20 Things to Do in Sarasota This March

Sarasota, Florida is an amazing place to explore any time of the year, but March is especially special! With spring in full bloom, temperatures starting to warm up, and St. Patrick's Day quickly approaching, there are plenty of exciting events and activities to do in Sarasota this month. From outdoor adventures to cultural experiences, here are 20 things to do in Sarasota this March.

Brown Bag Concert Series

Every Thursday through March 31st, 12pm - 1pm | Phillippi Estate Park

The Brown Bag Concert Series at Phillippi Estate Park is a great way to enjoy the music of local artists while taking in the beauty of the park. Taking place every Thursday through the end of March from noon to 1 p.m., this free event is perfect for anyone looking for a relaxing afternoon outdoors. All you need to do is bring your lunch and a chair or blanket and you’ll be ready to enjoy some music in the park. Admission and parking are both free, so it’s a great way to save money while having fun!

Ski-A-Rees Water Ski Show

Every Sunday through May 7th, 2pm | Ski-A-Ree Stadium

The Ski-A-Rees Water Ski Show is a long-standing tradition in Sarasota that has been going on since 1957! Held every Sunday at the Ski-A-Rees Stadium near Mote Aquarium, the show starts at 2 p.m. and lasts for about a half hour. This ski show includes performances from the National Champion water ski team that never fails to put on an exciting show. Whether you’re a water sports enthusiast or just looking for something to do in Sarasota, this is definitely worth checking out. The 2023 season runs through May 7th, so don’t miss out on this incredible show!

Music on Main at Lakewood Ranch

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

Music on Main is a free monthly concert series and block party held on the first Friday of every month. This month, Jack’d Up will fill the air with radio friendly music hits from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, and the event will benefit Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library, Inc. 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!

Downtown Sarasota Blues Festival

March 3rd-5th, Hours Vary | J.D. Hamel Park

If you love blues music, you won’t want to miss the Downtown Sarasota Blues Festival at J.D. Hamel Park! Admission is free so you can enjoy a great day of music in the sunshine without spending a dime.

The festival will feature some of the best blues musicians in the area, including John Long, Doug Deming & The Jewel Tones, Sean Chambers, Memphis Rub Band, Joey Gilmore Band, Memphis Lightning, Frank Bang, Lee Boys, Bridget Kelly Band, JP Soars & The Red Hots, Mike Hund and His Allstar Band.

You can also fill up on delicious food and drinks from local vendors as you listen to the tunes. Plus, there will be a marketplace of fine arts, crafts, and select fine products and food items for sale. Make sure to mark your calendars for this awesome event and don't miss out!

Hours: Friday 4 p.m.-10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. -10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

17th Annual Firestone Grand Prix

March 3rd-5th, Hours Vary | Downtown St. Petersburg

The 17th Annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is a premier racing event taking place this March in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Firestone Grand Prix is a 1.8-mile, 14-turn temporary circuit that uses the streets circling Pioneer Park, the Duke Energy Center for the Arts, The Dalí Museum and extending onto the runways at Albert Whitted Airport. As always, the race itself is sure to provide high-octane entertainment with top drivers competing for the win. So if you’re looking for something to do in Sarasota this March, be sure to check out the 17th Annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg!

Annual Leprechaun Hunt

March 11th, 10am - 11am | The Children’s Garden & Art Center

Calling all leprechaun hunters! Join in on the fun at the Annual Leprechaun Hunt in Sarasota. This event is open to all ages and will be filled with activities, games, and prizes. Admission is free for children 0-2, $6 for children 3-12, $10 for teens and adults and $9 for seniors. Come out and enjoy a day of adventure and fun! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to hunt for the elusive leprechauns, as well as enjoy a variety of activities for people of all ages. Join in on the Leprechaun Hunt and make some magical memories!

Le Marché Bohémien Market

March 11th, 10am - 5pm | Five Points Park

Le Marché Bohémien Market is a fun event to check out in Sarasota this March. This open-air marketplace features eclectic, chic, salvaged, coastal, re-purposed, vintage and epicurean “treats, treasures and art”. Admission to the market is free and food and beverages will be available for purchase. This is a great opportunity to find unique items for yourself or for a special gift!

