s 100th.

Sarasota Opera House

The Sarasota Opera House has been a cornerstone of performing arts in Sarasota for a full century. Built in 1926, this storied venue has hosted generations of performances and community gatherings, and has woven itself into the fabric of Sarasota’s cultural identity. Centenary events include:

Centennial Open House: Explore the Mediterranean Revival-style theater, located in the heart of Downtown Sarasota, on April 10, 2026, with guided tours, exhibits and behind-the-scenes access. This free event invites a rare peek into the historic architecture and grandeur of one of Sarasota's most iconic landmarks. 

Centennial Concert & Gala Dinner: The following day, on April 11, experience a night of memorable music, reflection and milestones, with a special concert celebrating the Opera House’s legacy, followed by an elegant gala dinner under the stars at Selby Gardens’ Michael’s on the Bay. 

A Century in Sarasota Mini Events: The Sarasota Opera isn’t just about grand performances—their new "Mini Events" program will offer intimate experiences that make opera feel more accessible and personal. These small-scale events (usually fewer than 50 guests) are hosted in private homes or unique venues around town—from cabaret-style evenings to wine dinners, sunset cruises and history-themed parties. For the 100th-anniversary season, these will carry a nostalgic “A Century in Sarasota” vibe—a way to toast the past while building new community connections.

Art Center Sarasota 

Originally founded as the Sarasota Art Association in 1926, Art Center Sarasota has grown alongside the city’s cultural ambitions. From its modest beginnings in rented rooms to becoming the region’s anchor for visual arts education and connection, the center is one of the reasons Sarasota has flourished into the incredible arts community it is today. As it marks 100 years, expect inspiring exhibitions, engaging workshops, youth and family programs, and innovative art events, including:

2026 Members Show:  In honor of 100 years, Art Center Sarasota's 2026 Annual Juried Members Show will expand to all four gallery spaces, offering a sweeping showcase of styles, media and individual visions.

Beaux Arts Ball: The legendary costume-and-culture gala returns March 21, 2026, to the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium. The much-anticipated ball will blend performance spectacles, vibrant attire and artistic celebration with a nod to the center’s storied past.

St. Armands Circle 

St. Armands Circle, located on Lido Key, is considered the embodiment of the upscale, tropical lifestyle that has defined the region for nearly 100 years. Development of the Circle began in 1923 as circus magnate John Ringling’s turn-of-the-century vision for a luxury residential and shopping district on the island. The street and island officially opened to the public in 1926. Today, the open-air European-inspired setting continues Ringling's vision as a premier destination for posh art galleries, dining, retailers and boutiques for visitors. Here are ideas for how to celebrate: 

Stroll the Circle: With over 130 stores and merchants located within walking distance of one another, St. Armands retains its Old World charm and seaside style. Walk the entire Circle to shop for clothing, resort wear, jewelry and art, then have a memorable meal at one of the restaurants offering everything from Mediterranean and Spanish-Cuban to Italian gelato and French macarons. 

Explore the Park and Statues: The Circle encompasses a Statue Walk that features sculptural works originally purchased by John Ringling, who had a known love of fine art and landscape. St. Armands Circle Park is also home to the Circus Ring of Fame, which includes 150 large bronze plaques with the names and histories of performing artists and influential executives recognized for achievements in circus arts and culture. 

Sarasota Art Museum Building 

The Sarasota Art Museum currently occupies the 1926 Collegiate Neo-Gothic building that was once Sarasota Senior High School, an iconic structure that carries nearly a century of local memories. The architecture itself—Leo Elliott’s 1926 design merged with later Paul Rudolph additions—is part of an ongoing Memory Project program that the museum is enduring to continue stewarding and interpreting the history and public memory of the SHS site. Here's one way to celebrate:

Spend the Day at SAM: As the building rounds a century of existence, check out the contemporary art exhibitions currently on view at Sarasota Art Museum—spread across 15,000 square feet of dedicated gallery space on three different floors. Don't leave without exploring the outdoor sculptural art installations that surround the historic campus. Guided group tours are also available, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday-Friday.

2027 Landmark Centennials

The Circus in Sarasota

Sarasota's circus legacy remains central to the area’s cultural DNA. The city's 100-year relationship began in 1927 when John Ringling moved the winter quarters for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus to Florida's Gulf Coast—earning Sarasota its nickname of "Circus Capital of the World." This legacy is preserved through cultural institutions like The Ringling Museum, which includes historical artifacts and big-top memorabilia, and The Circus Arts Conservatory, which hosts professional performances and educational programs to keep circus magic and tradition alive. A couple of ways to celebrate:

Tour The Ringling: Explore permanent exhibitions at the Circus Museum, showcasing the incredible human and animal feats of Sarasota's past and present circus scene. Enjoy interactive activities, galleries and installations—including John and Mable’s magnificent turn-of-the-century model train railcar. Don't leave without touring the bayfront Ca’ d’Zan mansion—the former home of the Ringlings, built 99 years ago for the couple to live when they moved to Sarasota. The extravagant, five-story Venetian-Gothic house with its magnificent marble terrace is truly a sight to see. Book the now-open Ringling Legacy Tour so you don't miss a beat—diving into the remarkable life and legacy of the circus impresario and art collectors. The tour is offered daily and runs through April 20, 2026.

See a Performance: Take the family to experience the circus firsthand! Circus Arts Conservatory's season is in full swing with a full roster of live shows and performance programming under the Big Top. From family-friendly spectacles and youth performances to immersive experiences blending acrobatics, a live orchestra and theatrical flair (Cirque des Voix® 2026), there’s never been a better time to catch the high-flying wonder and art of Sarasota's iconic circus performers. 

Bobby Jones Golf Club

An original 18-hole course designed by Donald Ross opened in 1926 as the Sarasota Municipal Golf Course. A year later, Bobby Jones himself came to Sarasota to dedicate it and play an exhibition match. The course was then renamed Bobby Jones Golf Club and is one of Sarasota’s oldest public courses. In 2027, the golf club gears up to mark 100 years of tee time. 

Recent renovations and anniversary programming—from exhibition rounds to community golf clinics—are being planned to honor a century of local golf culture and public access to the game. Stay tuned for more information!

Upcoming Milestones

More cultural organizations and institutions will be celebrating giant milestones in the coming years, including:

• The Sarasota Players (formerly The Players Centre for Performing Arts) is Sarasota’s oldest theatre, originating in 1929. The Players will be heading into its 97th year of community-theatre productions for the 2026-2027 season.
• Gator Bar & Grille (now known as The Gator Club in Downtown Sarasota) was established in 1933 after Prohibition ended—converting a former soda fountain into a bar that inevitably built a clientele of circus performers from the Ringling Brothers Circus, especially the animal handlers and blacksmiths that would frequent the bar for many years.