Family events in Sarasota County, FL

Wednesdays bring a buy one, get one offer at Livingston’s in Sarasota, where you can pick between go karts or SpinZone bumper cars and receive a second attraction of the same price or less at no charge. Team up with friends or family, face off on the track or in the spin arena, and enjoy twice the action while paying for just one.

Get moving with a high energy Zumba session led by Yaël Campbell at The Bay in Sarasota. Expect upbeat music and easy to follow choreography with a welcoming crew that loves to get everyone dancing, smiling, jumping, shaking and sometimes even singing. Friends and kids are welcome, and it is a friendly place to meet new Zumba companions. Complimentary parking is available in the lots in front of the Van Wezel and in front of the Municipal Auditorium, Art Center and Blue Pagoda. Please avoid spaces reserved for the Sarasota Orchestra and along the south side of Blvd of the Arts. Drivers should use the 10th Street roundabout, since the entrance from Blvd of the Arts and South Van Wezel Way is closed. If arriving on foot, follow signs and stay on the south side of Blvd of the Arts, or enter from the lot in front of the Van Wezel. The park remains open during construction. Most walkways, the Ibis Playground and the living resilient shoreline are accessible, though some areas are closed, including South Van Wezel Way near Blvd of the Arts for drainage work, portions of the lot north of the Van Wezel and the Centennial Park lot for shoreline improvements, and the space between the Municipal Auditorium and the Art Center for a new Town Square. Some events draw big crowds, so consider arriving early and allow extra time for parking and walking. Pets must be non aggressive, kept on a leash at all times, and owners are responsible for cleanup. To report unsafe behavior, contact Sarasota Non-Emergency Police at (941) 316-1199.

This family-oriented event spotlights what it means to be an SMA Eagle. Attendees can meet faculty, staff, and students, learn about the Academy’s values-focused approach, and see how cadets are readied for college, careers, and life. The program includes live music performed by SMA cadets and a variety of refreshments, including Flavors of Brazil Street Food, the Fresh Lemonade Stand, and desserts provided by cadets. It also highlights recent outcomes for the Class of 2026, with nearly $1.5 million in scholarships, more than half enrolling in college or university, 35 percent choosing trade school or military service, and a 99 percent graduation rate that is among the highest in the county.

A high energy show packed with pop, rock, and dance favorites, spanning artists from Lady Gaga to AC/DC. The performance centers on audience interaction and surprise, offering a experience that is anything but background. Expect big sing along moments, plenty of dancing, and an all around feel good time.

Set in Centennial Park in Venice, this event features live bands and other performances, vendors with arts and crafts, and a bed race. A tent will offer beer and wine, a selection of food trucks will be available, and there will be both a raffle and an auction. Admission is free.

Spectators are welcome. Admission works on the honor system at $10 per person. Please stop by the show office, which is located next to the cafe. The cafe will be open while the show is in progress.

Families Unplugged encourages families to put away electronics and reconnect through simple, screen-free time together. Offered by the Y and grounded in the idea that healthy habits start at home, it provides a welcome break from daily routines and a chance to focus on one another. Most activities are included with a YMCA membership.

Move to the music with a lively Zumba session led by Yaël Campbell at The Bay. Expect upbeat rhythms and an energizing group that will have you dancing, smiling, jumping, shaking and maybe even singing. Bring a friend, bring the kids, and meet new Zumba companions along the way. Free parking is available in the lots in front of the Van Wezel and in front of the Municipal Auditorium, Art Center and Blue Pagoda. Some entrances, walkways and parking areas are affected by construction, so follow posted signs for vehicle and pedestrian access and allow extra time. The park remains open, and most paths, the Ibis Playground and the living resilient shoreline can be enjoyed. Crowds can be large, so plan ahead and be patient. Pets must be on a leash, non aggressive and cleaned up after. To report unsafe behavior, contact the Sarasota Non Emergency Police at (941) 316-1199. Friends of The Bay support the park’s programs and help keep many events free for everyone.

The 10th Annual Big Mama’s Collard Greens Fest brings Newtown’s spirit to the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex with a day dedicated to food, culture, music, and plenty of collard green pride. Launched in 2016 to honor family recipes and community connection, it has grown into a signature gathering for the neighborhood. A centerpiece of the celebration is the Collard Green Cook-Off, where home cooks and professional chefs compete for prizes, bragging rights, and the coveted Big Mama title. Entries are judged blind by a selected panel, keeping the focus squarely on flavor, with awards for first, second, and third place. This family-friendly, alcohol-free event welcomes all ages. Guests can enjoy soul food favorites, support local vendors, take in live entertainment, and celebrate how collard greens continue to bring people together across generations. Lawn chairs, blankets, family, friends, and healthy appetites all fit right in for a relaxed day of community celebration. The festival supports the mission of Newtown Nation and the Newtown Farmers Market by promoting food access, healthy eating, local entrepreneurship, and economic opportunity, with every vendor, sponsor, volunteer, cook, performer, and guest helping move that work forward. Presented by Newtown Nation and Newtown Farmers Market. Please note an official scam alert from the organizers: fraudulent comments may appear on social posts. Official registration for vendors, sponsors, and entertainers is handled only through the organizers’ official channels, and money or personal information should not be sent to anyone via Facebook comments or Messenger. Fraudulent comments are actively removed, though some may appear briefly.