Sarasota Weekend of October 22nd Through 24th
There are lots of great upcoming events in Sarasota you can plan for this weekend, with the family or if you’re just looking to get out of the house on your own. Cooler weather makes it a perfect time to enjoy some outdoor exercise and festivals, and of course there is no better time than now to stock up on all the items you need for the upcoming Halloween holiday, including pumpkins to decorate and display.
Check out this quick list of things to do this weekend in Sarasota so you know you won’t be stuck at home without plans. As always, visit the websites or call ahead before stepping out in case of overbooking or unexpected closures, and bring masks especially for indoor events. A few minutes of preplanning and simple safety steps will ensure nothing detracts from your weekend in this beautiful city.
Saturday, October 23rd: Zumba at the Park
There is no better way to enjoy the cooler weather this weekend than with a great Zumba class, and especially one held outdoors! This Saturday the 23rd you can join in for an hour of everyone’s favorite exercise, designed to get you moving and get the blood flowing while burning some calories.
This weekend’s class runs from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and will be held outdoors at Nathan Benderson Park, allowing you a great view of the water. Admission is only $5 and participants are asked to bring their own mat, towel, water, and other necessities. To find out more, visit the Facebook events page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/774920990571743/
Friday-Saturday, October 22nd-23rd: Haunted Drive
The COVID-19 pandemic has shut down many haunted house attractions over the past year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some scares and thrills this Halloween! On Friday and Saturday, the 22nd and 23rd, you can enjoy a haunted drive at Oscar Scherer Park in nearby Osprey, from 8 to 10 p.m.
This drive winds through the spooky woods where you’ll enjoy lots of scary props and other attractions. Admission is $10 for every vehicle up to 8 people, and $1 per additional person. The organizers are selling tickets at the door and asking for cash only.
No foot traffic or bicycles are allowed, so choose a friend with plenty of room in their vehicle so everyone can enjoy the drive. You might also put this event on your list if you need things to do in Sarasota with the kids! For more information, visit the Facebook events page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/650903776069500/
Saturday-Sunday, October 23rd-24th: 15th Annual Hungarian Festival
The 15th annual Hungarian festival, held both Saturday and Sunday the 23rd and 24th, is a great chance to enjoy some authentic Hungarian food, music, and dance. There will also be archery shows, arts and crafts, and games for the kids.
The festival is held at the Sarasota County Fairgrounds at 3000 Ringling Blvd. It starts at 11 a.m. Saturday and runs to the last party at 8 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $20. For more information including a lineup of performers, check out the Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/2905626316424802/
Sunday, October 24th: Out of the Darkness Walk
The Out of the Darkness Community walk hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention will be held at Nathan Benderson Park this coming Sunday. The walk begins at 9:00am and ends at 11:00am. Please come out to support mental health awareness and help this wonderful cause as they take steps to prevent suicides in the local community and nation wide. Stay up to date by visiting the facebook page and the website for the lastest news and announcements. It’s also free to register on their website. Use the hashtag #TogetherToFightSuicide!
https://supporting.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=7887
Saturday, October 23rd: Rocky Horror Picture Show
If you’re searching for Halloween related things to do in Sarasota at night, there is no better choice than the classic Rocky Horror Picture Show. This cult classic set the stage for inadvertently interactive films, and this weekend you can get on your feet and dance along to some favorite tunes.
The film will be shown at The Reserve Retreat from 8 to 10 p.m. For more information including links to props to bring and how to participate safely, check out the Facebook events page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/182727260617740/
Saturday, October 23rd: Pumpkin Festival at Grace Church
No list of upcoming events in Sarasota would be complete without a pumpkin festival for the whole family to enjoy! Pumpkin festivals are a great choice for things to do in Sarasota with the kids and this year’s festival, held at Grace Community Church in Sarasota, is no exception.
The festival will feature lots of classic attractions including a hayride, food trucks, and even free pumpkins for you to take home. There will also be a toddler bounce house and a mechanical bull to ride! The event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and you can find out more at their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/220272923493708/
Sunday, October 24th: Pet Costume Contest
It’s time to dress up your pets and let them enjoy some Halloween fun as well this weekend! On Sunday the 24th you can bring your favorite four-legged friend to The Mall at University Town Center and have them participate in a pet costume contest, starting at 3 p.m.
The event is free for all pets and there will be prizes awarded, but pets must be preregistered! To find out more and to register your pet, visit:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1217647735375425/
Other Events This Weekend in Sarasota:
Sunday, October 24th: Howl-O-Ween Movie Night
Saturday-Sunday, October 23rd-24th: Fall Festival at UTC
Friday-Sunday, October 22nd-24th: Sarasota Ballet Performance – New World
Hopefully this quick list of upcoming events in Sarasota has given you lots to do on the weekend! Remember that it’s vital you check red tide warnings and other precautions before visiting area beaches, and it’s always recommended you practice safe social distance even for outdoor events. Be sure to share this list with friends and family and on social media, and come back next week as there are always lots of great weekend events to enjoy in Sarasota and surrounding cities.
