Best St. Armands Circle Events You Won’t Want to Miss

St. Armands Circle is the place to be for magical sunsets, entertainment and delicious food. The area offers the appeal of a beach town without the crazy party scene that accompanies most cities in Sarasota.

Lido Key rentals offer a high-end, luxury feel with private spaces and luxurious accommodations.

There’s plenty of things to do in Lido Key, and the local events in St. Armands Circle are a must-attend. There’s something for everyone at these events, and you benefit from luxurious St. Armands Circle rentals that are close to all of the action.

The top events in St. Armands Circle include:

st. armands circle sign
Photo: Unsplash

St. Armands Circle Art Festival

Location:  411 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota, Florida

Date: January 25 & 26 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The annual St. Armands Art Festival fills the streets with an array of art featuring hundreds of gallery-style booths. The event is held outdoors and free for all attendees. There are more than 200 international and national artists that have their fine works on display.

Marvel at life-sized sculptures, hand-crafted décor, apparel and fine works of art. Pick up jewelry as a gift for a friend or a token of your time at your Lido Key vacation rental.

The event spans two days, and there is more than enough parking for everyone.

Pets are also welcome, but you’re asked to keep your furry friend on a leash at all times. St. Armands Circle Art Festival is one of the top ranked festivals in the United States. You’ll have the opportunity to view works from some of the biggest names in contemporary art, and you’ll also be able to meet many of the artists that have work on display.

If you’re a lover of the arts, you won’t want to miss St. Armands annual art festival.

The Annual St. Armands Craft Festival

Location: 1 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota, Florida

Date: June 13 & 14 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The annual Craft Festival is back with two days of events. The event starts on June 13 and ends on June 14, allowing you more than enough time to view all of the 175 artisans that have their crafts on display.

The event is free and open to the public.

You’ll find a little of everything at the craft festival, including:

  • Jewelry
  • Soaps
  • Pottery
  • Plant holders
  • So much more

Every year, there are new and exciting vendors that display one-of-a-kind artworks. You’ll also find a massive green market being held at the same time this year. The green market brings an assortment of dips and sauces along with other goodies that you can purchase.

You’ll be just a short walk from local shops and eateries, too. Browse the crafts at the festival, go out to lunch or dinner afterwards, and enjoy a nice walk on the beach to end your day.

Seafood and Music Festival

Location: 199 Bayfront Dr, Sarasota, Florida

Date: January 17 – 19

4 p.m. – 10 p.m. on Friday | 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Saturday | 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday

Taste the best seafood in town at the Seafood and Music Festival. The festival is free to attend, but there are plenty of opportunities to spend money. A diverse assortment of cooked, fresh seafood will be served.

Fresh, local and sustainable practices are used by all vendors, and there will be side dishes and desserts to enjoy, too.

Soda, alcohol and other drinks will be available. Music will be played by cover bands and others, with the following genres available:

  • Jazz
  • Rock
  • Blues
  • R&B
  • Caribbean

Listen to music, meet new friends, and if you feel like spending a little money, you can also choose to pay $75 to enter the VIP tent. The VIP tent is an open bar.

If you want to walk through the entire festival and really soak in all that the annual event has to offer, you can expect to spend at least 4 to 5 hours exploring.

Taste of St. Armands

Location: 1 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota, Florida

Date: January 18 from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Taste of St. Armands is a must-attend for food lovers who want to try the best local cuisine. The annual event will showcase the area’s award-winning restaurants. Attendees will be able to try samples from all restaurants in attendance, with cuisine including:

  • Cuban
  • Spanish
  • Italian
  • Irish
  • So much more

Over 18 restaurants will be at the event along with musical acts to keep attendees entertained. A silent auction is also held to raise money for charity.

Enjoy a fun-filled night that offers great music and the best food in St. Armands Circle. Drinks will also be available.

Tickets are $85 at the door and $75 if you order in advance.

Classic Car Show

Location: 1 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota, Florida

Date: May 2 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Want to walk through a classic car show with over 150 American classics? The annual Corvettes on the Circle car show is right in the middle of all the action. View a variety of classics, stop into local shops and treat yourself to one of the nearby restaurants.

