11 Events and Things to Do in Sarasota This February

February is an exciting month in Sarasota! With perfect weather, plenty of sunshine, and lots of fun things to do, Sarasota is the perfect place to visit this month. Whether you are looking for festivals and fairs, a night out on the town, or some of the best events and things to do in Sarasota, you won't be disappointed. Here are 11 of the top events and things to do in Sarasota this February.

Mr. Swindle's Traveling Peculiarium

January 26th - February 5th, Show Times Vary | Robarts Arena

Are you looking for a unique and exciting event to experience this February in Sarasota? If so, then you don't want to miss out on the one and only Mr. Swindle's Traveling Peculiarium! This 90-minute show is sure to have you astonished and entertained. It features classic vintage amusement, live acrobats, and comedy, creating an experience like none other.

The show also includes the Drink-Ory Garden which features perplexing potions, bitter brews, and mischievous medicines that will make you feel like you've been transported to a whole other world! The show is especially impressive for an adult audience and is produced by Salto Entertainment of Florida, owned and operated by Allison Blei and Ivan España. So, if you're looking for an amazing night out, make sure to check out Mr. Swindle's Traveling Peculiarium this February in Sarasota!

Music on Main at Lakewood Ranch

February 3rd, 6pm-9pm | Lakewood Ranch Main Street

Music on Main is a free monthly concert series and block party held on the first Friday of every month. Held on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch, Music on Main draws crowds from far and wide to enjoy an evening of live music and festivities. There are food vendors, beer trucks, sponsor booths, and plenty of games and activities for the kids. As if that wasn't enough, the proceeds from each Music on Main event benefit a different local non-profit organization every month. This makes Music on Main the perfect event for individuals looking to enjoy a fun night out in Lakewood Ranch while helping to make a difference in the local community!

Florida State Fair

February 9th-20th, Hours Vary | Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa

If you’re looking for a fun and exciting event this February in Sarasota, look no further than the Florida State Fair! This year’s fair offers something for everyone, from delicious fair food and thrilling rides to exciting events like live bands, a Florida Gun Show, Racing Pigs, Wet & Wild Air Show, Circus Hollywood, Cycle Circus, and more. Get ready for 12 days of fun for the whole family! Enjoy traditional fair foods like corn dogs and cotton candy, take a spin on a Ferris wheel, or watch an amazing show. With so many activities and entertainment options available, the Florida State Fair is sure to provide a memorable experience.

Hours

Monday - Thursday: 11am-9pm

Friday-Sunday & President’s Day: 10am-9pm

Outdoor Concessions and the Midway will remain open after 9:00 p.m. Closing times will vary based on attendance and weather conditions.

Circus Sarasota

February 10th-March 5th, Show Times Vary | Nathan Benderson Park's Regatta Island

Celebrate 25 years of Circus Sarasota this February with an incredible show packed full of new and innovative acts, high-flying action, heart-stopping thrills, and laugh-out-loud comedic antics. As part of the celebration, the show will close with a world-premiere performance by a duo straps act from Ukraine!

Circus Sarasota's show is sure to amaze and delight audiences of all ages. Acts include tempo diabolo (juggling), hand balancing, tight wire, aerial silks, and a three-story unicycle! These amazing performers will be taking the stage under the Ulla Searing Big Top on Nathan Benderson Park's Regatta Island.

Don’t miss out on the fun! Tickets can be purchased by visiting CircusArts.org or calling the Box Office at 941-355-9805.

@housematchfl And that’s a wrap on Circus Sarasota 2023 🎪 Bravo, @circusartssrq! Who made it to the circus in #sarasota this year for their 25th anniversary? 🙋‍♂️ #thingstodoinsarasota #circussarasota #circus ♬ Circus - Britney Spears

Bradenton Area River Regatta on the Manatee River

February 11th, 10am-7pm | Manatee River

The Bradenton Area River Regatta on the Manatee River is an over-the-top exhilaration event featuring traditional festival favorites and exciting water-based spectacles. Get ready to watch world-class Powerboat Superleague Formula-2 and SST-45 races, as well as witness a Frisbee flying show from Team Zoom and Daredevil Dogs showing off their canine trick antics. World fly-boarding Champion Kristen Smoyer will also be performing on the river. There are also fun-filled kid zones on both shores of the river, plus a world-class drone show from Sky Elements that will have you in awe! All of this takes place on Saturday, February 11th, 2023, and best of all, it’s free! Don’t miss out on the unique opportunity to experience the Bradenton Area River Regatta on the Manatee River.

