🎄 Christmas in July Night Market

Thursday, July 16, 6:30-9:30 p.m., The Green at UTC, 125 N. Cattlemen Road, Sarasota

Celebrate the holidays six months early at UTC's monthly night market featuring local vendors, live music from Keith James and a visit from Santa himself. Browse handcrafted goods, grab dinner and enjoy a festive evening under the stars with a summery twist. Admission is free. For more information, click here.

⚽ Soccer's Biggest Match Watch Party

Sunday, July 19, 2 p.m., kickoff 3 p.m., The Bay, 1055 Blvd. of the Arts, Sarasota

Watch the world's biggest soccer match—the World Cup finale between Spain and Argentina—on the big screen as Sarasota Paradise hosts a free community watch party ahead of its inaugural USL League One season. Bring family and friends to cheer alongside fellow supporters while enjoying food and beverages available for purchase throughout the afternoon. Admission is free. For more information, click here.

🎧 EDM Spins at Vinyl Vault

Thursday, July 16, 6-9 p.m., Vinyl Vault, 400 S. Washington Blvd., Sarasota

Skip the usual playlist and settle in for an evening of eclectic sounds as DJ Shambala spins everything from drum and bass and deep-cut jazz to lounge, dub and instrumental hip-hop. Whether you're crate-digging, grabbing a drink or simply looking for a laid-back way to spend a Thursday night, this intimate listening session offers a soundtrack that's anything but ordinary. Admission is free. For more information, click here.

🎭 Marvin: A Marvin Gaye Revue

Thursday, July 16-Sunday, July 26, 7:30 p.m. weekdays, Donelly Theatre, West Caost Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe celebrates the life and music of Marvin Gaye in this original revue featuring timeless hits including "What's Going On," "Sexual Healing" and "Heard It Through the Grapevine." Performed by WBTT favorites, the production pays tribute to one of soul music's most influential voices through powerful vocals and live performances. Admission is $54 for adults and $24 for students and active military. For more information, click here.

🎭 Golden Girls: The Tribute Show

Thursday, July 16, 7 p.m., Encore Live, 8341 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota

Thank the stars for this campy tribute to everyone's favorite Miami roommates. This adults-only drag parody blends live performances, audience interaction and plenty of laughs inspired by Dorothy, Blanche, Rose and Sophia. Admission starts at $36.22. For more information, click here.

☀️ Summer in the Park

Friday, July 17, 9:30 a.m., Payne Park, 2010 Adams Lane, Sarasota

Kick off the weekend with a morning at Payne Park featuring food trucks, music, games and family-friendly activities. Grab brunch or an organic açaí bowl from The Healthy Hive SRQ's HoneyBee Food Truck, then stick around to enjoy live entertainment and one of Sarasota's most popular parks. Admission is free. For more information, click here.

🌿 Summer Series Garden Tour on Grove

Saturday, July 18, 9 a.m., 1902 Grove St., Sarasota

Curious what thrives in a Florida garden this time of year? This guided tour offers a look at a private Sarasota landscape filled with native and tropical plants, sunny and shady garden beds and seasonal blooms. Guests will also receive a plant to take home, along with refreshments, prizes and a goodie bag. Admission is $25. For more information, click here.

🚒 FPL Touch-a-Truck Hurricane Expo

Saturday, July 18, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., LECOM Park, 1611 9th St. W., Bradenton

Climb aboard emergency vehicles, explore first responder equipment and learn how to prepare for hurricane season at FPL's inaugural Touch-A-Truck Hurricane Expo. Families can experience a hurricane simulator, watch lineworker demonstrations, tour the Mobile Command Center and enjoy free Kona Ice, face painting and games while supplies last. A sensory hour from 9-10 a.m. offers a quieter experience without horns or flashing lights. Admission is free. For more information, click here.

🎹 Damon Fowler at 88 Live Piano Bar

Thursday, July 16, 7 p.m., 88 Live Piano Bar, 6640 Cortez Road, W., Bradenton

Blues guitarist and singer-songwriter Damon Fowler brings his signature Gulf Coast sound to 88 Live Piano Bar. Known for blending blues, rock and Americana, Fowler has shared stages with legends including Johnny Winter and the Dickey Betts Band and has earned a reputation as one of Florida's premier roots musicians. Admission is free. For more information, click here.

🎒 Florida Penguin Back to School Bash

Saturday, July 18, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto

Need to check a few back-to-school boxes before classes begin? This annual community event offers free backpacks while supplies last to pre-registered students, along with school supplies, health resources, raffles, vendors and activities including face painting, sports mascots and games. Admission is free. For more information, click here.

