Here’s a preview of a recent Sarasota Weekly newsletter:
Sarasota Weekly
Your Sarasota Weekend Plan (Feb 13–15)
A curated weekly email with the best events, local picks, and what’s actually worth your time — sent every Thursday morning.
Plan your weekend in 5 minutes.
Join thousands of Sarasota locals, snowbirds, and visitors who use this every week. Sent every Thursday morning so you can plan your weekend ahead of time.
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What You’ll Get Each Week
Every Thursday morning, Sarasota Weekly gives you a curated list of what’s actually worth your time — so you don’t waste your weekend figuring it out:
✔️ The best events happening this weekend
✔️ Local picks you won’t find on generic event calendars
✔️ A mix of live music, food, festivals, and outdoor events
✔️ Straightforward recommendations — no fluff
👉 Think of it as your shortcut to planning the perfect Sarasota weekend.
Inside Sarasota Weekly
Top 10 Things to Do in Sarasota & Nearby This Weekend (Friday, Feb 13 – Sunday, Feb 15, 2026)
1️⃣ 🚗 Sarasota Cars & Coffee (Presented by Omni Energy)
Dates & Times:
Sat · Morning (typically 8:00 AM–11:00 AM)
Location: The Mall at UTC, Sarasota
A favorite for auto enthusiasts and casual spectators alike, Sarasota Cars & Coffee brings together exotic cars, classics, muscle cars, and everything in between. Stroll the lot, chat with owners, grab a coffee, and enjoy a relaxed weekend kickoff surrounded by impressive vehicles. Free admission.
2️⃣ 🎶 Free Music Friday Night Concert – The Swinging Bridge
Dates & Times:
Fri · 7:00 PM–9:00 PM
Location: Centennial Park Gazebo, Downtown Venice
Kick off Valentine’s weekend with live music under the stars at this community favorite concert series. Bring folding chairs or blankets and settle in for an evening of classic tunes and good vibes. No alcohol permitted. Free.
3️⃣ 💍 “Say I Do Again” – Beach Vow Renewal at Siesta Key
Dates & Times:
Sat · Check-in 4:30 PM | Activities 5:00 PM | Ceremony 6:00 PM
Location: Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Rd, Sarasota
Celebrate love at sunset with a non-denominational vow renewal on one of America’s most beautiful beaches. Includes a commemorative certificate, flower, small gift, music, and light refreshments. $20 per couple pre-registration; $30 day-of (credit cards only).
4️⃣ 🏴☠️ Pirates Block Party – Downtown Bradenton
Dates & Times:
Sat · 6:00 PM–10:00 PM
Location: Old Main Street (between 3rd Ave & Manatee Ave), Bradenton
Welcome the Pittsburgh Pirates back for Spring Training with a lively street festival featuring autograph sessions, free themed T-shirts, kids’ zone activities, sponsor booths, and entertainment throughout the evening. Free admission.
5️⃣ 🐟 44th Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival
Dates & Times:
Sat & Sun · 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Location: Star Fish Company Market & Restaurant Area, 12306 46th Ave W, Cortez
A beloved coastal tradition celebrating the area’s commercial fishing heritage with fresh seafood, marine life exhibits, kids’ activities, live music, and artisan vendors. Parking: On-site Preserve lot $5 donation; additional off-site church parking available.
6️⃣ 🎨 Inaugural Wellen Park Fine Art Festival
Dates & Times:
Sat & Sun · 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Location: 19745 Wellen Park Blvd, Venice
Meet talented artists from across Florida and the U.S. showcasing original handmade works including paintings, sculpture, jewelry, photography, glass, ceramics, fiber art, woodworking, and mixed-media creations. A relaxed outdoor stroll perfect for art lovers. Free admission.
7️⃣ 🎪 Circus Sarasota – Big Top Performances Begin
Dates & Times:
Opening Weekend (Feb 14–15) · Various Showtimes
Location: Regatta Island, Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Cir, Sarasota
Experience world-class circus artistry in an intimate one-ring European-style Big Top. High-wire thrills, comedy, acrobatics, and international performers—many seen on national TV—make this a can’t-miss seasonal tradition. Tickets approx. $40–$100.
8️⃣ 🥪 32nd Anniversary Jewish Food Festival & Flea Market
Dates & Times:
Sun · 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
Location: Jewish Congregation of Venice, 600 N Auburn Rd, Venice
Indulge in homemade deli classics, bakery treats, stuffed cabbage, soups, dairy favorites, beer and wine, plus music, raffles, vendor booths, and an annual jewelry sale. Free admission & parking.
