Fun things to do in Sarasota this weekend range from a variety of free events, to a stand-up star who's also one of the first acts in Van Wezel's recently announced 2026-27 season.
Big Top Brewing Company will host a benefit for Sarasota no-kill animal shelter Satchel's Last Resort (which is free, although you can make a donation to send a birthday card and treat to a shelter pet), while University Town Center hosts a monthly event where you can explore cars and enjoy complimentary coffee while also supporting a nonprofit.
Another monthly event taking place this weekend will be Sarasota Art Museum's Free Second Sundays, while you can watch the opening game of the Tampa Bay Bucs' 2026 season at downtown Sarasota park the Bay. Then next to the Bay,
at Van Wezel, will be stand-up comedian Ron White.
Note: We didn't include any 9/11 memorials in this week's list, given the obviously more solemn nature of those compared to the fun things to do we typically highlight, but there are several such events taking place this weekend as well. Those include a 9/11 25th year commemoration 5 p.m. Friday at Sarasota National Cemetery, a remembrance ceremony at 9 a.m. Friday at Patriots Park in Venice, and the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb and Day of Remembrance taking place from 8 a.m. to noon on Friday at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota.
1. Satchel's Giving Day at Big Top Brewing Company
Big Top Brewing Company will host this community fundraiser for Sarasota no-kill animal shelter and sanctuary Satchel's Last Resort.
The event will feature The Kara Nally Band playing "a variety of blues, funk and booty shakin’ music," raffle baskets, and food and drink options from Big Top. Attendees will also have the opportunity to make a $25 donation to send a birthday card and a treat to a shelter pet waiting for its forever home.
6-9 p.m. Saturday; Big Top Brewing Company, 3045 Fruitville Commons Blvd., Sarasota; free admission; 941-225-8438; bigtopbrewing.com
2. Ron White at Van Wezel
Early on in Van Wezel's 2026-27 season is stand-up comedian Ron White, who first became famous to many as a member of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour alongside Jeff Foxworthy, Larry the Cable Guy and Bill Engvall.
Yet he's had a very successful separate stand-up career as well, including the gold-selling comedy album "Drunk in Public," the Best Comedy Album Grammy-nominated "You Can't Fix Stupid" and "A Little Unprofessional," and the Netflix special "If You Quit Listening, I'll Shut Up." The show is for ages 18 and up only.
7:30 p.m. Sunday; Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; $68-$128; 941-263-6799; vanwezel.org
3. Watch It at The Bay!: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
One popular Sarasota event offering during the summer were the World Cup watch parties at downtown park the Bay, presented in partnership with the soccer club Sarasota Paradise. Now the park will hold a screening for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' first game of the regular season against the Cincinnati Bengals.
While most local sports bars and restaurants will likely be showing the same game, the Bay touts its "stadium-size large screens," plus its own food and drinks served at The Nest Cafe. Bring a lawn chair to ensure a comfortable seat.
1-4 p.m. Sunday; The Bay, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota; free; 941-203-5316; thebaysarasota.org
4. Free Second Sundays at Sarasota Art Museum
Sarasota Art Museum, one of our choices for best local places for indoor fun and cited by CNN when it named Sarasota the best U.S. town to visit in 2026, will hold its monthly free Second Sundays event this weekend.
On the second Sunday of each month, the museum offers free admission for visitors, special performances and art-making activities for the whole family. Those will include art making for all from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and a 2-2:40 p.m. kids acting class with Asolo Repertory Theatre.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday; Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; free; 941-309-4300; sarasotaartmuseum.org
5. Sarasota Cars & Coffee at University Town Center
Another monthly event, held the second Saturday of every month, is Sarasota Cars & Coffee, where attendees can see hundreds of cars while sipping complimentary coffee from Mademoiselle Paris and Chick-fil-A, energy drinks from OMNI Energy and bottled water courtesy of Detailers of Sarasota.
This month’s event will benefit Blaze of Hope, which provides financial assistance to families of hospitalized children with life-threatening medical conditions.
8-10 a.m. Saturday (show car entry gates open at 6:30 a.m.); The Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota (Lot 5, east side of Dillard’s near PopStroke); free, $10 cash show car parking, $5 cash motorcycle parking; utcsarasota.com
Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Top Sarasota events this weekend include free fun and a stand-up star
