What to Do in Sarasota and Manatee Counties This Week
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For a list of Juneteenth themed things to do, click here.
⚽ Watch Party at The Bay: USA vs. Australia
Friday, June 19, 3 p.m., The Bay, 1055 Blvd. of the Arts, Sarasota
Catch USA vs. Australia on the big screen at The Bay as part of its free summer watch party series with Sarasota Paradise. The come-and-go event includes family-friendly festivities, food and drinks available from The Nest Café until 5 p.m. and plenty of room to spread out in the park. Bring a lawn chair for comfort, and keep an eye on The Bay’s social channels in case weather forces a cancellation. This event is free. For more information, click here.
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🎨 33rd Annual Downtown Venice Craft Festival
Saturday, June 20-Sunday, June 21, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. both days, Downtown Venice, 401 W. Venice Ave., Venice
The Downtown Venice Craft Festival returns for its 33rd year with more than 50 craft artisans showcasing handmade works along Venice Avenue. The outdoor, pet-friendly festival includes plants, handmade soaps, edible goods and other artisan finds, with makers on-site to talk about their work and process. The event benefits the Florida Main Street Program of Downtown Venice. This event is free. For more information, click here.
Image: Lynn Goldsmith
🖼️ Shared Light: Lynn Goldsmith
Saturday, June 20-Sunday, Sept. 13, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Richard and Ellen Sandor Museum of Botany & the Arts, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus, 1534 Mound St., Sarasota
Selby Gardens’ summer exhibition, “Shared Light: Lynn Goldsmith,” brings the legendary American photographer’s work to the downtown Sarasota campus. Goldsmith, known for celebrity portraits and fine art images that have appeared in publications including Life, Time, Vanity Fair and Rolling Stone, pairs striking photographs of flowers with intimate portraits of Selby Gardens artist-in-residence Patti Smith. Admission is $28 for adults, $12 for ages 5-17 and free for members and children 4 and under. For more information, click here.
🌊 SEA & Savor
Friday, June 19, 6:30 p.m., Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, 225 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota
Mote hosts an after-hours, 21-and-up dining experience inside its new Science Education Aquarium, pairing chef-crafted cuisine with views of sharks, rays and Gulf Coast marine life. The communal-style dinner features a curated menu by Deep Blue Hospitality, selected wines and chances to meet the chef and sommelier. Parents can also make a night of it: Mote’s education team will host Guppies Getaway: Kids Night Out during the event, with ocean-themed games, pizza and science activities for kids. Tickets are $195 each. For more information, click here.
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🎪 Summer Circus Spectacular
Friday, June 12-Saturday, Aug. 8, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Historic Asolo Theater at The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota
The Circus Arts Conservatory and The Ringling bring back the Summer Circus Spectacular, a family-friendly showcase of world-class circus artists inside the Historic Asolo Theater. This year’s production features comedy, aerial artistry, juggling, acrobatics, hand balancing, slack wire, duo roller skating and duo trapeze, with performers including Ashley Vargas, Davis Vassallo, Yelitza Vivas, Noel Aguilar, Emma Grace Clarke and “America’s Got Talent” finalists Duo Transcend. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children ages 12 and under. For more information, click here.
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🎹 Dueling Pianos
Friday, June 19, 7-10 p.m., Art Ovation Hotel, Autograph Collection, 1255 North Palm Ave., Sarasota
Two pianos, one stage and a room full of requests: Art Ovation Hotel hosts a dueling pianos night with general admission seating available first come, first served. Guests are encouraged to arrive early, request favorite songs and reserve a VIP table for the best experience. Tickets are $13.39 each.For more information, click here.
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🎷 Oscura Jazz Open Jam featuring The Chaunces Trio
Friday, June 19, doors 7 p.m., music 8 p.m., Oscura, 816 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton
Oscura hosts an open jazz night featuring The Chaunces Trio, with musicians of all levels invited to sit in and play along. Guests can also come just to listen as the music unfolds. Tickets are $10 for ages 21 and up, pay what you want for those under 21, and all ages are welcome, though guests under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. For more information, click here.
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🐦 Birding at Jim Neville Marine Preserve
Saturday, June 20, 8 a.m.-noon, Jim Neville Marine Preserve, 1700 Vamo Drive, Sarasota
Sarasota Bay Watch hosts a student-led birding event at Jim Neville Marine Preserve, where volunteers can help identify bird activity as part of ongoing restoration work and native planting efforts. The group has 20 kayaks available for volunteers, though attendees are encouraged to bring their own vessel if they have one. Wear closed-toed shoes that can get wet, bring water and sun protection, and register in advance. This event is free. For more information, click here.