9️⃣ 🌊 Ski-A-Rees Water Ski Show
Dates & Times:
Sun · 2:00 PM
Location: Ski-A-Ree Stadium, 1602 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota
Watch Sarasota’s own water ski team perform jumps, pyramids, and synchronized tricks on Sarasota Bay. A fun, family-friendly Sunday afternoon tradition with waterfront views. Free.
🔟 🛍️ UTC Weekend Stroll – Shopping, Dining & Pop-Up Events
Dates & Times:
All Weekend · Day & Evening Hours
Location: University Town Center District, Sarasota
Beyond scheduled events, UTC buzzes with boutique shopping, patio dining, dessert stops, and frequent pop-up entertainment throughout the plazas. Ideal for a relaxed afternoon or date night pairing dinner with a movie or live music. Varies by venue.
Whether you’re into cars, art, food festivals, beach sunsets, or live performances, Sarasota and its neighboring towns are packed with options this Valentine’s weekend. Click below for more fun things to do in and around Sarasota, Florida.
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Hi, I'm Mike Payne
Hi, I’m Mike Payne
I’m a local real estate advisor here in Sarasota — I’ve lived here for nearly 40 years.
I’ve also spent more than 20 years helping people buy and sell homes with confidence.
One of the questions I hear all the time is:
👉 “What’s actually worth doing around here?”
So I started Sarasota Weekly — a simple, no-fluff way to find the best events, local spots, and things to do each weekend.
Whether you’re new to the area, visiting, or have lived here for years, this is how you stay connected to what’s really happening in Sarasota.
If you ever have questions about Sarasota — events, neighborhoods, or real estate — just reply to the newsletter.
Explore Sarasota
Fresh Fridays Sarasota: Music, Art & Nightlife Downtown
Captures downtown Sarasota’s monthly street party of music, art, and nightlife. Explains how Fresh Fridays adds energy to Main Street.
Eat Play & Live
Thunder By The Bay: Sarasota’s Motorcycle Festival of Music, Leather & Legacy
The "thunder" is returning to Sarasota in early February. Even if you're not in to loud motorcycles, black leather, and carnival food, you should keep an open mind about the music line-up the Festival attracts each year. 38 Special. After all these years, 38 Special took the stage at Thunder by the Bay a few years ago and sounded just like I remember from more than 40 years ago. Highlights roaring motorcycles, rock concerts, and charitable impact. Captures the mix of energy, camaraderie, and tradition behind this long-running festival.
Arts & Culture
Embracing Our Differences Sarasota | Bayfront Park Art Exhibit
Covers the outdoor art exhibition that celebrates diversity and creativity through large-scale works. Explains how the annual Bayfront Park display impacts both locals and visitors.
Real Estate & Relocation
Is Sarasota real estate crashing… or just recalibrating?
Before buying into national headlines, take a look at the local numbers. This deep-dive breaks down 2019 vs. the migration surge vs. 2025 across single-family homes and condos — prices, inventory, days on market, and what’s actually changing (and what isn’t). No hype, no doom — just charts, context, and nearly 40 years of on-the-ground perspective so you can separate facts from fear and make smarter decisions whether you’re buying, selling, or relocating.
Start Your Story
Thinking about making Sarasota home—or just coming back for more sunshine? 🌴 Explore relocation tips, community insights, and local favorites that make living here special. Your next chapter in paradise starts right here.
Don’t miss next week’s Sarasota picks.
Get the full weekend plan every Thursday morning — curated, local, and actually worth your time.
Until Next Week...
Thanks for joining me on this little tropical adventure through Sarasota’s best beaches, bites, and weekend happenings. 🌴 The “What’s Happening in Sarasota?” calendar will always kick things off — your built-in reason to open this newsletter each week — and if you want a head start, see what’s coming next.
But stick around… curiosity has a way of sneaking up, and before you know it, you’ll be clicking a few extras. My goal? To make this your favorite bridge — maybe even your tether — to all the sunshine, stories, and spontaneous fun that make Sarasota shine. Until next week, keep your flip-flops handy and your weekend wide open.
PS –– Please do me a favor: click reply to this email to (a) let me know you received it and (b) let me know what you think of it. Have a recommendation to improve it? I'm listening. —Mike Payne
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