- December 9, 2025
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'A Tailor Near Me’
7 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre's Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave.
$39-$59
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
What begins as a trip to a neighborhood tailor for alterations turns into a journey of self-discovery and friendship in this Florida Studio Theatre mainstage play starring David Cantor and Paul Nicholas. Kate Alexander directs the Southeastern premiere of David Tucker’s “A Tailor Near Me,” which runs through Feb. 15, 2026.
‘Come From Away’
7:30 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$35 and up
Visit AsoloRep.org.
When the U.S. shut down its airspace after the 9/11 attacks, thousands of inbound travelers wound up stranded in the small town of Gander, Canada. Newfoundland locals dubbed the travelers “Come From Aways” — and welcomed them with open arms. With its driving Celtic-rock rhythms, quicksilver ensemble cast and heart-melting humor, this production by Asolo Repertory Theatre celebrates the power of humanity’s best instincts in the worst of times. Directed by Peter Rothstein. Runs through Dec. 28.
‘Feeling Good’
7:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Court Cabaret, 1265 First St.
$18-$42
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
“Feeling Good” pays tribute to contemporary crooners like Michael Bublé and Bette Midler. A dynamic trio — Haley K. Clay, Andrew Leggieri and Russell Mernagh — makes its Florida Studio Theatre debut with such swingin’ hits as “Come Fly With Me,” “It Had to Be You” and “Me and Mrs. Jones.” Runs through Feb. 8.
‘Recipe for the Holiday’
7:30 p.m. at Tree Fort Productions, Crossings at Siesta Key mall, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail
$25
Visit TreeFortProductionsProjects.com.
Don't miss Tree Fort Productions founder Katherine Michelle Tanner's Yuletide show, “Recipe for the Holiday,” which follows a radio show shrink dispensing much-needed advice during a very stressful time of year. Runs through Dec. 14.
‘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.
Jingle 5K
7 p.m. at Lakewood Ranch Main Street
Run/walk $50; kids race $23
Visit LakewoodRanch.com.
Move your feet to the jingling beat for this festive jingle bell run. All runners receive a finisher’s medal and a shirt. Festive music will be played throughout the course, and a party on Main Street with complimentary food and beverages will follow the race. The race benefits Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Foundation and Big Bill Foundation.
Jazz at Two: A Tribute to Sinatra with John Rinell Trio
2 p.m. at Unitarian Universalists of Sarasota
$15-$20
Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.
Start spreading the news: It’s Ol’ Blue Eyes’ birthday. Francis Albert Sinatra was born Dec. 12, 1915 in Hoboken, New Jersey. Sponsored by the Jazz Club of Sarasota, this tribute to the Chairman of the Board is sure to fly you to the moon with Sinatra favorites played by Hokoken native John Rinell, who is a Sinatralogist.
Movie in the Park: 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas'
6-9 p.m. at 7301 Island Cove Terrace, Waterside Park
Free
Visit LakewoodRanch.com.
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" is the featured attraction for the Movie in the Park series that runs the second Friday of every month. The movie begins at sunset. The event is sponsored by Grace Community Church. The first 488 patrons will receive a free cheese or pepperoni cheese slice from Percoco's. Please bring a blanket or lawn chairs. Concessions will be available from We B’ Poppin Popcorn and Kettle Corn. Inflatables for the kids will be available at 6 p.m.
'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.
Sandy Claws Beach Run
8 a.m. at Siesta Beach
Adults $40; youth $30; 1-mile $20
Visit SarasotaCountyParks.com.
The annual Sandy Claws Beach Run returns to Siesta Beach. The 1-mile fun run begins at 8 a.m., and the 5K begins at 8:20 a.m. Pre-registered participants will receive an event T-shirt.
Porsches in the Park
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Armands Circle Park, 1 St. Armands Circle
Free
Visit StArmandsCircleAssoc.com.
Suncoast Motorsports hosts its annual event in St. Armands Circle. Spectacular Porsche cars from across the state will be on display.
Main Street Market
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Lakewood Ranch Main Street
Free
Visit MainStreetMarketLWR.com.
More than 70 local vendors will be out with food, beverages, retail and more at the boutique market, hosted by Main Street Market LWR.
‘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.
Healthy Harvest Fest
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Gamble Creek Farms, 14950 Golf Course Road, Parrish
Free
Call 941-539-8970.
Gamble Creek Farms hosts a Healthy Harvest Fest, with live entertainment, farm activities, local vendors, bounce houses, and health and wellness activities.
‘A Christmas Carol: The Concert’
3 p.m. at Manatee High School Davis Performing Arts Center, 902 33rd Street Court W, Bradenton
$35-$65
Visit ThePopsOrchestra.org.
