Embrace community spirit as you immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of events happening throughout the Suncoast this winter and spring. From lively music festivals and art fairs to delicious culinary experiences and engaging community gatherings, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

January 2024 events:

January 18 – 21:  St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show. Experience the Gulf Coast’s Largest Boat Show, where you can discover an impressive array of powerboats and sailboats both on the water and on land. Thursday-Saturday 10am-6pm; Sun 10am-5pm. Duke Energy Center for the Arts Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin, Albert Whitted Park in St. Petersburg, Florida. General admission tickets are priced at $22, with complimentary entry for kids aged 15 and under. Tickets $22, 15 and under free, active duty military and Veterans free with proof of military service. Tickets can only be purchased online.

January 19 – 21: Sarasota Bradenton Home Show. Designed for homeowners thinking about or already remodeling, landscaping, or decorating their homes, this show offers discounted products, kitchens, baths, contractors, ideas, and so much more! Fri – Sat: 10am-7pm, Sun: 10am-5pm. Robarts Arena, Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. Admission is free with online registration or $10 at the door. Parking is free.

January 19 – 21: St. Armands International Food Truck & Music Festival. Indulge in a diverse range of culinary delights, from local favorites to international delicacies. While savoring scrumptious dishes, enjoy live music featuring a diverse range of musical styles. Fri 4-10pm, Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 11am-6pm. Ken Thompson Park, 1700 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL. Free admission.

January 20 | 8am: 24th Annual Scrub Jay 5K & 10K run. Get some exercise while supporting Florida Scrub-Jay conservation and habitat restoration. Put on by the Friends of Oscar Scherer Park. Various running packages available, including the 5K and Scramble 10K, which utilize different starts and courses. Post-race party by the Nature Center and pavilions. Fee $45-54. Oscar Scherer State Park, 1843 S. Tamiami Trail. Race fee $45-$54.

January 20 – 21: Venice-Nokomis Rotary’s 32nd Annual Fine Art & Craft Festival.  Showcasing skilled artists and craftspeople, the event draws in thousands of attendees admiring the work of over 85 talented artists. Live music, great food and drinks, kid’s area, family-friendly activities, antique/classic automobiles, and more. Proceeds support local non-profit organizations. Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-4pm.  Venice Airport Festival Grounds. 610 Airport Ave E, Venice, Price $5 at the gate. Kids 10 and under free.

January 22: Monday Night Jazz at the Florida Studio Theatre Court Cabaret. Experience an electrifying night of jazz in an intimate setting downtown. Concert starts at 7:30pm; doors open at 6:30pm for food and beverage service. Florida Studio Theatre, First St and Cocoanut Av, Sarasota. Tickets starting from $34.

January 22 | 7pm: Venice Concert Band’s “No Strings Attached” This program showcases the repertoire of both the symphony orchestra and contemporary concert band presenting pieces ranging from Samuel Barber to Duke Ellington and Rimsky-Korsakov to Lerner and Lowe. Venice Performing Arts Center (VPAC), 1 Indian Avenue, Venice. Tickets $14.

January 26-27 | 9am-4pm: Experience an exciting and fun shopping extravaganza at the American Vintage Markets, which offers a large variety of vintage delights ranging from home décor, collectibles, jewelry, clothing, and a whole lot more. Robarts Arena, Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota. Tickets $8. Kids 16 and under are free. Free parking.

January 27 | 11am-6pm: 13th Annual Chili, Beer, & Blues Fest in Punta Gorda. Enjoy a day of delicious chili, live blues music and craft beers. There will be food vendors, chili teams and a full liquor bar, too. Laishley Park, 150 Laishley Ct., Punta Gorda. Tickets $7.50 in advance, $10 at the gate.

January 27 | 9am-9pm:  Annual Gasparilla Festival. Land Ho! Enjoy a day of pirate fun with various events starting at 10am and lasting ‘til 10pm, including the pirate invasion re-enactment at the Tampa Convention Center from 11:30am-1pm, the Parade of Pirates 2-6pm and live music 10am-8pm along the Tampa River Walk. Free.

January 27-28: Sarasota Florida Antiques Show. Explore a diverse selection of items, from vintage furniture to rare coins, antique jewelry, and more from national and international exhibitors. Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm. Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Admission $8.