Corvettes starting with the classic 1953 C1 will be on display.

Each generational class will have a top-three selection to determine which classic is the most impressive. If you want to enter the show, you will want to arrive as early as 7 a.m. to register your vehicle.

St. Armands Boat Show

Location: 1 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota, Florida

Date: June 6 – 7 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The boat show is a weekend-long event that brings the local community together. The event is held at Cannons Marina and will include:

  • Boats
  • Ice cream
  • Restaurants
  • Shopping

You’ll find a plethora of boats on display, including Grady-White boats and more. The best boats in town are always in attendance. Make sure to mingle with locals, view boats and grab a bite to eat while you’re in town.

Deck2Deck2Deck

Location: 325 John Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, Florida

Date: TBA

The event is an 11.2-mile run with stops at three decks:

  • Daiquiri Deck
  • Siesta Key Village Deck
  • South Siesta Deck

The annual Deck2Deck2Deck run has been going for eight years straight, and we expect the event to be held for years to come. You will want to check EventBrite for the date and time of the event as it has not been announced just yet.

The event starts early, often at 7 a.m., and ends with an after party. The after party is a compliment buffet with cocktails. The event’s proceeds go to benefit Sarasota in Defense of Animals (SDA).

Holiday Nights on St. Armands

Location:  St. Armands Circle

Date: December 6 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Holiday Nights on St. Armands is an annual event that brings the magic of the holiday season to locals and tourists alike. The event “kicks off” the holiday season with a tree lighting, a visit with Santa and musical performances.

There’s plenty of free parking available, and all of the local shops and restaurants extend their hours for the event.

The circle is illuminated, and live entertainment will make the event a night to remember. Kids can also visit with Santa for two hours, with photos available for purchase. There are more than a dozen groups that will be providing the night’s entertainment for all ages.

Special store promotions will be available, and if you plan on eating at one of the local restaurants, make sure to make reservations in advance if you don’t want to wait for seating.

Anniversary Circus Ring of Fame

Location:  1 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota, Florida

Date: January 12 from 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

The “Ring of Fame” has been going strong for over 32 years, and it is meant to mark the contributions of significant persons to the art and culture of the circus. Inductees from around the world have been attending the event since 1987.

World famous performers will attend and many will be inducted into the Ring of Fame.

The Ring of Fame goes on a global journey to find the best-of-the-best in the circus industry. Every year there are key inductees that are honored, with this year’s inductees including Guy Laliberte, co-founder of Cirque de Soliel, Los Quiros, a family of high-wire performers and several others.

Lido Key is home to luxurious homes that are available for rent. Tourists come to the picturesque beaches each year to walk and ride bikes along the beach. Sunsets and sunrises provide a postcard-worthy photo opportunity, and there are ample Lido Key rentals near St. Armands Circle.

St. Armands Circle restaurants are some of the best in Lido Key, Sarasota, with Columbian, French and Greek cuisine available.

Plan Your Visit!

Our Lido Key vacation rentals are perfectly situated near the leading events in St. Armands Circle. You’ll be close to the best seafood and restaurants in town, local picturesque beaches and enjoy luxurious accommodations.

Luxury and leisure await the traveler that wants exemplary service, entertainment and the best of St. Armands Circle without the party scene of Siesta Key.

Featured Rentals

The Cottage on Lido Key

This vacation haven offers a master bedroom with a king-size bed and a luxurious spa tub. Just one block from the beach and around the corner from St. Armand’s Circle with its array of restaurants, pubs, and stores, this is one of the best rentals on Lido Key. Relax by the heated pool, enjoy outdoor dining, and savor the convenience of a BBQ. Your perfect Lido Key retreat awaits!

Knot A Basic Beach House

Welcome to Knot a Basic Beach House – where dreams of island paradise come true! This stunning beach home is your perfect destination for the ultimate beach getaway with family and friends. Luxurious amenities, comfortable for 12 guests, breathtaking water views from rooftop decks, and a private pool with a spa. Enjoy a short 2-minute walk to Lido Beach, and 5 minutes to St. Armands Circle!