- December 23, 2025
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'Wonderland: Believe’
2 and 6 p.m. at LECOM Big Top at UTC, 195 University Town Center Drive
$20 and up
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.
Sailor Circus Holiday Show
2 and 7 p.m. at Sailor Circus Arena, 2075 Bahia Vista St.
$20-$40
Visit CircusArts.org.
Come see the local stars of America's longest-running youth circus, now in its 76th year, in this annual Sailor Circus Holiday Show. Get thrills and chills as performers aged 6-18 demonstrate their mastery of circus arts such as the flying trapeze, lyra, silks, hula hoop and more. There will be clowns, but they're fun, not scary. Runs through Dec. 29.
‘A Tailor Near Me’
7 p.m. at FST's Keating Theatre, 1241 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.
‘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.
‘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.
WBTT’s Weekend of Soul
2 and 7:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave.
$20-$50
Visit WestcoastBlackTheatreTroupe.org.
Come hear the stars of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe perform your favorite R&B and soul favorites. WBTT’s inaugural Weekend of Soul features Ariel Blue, Brian L. Boyd, Jazzmin Carson, Christopher Eisenberg, Raleigh Moseley II, Michael Mejia-Mendez, Leon Pitts II, Maicy Page and Stephanie Zandra singing hits by Aretha Franklin, the Temptations, the Commodores, Earth, Wind and Fire and More. Here’s hoping this post-Christmas jam becomes a Sarasota tradition. Runs through Dec. 28.
FST Improv: Resolution Rewind
7:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Bowne’s Lab, 1265 First St.
$15-$18
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
If you’re looking for a fun way to wave the old year good-bye, there’s no better place than FST Improv’s Resolution Rewind show featuring games, sketches and more. Be ready for lots of audience interaction as patrons are encouraged to shout out their highlights of 2025 and toast the new year. Think Auld Lang Syne meets “SNL.” Repeats Dec. 31.
‘Art Deco: The Golden Age of Illustration’
11 a.m. at the Sarasota Art Museum campus of Ringling College, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail
Free for museum members; $20
Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org.
The Sarasota Art Museum celebrates the 100th anniversary of the expo 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.
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.
Soundbox Fellowship Program Mini Festival
2:30 p.m. at Selby Library, 1331 First St.
Free
Visit SoundboxVentures.org.
Max Tan’s Soundbox Ventures will hold an open rehearsal of contemporary classical music works from its Jan. 2 concert program, followed by a brief lecture by faculty composer Sean Friar and a public workshop of one newly composed work by a student. Runs through Jan. 2.
Straight No Chaser
7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$38.50 and up
Visit VanWezel.org.
Founded in 1996 at Indiana University, the a capella male group Straight No Chaser has become nothing short of a sensation. Rather than blue blazers, khakis and striped ties, these guys exude Rat Pack glamour with snappy suits and skinny ties. As the original members of the group have moved on, they have been replaced by fresh voices. It all adds up to more than 1 billion streams on Pandora, 2 million albums sold worldwide and 1.5 million concert tickets sold.
Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert
7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$66.29 and up
Visit VanWezel.org.
If your idea of heaven is a Viennese waltz, this is the new year’s show for you. The Salute to Vienna New Year's concert pays tribute to the magnificent string music of Johann Strauss Jr. It celebrates the 200th anniversary of the composer's birth, with overtures, arias and duets that bring back the days of Vienna's Golden Age, when it was the musical capital of the world.
Perlman Music Program Winter Residency
7:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 2050 Oak St.
Free
Visit PerlmanMusicProgramSuncoast.org.
The Perlman Music Program Suncoast has moved its winter residency from the USF Sarasota Manatee Campus to central Sarasota locations, after more than two decades. This year, patrons are being asked to register in advance for the first time. This requirement should not be taken lightly since demand is high to see virtuoso violinist Itzhak Perlman teach and rehearse PMP students. Runs through Jan. 10.
New Year’s Eve Gala
7 p.m. at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St.
$450
Visit Selby.org.
There are few places better to be in Sarasota on New Year’s Eve than Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. You get private access to the “Lights in Bloom” holiday extravaganza, followed by a cocktail hour and a seated black tie dinner with a performance from The Sarasota Ballet’s Margaret Barbieri conservatory and dancing to DJ Karim. Watch the fireworks over Sarasota Bay and toast the new year with champagne, knowing your care is safe and secure in the Morganroth Family Living Energy Access Facility, which has a garage. Or have your limo or an Uber whisk you home.
NYE Downtown Pineapple Drop
1 p.m. near the corner of Main St. and Lemon Ave.
Free
Visit SarasotaFL.gov.
If you’re in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, you’ll see the ball drop at midnight. If you’re in downtown Sarasota, you’ll be watching a pineapple. The festivities start at 1 p.m. in Five Points Park with a carnival featuring live music and deejays on three outdoor stages and plenty of food and drink options. The illuminated pineapple drops at midnight, followed by fireworks over Sarasota Bay, courtesy of Marina Jack.
New Year's Eve at UTC
7-9 p.m. at University Town Center Sarasota, 210 North Cattlemen Road
Free
Visit UTCSarasota.com.
For those who can't stay up all the way until midnight, UTC is hosting a family evening featuring Spheres Bubble Show with Blaise Ryndes, a DJ, food, face painting and a countdown to a 9 p.m. fireworks show.
New Year's Eve at Waterside
7 p.m. to midnight at Waterside Place
Free
Visit WatersidePlace.com.
Bring in the new year at a block party that features live music from NoFilter, food trucks, the Neon Nostalgia Arcade, and a drone show at midnight. There will be plenty of activities to entertain those of all ages, including LED mini golf, inflatables, face painting, airbrushed tattoos and more.
