Fun Things to Do and See in Sarasota!
March 2025

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR

March 9 | Daylight Saving Begins

March 17 | St. Patrick’s Day

March 1

Palmetto’s Heritage Festival

The Palmetto’s Heritage Festival at Palmetto Historical Park & Manatee County Agricultural Museum offers family-friendly activities, a historic open house, and heritage crafts. Visitors can tour seven historic buildings and use the 1880 Heritage Station Post Office’s special cancellation. Food from Word of Mouth BBQ is available.

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March 1 & 2

2025 Megalodon Challenge

The 2025 Megalodon Challenge features the Shark’s Tooth 10K and Shark Fin 5K, offering a scenic course from Venice Airport Festival Grounds through Venice Beach and Caspersen Beach Park. The
10K starts at 7:15 a.m., the 5K at 8 a.m. Participants receive finisher medals and custom race shirts.

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March 1 & 2

Downtown Venice Art Classic

The Downtown Venice Art Classic will transform downtown Venice into an art lover’s paradise, featuring juried artists from across the country along West Venice Avenue. This free outdoor festival offers sculptures, paintings, jewelry, and ceramics while supporting Venice Main Street.

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March 7

Garden to Plate Wine Dinner-Selby Gardens

Selby Gardens' Downtown Sarasota campus hosts a casually elegant Garden to Plate dining experience on the Great Lawn. Guests enjoy fine wines selected by Michael Klauber and a multi-course dinner crafted by Phil Mancini.

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March 12

Performances at the Point-Osprey

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens presents "Performances at the Point" at Historic Spanish Point in Osprey, featuring the Astralis Ensemble. Guests can explore the scenic White Cottage, Sunken Garden, and Pergola before the 6:30 p.m. performance. Tickets: $25–$35 (members/non-members), $15 (ages 5–17). Advance purchase.

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March 14

Jay Leno with Arsenio Hall-Van Wezel

Jay Leno and Arsenio Hall, legendary figures in late-night television, continue to shape comedy and entertainment. Leno, longtime host of The Tonight Show, now explores automotive culture on Jay Leno’s Garage. Hall revolutionized late-night with The Arsenio Hall Show and remains a dynamic presence in comedy, film, and television.

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March 14 & 15

St. Patrick’s Day on Main Street-LWR

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at McGrath’s Irish Ale House on Lakewood Ranch Main Street with Irish cuisine, pints, and live music. Enjoy performances by Finnegan Academy and Drake Irish Dance Studio, plus a magician, balloon artist, face painter, and kids’ activities. 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

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March 15 & 16

Art in the Park-University Park Country Club

The 25th Annual Art in the Park in 2025 promises to be one of the most exciting yet. Last year’s event welcomed over 1,400 guests who enjoyed stunning paintings, photographs, and sculptures at University Park Country Club. Local judges awarded top honors, and attendees voted for the People’s Choice Award.

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March 21

Dancing in Lughnasa-Asolo Theatre

Set in 1930s rural Ireland, Dancing at Lughnasa follows five resilient sisters navigating family, faith, and change. As their missionary uncle sparks scandal and livelihoods wane, they find solace in hard work, loyalty, and the joy of the annual harvest dance in Brian Friel’s Tony and Olivier-winning modern classic.

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March 22

Sarasota Wine Festival

Experience global wine tastings, fine spirits, live music, local food trucks, and expert-led seminars at Selby Five Points Park, Downtown Sarasota. General Admission includes tastings, a souvenir glass, tote bag, and more. VIP offers early access, a private lounge, special wines, and exclusive perks.

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March 23

Farm to Fillet

Guests will enjoy a delicious lunch and an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Mote’s Aquaculture Research Park. Mote scientists will share insights on sustainable aquaculture, fish population restoration, red tide mitigation, and coral reef recovery.

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March 27

Wine & Roses-Ringling Museum of Art

The Ringling’s Wine & Roses offers a magical evening in the Museum of Art Courtyard with an exquisite multi-course dinner, expert wine pairings, a champagne cocktail hour, and live music under the stars. Proceeds benefit The Ringling Bayfront Gardens.

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March 29

My Hometown Fest-Benderson Park

My Hometown Fest, Southwest Florida’s biggest neighborhood block party, features food, craft beer, spirits, and live music from across the country. Enjoy samples from top restaurants, family-friendly activities, and regional bands. Proceeds support Sertoma Club of Greater Sarasota and Sertoma Kids, aiding children with speech and language needs.

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March 29

The Event at TerraNova

You're invited to discover the thrills of eventing at TerraNova Equestrian Center. In the arena, you’ll see international-level horses and riders complete the show jumping phase. Out on the cross-country course, national pairs will compete as they cross water and jump over obstacles like ditches and logs - view it all from your VIP Table in the exquisite pavilion as you enjoy a gourmet brunch.

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LIVE

Local Theatre

Florida Studio Theatre

Running through March 9, The Cancellation of Lauren Fein. Lauren Fein, a world-renowned scientist and tenured professor at an elite university, is at the peak of her career. Happily married with a foster son, she nears a major breakthrough in her research when the university's "diversity, equity, and inclusion" policies threaten her work, tenure, and family.

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Venice Theatre

Running through March 2, My Fair Lady. Professor Henry Higgins attempts to transform Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower seller, into a proper lady by teaching her refined speech, leading to an unexpected friendship. Hailed as one of the greatest musicals ever, it won six Tony Awards® and remains a timeless classic.

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Circus Sarasota

Running through March 9, Circus Sarasota returns in 2025 with an all-new show showcasing breathtaking artistry from around the globe. Under the new Big Top at Nathan Benderson Park, this winter tradition offers limited tickets. Don’t miss the excitement—reserve yours today.

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Lemon Bay Playhouse

Beginning March 5, The Odd Couple. A group of friends gather for cards at Oscar Madison’s messy apartment, soon joined by Felix Unger, newly separated and distraught. When the neat freak moves in with the slob, tensions rise, and hilarity ensues as The Odd Couple is born.

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Asolo Repertory Theatre

Running through March 13, Anna in the Tropics. Nilo Cruz's Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece, praised by The New York Times as “a hymn to the transforming and potentially dangerous powers of art,” unfolds in 1929 Ybor City, Florida. Amid hand-rolled cigars and fiery lector readings, a Cuban lector's arrival with Anna Karenina sparks intense passions and volatile transformations.

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Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe

Beginning March 5, Five Guys Named Moe. An electrifying tribute to rhythm and blues legend Louis Jordan, Five Guys Named Moe follows Nomax, a down-and-out man whose radio springs to life with five Moes offering musical wisdom. Featuring high-energy dance and Jordan’s iconic score, this Tony-nominated hit is an unforgettable celebration of music, love, and second chances.

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Players Centre for Performing Arts

Opening March 6, Fun Home. Based on Alison Bechdel’s acclaimed graphic novel, Fun Home is a deeply moving and original musical that explores family, identity, and self-discovery. Through shifting memories, it portrays a daughter's journey to understand her parents—and herself—with honesty, humor, and heart.

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Manatee Performing Arts Centre

Beginning March 6, The Sound of Music. A spirited young governess brings music and joy to a fractured family in 1938 Austria. As the Nazis rise to power, she wins their hearts but must help them make an unthinkable choice—to flee their homeland for freedom.

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Urbanite Theatre

Opening March 21, No One Is Forgotten. Held captive in a grim cement cell, U.S. citizens Lali and Beng struggle with uncertainty—where they are, how much time has passed, and whether the world knows their fate. Inspired by true events, No One Is Forgotten explores resilience, sacrifice, and the deep bonds that sustain survival.

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