Fall Festivals and Events in Sarasota and Venice for 2026

Fall Festivals and Events Around Sarasota and Venice (Art festivals, Food events, Farmers markets, Community gatherings

by Hunt Brothers Realty

Fall 2026 brings a busy calendar of festivals and community events to Sarasota and Venice, with outdoor art shows, food and wine gatherings, farmers markets, beach events and seasonal celebrations scheduled from September through November. Highlights include the St. Armands Circle Art Festival, Sarasota Opera Food & Wine Festival, Venice Sun Fiesta, Downtown Venice Art Festival, Sarasota Medieval Fair and Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sandsculpting Festival.

The season also includes two year-round Saturday traditions, the Sarasota Farmers Market in downtown Sarasota and Venice Florida Farmers Market in downtown Venice. Whether you live in the area or are exploring the Gulf Coast before a move, these events offer an easy way to experience the arts, food, public spaces and community character that distinguish Sarasota and Venice.

Quick Answers About Fall Festivals and Events Around Sarasota and Venice

When does the fall festival season begin around Sarasota and Venice?

The 2026 fall calendar gets underway over Labor Day weekend with the Downtown Venice Craft Festival on September 5 and 6. Sarasota's St. Armands Circle Art Festival follows September 19 and 20, with additional events continuing through November and into early December.

What are some of Sarasota's major fall art events?

The St. Armands Circle Art Festival with Craft Marketplace is scheduled for September 19 and 20, while the Siesta Key Crystal Classic brings large-scale sand sculpture to Siesta Beach November 13 through 16. The region's fall calendar also includes numerous gallery, performing arts and cultural events.

Are there fall food events in Sarasota?

Yes. Sarasota Opera's Food & Wine Festival is scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the Sarasota Opera House. The event features food samples from participating eateries and wine tastings while supporting Sarasota Youth Opera.

What are the major fall events in Venice?

Venice's 2026 calendar includes the Labor Day Weekend Venice Craft Festival September 5 and 6, Venice Beach Party September 26, Sun Fiesta October 16 through 18, Halloween Strut October 31 and the Downtown Venice Art Festival October 31 and November 1. Holiday events begin around Thanksgiving.

Does Sarasota have a farmers market during fall?

Yes. The Sarasota Farmers Market operates year-round every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. in downtown Sarasota around Lemon Avenue and Main Street. Vendors include farmers, food businesses, artisans and other local organizations.

Does Venice have a weekly farmers market?

Yes. The Venice Florida Farmers Market is scheduled every Saturday year-round from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ed Lavallee Municipal Campus at 401 W. Venice Avenue. The market includes produce, food and drinks, handmade goods and live entertainment.

Are Sarasota and Venice fall festivals free?

Many outdoor art shows and community gatherings offer free admission, including the St. Armands Circle Art Festival and Downtown Venice Art Festival. Other events, including the Sarasota Opera Food & Wine Festival, Sarasota Medieval Fair and Siesta Key Crystal Classic, require admission or offer ticketed experiences.

Should event details be checked before attending?

Yes. Dates, hours, admission, parking arrangements and weather policies can change. Check the event organizer's current website shortly before attending, particularly for outdoor festivals and markets.

September 2026 Starts the Fall Festival Calendar

September provides an early start to the fall event season, with craft festivals, fine art and food events taking place in Venice, St. Armands Circle and downtown Sarasota.

Labor Day Weekend Venice Craft Festival, September 5 and 6

The 17th Annual Labor Day Weekend Venice Craft Festival is scheduled for September 5 and 6 in downtown Venice. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and brings an outdoor craft marketplace to Miami Avenue West.

Admission is free, making this an easy way to combine an art and craft event with a visit to downtown Venice's shops and restaurants. It also provides an early look at the community gathering spaces that host numerous events throughout the fall.

St. Armands Circle Art Festival, September 19 and 20

The St. Armands Circle Art Festival with Craft Marketplace and Sidewalk Sale is scheduled for September 19 and 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The St. Armands Circle Association says the free outdoor event will feature work from more than 175 artisans.

