- January 8, 2026
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It's a new year, and with that comes a new slate of things to do. Here are some of the events you will want to mark on your calendar in 2026.
Jan. 16-18 at Sahib Shrine Event Center, 600 N. Beneva Road. Visit SarasotaNationalStampExhibition.com.
Established over 70 years ago, the Sarasota National Stamp Exhibition is a World Series of Philately event and the largest show of its kind in the state of Florida. The event has temporarily relocated to Sahib Shrine Event Center this year, due to ongoing renovations at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium. A booth of judges including American Philatelic Society and American Stamp Dealers Association dealers, and past judges of the show, will be available to provide free evaluations of collections.
Jan. 17 from Main Street, Sarasota to St. Armands Circle Park, 1 St. Armands Circle. Visit SarasotaFL.gov.
A major anniversary is arriving in 2026, as the Sarasota Yacht Club and St. Armands Circle, both founded in 1926, celebrate 100 years with the Century of Cars Parade and Car Show. The event will feature a total of 175 vehicles, between the parade and the exhibitors on the circle who will be dressed in period clothing to match the era of their car.
Jan. 19 from Robert L. Taylor Community Complex to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 1845 34th St. Visit SarasotaFL.gov.
Sarasota's community will honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with this annual memorial walk involving local schools and organizations. On that same day, the walk will be preceded by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast at Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, and followed by the Dr. MLK Medical/Wellness Fair and the Dr. MLK Park Festival at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park.
Jan. 24, May 16, July 11 and Oct. 31 at Sahib Shrine Center,
600 N. Beneva Road. Visit Repticon.com.
Reptile enthusiasts or those who are curious to learn more about these critters may want to take the opportunity to catch this traveling reptile exhibition and sale during one of its showings this year. The event features exotic reptiles and other creatures not normally found in pet stores, as well as supplies to help you care for your pet, and offers the chance to talk to breeders to learn about their animals.
Feb. 6-7 at Potter Building, Sarasota Fairgrounds, 2896 Ringling Blvd. Visit SarasotaShellClub.com.
The Sarasota Shell Club returns to the event scene this year with an expanded event known as the 2026 Sarasota Shell and Marine Life Festival. The experience will feature exotic, common and rare shells, rocks and minerals on display and for sale; jewelry; clothing and shell crafts for sale. A raffle for shells and coastal-inspired prizes will also be held. Guests will receive a free bag of shells with their admission fee. Some new participants include Turtle Watch, Bay Watch, Tampa Bay Fossil Club and the New College Marine Biology Department.
Feb. 13-15 at Sarasota Fairgrounds. Visit SuncoastCharitiesforChildren.org.
This three-day festival centered on music and motorcycles is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Suncoast Charities for Children, which supports funding for seven local nonprofits that benefit children, teens and adults with special needs. The event features continuous live music, a motorcycle charity ride, bike and car shows, food, more than 90 vendors, and on-site camping.
March 9-14. VIP Reception at John C. Court Cabaret, Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave., with the three main stage concerts at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail. Visit SarasotaJazzFestival.com.
The Sarasota Jazz Festival is dedicated to promoting the art form of jazz, featuring major names in the jazz world each year. The festival begins with the Monday Night Jazz Cabaret with Danny Sinoff (March 9) and continues with the Jazz Trolley Pub Crawl (March 10), Terell Stafford Quintet and Florida All State High School Jazz Band (March 12), the John Pizzarelli Trio and Sammy Figueroa (March 13), Arturo Sandoval Band and Michael Ross & the SRQ All Star Band (March 14). The event is hosted by Jazz Club of Sarasota, a membership-based nonprofit founded in 1980.
May 9 at Robarts Arena, 3000 Ringling Blvd. Visit SiestaCon.com.
This locally run comic con event returns for its third year. In past years, the event has feature numerous exhibitors, tournaments for major trading card games, memorabilia for sale, a cosplay contest, special guest stars you may recognize, and vehicles on display.
April 4 at Siesta Key Chapel, 4615 Gleason Ave. Visit My.SiestaKeyChamber.com.
The Siesta Key Chamber hosts this easter egg hunt each year on the grounds of the Siesta Key Chapel. The event features activities and surprises, with local organizations sharing their offerings, as well as the opportunity to meet the Easter Bunny.
July 4, Bayfront Park, 5 Bayfront Drive.
Each year, residents head to Bayfront Park on July 4 for the signature fireworks event of the Sarasota area. Suncoast Charities for Children has hosted the fireworks display in partnership with Marina Jack for more than a decade.
Late October, Sarasota Farmer's Market, N. Lemon Ave. Visit SarasotaFamersMarket.org.
Each year during October, the Destination Downtown Sarasota hosts this opportunity for the community and their pets to get into costume and showcase their creativity during the Halloween season. Past events have featured pets dressed as anything from characters from "The Wizard of Oz", to ice cream cones.
November 13-16, Siesta Key Beach, 948 Beach Road. Visit SiestaKeyCrystalClassic.com.
This highly anticipated annual event involves professional sand sculptors from around the world creating massive sculptures live in front of attendees over the course of the event. Hosted by the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, it helps support the business community of Siesta Key, and includes other activities such as a speed-sculpting contest featuring professional sculptors, and an amateur sculpting competition.
Dec. 5, along Main Street
Each year, the downtown area hosts Sarasota's holiday parade. The event includes numerous organizations from the community, featuring circus performers, dancers and local school bands and cheerleading teams, with participants showcasing their creativity and decorating skills. The event concludes in the arrival of Santa Claus.
