Events
June 2026

🎭 Theater, Stage & Circus Performances

• Lady Disdain (Now – June 27): A theatrical performance playing on the main stage inside the Mertz Theatre at the Asolo Repertory Theatre complex.

• Honky Tonk Angels (Now – June 21): A country-themed musical hit wrapping up its summer run at the Gompertz Theatre inside Florida Studio Theatre.

• One Hit Wonders (Now – June 21): A popular retro musical revue taking a nostalgic look back at music's single-track successes in the Court Cabaret at Florida Studio Theatre.

• Leaving on a Jet Plane: A Folk Journey (Now – July 12): An acoustic tribute exploring the 1960s and '70s folk renaissance in the Goldstein Cabaret at Florida Studio Theatre.

• Who is Eartha Mae? (Now – June 21): A gripping, intimate biographical theater production running at downtown Sarasota's Urbanite Theatre.

• Beetlejuice Jr. (Now – June 22): A youth production of the spooky, high-energy Broadway musical hit performed at The Sarasota Players.

• Dog Mom (June 24 – July 26): FST's Summer Mainstage officially transitions to this modern comedy on the Keating Stage at Florida Studio Theatre.

• Shrek The Musical Jr. (June 26): A family-friendly musical production of everyone's favorite ogre taking the stage at the Manatee Performing Arts Center in Bradenton.

• Squeaky Wheel Fringe Festival (Mid-June): An underground showcase celebrating independent and physical theater creators inside the Cook Theatre at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts.

 

🎶 Concerts, Festivals & Live Sets

• Music on Main (June 5): The monthly block party on Lakewood Ranch Main Street, featuring live classic rock, country, and blues by the Schmitz Brothers Band.

• Sarasota Music Festival (Now – June 21): The Sarasota Orchestra's premier summer festival showcasing world-class classical musicians. Key highlights include the Festival Fellows Concert Series on June 11 at the Art Ovation Hotel.

• Jazz Thursday (June 11): Hosted by the Jazz Club of Sarasota at the Sarasota Art Museum, featuring pianist Robert Nissim performing a retrospective of Herbie Hancock's early 1960s music.

• Ernie Kretzmer Concert Series (June 11): A free live mid-day performance featuring classical instrumental artist Thomas Purviance at Aviva Senior Living.

• Hell on Heels - Abba Nova Concert (June 11): An explosive country-rock concert celebrating influential female vocalists at Tree Fort Productions.

• Music in the Gardens (June 14): Outdoor live music featuring violinist Elijah Luzginov, paired with wine and hors d'oeuvres at the Sarasota Garden Club.

• Country by the Bay (Sundays, June 14 – June 28): An outdoor evening of country hits spanning the 1970s to today performed by singer-songwriter Jason White at Marina Jack.

• Exotic Reggae Band (June 14): An afternoon of authentic roots reggae music and outdoor vibes in the beer garden at Motorworks Brewing in Bradenton.

• Sarasota Opera Summer Tribute Night (June 20): A live national tribute band bringing classic rock anthems to the main stage at the Sarasota Opera House.

• Live Music Fridays (Fridays, Ongoing): A rotating weekly lineup of multi-genre artists performing live at Wink Wink Food and Drink in downtown Sarasota, featuring Caleb Wayne on June 19.

 

😂 Comedy & Improv

• Comedy Lottery (Saturdays, June 6 – June 27): FST Improv’s flagship summer show where audience members choose the cast games right before curtain call in Bowne's Lab at Florida Studio Theatre.

• Choose Thy Fate Radio Theatre (June 11): An audience-controlled, interactive night of live mock-radio comedy and horror revamps at Bookstore1.

• Sing-Along Improv Trolley (Fridays, Ongoing): A rolling 90-minute musical adventure full of comedy, trivia, and a drink stop, hosted by Discover Sarasota Tours.

• McCurdy's Comedy Theatre Headliner Series: Top touring stand-up acts performing live sets weekly at McCurdy's Comedy Theatre:

  • Jodi White (June 3)

  • Josh Blue (June 4)

  • Steve White (June 19 – 21)

  • Jim McCue (June 24 – 28)

 

🎨 Community Festivals, Culture & Visual Arts

• Foodie World Asian Food Festival (June 5 – 7): A high-energy weekend street market at the Sarasota Bayfront featuring visual art vendors and live music.

• Sarasota Guitar and Amp Show (June 6 – 7): A haven for regional musicians and collector artisans showcasing rare instruments and live demonstrations at Robarts Arena.

• "Threads of the Past" Art Exhibition (June 10): A collaborative multi-media gallery, sensory art showcase, and community event located at Town Square University Parkway.

• Fire Charity Festival (June 13): A free full-day outdoor festival on the Bradenton Riverwalk featuring craft vendors, live musical acts (Luke Andrews, Ridge Country Band), a cornhole tournament, and a Zambelli fireworks show.

• Classic Movies at the Opera House (Fridays at 7:00 PM): The air-conditioned summer cinematic series at the Sarasota Opera House.

  • The Greatest Show on Earth (June 12)

  • Silent Movie (June 26)

• HD Opera Film Series (June 14): A high-definition big-screen presentation of the classic masterpiece The Tales of Hoffmann showing at 1:30 PM inside the Sarasota Opera House.

• Bishop After Hours: Love and Lasers (June 18): A vibrant evening featuring a double-feature laser light show with iconic music, food, and drinks at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature in Bradenton.

• Juneteenth Arts Festivals (June 19 – 20):

  • WBTT's Juneteenth Arts Festival: A vibrant celebration featuring diverse visual art forms on the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe campus.

  • Manatee Juneteenth Community Festival: A family-centric heritage celebration held at the 13th AV Dream Center in Bradenton.

• St. Armands Circle Craft Festival (Late June): A sprawling open-air visual arts festival gathering boutique jewelers, master painters, and sculptors at St. Armands Circle Park.

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🏆 Sports & Active Community Events

• US Rowing Youth National Championships (June 11 – 14): Premier national youth rowing competitions taking over the waters at Nathan Benderson Park.

• Bradenton Marauders Minor League Baseball: Live home games at Bradenton's historic LECOM Park.

  • vs. Tampa Tarpons (June 10 – 14)

  • vs. Clearwater Threshers (June 17 – 21)

• Pickleball for a Purpose (June 27): A day of indoor pickleball competition benefiting local youth programs at Big Brothers Big Sisters in Bradenton.

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📍Local Community Music & Neighborhood 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.

• Music on Main (June 5 | Lakewood Ranch): The monthly block party on Lakewood Ranch Main Street, featuring live classic rock, country, and blues by the Schmitz Brothers Band.

• Exotic Reggae Band (June 14 | Bradenton): An afternoon of authentic roots reggae music and outdoor vibes in the beer garden at Motorworks Brewing.

• Live Music Fridays (Fridays, Ongoing | Sarasota): A rotating weekly lineup of multi-genre artists performing live at Wink Wink Food and Drink, featuring Caleb Wayne on June 19.

• Pop’s Sunset Grill Live Music (Nokomis): This landmark Intracoastal waterfront tiki pavilion hosts regional acoustic rock, blues, and country cover acts almost every Thursday through Sunday evening.

• Woody's River Roo Live Sets (Ellenton): This casual Manatee River outpost features a rotating schedule of local classic rock bands and acoustic sets every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

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

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