Annual Irish Celtic Festival & Lucky Dog Parade

March 11th, 11:30am - 4pm | Greenbrook Adventure Park

If you’re looking for a fun and unique way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year, look no further than the Annual Irish Celtic Festival & Lucky Dog Parade in Sarasota! This beloved event is free to attend, with a $5 fee for parking. There will be plenty of traditional Celtic food, craft beers, hard ciders, and entertainment for all ages.

The day will include face painting, park fun, and most notably the Lucky Dog Parade. Participants can enter their pup for a chance to win Most Irish, Cutest, or Dog/Owner Look Alike awards. For those looking for a bit more adventure, there will also be a Relay Race with prizes for the winners. So come out and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the Annual Irish Celtic Festival & Lucky Dog Parade!

10th Annual Sarasota Cigar Box Festival

March 11th, 1pm - 10pm | Big Top Brewing

Join in the celebration at the 10th Annual Sarasota Cigar Box Festival! This event is perfect for cigar box music lovers and appreciators alike. Enjoy a day of fun featuring some of the best Cigar Box players around, Cigar Box Vendors, workshops, food trucks, and a full day of fun Music.

This year’s festival will feature performances by John Merry Go Round, Stumpy Joe, Memphis Lightning, JP Soars, Steve Arvey, and more. Experience the joys of the unique style of music that only the Cigar Box guitar can produce and enjoy local food and drinks from the many food trucks and vendors. Whether you’re an experienced Cigar Box guitarist or just looking to experience something new and unique, the 10th Annual Sarasota Cigar Box Festival is the perfect place for you!

Annual Anna Maria Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade

March 12th, 4pm - 6pm | Anna Maria Island

This year's St. Patrick's Day Parade in Holmes Beach and Anna Maria Island is scheduled for March 2023. This lively event will begin at City Hall and make its way along the route ending at The Center of Anna Maria Island Community Center. This family-friendly event is sure to be a great time with plenty of activities, music, food, and fun!

Parade route: The route will begin in Holmes Beach at City Hall (5801 Marina Dr.) and continue down Marina Dr. to Palm Drive to Gulf Dr., right onto Pine Ave., Tarpon St. and onto Magnolia Ave. It will end at The Center of Anna Maria Island Community Center (407 Magnolia Ave)

Sarasota Jazz Festival

March 13th - 18th, Hours Vary | Nathan Benderson Park

The Sarasota Jazz Festival is one of the most anticipated events of the year in Sarasota. Hosted by the Jazz Club of Sarasota, the festival features live performances from some of the world’s top jazz musicians, as well as jazz film events and the popular jazz trolley pub crawl.

Enjoy music from renowned artists such as GRAMMY winner, Terell Stafford, 15 GRAMMY and LATIN GRAMMY Awards, Paquito D’Rivera, GRAMMY-nominated guitarist, Diego Figueiredo and more. Food and beverages will be available for purchase during the festival. Tickets must be purchased for the main stage events, jazz film events and the jazz trolley pub crawl. VIP tickets are also available, which include full access to everything the festival has to offer, including the main stage performances with priority seating and free parking. Don’t miss out on this incredible event – get your tickets now!

St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations on March 17th

Sarasota and the surrounding areas are the perfect place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th! Whether you want to go out for a drink or join in on a festive block party, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

• Molly Malone’s Irish Pub in Sarasota will be open at noon and will offer Irish-inspired food and drinks.

• McCabe’s Irish Pub in Bradenton opens at 10am and offers a full bar with a variety of beers, wines, and cocktails. You can also enjoy live music throughout the day.

• For a full day of festivities, head over to McGrath’s Irish Ale House in Lakewood Ranch. Starting at 1pm, they will have live music from Coddle Stew, Celt-ish, and Fresh Air. There will also be Irish food and beer, plus games and entertainment for the kids including a 50/50 raffle and give aways. The Finnegan Academy of Irish dance will also be performing.

• If you’re looking for a more laid back celebration, head over to Old Main Street in downtown Bradenton from 7pm-10pm. There will be live music, green beer, good food and local vendors.

