If you’re looking for a quick, fun escape to kick off the first weekend of 2026 before heading back to work, Sarasota offers an easy option.
Just a 4.5-hour drive from Key Biscayne and Miami, the Sarasota Winter Seafood & Music Festival combines coastal flavors, live music, and a laid-back Gulf Coast atmosphere.
The 2026 Sarasota Winter Seafood & Music Festival returns January 2nd to the 4th, bringing three days of food, music, and arts to the Sarasota Fairgrounds. Admission is free, and an affordable weekend getaway for families, couples, and groups of friends looking to start the new year on a relaxed note.
Festivalgoers can enjoy a wide range of seafood dishes prepared onsite, along with meat and vegetarian options, side dishes, desserts, and beverages from regional vendors. Live music runs throughout the weekend, with performances spanning genres such as rock, jazz, rhythm and blues, and soul.
Besides food and music, the festival features an artisan marketplace with handcrafted goods, specialty items, and artwork, offering plenty to explore between performances.
Festival hours:
• Friday, January 2: 4:30 to 10 p.m.
• Saturday, January 3: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Sunday, January 4: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For those planning to stay overnight, Sarasota offers a range of accommodations, from beachfront resorts to downtown hotels.
Popular options include The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota; Art Ovation Hotel; The Westin Sarasota; Lido Beach Resort; and Hotel Indigo Sarasota, all providing convenient access to dining, beaches, and cultural attractions.
Whether you go for the seafood, the music, or simply a change of scenery, the Sarasota Winter Seafood & Music Festival offers an easy and enjoyable first getaway of the new year.