The setting is part of the experience. Visitors can browse art in and around the Circle while also exploring its restaurants and shops, with Lido Beach only a short distance away. For people considering island living, the festival offers another reason to explore nearby Lido Key.

Sarasota Opera Food & Wine Festival, September 26

Food takes center stage at the Sarasota Opera Food & Wine Festival on Saturday, September 26. The event takes place at the Sarasota Opera House at 61 N. Pineapple Avenue and features samples from participating eateries along with wine tastings.

The 2026 event supports Sarasota Youth Opera. General admission begins at 1 p.m., with VIP early entry at 12:30 p.m. Because this is a ticketed event, attendees should review current availability and pricing through Sarasota Opera before making plans.

Venice Beach Party, September 26

Venice takes the celebration to the Gulf with the Venice Beach Party on September 26. Venice MainStreet lists the 2026 event from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Venice Public Beach.

It is a particularly fitting event for visitors who want to experience Venice as both a beach community and a small Gulf Coast city. The location also makes it easy to combine the gathering with time on Venice Island.

October Brings Community Festivals and Outdoor Celebrations

October expands the calendar with community celebrations, outdoor gatherings and Halloween events. Venice is particularly active during the month, while Sarasota County offers additional festivals throughout the region.

Sun Fiesta in Downtown Venice, October 16 through 18

Sun Fiesta is scheduled for October 16 through 18 at Centennial Park in downtown Venice. The annual gathering is organized by the Women's Sertoma Club of Venice and is one of the city's established fall community events.

The weekend traditionally brings multiple activities into the downtown area, creating an opportunity to experience Centennial Park, Venice Avenue and the surrounding business district during one of the season's larger community gatherings. Visitors should check the organizer's current schedule for individual activities and times.

Halloween Strut in Downtown Venice, October 31

Venice MainStreet's Halloween Strut is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on October 31 in downtown Venice. The event is organized in partnership with the Venice Lions Club and adds a community-oriented Halloween celebration to the fall calendar.

Fright Night on St. Armands Circle, October 31

Sarasota has its own island Halloween gathering with Fright Night on St. Armands Circle. The St. Armands Circle Association lists the 2026 event for October 31 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., when the Circle takes on a Halloween theme for the evening.

November Is a Major Month for Art and Festival Events

November brings several of the region's most visually distinctive events, from a juried downtown art festival to elaborate sand sculptures on Siesta Beach and a multi-week medieval fair.

Downtown Venice Art Festival, October 31 and November 1

The 38th Annual Downtown Venice Art Festival bridges October and November, running Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1. The free festival is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. along West Venice Avenue.

With the show taking place directly in the downtown district, visitors can combine the art festival with restaurants, cafés and locally owned businesses along Venice Avenue. It is one of several examples of how Venice uses its historic downtown streets as public gathering spaces throughout the year.

Sarasota Medieval Fair, November 7 through December 6

The Sarasota Medieval Fair returns on Saturdays and Sundays from November 7 through December 6, 2026. The event takes place at the Woods of Mallaranny in Myakka City, east of Sarasota, from 9:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The fair combines full-armored jousting, entertainment, games, rides, food and an extensive artisan marketplace within a 47-acre setting. Each weekend has its own theme, making it one of the longer-running seasonal events on the regional fall calendar. The organizer advises that 2026 tickets are date-specific and capacity can be limited.

Siesta Key Crystal Classic, November 13 through 16

The 2026 Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sandsculpting Festival is scheduled for November 13 through 16 on Siesta Beach. Master sand sculptors transform the beach's quartz sand into large-scale works during the four-day event.

The festival extends beyond the sculptures with live music, food and drinks, shopping, demonstrations and activities. Anyone interested in seeing more of the island outside major tourist periods can also explore Hunt Brothers Realty's local guide to Siesta Key Beach beyond tourist season.

Ferraris on the Circle, November 7

For automotive enthusiasts, the Ferraris on the Circle event is scheduled for November 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on St. Armands Circle. The event showcases new, vintage and rare Ferrari automobiles in the Circle's park setting.

Sarasota Farmers Market Is a Saturday Tradition

Not every fall outing requires waiting for an annual festival. The Sarasota Farmers Market operates every Saturday, rain or shine, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. in downtown Sarasota.