The Pops Orchestra, celebrating its 50th year as a community orchestra, joins forces with the Manatee Players and the Manatee High School Chorus for its third production of Bob Christianson’s “A Christmas Carol, the Concert.” Based on the Dickens holiday classic, this program incorporates new songs and dances created for the 2013 Emmy Award-nominated PBS broadcast. Continues Dec. 14 at Riverview Performing Arts Center in Sarasota and Dec. 16 at Manatee High School.
Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights
6:30 p.m. on Sarasota Bay
Free
Visit SuncoastCharitiesForChildren.org.
Suncoast Charities for Children and Marina Jack present the annual Holiday Boat Parade of Lights on Sarasota Bay. Viewing is recommended from Bayfront Park, 5 Bayfront Drive, Sarasota, and Marina Jack, 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota. Boat registration is available online. Attendees are encouraged to bring a new and unwrapped toy or book for donation to Suncoast Charities for Children.
Sometimes in Winter
3 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 3131 61st St.
$5
Visit SuncoastConcertBand.org.
Like its affiliate music group, the Suncoast Concert Band, the Suncoast Jazz Ambassadors makes its home at Northminster Presbyterian Church. Now in its 39th year, the group is led by Dave DeWitt, a veteran educator and performer from the Buffalo, New York, area. This program, “Sometimes in Winter,” is a meditation on memory, loss and renewal. Please call 941-907-4123 to reserve a ticket and be sure to dial the right number.
Chanukah on Main Street
6-8 p.m. at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch, 8100 Lakewood Main St.
Free
Visit ChabadOfBradenton.com.
Chabad of Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch will celebrate Chanukah at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch. A menorah will be lit, and guests can enjoy kosher barbecue, falafel, latkes, face painting, donut decorating, live music and more.
Strings Con Brio: Holiday Concert
6:30 p.m. at Southside Baptist Church, 2035 Magnolia Street
$10
Visit StringsConBrio.org.
Strings Con Brio is one of the less-heralded gems of the Sarasota arts scene. Founded in 2015 by Monica Sirocchi, now executive director and a violinist in the ensemble, Strings Con Brio is led by conductor and artistic director Kenneth Bowermeister, former music director and conductor of The Venice Symphony and The Pops Orchestra.
Sarah Brightman: A Winter Symphony
7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$76 and up
Visit VanWezel.org.
Superstar soprano Sarah Brightman, a favorite with Sarasota audiences, returns to the Van Wezel with a holiday show featuring a live orchestra, choir and special guests. Brightman first achieved fame in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 1981 musical, “Cats,” in her West End debut. After retiring from acting, Brightman became a classical crossover artist by collaborating with producer Frank Peterson.
Michael Feinstein’s ‘Coming Home: The Holiday Celebration’
7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$56 and up
Visit VanWezel.org.
Broadway performer Michael Feinstein has emerged as the guardian of the Great American Songbook. The Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum-selling artist is the founder of the Great American Songbook Foundation in Carmel, Indiana. On Feinstein’s playlist for his holiday tour are such chestnuts as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Hannukah in Santa Monica” and “White Christmas."
Festival of Lights
6:30-8:30 p.m. at University Town Center under the Big Top tent
Free
Visit UTCSarasota.com/holidays.
The Festival of Lights at Hanukkah is hosted by University Town Center. The community celebration will be held inside Nik Wallenda's theater-sized circus tent in the UTC East District. The featured entertainer is Six13, a critically acclaimed six-man Jewish a cappella group known for its high-energy vocals and creative musical parodies. Based in New York City, Six13 has earned popularity for hits like “Bohemian Chanukah,” their spin on Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and “Era-lution,” a Taylor Swift–inspired medley retelling the Hanukkah story. The group has performed at prestigious venues including The White House, The Kennedy Center, and Madison Square Garden. In addition to the free concert, guests can enjoy face painting, family-friendly activities, and festive treats.
'Wheel of Fortune Live!'
7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$43 and up
Visit VanWezel.org.
Get the thrill of participating in a TV game show when "Wheel of Fortune Live!" comes to the Van Wezel. Contestants from the audience step into a replica of the set from the long-running TV show. Audience members compete for prizes, including trips to Paris or Hawaii and up to $10,000 cash.
Seraphic Fire
7:30 p.m. at Glenridge Performing Arts Center, 7333 Scotland Way
$40
Visit GPACTix.com.
Led by founder Patrick Dupre Quigley, Miami-based Seraphic Fire, takes its name from a line in an 18th-century hymn by William Billings, “Invocation,” which calls upon the divine to “fill us with Seraphic Fire.” The Grammy-nominated vocal ensemble will perform works by contemporary composers and classic carols.