🌿 Summer Fair at Manatee River Garden Club
Saturday, June 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Manatee River Garden Club, 3120 1st Ave. W., Bradenton
The Manatee River Garden Club hosts a free indoor summer fair with local vendors, plants, floral arrangements by club members, handmade crafts, coastal décor and homemade baked goods. This event is free. For more information, click here.
🍻 Zote Day 2026
Saturday, June 20, 11 a.m.-close, Calusa Brewing, 5377 McIntosh Road, Sarasota
Calusa Brewing’s annual Zote Day returns with pirate-themed fun, limited releases of its flagship Hazy IPA, food, games, live music and enough Zote variants to fill a treasure chest. The day includes a taproom takeover, pirate name generator, photo booth, lawn games, rum tasting station, food specials from PigFish, live music from Lesa Silvermore from 4:30-7 p.m. and a pirate costume contest with judging at 4 p.m. This event is free. For more information, click here.
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🍵 Amme Khanoon’s Persian Tea Party
Saturday, June 20, noon-4 p.m., Art House and Secretea Lounge, 1806 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton Beach
Art House and Secretea Lounge host a cozy Persian tea party with hot and iced traditional Persian tea, sweet and savory treats, original pastries and breads, homemade hummus spreads, local art and new arrivals. There’s no cost to attend; tea and treats will be available for purchase. For more information, click here.
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🔥 SOULSTICE On The Beach
Saturday, June 20, 5-10 p.m., Casey Key Resort, 317 Casey Key Road, Nokomis
SRQ Beats brings its Soulstice beach residency to Casey Key Resort for a sunset-to-night gathering built around deep and Afro house music, candlelight, live fire dancers and ceremonial elements on the sand. Tickets are $39.19 each. Parking is limited, and organizers strongly recommend ride-sharing. Tickets also include access to an after-party at 1810 Seeds Ave. in Sarasota with the same wristband. For more information, click here.
🍳 Hard Heart Burlesque June Brunch
Sunday, June 21, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., The Mable Bar & Grill, 2831 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Hard Heart Burlesque brings live vocals, dance comedy and sultry performances to a weekend brunch at The Mable. The show features Karma Kandlewick, Miss Marina Elaine, emcee Swanky Valli and special guest performers, with doors opening at 11 a.m. and the show starting at noon. Tickets are $28.52 each.For more information, click here.
🔫 Dads Play Free
Sunday, June 21, noon-10 p.m., Warfare Airsoft, 1816 57th St., Sarasota
Warfare Airsoft celebrates Father’s Day with free play for dads when they’re accompanied by a paying player. The indoor event includes team play, air-conditioned action and a safe, supervised environment for beginners and regular players alike. This event is free for dads with a paying player. For more information, click here.
🎤 No Ties For Father’s Day Comedy Showcase
Sunday, June 21, 5 p.m., Calusa Brewing, 5377 McIntosh Road, Sarasota
Dad doesn’t need another tie. He needs dinner, drinks and a reason to laugh. Calusa Brewing hosts a Father’s Day comedy showcase featuring Al Ernst, a three-time Carnival Cruise Lines Entertainer of the Year, for an evening built around beer, food and stand-up. For more information, click here.
🌅 Sunset Soirée: The Ultimate Sunday Day Party
Sunday, June 21, 5:30-11 p.m., Elia Olive Farm and Wedding & Event Venue, 6640 US-19, Terra Ceia, Manatee County
Sunset Soirée brings an indoor-outdoor Sunday party to Elia Olive Farm with R&B and hip-hop sounds from DJs, specialty cocktails, food available for purchase and photo-ready sunset scenery. Organizers are encouraging dress-to-impress, fashion-forward attire, with VIP sections and bottle packages available for birthdays and groups. Tickets are $53.75 each. For more information, click here.
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🎸 Double Your Trouble: A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan
Thursday, June 18, 7 p.m., Encore Live, 8341 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota
Randy Stephens brings his Stevie Ray Vaughan tribute show to Encore Live, channeling the blues-rock guitarist’s sound in a concert built for fans of Texas blues, guitar solos and high-energy live music. Tickets are $10 each.For more information, click here.