• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Arts + Entertainment

Keep the wonder alive during the most wonderful time of the year
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • November 26, 2025
Keep the wonder alive during the most wonderful time of the year

From twinkling lights to festive music to caroling on a trolley, there's something for everyone in this holiday sampler of eight events.

  • Arts + Culture
Lesley Rife, one of this year's organizers of Christmas in the Garden, said visitors have plenty to look forward to at this year's festivities, which start Nov. 30 at the Longboat Island Chapel garden.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 26, 2025
Longboat Island Chapel prepares for Christmas in the Garden

The beloved tradition on Longboat Key's north end returns on Nov. 30 and features decorated trees and nine-gig musical lineup.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Gary Mullen and the Works come to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Friday, Nov. 29.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 25, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Nov. 27-Dec. 3

Don't miss these arts and entertainment events around Sarasota and Manatee counties this week.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Nathan Benderson Park bridge, Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • November 25, 2025
Hermitage fellow is fixing the world one song at a time

Tom Lubben, the middle member of The Lubben Brothers, will perform with clarinetist Shawn Allison at Benderson Park in a Hermitage Sunsets concert.

  • Arts + Culture
Organizers of this year's Lawn Party by the Bay eagerly anticipate the foodie festival, which will feature more restaurants than ever before. From left, The Resort at Longboat Key Club Managing Director Rick Konsavage, Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key President Danielle Gladding, Children's Guardian Fund Executive Director Svetlana Ivashchenko and Kiwanis Club Past President Michael Garey.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 25, 2025
Kiwanis Lawn Party on City Island will host 32 restaurants

The charitable event is raising funds for the Children's Guardian Fund, which supports foster families throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • November 25, 2025
The Nutcracker in Sarasota

Come witness the timeless story of Clara and her adventures with The Nutcracker with The Sarasota Ballet

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Spotlight Partners
Sponsored Content
Sarasota actor Alan Kitty is launching a Mark Twain Festival at the Crocker Memorial Church, home of the Sarasota Historical Society, in Pioneer Park.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • November 24, 2025
Mark Twain is alive and well and living in Sarasota

Twain impersonator Alan Kitty is launching a festival to honor the noted author's 190th birthday.

  • Arts + Culture
Instead of a ribbon, a 180-pound blue fin tuna will be cut to celebrate the grand opening of Kuro Sushi.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 22, 2025
Kuro Sushi rolls into Lakewood Ranch

Instead of a ribbon-cutting, the grand opening celebration included a tuna-cutting ceremony.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Aaron Kaburick brandishes a fish in Asolo Repertory Theatre's production of "Come From Away."
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • November 22, 2025
'Come From Away' honors the best of humanity in the worst of times

Asolo Repertory Theatre's “Come From Away” celebrates the heroes who kept their heads when their world turned upside down.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • November 21, 2025
P3 - Masters of Movement

With two highly praised choreographers, Program Three promises to blend classical ballet with narrative style.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Spotlight Partners
Sponsored Content
A perfectly seared cowboy ribeye — one of B&B's signature cuts — served with a loaded baked potato and bourbon-lacquered flair.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • November 21, 2025
The story behind a refined steakhouse experience with hometown heart

B&B Chophouse & Market in Lakewood Ranch delivers classic cuts and modern flair and lets guests take the flavor home.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Sarasota arts scene serves up holiday classics, explores the modern 9-to-5
    By
  • Su Byron
  • November 21, 2025
Sarasota arts scene serves up holiday classics, explores the modern 9-to-5

Across the region, creativity is flourishing — from bold new theater and centennial celebrations to music and dance that lift the spirit.

  • Arts + Culture
Co-owners Jason Klamson, Sam Ray and Jeffrey Karasawa
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 20, 2025
Sarasota's Tsunami Sushi prepares to reopen under new name

With its new spot in the Rosemary District, Hanami Sushi Cocktails & Grill will fuse Japanese culture with Sarasota history.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Vicky Henderson and Tory Delaney at Allswell
    By
  • Marty Fugate, Su Byron
  • November 20, 2025
New Lakewood Ranch restaurants serve up fresh culinary offerings for every taste

With innovation on the menu, these five eateries bring a whole host of dining options to town.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Anxious travelers are desperate to contact loved ones after they are stranded in Gander, Newfoundland, in Asolo Rep's production of "Come From Away."
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • November 19, 2025
Asolo Rep tells a story of Canadian hospitality with 'Come From Away'

When 7,000 travelers were grounded in Gander on 9/11, locals opened their homes — and their hearts.

  • Arts + Culture
« 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Arts + Entertainment

1
The building at the corner of N. Boulevard of the Presidents and Madison Drive may be the location of a revived Shore Restaurant on St. Armands Circle.
  • December 12, 2025
Shore Restaurant could return to St. Armands
2
Many holiday events took place the first weekend of December, but there are still plenty of opportunities for festive fun to have on the keys.
  • December 11, 2025
Catch Santa on Longboat Key before Christmas
3
A Kwanzaa display rests on the table during the event.
  • December 11, 2025
Kwanzaa celebration prepares community for the holiday
4
The moon rises as German and English troops gather together in "No Man's Land" to celebrate the birth of Christ in Asolo Rep's "All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914."
  • December 10, 2025
'All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914' returns to Historic Asolo Theater
5
Paul Nicholas and David Cantor form an unlikely friendship in Florida Studio Theatre's "A Tailor Near Me."
  • December 9, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Dec. 11-17

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2025 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now