- December 13, 2025
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Art Opening Reception
5-7 p.m. at Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail
Free
Visit ArtSarasota.org.
Art Center Sarasota is marking its 100 anniversary and the landscaping around its buildings in The Bay are finished, so there's much to celebrate at this gallery and education center where admission is free and the artworks are for sale. The latest exhibition has four shows: Delsy Rubio, The Collective Lens, Russ Noto and the Juried Show: Paradise, adjudicated by Robyn Hall. Runs through Jan. 10.
‘Lucky Stiff’
7 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St.
$39-$59
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Based on the humorous murder mystery, “The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo,” Florida Studio Theatre’s “Lucky Stiff” tells the story of an English shoe salesman whose $6 million inheritance depends on passing off a recently embalmed body as his live uncle. What could go wrong? Directed by Ben Liebert. Runs through Jan. 4.
The Oak Ridge Boys Farewell Tour
7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$51 and up
Visit VanWezel.org.
The Oak Ridge Boys trace their roots to a country and gospel group that started performing in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where materials for the atomic bomb were developed. The modern-day group has a history of more than 50 years and a slew of awards, including their 2015 induction in their Country Music Hall of Fame. They’re touring to support the wide release of their album, “It’s Only Natural." Duane Allen, Joe Bonsall, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban say it’s their farewell tour. We’ll see, but just in case…
Sarasota Contemporary Dance with Yaya Diamond & the Dream Chasers
7 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$20-$50
Visit SarasotaContemporaryDance.org.
Sarasota Contemporary Dance is collaborating with Yaya Diamond and the Dream Chasers for a funk-infused show that’s sure to get your feet tapping. Get your groove back with this joyful kickoff to SCD’s 20th anniversary season, which honors founder and Artistic Director Leymis Bolaños Wilmott. Runs through Dec. 7.
‘Rent’
7:30 p.m. at The Sarasota Players, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail
$35
Visit ThePlayers.org.
Inspired by Puccini’s opera, “La bohème,” Jonathan Larson’s musical “Rent” follows a group of struggling artists trying to survive in New York’s East Village during the time of AIDS. It won the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, but Larson didn’t live to see the show’s success. With its theater-in-the-round space, The Sarasota Players’ creative team is sure to make this a show to remember. Runs through Dec. 14.
‘A Christmas Carol’
7:30 p.m. at Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave. W, Venice
$18-$30
Visit VeniceTheatre.org.
The Venice Theatre's production of "A Christmas Carol" celebrates its 25th anniversary this year as veteran Brad Wages returns as Scrooge and newcomers take the stage for the first time. If you're feeling as generous as Scrooge after his ghostly visits, consider making a donation to the Venice Theatre, which is still rebuilding after the Jervey Theatre was damaged by Hurricane Ian in 2022. Runs through Dec. 21.
'Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity’
7:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave.
$54 adults, $24 students 25 and under and active military
Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe wishes Sarasota Happy Holidays with a Nativity story that blends gospel, blues, spiritual and Christmas music with the poetry of Langston Hughes and the creativity of Nate Jacobs’ theater company dedicated to telling African-American stories. We can guarantee that this is not just another Christmas show. Runs through Dec. 21.
‘Three Pianos’
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St.
$18-$42
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Under Producing Artistic Director Richard Hopkins, Florida Studio Theatre has grown into a downtown entertainment campus with something for everyone. FST’s winter cabaret show “Three Pianos” is an ode to superstars of the keyboard such as Ray Charles, Elton John and Alicia Keys. These mavericks didn’t tinkle the ivories; they tore up the rulebook. Runs through April 5.
Jazz at Two with Isaac Mingus & Friends
2 p.m. at Unitarian Universalists of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Road
$15-$20
Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.
After receiving acclaim for his performance last season at Jazz Club of Sarasota Jazz at Two, Isaac Mingus returns with a new set of friends. We don’t know what instruments Mingus will be playing during this gig, but he’s known for the cello, double bass and electric bass. Florida Studio Theatre patrons may remember Mingus from his recent appearance in Carole J. Bufford’s summer cabaret show, “Too Darn Hot.”
Night of Lights
5:30-8:30 p.m. at St. Armands Circle Park, 440 St. Armands Circle
Free
Visit StArmandsCircleAssoc.com.
Bring a blanket or chair to take in the 47th annual lighting up of St. Armands Circle. Dance performances by Sarasota Academy of the Arts. Sing along with carols while waiting for Santa to arrive for the big countdown to lighting the 60-foot tree.
'Wonderland: Believe’
7 p.m. at LECOM Big Top at UTC, 195 University Town Center Drive
$35-$125
Visit WonderlandCircus.com.
Death-defying aerialist Nik Wallenda returns to University Town Center with his Wonderland Circus, featuring a new tent with plush seats, cupholders and lots of room between rows. Joining Wallenda will be his faithful sidekicks — daredevil clown Johnny Rockett and master of ceremonies Ty McFarlan — as well as new family-friendly circus acts and immersive video to help deliver the message: “Believe!” Runs through Jan. 4.
‘Dingbat’s Winnie the Pooh’
7:30 p.m. at Dingbat Theatre Project, 7288 S. Tamiami Trail
$5-$50
Visit DingbatTheatre.org.
Dingbat Theatre Project does things their own way and it frequently involves a lot of pillows and props. Luke Manual and Company are taking the children’s classic by A.A. Milne and putting their own twist on it. Runs through Dec. 20.
Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival
8 a.m. at Waterside Plaza, 7301 Island Cove Terrace, Lakewood Ranch
$75; $150 reserved front-of-stage seating
Visit LakewoodRanchBluesFest.com.
Why not make it a blues, blues, blues Christmas at the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival? This is only the second year of the fest in its current incarnation that traces its roots to a long-running event in Bradenton. Those ties and the relationships that the organizers of the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival have developed over the years have produced a stellar lineup that includes the Shaelyn Band, Johnny Rawls, Desoto Tiger, Eden Brent, Chambers Deslauriers, Albert Castiglia, Music Compound and Toronzo Cannon.
Lakewood Ranch Holiday Festival of the Arts
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch
Free
Visit ParagonFestivals.com.
The Lakewood Ranch Holiday Festival of the Arts returns to Lakewood Main Street with fine art, handmade crafts, photography and other works of art. Continues Sunday.
‘Deck the Halls’
10 a.m. at FST’s Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave.
$12
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Celebrate the holidays in Florida style with palm trees decorated with twinkling lights, sand snowmen and Santa on a surfboard. The family-friendly show returns this year with new sketches and songs. Weekends through Dec. 24.
'All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914'
3 and 7 p.m. at The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road.
$45-$71
Visit AsoloRep.org.
Peter Rothstein, producing artistic director of Asolo Repertory Theatre, based “All is Calm” on the true story of soldiers who put down their arms for one night to honor Christ’s birth. Their longing for peace comes to life through excerpts of letters and Christmas carols sung in English, French and German. This production is being staged in The Ringling’s Historic Asolo Theater, a jewelbox venue whose interiors were rescued from a palace in Italy. Runs through Dec. 19.
Sarasota Orchestra: Close Encounters
7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$39-$109
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
Sarasota Orchestra’s new maestro, Giancarlo Guerrero, takes the podium to conduct this wide ranging program that features movie music from “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and Disney’s original “Fantasia,” as well compositions that evoke foreign lands. Spanish guitar virtuoso Pablo Sáinz-Villegas plays Rodrigo’s popular guitar concert that transports us to a royal palace in Spain while Respighi’s “Pines of Rome” drops us off in a pastoral area of the great city. Runs through Dec. 7.
Hanukkah Open House
2-4 p.m. at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
Free
Visit LongboatKeyTemple.org.
Celebrate the Festival of Lights at this annual open house and market. Activities include cookie decorating, dreidel games for kids, music, door prize giveaways and more. Free and open to the public. Reservations are not needed but appreciated at [email protected] or 941-383-3428.
Brahms, Sibelius, & Pearl
3 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 3131 61st St.
$5
Visit SuncoastConcertBand.org.
Now in its 93rd season, the Suncoast Concert Band has evolved from a trailer park band to a concert hall ensemble of talented professional and amateur musicians. Led by Robert Stoll since 2005, the band attracts a faithful following so it’s advisable to reserve a ticket in advance. Please call 941-907-4123 and be sure to dial the right number.
'Shark Lady: The Musical'
6:30 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court
$25; $15 students
Visit WSLR.org.
"The Shark Lady" is a musical based on the life of Sarasota resident Eugenie Clark, a female Japanese-American scientist who overcame racism and sexism. This is the first public concert performance of the production, which features book, music and lyrics by Christina Meiping Chen and music and lyrics by Grace Strickert.
'Ancient Art from Cyprus and the Mediterranean'
10 a.m. at The John and Mable Ringling Art Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Road
Free with $30 admission; Mondays free
Visit Ringling.org.
In 1928, circus magnate John Ringling moved beyond collecting Baroque paintings with a major acquisition of more than 2,000 pieces of Cypriot art at the Anderson Galleries in New York, where the Metropolitan Museum was selling parts of its ancient art collection. For the first time, Ringling's treasures have a permanent home in Gallery 12 after a decadelong project.
Songbird
7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 1031 S. Euclid Ave.
$30
Visit ENSRQ.org.
Contemporary classical music ensembleNewSRQ is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. A decade ago, husband-and-wife musicians Samantha Bennett and George Nickson decided to expand the offerings of experimental and modern classical works available in Sarasota. In their program Songbird, enSRQ explores themes of peace, memory and nature.
‘The Book of Mormon’
7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$85 and up
Visit VanWezel.org.
The hit Broadway show from the creators of “South Park” follows two earnest missionaries as they try to convert a village in Africa to the Church of the Latter Day Saints. It’s a theatrical sensation, but not everyone will appreciate the comic sendup of Joseph Smith’s spiritual descendants. Runs through Dec. 14.
‘Art Deco: The Golden Age of Illustration’
10 a.m. at the Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail
Free for museum members; $20
Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org.
The Sarasota Art Museum celebrates the 100th anniversary of the exposition that kicked off the Art Deco movement. More than 100 eye-catching posters from the Crouse Collection as well as industrial furniture, home furnishings and other objects loaned by the Wilsonian-Florida International University are on display. Through March 29, 2026.
'Oh, What Fun!'
5:30 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail
$48 and up
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
Guest conductor Chelsea Gallo leads the Sarasota Orchestra in a holiday-themed concert in its Great Escapes series. Held in Holley Hall, these casual concerts start at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays so you can eat after the show. Come for the hassle-free experience; stay for seasonal crowd pleasers such as "Festive Sounds of Hanukkah," "The Twelve Days of Christmas" with a local twist and movie music from "It's a Wonderful Life" and "The Polar Express." Runs through Dec. 14.
