WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND?!
Fri-Sun, Jan 10th-12th, Time Varies | Seafood & Music Festival | Sarasota County Fairgrounds & Robarts Arena | 3000 Ringling Boulevard
The Sarasota Seafood & Music Festival offers a vibrant weekend filled with delicious food, exceptional live music, and a lively arts and crafts marketplace. This event features freshly prepared seafood, meats, and vegetarian dishes, paired with delightful sides, beverages, and desserts. Visitors can relax to live performances spanning R&B, jazz, rock, and soul, with top regional talent set to take the stage. Between the music, explore a marketplace showcasing unique art, gourmet items, and handcrafted treasures. With its perfect blend of flavors, sounds, and sights, this festival promises an unforgettable experience.
Fri, Jan 10th, 4pm | Lo’ Key Island Grille Grand Opening | Lo’ Key Island Grille | 5620 Gulf of Mexico Drive
The grand opening of Lo’ Key Island Grille introduces an exciting new dining destination on Longboat Key, featuring a scratch kitchen serving fresh seafood, pulled pork, oysters, and a variety of flavorful dishes. This coastal-inspired eatery combines mouthwatering cuisine with laid-back island vibes, creating the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy the beauty of the area. Guests can look forward to an inviting atmosphere where every dish is crafted with care and packed with flavor. Whether stopping by for a quick bite or lingering to soak in the island charm, this new addition promises to be a must-visit for locals and visitors alike.
Sat-Sun, Jan 11th-12th | Winter Fine Art Festival | JD Hamel Park | Main Street & Gulfstream Avenue
The Annual Sarasota Fine Art Festival transforms Sarasota into an extraordinary outdoor gallery, showcasing original, handmade artwork from talented local, regional, and national artisans. This highly regarded event features an array of creations, including paintings, sculptures, jewelry, photography, glass, ceramics, fiber art, woodworking, and more. Visitors can explore the diverse collection, engage with artists, and even discuss the possibility of commissioning a unique piece tailored to their needs. Perfect for art collectors, those seeking to enhance their home or office, or anyone wishing to support the arts, this festival ranks as one of Florida’s most celebrated fine art events.
Sat-Sun, Jan 11th-12th, 12pm | Barbeque Festival & Competition | Vinoy Park | 799 Bayshore Drive NE
The Tampa Bay Barbecue Festival & Competition brings an epic weekend of mouthwatering barbecue, featuring over 20 of the nation’s top pitmasters serving brisket, ribs, and more. Set in St. Petersburg’s Vinoy Park, this event combines incredible food with live music, craft cocktails, bourbon sampling, and pork butt tastings for a flavorful experience. Guests can explore over 50 arts and crafts vendors, watch live mural artists in action, and enjoy games and prizes. Perfect for barbecue lovers and festivalgoers alike, this event promises a smokin’ good time packed with food, fun, and entertainment.
Sat, Jan 11th, 5:30pm | Hobo Campfire Cookout | Florida Railroad Museum | 12210 83rd Street E
The Hobo Campfire Cookout offers a unique and entertaining 2.5-hour evening adventure to a hobo camp, perfect for all ages. Guests can gather around campfires to enjoy classic hobo stories while roasting as many hot dogs and marshmallows as they please. This experience features multiple service options, including the comfortable, climate-controlled Excursion Class with assigned seating, the open-air Hobo Class with first-come, first-served seating, and the exclusive Party Caboose, which accommodates up to 16 guests and allows for private dining with personal food and non-alcoholic beverages. With restrooms available in all classes and a museum host on hand for assistance, this cookout is a fun, family-friendly event filled with warmth, stories, and delicious campfire treats.
