Fall has officially arrived in Florida, and Sarasota is starting to enjoy — just a tad! — cooler weather, along with an exciting lineup of mostly free, outdoor events this weekend.
Highlights include a totally rad 1980s-themed Venice Beach Party with live music, food trucks, and drinks.
A month-long Oktoberfest celebration kicks off at Edelweiss in Bradenton. Sarasota’s first Family Fest also takes over the Van Wezel.
You’ll find the Sarasota Opera Food & Wine Festival pairing top local restaurants with tastings inside its historic venue. Plus, a free Family Movie Night at The Bay features the hit animated comedy “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.”
And as an added bonus, the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is offering Sarasota-Manatee residents half-off admission every Saturday and Sunday this month. For details, visit ringling.org.
1. Free Venice Beach Party with live music, food trucks, beer, wine and specialty drinks
The annual Venice Beach Party returns with a totally rad 1980s theme — and live music to match from cover bands Careless Whispers and Karate in the Garage.
Expect food trucks, beer, wine, and specialty drinks, plus a free trolley running from Centennial Park to Venice Beach, along with free parking and free entry.
It’s a rain-or-shine bash hosted by Venice MainStreet and sponsored by Venice Cooling, Heating, and Plumbing. No coolers, no pets.
1-6 p.m. Saturday; Venice Beach, 101 The Esplanade S., Venice; free admission/parking; 941-484-6722; visitvenicefl.org
2. Oktoberfest at Edelweiss restaurant in Bradenton
Eat, drink, and enjoy live entertainment at Edelweiss, the authentic German restaurant just east of downtown Bradenton by the Riverwalk East extension.
A large open-air beer tent features seating and a stage for live music, plus contests, traditional Oktoberfest food, and steins filled with German beer. Inside seating is also available.
Friday, Sept. 26 through Oct. 26; The Edelweiss Restaurant, 611 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton; free admission; 941-748-3838; facebook.com/@edelweiss941
3. Free Family Fest debuts at Sarasota’s Van Wezel
Sarasota’s waterfront Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is hosting its first-ever Family Fest, inspired by the popular Friday Fest, on the back patio and in the Grand Foyer.
This free, multigenerational event features Asolo Rep on Tour’s “Alice in Wonderland” with performances at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., plus an interactive mindfulness and literacy activity with teaching artist Mr. Stevey.
Guests can also enjoy themed activities with local organizations, food trucks, and the Children’s Entrepreneur Market, showcasing products made and sold by local kids.
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; free; vanwezel.org
4. Sarasota Opera Food & Wine Festival
Pair bites from top Sarasota restaurants with wine inside the historic Sarasota Opera House, all while supporting the Sarasota Youth Opera.
Participating dining spots include Michael’s On East, Element, Selva Grill, Lefty’s, Marcel, Sage, Pier 22, and more. Libation tastings come courtesy of 99 Bottles, Beauty Booze, Campfire Coffee Liqueur, Gold Coast Eagle Distributors, and WellHouse.
1 p.m. Saturday; Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota; $75 advance, $85 day of (general admission), $150 (VIP, including early 12:15 p.m. entry and special seating); 941-328-1300; sarasotaopera.org
5. Free showing of ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’ at The Bay in Sarasota
The Bay park in downtown Sarasota continues its Family Movie Night series Friday with a free showing of the hit animated comedy “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” the 2022 sequel to the 2011 “Shrek” spinoff “Puss in Boots.”
This adventure follows Puss (Antonio Banderas), Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek), and new pal Perrito (Harvey Guillén) on a quest to restore Puss’s lost lives while fending off rivals and a fearsome wolf.
Bring blankets and chairs, and grab snacks like fresh popcorn and drinks from The Nest Café. 7:30 p.m. Friday; The Bay, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota; free; thebaysarasota.org
Wade Tatangelo is Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X. He can be reached by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Top 5 things to do in Sarasota this weekend: Free beach party, Oktoberfest & more
Reporting by Wade Tatangelo, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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