The market is centered around Main Street and Lemon Avenue and extends into surrounding downtown streets. Its mission includes providing a gathering place for residents and visitors while supporting farmers, local businesses, artisans and nonprofit organizations.

For people exploring downtown Sarasota, a Saturday morning market visit can provide a useful introduction to the city center before exploring the bayfront, restaurants, shops and surrounding neighborhoods.

Venice Florida Farmers Market Brings the Community Downtown

The Venice Florida Farmers Market also operates every Saturday year-round. The City of Venice lists market hours from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ed Lavallee Municipal Campus, 401 W. Venice Avenue.

The market features produce, handmade goods, food and drinks along with live entertainment from local performers. Its downtown location makes it easy to continue along Venice Avenue afterward or combine the market with other activities on Venice Island.

Hunt Brothers Realty has also highlighted the Venice Farmers Market as part of the city's broader community calendar. Readers interested in comparing the character of the two cities can explore Sarasota versus Venice for a broader look at their lifestyle differences.

A Quick 2026 Fall Event Calendar

September 5 and 6: Labor Day Weekend Venice Craft Festival, Downtown Venice
September 19 and 20: St. Armands Circle Art Festival with Craft Marketplace, Sarasota
September 26: Sarasota Opera Food & Wine Festival, Downtown Sarasota
September 26: Venice Beach Party, Venice Public Beach
October 16 through 18: Sun Fiesta, Downtown Venice
October 31: Halloween Strut, Downtown Venice
October 31: Fright Night, St. Armands Circle
October 31 and November 1: Downtown Venice Art Festival
November 7: Ferraris on the Circle, St. Armands Circle
November 7 through December 6, Saturdays and Sundays: Sarasota Medieval Fair, Myakka City
November 13 through 16: Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sandsculpting Festival, Siesta Beach
Every Saturday: Sarasota Farmers Market, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Every Saturday: Venice Florida Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This calendar reflects published information available for fall 2026. Always check directly with the organizer before attending, particularly when weather, road closures, ticket availability or other circumstances could affect an outdoor event.

What Do Fall Events Reveal About Sarasota and Venice?

Seasonal events offer more than entertainment. They show how different parts of Sarasota County function as gathering places. Downtown Sarasota's farmers market and cultural events reflect its arts and dining concentration, while St. Armands Circle combines outdoor events with its island shopping and restaurant district.

Venice offers a different scale. Its festivals frequently use Centennial Park, Venice Avenue, Miami Avenue and the beach, tying community events closely to the historic downtown and Venice Island. Hunt Brothers Realty's Sarasota versus Venice guide provides additional context for buyers deciding which coastal-city environment better matches their priorities.

No single festival determines what it is like to live in a neighborhood, and event schedules should not substitute for spending time in an area at different times of day and year. For prospective buyers, however, markets, festivals and community gatherings can provide another way to understand how public spaces are used and which destinations are convenient from a particular property.

Enjoy Fall on Florida's Sarasota County Gulf Coast

From September art shows to November sand sculptures, fall 2026 provides plenty of opportunities to experience Sarasota and Venice beyond their beaches. St. Armands Circle, downtown Sarasota, downtown Venice, Siesta Beach and surrounding communities each contribute something different to the seasonal calendar.

The weekly farmers markets make it possible to experience that community activity throughout the season, while larger annual festivals provide destination events worth planning around. Since schedules can change, checking the organizer's current information before leaving home remains the best way to confirm dates, times, admission and parking.

Explore Sarasota and Venice With Hunt Brothers Realty

If exploring these events has you thinking about life on Florida's Gulf Coast, Hunt Brothers Realty can help you compare Sarasota, Venice and the surrounding coastal communities. Explore Hunt Brothers Realty's Gulf Coast community guide, read the Sarasota versus Venice comparison, or contact Hunt Brothers Realty to discuss your real estate goals.

Event information in this article is provided for general informational purposes and is based on schedules published by organizers as of August 2026. Dates, hours, locations, admission prices and event details can change or be affected by weather and other circumstances. Confirm current information directly with the applicable organizer before making travel, ticketing or attendance plans.