- April 19, 2024
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THURSDAY, DEC. 24
6 to 9 p.m. at Sarasota Jungle Gardens, 3701 Bay Shore Rd.
$6 to $11
Call 355-5305
Take the family to see the 75-year-old Sarasota garden, all dressed up for the holidays. The Sarasota Jungle Gardens will be decked out in dazzling light displays, which will also feature live music, marshmallow roasting and photos with Santa Claus.
6 p.m. at JDub's Brewing Co., 1215 Mango Ave.
Free
Call 955-2739
JDub’s Brewing Co. invites local runners and beer lovers to this weekly 5k run around Ed Smith Stadium and neighboring communities. Runners receive 10% off all beer after the run, free water and towels at the finish line as well as a punch card for free prizes after runs 10, 25 and 50.
FRIDAY, DEC. 25
A Motorworks Brewing Christmas
11 to 2.m. at Motorworks Brewing Co., 1014 9th St. W., Bradenton
Free
Call 567-6218
When family time has come to an end, keep the party going at Motorworks Brewing Co. Enjoy holiday movies on the projectors, play games in the beer garden and listen to the Messenger Band.
SATURDAY, DEC. 26
2 and 7 p.m. at the Circus Arts Conservatory, 2075 Bahia Vista St.
$15 to $20
Call 355-9805
The annual high-flying holiday tradition returns as more than 100 local Sailor Circus students perform some of their best routines, all set around a wintry theme. The oldest youth circus in the world, Sailor Circus will entertain the whole family.
Santa Stumble
9 p.m. to 2 a.m. in the Siesta Key Village
Free
Call 349-8697
Just because Christmas has passed doesn't mean you need to lose your holiday spirit. Head to the Siesta Key Village for this festive party, featuring a Santa costume sack race with a $400 prize at 9:30 p.m., live music, T-shirt giveaways and more.
SUNDAY, DEC. 27
2 and 7 p.m. at Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$26 to $83
Call 351-8000
Fill your stocking with one of the most influential musicals of all time. Asolo Rep’s production of “West Side Story” has been the highest grossing production in the theater’s history, so catch it before it closes.
MONDAY, DEC. 28
Moscow Ballet 'Great Russian Nutcracker'
3 and 7 p.m. at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$34 to $192
Call 953-3368
If you’re a traditionalist when it comes to your brand of Nutcracker, then the Moscow Ballet’s touring production of the Pyotr Illyich Tchaikovsky dance classic is for you. The Moscow Ballet will enchant and dance onstage with playful puppets and handmade sets and costumes.
TUESDAY, DEC. 29
7:30 p.m. at Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$13.50 to $27
Call 351-8000
The FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training brings French farce back to life in David Ives’ adaptation of Pierre Corneille’s 1644 comedy, “The Liar.” The protagonist, Dorante, is, what else, a pathological liar and must charm his way out of every white lie he spins.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 30
8 p.m. at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$50 to $75
Call 953-3368
Mel Brooks’ record 12 Tony Award-winning hit musical arrives in Sarasota. The musical focuses on the devious plans of unlucky Broadway producer Max Bialystock and his unwitting, shy accountant, Leo Bloom, as they attempt to cheat millions of dollars from investors by producing the biggest flop in Broadway history: “Springtime for Hitler.”
New Year’s Eve Events
New Year's Eve at Social Eatery
5:30 p.m. at Social Eatery & Bar, 1219 First St.
$100
Call 444-7072
Close out 2015 with family and friends with a four-course, farm-fresh meal, then toast to the new year at midnight. Reservations required.
7 p.m. at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$50 to $80
Call 953-3368
Some of Australia’s finest vocal talents are spending their New Year’s Eve with Sarasota's music fans. The Ten Tenors have performed to more than 90 million people worldwide and will keep the holiday spirit going with performances of Christmas favorites, including “Sleigh Ride” and “White Christmas.”
8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 900 S. Palm Ave.
$250
Call 366-5731
Ring in 2016 surrounded by natural beauty and the lights of fireworks shimmering over Sarasota Bay. Guests can enjoy the Lights in Bloom displays, dinner, live music, dancing and top it all off with fireworks inside Sarasota’s favorite natural oasis.
New Year’s Eve with Happy Cole
7:30 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd.
$56
Call 925-3869
Celebrate the end of 2015 with plenty of laughs with Tampa stand-up comic Happy Cole. Master of ceremonies Les McCurdy will lead Cole and several special guest comics through the night and at midnight watch the ball drop in Times Square with the theater’s giants television screens.
8 p.m. at the Venice Theatre, 140 W. Tampa Ave., Venice
$49
Call 488-1115
If you want to literally swing into the new year, the Venice Theatre has just the fix for people who can’t put down their dancing shoes. Local singers David and Michele James-Pruyn while being backed by a 15-piece orchestra will perform the greatest jazz and swing standards of all time.
8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Ct.
$10
Avoid the downtown crowds at this party, featuring psychedelic rockers, The Schmitz Brothers, folk musicians, Washbaer and reggae band, Treedomm. Potluck and Kumquat Drop at midnight.
8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at the Starlite Room, 1001 Cocoanut Ave.
$75
Call 702-5613
Ring in the new year with crooner John Russo, singing classics by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett and more. Ticket includes dinner, champagne toast at midnight and rooftop fireworks viewing.
Evie's Tavern, Main Street, New Year's Eve Party
9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Evie's Tavern, 1560 Main St.
Free
Call 366-7711
Join in the downtown festivities at this party, featuring drink specials and bottle discounts and live music, and watch the pineapple drop at midnight.
9 p.m. at Beach Club, Siesta Key, 5151 Ocean Blvd.
$10
Call 349-6311
Enjoy your new year shaken, not stirred. Beach Club Siesta Key hosts its first James Bond-themed New Year's Eve celebration, featuring prizes, champagne, live music by the Guilty Pleasures band and DJ Xtreme.
Pineapple Drop
9 p.m. to midnight on Main Street
Free
Celebrate New Year's Eve in true Florida fashion at the annual downtown Pineapple Drop. Live music by Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones and Big Night Out. Pineapple drops at midnight.
It Was A Very Good Year
10 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 3rd Ave. W., Bradenton
$25 to $27
Call 748-5875
Celebrate Ol’ Blue Eyes’ 100th birthday with this musical tribute concert. Performer Tony Sands embodies Frank Sinatra and sings songs from throughout his career and retells his life story.
New Year’s Spectacular
10:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1646 10th Way
$85
Call 366-1505 ext. 106
Even though Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s celebrated original seasonal production “A Motown Christmas” will have just ended, the show is far from over. The party will continue at the theater’s first New Year’s Eve Spectacular with champagne, a live band, singing and dancing into the night.
