Visit Sarasota County Promotes Local Centennial Celebrations as Tourism Strategy

SARASOTA, Fla. – (January 15, 2026) – As several cultural institutions and cities across Sarasota County mark 100 years in 2026, Visit Sarasota County (VSC) is compelling visitors and residents to take part in these once-in-a-century celebrations. In-depth guides on VisitSarasota.com – one for countywide milestones, the other for the City of Venice’s centennial – walk vacationers through special events, history, and ways to engage with local businesses, particular through two mobile experiences. 

To complement Venice’s 18-month program of festivities, VSC has created in partnership with the City a Venice Centennial Pass to serve as a mobile guide to the area’s most iconic historic buildings, parks, and landmark sites. Another pass – dubbed the Circus Legacy Trail – will feature a curated list of tours, shows, and sites that harken to Sarasota’s identity as the “Circus Capital of the World.” This pass will accompany circus-themed PR pitches to national and international press leading into 2027, which will be the 100-year anniversary of John Ringling’s decision to move the winter quarters of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey to Sarasota. Both passes are free to sign up for and encourage discovery without the need for downloading an app. 

The tourism bureau views these centennial stories as a timely marketing strategy to keep Florida’s Cultural Coast® competitive and connected to broader, national moments like America’s 250^th Anniversary.

“For tourism, centennials provide an invitation for visitors to be a meaningful, momentary part of our destination’s history – but for residents, they hold a more profound meaning in reminding us why we continue to love where we live,” said Erin Duggan, President and CEO of Visit Sarasota County. “As we welcome 2026, we encourage you to embrace rediscovery as a hometown tourist yourself and connect with our shared history while supporting institutions that have drafted our reputation with visitors near and far and defined our quality of life for decades.” 

Among the most prominent milestones is the City of Venice’s Centennial, which officially began in 2025 and continues through 2027 with an 18-month slate of commemorative programming. In 2026, signature events include the unveiling of a bronze John Nolen statue on February 18, a year-long “Venice Turns 100!” exhibition at the Venice Museum, a community block party in March, and special celebrations tied to Independence Day weekend. 

Several of Sarasota County’s most beloved arts and cultural institutions are also marking 100-year anniversaries in 2026. The Sarasota Opera House, built in 1926, will host a Centennial Open House in April followed by a special Centennial Concert and Gala, along with additional programming reflecting on a century of performances and community gatherings. Art Center Sarasota, founded the same year, will celebrate its centennial season with expanded exhibitions, educational programming, and the return of the iconic Beaux Arts Ball in March.

Other iconic destinations – including St. Armands Circle and the original Sarasota High School building, now home to the Sarasota Art Museum – further underscore the significance of 2026 as a moment to reflect on the county’s architectural, cultural, and commercial legacy. 

Residents are encouraged to follow VSC’s social channels for ongoing updates and opportunities to engage with centennial celebrations across the county. For a comprehensive list of events, passes, and planning resources, visit https://www.visitsarasota.com/blog/sarasota-countys-centennial-celebrations 

About Visit Sarasota County

Visit Sarasota County (VSC) is the official tourism marketing entity and primary provider of visitor information for Sarasota County where tourism is the top industry. Through programs and partnerships, VSC makes Sarasota County a better place by promoting our community on the world stage. These efforts bring together over 450 partners to keep visitors coming, local businesses open and residents employed all year. VSC is accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program, a program of the Destination Management Association International (DMAI). To learn more, visit www.visitsarasota.com. 

# # #