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 to be held 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 beer. Whether it's admiring antique automobiles, eating belly-busting brunches or meeting sports stars — there are abundant opportunities to hone in on Dad's favorite hobby.

Whatever his style, we've put together a list of activities and events sure to help any dad enjoy 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 Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236

Sunday’s at The Bay with free music, dancing and park fun are the BEST. This Father’s Day, The Bay is inviting 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.

Lures and Lakeside Fun

Date: Father’s Day (or anytime)
Location: Downtown Wellen Park, 19725 Wellen Pk Blvd, North Port, FL 34293

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

Not a fisherman? Dad 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, Claw & Co., for classic New England lobster, or PopDawgs for the all-American favorite gourmet hotdogs.

Celebrate Dad as Superhero (costumes encouraged)

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 34243

Bring your family’s very own superhero dad 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. 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 burgers 'n' hot dogs.

Indulge in Pop's 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!

Looking for something a little more manly? Learn 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 of TreeUmph! Adventure Course.

For the more aquatically inclined adventurers, take a tour with the aptly named Endless Summer Eco Tours & Rentals or hop on board with charter captains from C.B.'s Saltwater Outfitters for a thrilling fishing adventure.

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 Darryl Lenox brings the laughs to Sarasota on Father's Day Weekend.

Batter Up or Tee Off Like a Pro!

Date: June 15, 2025 (or anytime)
Location: 6270 Clarity Ct, Sarasota, FL 34240

If your dad is a baseball fan, take him to the cage! 941 Diamond Academy that 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 designing for both serious athletes and casual hitters. Schedule a lesson for dad or just some swing time. Dad will feel like a superstar!

Post cage time, satisfy dad’s appetite at any one of these outdoor establishments, where the kids can enjoy the grounds and games while dad washes down fish tacos with his favorite brew. Life in Florida (and dad) doesn’t get much better than this!

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, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, FL 34243

If your dad is looking for a cool spot for lively entertainment unique to Sarasota, there’s no better ticket than the Summer Circus Spectacular. Each year, Sarasota—known as the Circus Capital of the World—holds 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.

The Circus Arts Conservatory and The Ringling partner to thrill local and guest audiences each year. This year the Summer Circus Spectacular will be held at the Historic Asolo Theater.

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!

Admire Old Cars With Him

Let Dad drool over artful automobiles where antique, exotic, and one-of-a-kind classics are featured in rotating exhibits seven days a week. Bring dapper, dancin’ dad to the Sarasota Classic Car Museum’s first-ever Champagne Dance Party, featuring music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s with champagne and hors d'oeuvres the evening of June 15.

Grab a Bite & Brew Old Florida-Style

Spend some quality time with dad at one of Sarasota's craft breweries, beer gardens or one of our retail districts or master-planned communities to play cornhole.

So turn off the lights and load the car, it’s time for Dad’s Day Off!