🎄 Christmas in July Arts and Crafts Show

Saturday, July 18, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Venice Community Center, 326 S. Nokomis Ave., Venice

Get a head start on holiday shopping at this Sarasota County event, where local vendors will sell handmade arts, crafts and gifts. The show offers a summery spin on the holidays and a chance to browse one-of-a-kind items from area makers. Admission is free. For more information, click here.

🛍️ Christmas in July Market

Saturday, July 18, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Bayshore Gardens Community Church, 6228 26th St. W., Bradenton

Browse handmade crafts, baked goods, candles, boutique gifts and other locally made products at this family-friendly Christmas in July market. Along with shopping from area vendors, guests can enter a raffle benefiting Operation Christmas Child, making it easy to cross a few names off your holiday gift list months ahead of schedule. Admission is free. For more information, click here.

🚂 The Willow BBQ Express

Friday, July 17, 5:30-8 p.m., Florida Railroad Museum, 12210 83rd St. E., Parrish

Climb aboard a historic train for a relaxing ride through the Florida countryside before arriving at Willow Yard for a barbecue dinner. This popular summer excursion combines vintage rail travel with classic comfort food, making for a memorable evening in eastern Manatee County. Adult tickets are $50 for ages 12 and older; ages 3-11 are $40 when purchased with an adult ticket. For more information, click here.

🎸 Maylene & The Sons of Disaster With Atomic Rule, Across Five Aprils and GAS

Saturday, July 18, 7 p.m., Oscura, 816 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton

Southern metal veterans Maylene & The Sons of Disaster return to the stage after more than a decade with their first new music in 11 years. They'll headline a hard-hitting lineup that also includes Across Five Aprils, Atomic Rule and GAS, bringing an evening of metalcore, hardcore and heavy riffs to downtown Bradenton. Admission is $25 in advance and $30 the day of the show. For more information, click here.

🎸 '80s Party Night With Careless Whisper

Saturday, July 18, 7 p.m., Encore Live, 8341 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota

Dust off your leg warmers and tease your hair for an evening of '80s nostalgia with Careless Whisper, a tribute band covering arena rock favorites from AC/DC to Madonna. Expect big hair, bigger guitar solos and plenty of sing-alongs celebrating one of music's most unforgettable decades. Admission is $10. For more information, click here.

🖤 Elder Emo Night

Saturday, July 18, 9 p.m., Brady's Neighborhood Bar, 2204 Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota

Break out the skinny jeans and relive the MySpace era as DJs spin pop-punk, emo and alternative favorites from bands like My Chemical Romance, Blink-182, Fall Out Boy, Paramore and Taking Back Sunday. Along with nostalgic singalongs, expect requests, confessions and a crowd that still knows every word. Admission is free for guests 21 and older. For more information, click here.

🎤 AMI's Got Talent

Saturday, July 18, 6 to 10 p.m., The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria

Singers, dancers, comedians, musicians and other local performers will take the stage during this inaugural talent showcase benefiting the Grace Irwin Memorial Fund. Beyond the entertainment, the evening serves as a community fundraiser supporting a meaningful local cause while celebrating the talent of Anna Maria Island and beyond. Admission is $28.65. For more information, click here.

📚 Conversation and Fish Kill Book Signing With Dennis "Mitch" Maley

Saturday, July 18, noon, Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota

Veteran journalist Dennis "Mitch" Maley discusses his new novel Fish Kill before signing copies during this afternoon conversation with author Cooper Levey-Baker. Set in a fictional Gulf Coast town, the novel follows a documentarian, small-town publisher and low-power FM radio station owner navigating life along Florida's coast. Admission is free with registration. For more information, click here.

🎭 Hadestown: Teen Edition

Thursday, July 23-Sunday, Aug. 2, The Sarasota Players, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

The Sarasota Players' Studio brings the Tony Award-winning musical Hadestown to the stage with a cast of talented young performers. Based on the Greek myths of Orpheus and Eurydice and Hades and Persephone, the acclaimed folk opera blends jazz, blues and New Orleans-inspired music into a powerful story of love, hope and sacrifice. Whether you're a longtime fan of the Broadway hit or seeing it for the first time, this youth production offers a fresh take on one of the most celebrated musicals of the past decade. Tickets are $35 for adults and $15 for students. For more information, click here.

🖼️ Highlights From Three New York Museums: Contemporary Art Now

Thursday, July 24, 5:30-7 p.m., Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

Take a visual tour of today's contemporary art scene through works featured at three of New York City's leading museums. This lecture explores recent exhibitions and emerging artists shaping the current art world, offering fresh perspectives for seasoned museumgoers and curious newcomers alike. Admission is free. For more information, click here.