Festivals, fairs and more fun January through April
For the next four months, you'll find plenty to do practically every day across sunny Sarasota and Manatee counties. Here are the 21 best annual events taking place January through April. Happy New Year!
Manatee County Fair, Jan. 11-18
Family fun featuring everything from livestock to live music by Grammy-winning country music acts such as Shenandoah (Jan. 12), plus all your favorite midway action and decadent fair food. Info: 941-722-1639; manateecountyfair.com
Sarasota Seafood & Music Festival, Jan. 20-21
It's a winning pairing of local bands and local seafood in downtown Sarasota, plus beer and other vendors. Info: 941-487-8061; srqseafoodfestival.com
Forks & Corks, Jan. 26-29
Enjoy numerous winemaker events ranging from upscale dinners to casual tastings and samplings ahead of the (sold-out) Grand Tasting Jan. 28 at The Ringling Museum Courtyard and Trade Tasting Jan. 29 at Michael's on the Bay at Selby Gardens. Info: 941-365-2800; eatlikealocal.com/forksandcorks
FEBRUARY
Bradenton Area River Regatta, Feb. 3
Free event featuring boat races and fireworks on the Manatee River, as well as numerous activities along Bradenton and Palmetto, has become one of the largest spectator events in Southwest Florida. Info: bradentonarearegatta.com
Sarasota Music Half Marathon, Feb. 4
Before stuffing your face during the Super Bowl, take a jog while being serenaded or just go check out all the local bands playing around downtown Sarasota. Info: sarasotahalf.com
St. Barbara Greek Festival: 33rd Annual Glendi, Feb. 8-11
St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church hosts a celebration of Greek culture that includes authentic foods, folk dancing, crafts and live music. Info: 941-355-2616; stbarbarafestival.org
Circus Sarasota, Feb. 9-March 4
Featuring an impressive roster of international artists under the Big Top at Nathan Benderson Park, this year’s Circus Sarasota performance, titled "Ovation," will honor the 250th anniversary of the circus and the legacy of the circus arts and those who have impacted the art form. Info: 941-355-9805; circusarts.org
Dub Fest, Feb. 10
Sarasota-based JDub’s Brewing Company is celebrating four years of making beer for folks across Florida with an anniversary bash called Dub Fest. Held at the Sarasota County Fairgrounds, it will feature lots of award-winning craft beers plus a performance by Less Than Jake, the nationally acclaimed ska band from Gainesville. Info: universe.com/jdubs4year
Thunder by the Bay, Feb. 15-18
The 20th annual motorcycle and music festival is back in Sarasota after a year in Lakewood Ranch. Engines will roar while bands rock Sarasota County Fairgrounds, and there will be a “Bikes on Main” Block Party in downtown Sarasota. Info: thunderbythebay.org
Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival, Feb 17-18
Nestled along north Sarasota Bay, Cortez is one the few remaining commercial fishing villages in Florida. It's an excellent place to eat fresh seafood and hear local live music, especially during this festival that dates back to 1981 and now draws about 20,000 attendees each year. Info: cortez-fish.org
Venice Italian Feast & Carnival, Feb. 24
Stay hungry for four days of Italian food and family fun in a city with strong ties to its Old World namesake. Info: 941-486-1492; italianamericanclubofvenice.com
Rubonia Mardi Gras, Feb. 24
The Official Historical Rubonia/Terra Ceia Mardi Gras, better known as simply Rubonia Mardi Gras, is a fabulously funky annual parade and street party in the small town of Rubonia in northwest Manatee County. Info: 941-773-1072
MARCH
Suncoast Blues Festival, March 3
Blues music luminaries such as Monster Mike Welch and Mike Ledbetter, Lurrie Bell, and Thornetta Davis will perform at Sarasota County Fairgrounds. Info: suncoastbluesfestival.com
ArtSlam, March 3
Family-friendly, free event features dozens of young artists and performers taking over downtown Bradenton. Info: realizebradenton.com
Sarasota Agricultural Fair, March 16-25
Here's another chance to eat deep-fried foods while checking out the livestock and deciding if you're brave enough to get on one of those spectacular rides. Info: sarasotafair.com
APRIL
De Soto Seafood Festival, April 6-8
Expect an exciting lineup of national music acts to go with the food and beer vendors at this popular event in Manatee County. Info: desotohq.com
Whiskey Obsession Festival, April 11-14
Whiskey enthusiasts do not want to miss this event featuring four days of classes, tastings, lunch and dinner pairings, a grand tasting with hundreds of whiskies to sample and a live music street party in downtown Sarasota. Info: whiskeyobsessionfestival.com
Shark’s Tooth Festival, April 13-15
Carnival games, live music and plenty of fossilized teeth from the ocean’s deadliest predator. Info: sharkstoothfest.com
Sarasota Film Festival, April 13-22
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, SFF has earned a strong, national reputation for bringing award-winning films and stars to Sarasota as well as partnering with the venerable Through Women's Eyes Film Festival. Info: sarasotafilmfestival.com
Suncoast BBQ & Bluegrass Bash, April 20-21
Southwest Florida's biggest barbecue and bluegrass bash returns to the Venice Airport Festival Grounds with three top national bands performing: the Lonesome River Band, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, and Volume Five. Info: suncoastbbqbash.com
De Soto Heritage Grande Parade, April 28
The largest parade in the area, this one marks the end of the annual De Soto celebrations and runs along Manatee Avenue and through downtown Bradenton, which becomes a massive street party where plastic beads are coveted like gold. Info: desotohq.com