12th Annual Superhero 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run

February 11th, 8:20am | Nathan Benderson Park

This February, take part in the Foster Care Awareness Event at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Florida. The Superhero 5K and 1-mile Fun Run is more than just a race! Starting with a Kids' Fun Run at 8:30 am, followed by a 5K CHIP START between 9-9:05 am. Enjoy music, a kiddie zone, food and giveaways, all with a superhero theme. Participants are encouraged to dress up as their favorite superhero for an extra-special experience. Trophies will be awarded to the Best Superhero Family, Best Male & Female Superhero Costumes, Team Spirit (Team With Most Runners), and Best Pet Superhero Costume. This event offers both in-person and virtual racing options. Don't miss out on this exciting event!

35th Annual Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts

February 11th-12th, 10am-5pm | Downtown Sarasota Main Street

This February, you can experience the best of Sarasota's art scene at the Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts! Located on Main Street from Orange Avenue to Links Avenue, this festival has been ranked among the top 100 art festivals in the nation by Sunshine Artist Magazine.

At the Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts, you'll find an array of unique art pieces, from life-size sculptures to paintings, jewels, photography, and ceramics. Plus, parking is free and pets on leashes are welcome!

Not only is the Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts a great opportunity to appreciate local art, but it also benefits the Downtown Sarasota Alliance. Proceeds from the Festival go towards promoting Sarasota's downtown area and making it a thriving, vibrant community. So come out to the Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts this February and support local artists while helping out your community!

Thunder By The Bay Sarasota Music & Motorcycle Festival

February 17th-19th, Hours Vary | Sarasota Fairgrounds

The Thunder By The Bay Sarasota Music & Motorcycle Festival is a three-day event that features some of the biggest names in music and motorcycles. This year's headline acts include 38 Special and Colt Ford. The Festival also includes over 100 vendors, a 17 class bike show, freestyle motorcycle shows, a charity motorcycle ride, great food, and on-site camping.

All proceeds from the Festival go towards Suncoast Charities for Children, which provides funding support to several local non-profits serving over 8,000 children, teens, and adults with special needs. Over the past 24 years, Thunder By The Bay Sarasota Music & Motorcycle Festival has raised over $2.3 Million for charity.

If you're looking for a fun event that also supports a great cause, don't miss out on Thunder By The Bay Sarasota Music & Motorcycle Festival!

Hours

Friday Gate Hours: 5pm-10pm

Saturday Gate Hours: 11am-10pm

Sunday Gate Hours: Noon-5pm

Beertopia 2023

February 18th, 6:30pm | Manatee Fairgrounds

If you’re looking for a great way to spend your February night, check out Beertopia 2023 in Sarasota! This event offers craft beers, seltzers and liquor from local breweries, along with delicious dishes from local restaurants and live music to get you in the mood for a party. There will also be a silent and live auction, as well as raffle tickets up for grabs.

Beertopia 2023 is presented by Kona Brewing Co. Big Wave Golden Ale and benefits the Eye Center Inc Vision Foundation and the Hernando De Soto Historical Society. Tickets cost $60 per person, and all attendees must be 21 years old or older. Get your tickets now and enjoy a night of beer and food sampling while giving back to your community!

Venice Italian Feast and Carnival

February 23rd-26th, Hours Vary | Venice Florida Airport Festival Grounds

The Venice Italian Feast and Carnival is a four-day event held each year in late February that celebrates its 34th anniversary in 2023 and promises to be bigger and better than ever. This is an event for all ages, from young families to seniors, featuring a daily and nightly full schedule of live music. Musical styles range from swing jazz, rock, oldies, Doo Wop, and Las Vegas Legends.

The star of the event, however, is the food. Everything and anything Italian is served at the event, including such delights as sausage and peppers, meatballs, pizza and pizza fritta, pasta fagioli, zeppole, cannoli and other pastries, chicken, Stromboli, ravioli, spaghetti, Italian ice and ice cream, ribs and gyros, cheese steaks, calamari, calzones, salads, and Italian novelties. The variety of food at the Feast is sure to delight any palette!

Make sure to join us for this 34th annual Venice Italian Feast and Carnival for an unforgettable experience of Italian culture, food, and entertainment.

The event starts at 4pm on Thursday and Friday, and noon on Saturday and Sunday.

Reggae Block Party

February 25th, 4pm-12am | The Gator Club

The 7th annual Reggae Music Block Party will be held downtown Sarasota at Lemon Ave and Main Street in front of the Gator Club to honor the late musician Oswald Caines. There will be a variety of activities available at the event, including food, drinks, live bands, DJs, kid activities, raffles, and more. Inside the Gator Club, you can enjoy live bands and DJs all night. General admission tickets are $35 in advance for ages 12 and up, and a portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit Queens of Domestic Violence Awareness. The drink of the night will be Jamaican Rum Punch made with Jamaica's #1 Rum, Wray and Nephew! This is an all-ages event (parental discretion) - children under 12 are free, and those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Note that large backpacks, pets, coolers, and outside food/drink are not allowed, though service animals are permitted and bringing your own chairs is encouraged!