Events
July 2026

🎭 Theater, Circus & Stage Performances

• Summer Circus Spectacular (July 1 – August 8 | Sarasota): A major regional tradition co-produced by The Circus Arts Conservatory. Features elite international acrobatics daily at the air-conditioned Historic Asolo Theater (HAT) at The Ringling.

• Dog Mom (Now – July 26 | Sarasota): A hit contemporary summer comedy playing on the main Keating Stage at Florida Studio Theatre.

• Leaving on a Jet Plane: A Folk Journey (Now – July 12 | Sarasota): An intimate acoustic tribute looking back at 1960s folk icons in the Goldstein Cabaret at Florida Studio Theatre.

• Marvin: A Marvin Gaye Revue (July 15 – July 24 | Sarasota): A high-energy musical production tracing the legacy of Motown at the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe campus.

• The Last Romance (July 22 – August 16 | Sarasota): A professional theatrical production of Joe DiPietro's celebrated comedy opening at the Gompertz Theatre inside Florida Studio Theatre.

 

🎶 Major Concerts, Tributes & Music Festivals

• Songbirds of the Seventies (July 7 – September 6 | Sarasota): A headline music revue celebrating iconic female vocalists like Carole King and Linda Ronstadt in the Court Cabaret at Florida Studio Theatre.

• Billy and The Jets (July 9 | Sarasota): A touring tribute concert delivering the stadium hits of Elton John and Billy Joel live at Encore Live.

• Candlelight Concert Series (July 17 & 24 | Sarasota): Classical string quartets playing completely illuminated by candle structures inside local historical venues. Features a Tribute to Fleetwood Mac on July 17 and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons on July 24.

• Midsummer Night Music Festival (July 21 | Sarasota): A classical instrumental concert series opening night hosted inside the main sanctuary of St. Armands Key Lutheran Church.

• Free Music Friday Night Concert (July 24 | Venice): An outdoor, community-wide acoustic performance featuring local artist Ken Wanovich at Centennial Park.

• Solitary Man: A Neil Diamond Tribute (July 25 | Sarasota): National tribute artist David Jericko brings a full backing band to the historic Sarasota Opera House.

 

😂 Comedy & Improv

• Freedom! The Musical (July 4 | Sarasota): A special satirical, completely improvised musical comedy centered on the American Revolution, presented by FST Improv at Florida Studio Theatre.

• Comedy Lottery (July 11, 18, 25 | Sarasota): An interactive improv show where the audience selects the games, running at Bowne's Lab inside Florida Studio Theatre.

• McCurdy's Comedy Theatre Headliner Series (Sarasota): Weekly weekend showcases featuring nationally touring stand-up comedians on the main stage at McCurdy's Comedy Theatre:

  • Andy Hendrickson (July 9 – 12)

  • Flip Schultz (July 15 – 19)

  • JJ Curry (July 23 – 26)

  • Tom Arnold (July 31 – August 1)

 

🎆 Large-Scale Festivals & 4th of July Events

• Fireworks on the Lake (July 3 | Sarasota/Bradenton border): A massive choreographed fireworks display, live entertainment, and a food truck grid around the lake at Nathan Benderson Park.

• The Suncoast's Largest Food Truck Festival (July 3 – 4 | Sarasota): A major two-day food and arts festival drawing thousands of visitors near the Sarasota Square Mall area.

• Venice July 4th Parade & Picnic (July 4 | Venice): A classic community celebration featuring hometown parade floats and community picnics in downtown Venice.

• Star-Spangled Spectacular (July 4 | Bradenton/Lakewood Ranch): A large-scale civic celebration featuring food vendors, live performances, and lakeside fireworks at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch.

• Siesta Key Fourth of July Fireworks (July 4 | Sarasota): The community's flagship beachside firework display launched over the Gulf at Siesta Beach.

 

📍 Local Community Activations & Micro-Venues

• Nokomis Beach Drum Circle (Every Wednesday & Saturday | Nokomis): An organic, famous community music and dance gathering held directly on the sand at Nokomis Public Beach starting roughly two hours before sunset.

• The Bluegrass Pirates Trio (July 4 | Bradenton): A live performance of classic American roots and bluegrass music at the outdoor waterfront outpost of Jiggs Landing.

• Pop’s Sunset Grill Waterfront Live Music (Nokomis): This landmark Intracoastal tiki pavilion hosts regional touring singer-songwriters and blues acts:

  • Detroit Mike & Trey Wanvig Blues Duo (July 10 at 6:00 PM)

  • Trey Wanvig Blues Band Live (July 25 at 6:00 PM)

  • Occasions Live Set (July 31 at 6:00 PM)

• Woody's River Roo Summer Concert Series (Ellenton): This Manatee River staple hosts live acoustic acts and rock cover bands every weekend, including a free outdoor holiday performance by Human Clay (Creed Tribute) on July 4 at 8:00 PM.

• Spanish Point Sunset Strolls (Thursdays | Osprey): Historic Spanish Point hosting evening nature and history walks along Little Sarasota Bay, featuring local acoustic musicians playing acoustic folk sets on the packing house deck.

• Casey Key Fish House Live Sets (Nokomis): Relaxed waterfront acoustic music under the tiki hut every Friday through Sunday evening.

 

🖼️ Film, Museum Series & Creative Arts

• Laser Light Nights (Thursdays – Saturdays | Bradenton): High-tech 360-degree laser graphics set to iconic stadium rock music inside the planetarium dome at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature.

• Classic Movies at the Opera House (Fridays at 7:00 PM | Sarasota): Indoor summer cinema series projecting iconic films on the main stage screen at the Sarasota Opera House. Features Dead Again on July 10 and Gigi on July 31.

• America 250 Celebration (July 11 | Sarasota): A historical heritage festival featuring local preservation organizations, timeline exhibits, and regional folk music at the Selby Library.

• 50 Years at the Village Build-Off (July 11 | Bradenton): A community historical celebration where locals vote on replica builds of early regional landmarks at Manatee Village Historical Park.

• Christmas in July Arts & Crafts Show (July 18 | Venice): A free-admission local makers' market at the Venice Community Center highlighting visual artists, painters, and independent sculptors.

• Ellenton Premium Outlets Community Market (Saturdays | Ellenton): Weekend visual arts and local craft pop-ups highlighting regional makers.

 

⚾ Sports & Active Family Outings

• Bradenton Marauders Minor League Baseball (Bradenton): Single-A professional baseball action under the lights with major stadium promotions at historic LECOM Park.

  • vs. Daytona Tortugas (July 1 – 3)

  • vs. Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (July 21 – 26)

• Kids' Summer Beach Runs (Wednesdays | Venice): Free community-sponsored youth running events meeting under Sharky's on the Pier at North Brohard Park.

• Bradentucky Bombers Roller Derby (July 25 | Ellenton): High-octane flat-track roller derby action as the home team takes on Swan City Roller Derby at the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex.

 

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