January 27-28 | 10am-5pm: 21^st Annual St. Armand’s Circle’s Art Festival. National and local artists display their fine works in this prestigious art show that offers life-sized sculptures, fine jewelry, striking works of art, hand-crafted apparel, décor and more. Inside St. Armands Circle. Free admission.

January 27 – 28 | 10am-5pm: 16th Annual Downtown Venice Craft Festival. Peruse and purchase from a wide variety of artists specializing in ceramics, jewelry, stained glass, metal works and more. There will also be live flora, freshly popped kettle corn, gourmet spices, and sauces. West Venice Avenue in downtown Venice. Free admission.

February 2024 events:

February 2 | 6-9pm: Enjoy live music every first Friday with Music on Main in downtown Lakewood Ranch. Chairs are allowed, but no coolers, please. Beer, wine, and food are available for purchase. Dogs on a leash are welcome. Overflow parking available at the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. Main Street, Lakewood Ranch. Free.

February 2-4:  Spend a fun day at the 5th Annual Englewood Seafood & Music Festival. Enjoy delicious seafood and other delicacies while listening to live music, and perusing a large variety arts, crafts, jewelry, fine products, and more! Fri 4-10pm, Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 11am-6pm. Pioneer Park off West Dearborn Street, Englewood. Free.

February 2-4: For the coolest music festival around, attend the 4th Annual Bradenton Cigar Box Festival in the Village of the Arts. Workshops, vendors and a range of cigar box guitars and other hand-made instruments will be on display. Enjoy delicious eats, free parking, and the best local shopping around. Fri 6- 9:30pm, Sat 11am-4pm. Village of the Arts Square, 9th Ave W – 17th Ave W, Bradenton. Free admission.

February 3-4 & 10: Go back in time during the Crowley Museum & Nature Center “Myakka River Rendezvous.” Enjoy living history demonstrations, food vendors, blacksmithing, black powder demonstrations, archery, and old time games. Crowley Museum & Nature Center, 16405 Myakka Road, Sarasota. Admission $10; $5 for children 3-12.

February 3-4: 57^th Annual Venice Area Orchid Society Show & Sale. Orchid lovers rejoice as you take in the beauty of thousands of blooming orchids on display. Free orchid classes and orchid art and supplies are available for purchase. Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm. Venice Community Center, 326 S. Nokomis Ave., Venice. Admission $5, children under 10 free.

February 4 | 10am-3pm: Temple Sinai’s 16th Annual Sarasota Jewish Food Festival. Delight your tastebuds with a wide range of traditional Jewish food like kugel, blintzes, matzoh ball soup, desserts, and more. Jewelry, arts and crafts vendors on site. Bring non-perishable food donations for All Faiths Food Bank. Receive free food tickets when you donate blood; Suncoast Bloodbank mobile on-site all day. Free admission. Temple Sinai, 4631 S Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota. Free admission.

Feb 5-May 20 | 6-9pm: Ringling by the Bay. 2 Mondays each month from now through May you can enjoy live music and dancing against a gorgeous backdrop of Sarasota Bay. Food and drinks available for purchase. Tickets available 1 month prior to the event $20/$10 for members. Limited number of tickets available and they sell out fast.

February 8 | 5-8pm: Chocolate Walk in Downtown Venice. Chocolate bliss awaits you on the avenues in historic downtown Venice for mouth-watering chocolate treats, drinks, chocolate-themed items, ice cream, and more! Downtown Venice.

February 1 & March 7 | 8-11pm: Ringling Underground. Enjoy live music, art and loads of atmosphere in the Ringling Museum of Art Courtyard. Featuring an eclectic mix of local, regional, and national live music and up-and-coming artists displaying their work. John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. Tickets $15; free for Students with ID; free for members; free with Art after 5 admission.

February 10 | 8:30am: 13th Annual Superhero 5K & Fun Run. Dress up as your favorite superhero to show support for children in our community who come from hard places. Walk, run, sponsor, or volunteer! Kids’ Fun Run starts at 8:30am. The 5K will be on a chip start between 9 – 9:05am. You will receive an official chip time and place. The start/finish line will be on the island near the rowing finish tower. Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Cir, Sarasota. $20-$45.