Top Things to Do in Sarasota January Through April

Up-close and personal with MLB stars, exclusive art tours, and an aquarium-based craft beer festival are just a few reasons to visit Sarasota, Florida, during these select winter and spring months.

There’s a reason so many travelers flock to Sarasota during the winter and spring months. After all, it’s when the weather is most pleasant with temps hovering in the 70s. But there’s more to do in this principal Gulf Coast city than just spending sunny days sprawled out on the sand (of which they are many options, from the world-famous Siesta Beach to the quieter Lido Beach). Art tours, spring training, opera, craft beer festivals, and even an iconic motorcycle rally are just a few of the offerings that make Sarasota so deeply sought after beyond the beach.

SARASOTA ACTIVITIES & ATTRACTIONS

Sip & See Art on the Annual Art Crawl Trolley Tours

On the second Fridays only during the months of January through April, Discover Sarasota Tours breaks out three of their 31-seat air-conditioned trolley for their annual Art Crawl Trolley Tours. Guided by local watercolorist and Sarasota art scene expert, Jerome Chesley (pictured above), the city-wide tours kick off with complimentary wine and beer at the Trolley Cottage Tiki Bar before hitting more than 20+ galleries and studios across six Sarasota art districts, including favorites like the Towles Court Colony and the Limelight District. The best part – beyond seeing scores of local artwork and collections? You’ll enjoy complimentary wine and other snack spreads at each gallery stop.

Sneak in Some Sheepshead Fishing

While sheepshead can be harvested year-round, their peak fishing season is January through March where they gather in large numbers in Sarasota Bay and Siesta Key around barnacle-covered structures like docks, bridges, and piers, making them easier to catch. Nicknamed the “convict fish” for their black-and-white striped appearance and bait-stealing tendencies, the highly prized fish provides a fun and rewarding challenge for anglers – and, if you manage to hook one, a coveted meal as they are renowned for their firm, white flesh that is sweet and mild and often compared to that of lobster. Want to see what all the fuss over this fish is about? Book a guided tour with seasoned fishing guide, Captain Jim Klopfer.

Visit “Birdland South” During MLB Spring Training

From February through March, Ed Smith Stadium becomes the spring training home for the Baltimore Orioles. Thanks to an intimate 8,500-seat capacity, fans can get closer to the action than at regular-season games, making it easier to interact with players and even snag a few autographs. Known as “Birdland South,” the renovated stadium blends retro charm with modern amenities, enhanced by affordable ticket prices and family-friendly activities.

Mingle with Manatees Before They Migrate

Thanks to an abundance of seagrass beds and warm-water outflows from power plants as well as natural springs that feed the area, Sarasota Bay provides the perfect winter refuge for cold-sensitive manatees, where the mammals mingle in large numbers until the end of March. For your best chance of getting up close with these slow-moving gentle giants, look for kayak tours that paddle around Lido Key mangrove tunnels. You’ll not only get to witness the exotic system of secluded mangrove tunnels but maybe a manatee or two.

Indulge in the Winter Opera Season

The upcoming 2025 Winter Opera Festival – an annual tradition by the Sarasota Opera House – is being touted as a season that will hit all the high notes thanks to a careful curation of performances. Running from February through March, four productions will take the historic stage of the 1926 Mediterranean Revival opera house, including the timeless comedy of Gioachino Rossini’s The Barber of Seville and the treasured favorite of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. The season kicks off on February 15 with a double bill of Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana and Ruggero Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci – two classic tales of love and betrayal presented in one night.

2025 SARASOTA FESTIVALS & EVENTS

Sarasota Seafood & Music Festival | January 10–12, 2025

This lively annual weekend event brings together delicious fresh seafood, live music, and a vibrant atmosphere at the Sarasota Fairgrounds. Mouthwatering seafood dishes are prepared by local and regional chefs, alongside a variety of other culinary options, while live music spans genres like rock, jazz, blues, and reggae, creating the perfect soundtrack for a day of fun. The festival also includes an array of arts and crafts vendors, interactive activities, and a welcoming community vibe.

Sharktoberfest | January 18, 2025

Hosted annually at the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, Sharktoberfest is a craft beer fest with a marine twist. In fact, the aquarium – consisting of indoor and covered outdoor exhibits – is lined with different regional craft breweries serving up samples of their beer, so a stroll to see all the animals and learn about Mote’s groundbreaking research also feels a bit like a pub crawl. Each guest receives a commemorative tasting glass, and there will also be live entertainment, food stations, and a cash bar.

Brown Bag Concert Series | Thursdays, February 6–March 27, 2025

This free community event invites locals and visitors to enjoy live music in the outdoor setting of Phillippi Estate Park from noon to 1 p.m. every Thursday. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own “brown bag” lunches, sit back, and soak up the sounds of talented local musicians performing a variety of genres.

Thunder by the Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival | February 14–16, 2025

Raising funds for Suncoast Charities for Children, this signature annual Sarasota event features high-energy performances from national and local bands, as well as thrilling bike shows, charity rides, and scenic cruises across three days. This year, Blue Oyster Cult headlines the Friday night entertainment.

Farm to Fillet | March 23, 2025

Hosted under the towering shady oaks at the 200-acre Mote Aquaculture Research Park in eastern Sarasota, this one-of-a-kind dining experience treats guests to a gourmet multi-course meal featuring fresh, sustainably raised seafood straight from the surrounding aquaculture farm. But beside a delicious meal, expect expertly paired fine wines, engaging conversations, and behind-the-scenes insights into Mote’s groundbreaking efforts in sustainable seafood production.

Sarasota Film Festival | April 4–13, 2025

This 10-day Florida film fest offers a diverse lineup of screenings that draws filmmakers, actors, and film enthusiasts from around the globe. In addition to the thought-provoking documentaries, narrative features, international films, and shorts, the festival is also known for its engaging panel discussions, Q&A sessions with filmmakers, and star-studded red-carpet events. In 2024, actor Steve Buscemi attended, participating in a Q&A that followed a screening of one of his most recent films.