The weekend of April 10–12, 2026, in the Sarasota-Bradenton area features major local festivals, theater premieres, and vibrant outdoor markets.
Major Festivals & Special Events
- Venice Shark’s Tooth Festival: A cornerstone event featuring fossil vendors, live music, food trucks, and a kids’ corner.
- Date/Time: Sat, April 11 & Sun, April 12, 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
- Location: Centennial Park, 200 W. Venice Ave, Venice.
- Cost: Free entry.
- Sarasota Fine Art Show: A juried art show featuring high-quality works across multiple media.
- Date/Time: Sat, April 11 (10:00 AM – 5:00 PM) & Sun, April 12 (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM).
- Location: Phillippi Estate Park, 5500 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.
- Cost: Free admission.
- Sarasota Film Festival 2026: Kicking off its multi-day run with screenings and special events.
- Date: Starts Fri, April 10.
- Location: Various venues (Check Visit Sarasota for specifics).
- 40th Annual Run for the Turtles: A charity run supporting sea turtle conservation.
- Date/Time: Sat, April 11.
- Location: Siesta Key Beach.
Theater & Performing Arts
-
:
- Fiddler on the Roof: Preview performances for this timeless musical classic.
- Time: Sat, April 11 & Sun, April 12 at 7:30 PM.
- Location: Mertz Theatre, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream: FSU/Asolo Conservatory production.
- Time: Sat at 7:30 PM; Sun at 1:30 PM. (Fri is Sold Out).
- Fiddler on the Roof: Preview performances for this timeless musical classic.
-
:
- A Night with Janis Joplin: High-energy musical journey extended by popular demand.
- Time: Fri/Sat at 7:30 PM; Sat/Sun matinees at 2:00 PM.
- Location:
, 1241 N. Palm Ave, Sarasota.
- Three Pianos: A celebratory cabaret performance.
- Time: Nightly at the Goldstein Cabaret.
- A Night with Janis Joplin: High-energy musical journey extended by popular demand.
-
:
- Singer’s Showcase: Featuring the Venice High School Choral Program.
- Time: Sat, April 11 at 4:00 PM & 7:00 PM.
- Cost: $25.
- Singer’s Showcase: Featuring the Venice High School Choral Program.
- Sarasota Opera House Centennial Celebration: A landmark gala and performance.
- Date: Sat, April 11.
Asolo Repertory Theatre +6
- Date: Sat, April 11.
Farmers Markets
Sarasota Farmers Market
Downtown
Time: Sat, April 11, 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
- Location: Lemon Ave & Main St, Sarasota.
Bradenton Public Market
Market
Bradenton, FL
- Time: Sat, April 11, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
- Location: Old Main St, Bradenton.
Venice Florida Farmers Market
Farmers’ market
Closedat City Hall, 401 W Venice Ave
- Time: Sat, April 11, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
- Location: City Hall area, 401 W. Venice Ave.
Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch
Farmers’ market
Lakewood Ranch, FL
- Time: Sun, April 12, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
- Location: Waterside Place, 1561 Lakefront Dr.
Live Music at Bars & Venues
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: Arena rock (Journey, Styx, Bon Jovi tribute) at the Shark’s Tooth Festival.
- Time: Sat, April 11, 6:00 PM.
- Location: Centennial Park, Venice.
- Occasions: Live performance at a popular local bar.
- Time: Fri, April 10, 8:00 PM.
- Location: TJ Carney’s, 231 W. Venice Ave, Venice.
-
Virgil Cain
: Solo acoustic/rock performance.
- Time: Sat, April 11, 8:00 PM.
- Location: TJ Carney’s, Venice.
-
Joey Damiano
: Pop hits from the 60s to today.
- Time: Sat, April 11, 1:00 PM.
- Location: Evie’s at Spanish Point (The Tiki), Osprey.
Sports & Recreation
- High School Baseball (Mizuno Invitational): Venice vs. Sarasota.
- Time: Fri, April 10, 6:00 PM.
- Location: CoolToday Park, Venice.
- Cost: $12.
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Páthos Run Club
: Free community run, pet-friendly.
- Time: Sat, April 11, 8:00 AM.
- Location: Le Shop Coffee & Wine, Sarasota