Sarasota Weekend of December 10th to 12th

Are you looking for some fun and exciting upcoming events in Sarasota you can enjoy this weekend? December is a great month for getting out of the house and spending some time on the town, as the weather is typically warm and sunny but perfectly mild and enjoyable!

Along with the usual music fairs and festivals, there are lots of holiday-related things to do this weekend in Sarasota and surrounding cities. Whatever your plans, be sure to call or check ahead, so nothing gets in the way of enjoying all your Sarasota events in 2021!

Friday-Sunday, December 10-12th: 2021 Showfolks of Sarasota Holiday Circus Festival

If you’re looking for some weekend events in 2021 to get you in the mood for Christmas, the Showfolks of Sarasota Holiday Circus Festival is the place to be! This festival is the city’s longest-running Christmas event and offers a little bit of something for everyone in the family.

Held at the Sarasota County Fairgrounds, the festival includes three days of circus acts and shows, petting zoos, exhibits, booths where you can do some last-minute holiday shopping, and of course lots of food. You can thrill to the daredevils overhead or see the classic Flying Wallendas in person this weekend.

Festival times, scheduled shows, and ticket prices vary throughout the weekend. To find out more or to get your tickets in advance, visit the Facebook events page or the website:

https://www.facebook.com/events/493585255028816

Saturday-Sunday, December 11th-12th: Sarasota Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival

If you need some things to do in downtown Sarasota or still have some holiday shopping to finish, be sure to check out the Sarasota Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival this weekend. This FREE festival features dozens of vendors every year. You can find handcrafted and homemade jewelry, artwork, paintings, photography, digital art, candles, mixed media art, and much more!

The festival will be held at JD Hamel Park and runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. To find out more including a map to the event, check out the website:

Saturday-Sunday, December 11th-12th: The Nutcracker

In keeping with the Christmas spirit, you’ll want to check out The Nutcracker ballet, this Saturday and Sunday, the 11th and 12th, at the Sarasota Opera House. The Nutcracker is a holiday favorite, the story of a girl who befriends a traditional nutcracker toy on Christmas Eve. The nutcracker then comes to life and does battle with the evil Mouse King!

This year’s performance features dancers from the American Ballet Theatre, the National Ballet of Ukraine, and dancers from the Russian School of Ballet. Performance times and ticket prices vary for both Saturday and Sunday. To find out more and purchase tickets in advance, visit the website:

https://tickets.sarasotaopera.org/5599/5601

Saturday, December 11th: Sarasota Christmas Boat Parade

There are lots more holiday-themed things to do in Sarasota at night, including the Sarasota Christmas Boat Parade. This parade always features a great selection of boats, all decked out in their best holiday lighting. You might even spy some live shows as they make their way across the water!

The parade route starts from City Island, going across Sarasota Bay and Sarasota Bayfront Park. Guests are asked to bring their own folding chairs, coolers, and other items they need for comfortable viewing! To find out more, visit the website:

https://www.escape-to-sarasota.com/sarasota-holiday-boat-parade.html

Sunday December 12th: The Vintage Flea at Ginny’s & Jane E’s

There are still more things to do this weekend in Sarasota for last-minute shoppers! On Sunday the 12th you can check out The Vintage Flea and Ginny’s & Jane E’s, one of the most popular flea markets in the city. The market is located at City Pier Park and will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday the 12th.

The Vintage Flea always features a wide range of handmade and handcrafted items as well as antiques and home décor. Organizers are requesting visitors wear masks for the market this weekend. For more information, check out their Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/TheVintageFleaAtGinnysAndJaneEs

Friday-Sunday, December 10th-12th: Coquina Beach Seafood & Music Festival

Not all upcoming events in Sarasota are holiday-themed! This weekend you can check out a traditional seafood and music festival at Coquina Beach, throughout the entire weekend. This year’s festival will include lots of live music, seafood cooked fresh on the spot, and vendors offering a wide range of handmade items you’re sure to love.

The festival runs from 4 to 10 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. To find out more about the festival and for a map to the event, check out their website:

https://www.bradentongulfislands.com/events/2370/coquina-beach-seafood-music-festival

Saturday, December 11th: Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl

Christmas wouldn’t be complete without everyone wearing their ugly sweaters! This Saturday, December 11th, you can show off your least favorite clothing item at the 6th annual Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl. The event features pre-crawl drinks, a registration party, and lots of live music as well as discounted drinks at every bar along the route.

The crawl starts at Raffurty’s on Main Street at 5 p.m., and ends with a crawl afterparty around 11 p.m. Ticket prices vary and the crawl is reserved for those 21 and over. To find out more, visit the Eventbrite page:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/6th-annual-ugly-sweater-crawl-sarasota-tickets-167346430679

Friday-Sunday, December 10th-12th: A Christmas Carol

Holiday weekend events in 2021 wouldn’t be complete without seeing A Christmas Carol. The Dickens classic is being brought to life at the Venice Theatre this weekend, Friday through Sunday. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m., with a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee. Ticket prices vary. To find out more, visit the Facebook events page:

https://www.facebook.com/events/527928038320371/

Have you found some great upcoming events in Sarasota you can enjoy this weekend? If so, please share this list on social media and with family and friends. Be sure to come back next week as well, as there are always lots of great weekend events to enjoy in the SRQ area for everyone in the family, no matter the season!