• Finally, if you want to party all night long, join the St. Patrick’s Day Block Party at Sarasota’s Gator Club from 6pm-12am. There will be live music from 22N outside on the main stage, with Johnny Diamond inside and DJ Xplicid. Food vendors will also be present, including Smokin Momma Lora’s BBQ Mobile, Untamed Kitchen and many more.

No matter what your preference is, there’s something for everyone to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Sarasota this year! Be sure to check out these events for an unforgettable St. Patty’s Day experience!

86th Annual Sarasota County Fair

March 17th - 26th, Hours Vary | Sarasota County Fairgrounds

The 86th Annual Sarasota County Fair is the perfect way to kick off the month of March! The 10-day event will feature an array of thrilling rides, shows, food vendors, entertainment, crafts, horticulture, science fair, livestock and auction. With something for everyone to enjoy, this annual fair has something to offer everyone. Enjoy carnival rides, live music, delicious food, craft vendors, and more. The fair offers a great family atmosphere that promises a day of fun and excitement. There's something for every age and interest, so be sure to check out the Sarasota County Fair this March!

Hours:

1st Friday: 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Saturdays: Noon to 11:00 PM

Sundays: Noon to 10:00 PM

2nd Friday: 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Monday-Thursday: 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Admission:

Adults (13 & over): $12 at gate, $10 online

Children (6-12): $7 at gate, $5 online

Senior Citizens (55 & over) & Military: $6

Children (5 & under): Free

$2 Tuesday: $2 Admission, $2 Rides, and $2 Food Specials

Veg Head Music Festival

March 18th, 12pm - 6pm | The Mall at UTC

Sarasota is getting a brand new event this March - the Veg Head Music & Wine Festival! This festival is all about celebrating local, vegan eats and great music. Come experience veggie and vegan food trucks and vendors, live jam bands, wine sampling from local wineries, and a Spring Indie Market with over 60 local artisans. Admission is only $5 pre-order online and $10 at the gate, and kids under 18 get in for free!

This one-day festival is jam-packed with entertainment, starting off with the Bickley Island Chill at 12:30 p.m., followed by Remedy Tree at 3:30 p.m.. There will also be plenty of delicious, vegan eats provided by local food trucks and vendors. Check out Purple Bol, Seasoned Green, The Caribe Vegan, Oh My Cod Vegan Seafood Co, Vegan Gator Food Truck, The Greeks Food Truck, Cabo San Taco, Carousels, Lava Ice Shop, Siesta Pops, Crays Kettle Korn, Far Out Fries, Brazilian Fun Foods LLC, CornSoupKing LLC, Vegky Mushroom Jerky, Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonade and more! Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to enjoy some great music, fresh eats and shopping - Veg Head Music Festival is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

25th Annual Sarasota Film Festival

March 24th - April 2nd | Showtimes Vary

Every year, Sarasota, FL plays host to the Sarasota Film Festival. The festival emphasizes the best in cinema alongside exciting programs and events, and more than 200 films are screened each year. This includes features, documentaries, shorts, and kid-friendly picks.

The Sarasota Film Festival is devoted to supporting the art and elevating the craft of cinema. It's a place to celebrate the independent filmmaker and recognize emerging talent. The festival also allows filmmakers to engage with their audiences, discuss their work, and build relationships with members of the film industry. With screenings and special events taking place all over town, the festival provides a unique opportunity to get an up-close look at some of the most creative work being produced in the film world!

8th Annual My Hometown Fest

March 25th | Nathan Benderson Park

The 8th Annual My Hometown Fest, founded by the Sertoma Club of Greater Sarasota in spring 2016, is a wonderful event that draws thousands of people from Florida’s Suncoast for a day of fun featuring food, craft beer samples, and live music.

Tickets include free samples from some of the area's leading restaurants, free samples of craft beer and spirits, and plenty of live music. General admission tickets are $35 for food, beer and spirit samples, $25 for food only, and kids 12 and under are free. All profits from My Hometown Fest support the Sertoma Club of Greater Sarasota and Sertoma Kids Speech and Language Center. It’s the perfect way to spend your day off with family and friends!