Easter in Sarasota falls early in 2027: Easter Sunday is March 28, right in the middle of spring break season. That means warm beach days, sunrise services on the sand, egg hunts all over town and brunch tables that fill weeks ahead. This guide covers what Easter weekend is usually like here, which events to look for, how to plan brunch, and how to get a beach day in when everyone else is on vacation too.
Easter 2027 at a Glance
- Palm Sunday: March 21, 2027.
- Good Friday: March 26, 2027.
- Easter Sunday: March 28, 2027.
- Sunrise and sunset on Easter: about 7:25 a.m. and 7:45 p.m.
- Crowds: Easter weekend overlaps spring break, one of the busiest stretches of the year.
- Book ahead: rooms, Easter brunch and dinner reservations.
- Event dates: most churches and organizers post Easter plans in late winter, so check their sites for 2027 details.
What Easter Weekend Is Like Here
An early Easter lands at the height of the season. Snowbirds are still in town, spring breakers fill the beaches, and some families time their school break around the holiday. March is peak travel season, too: Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) set its all-time monthly passenger record in March 2025.
One thing Easter weekend won't have in 2027 is Orioles spring training at home. The Orioles' last home game at Ed Smith Stadium is Friday, March 19, so baseball fans should plan to come a week or two earlier.
The weather is usually a big part of the appeal: late March days are warm and evenings are pleasant. Pack a light layer for an early sunrise service or dinner on the water.
Easter Sunrise Services on the Beach
Few things say Easter in Florida like a service on the sand at first light. Local churches have held beach services for years, but times and places can change, so confirm each one directly for 2027:
- Lido Beach: Church of the Palms has held an Easter sunrise service on Lido Beach for decades. In 2023 the church said the tradition was nearly 60 years old, and it drew hundreds of people.
- Siesta Key Beach: Pine Shores Presbyterian Church held a 6:30 a.m. sunrise service on Siesta Key Beach for Easter 2024.
- Siesta Key Chapel: for Easter 2025, the chapel held a 9 a.m. Chapel on the Beach service, followed by worship in the chapel.
- St. Michael the Archangel on Siesta Key held a 6 a.m. outdoor sunrise Mass on Easter 2025, along with later Masses.
Good to know: the Gulf beaches face west, so at a sunrise service the sun comes up behind you, over the land. You won't see it rise over the water, but the soft early light on the Gulf is beautiful. The Siesta Beach lot opens at 6 a.m. Bring a light jacket or sweatshirt, since the beach can feel cool before the sun is up.
Easter Egg Hunts and Family Events
Easter weekend in 2026 had egg hunts nearly every day from Good Friday through Sunday. Most of these are run by churches and community groups, and not every one returns each year, so treat this as a guide to what to look for and check for 2027 dates:
- On St. Armands Key: St. Armands Key Lutheran Church brought back its community egg hunt in its Meditation Garden in 2026, the first since the early 2020s, with more than 2,000 eggs hidden.
- At the fairgrounds: on Good Friday 2026, First Sarasota held a free event at the Sarasota Fairgrounds with a helicopter egg drop and a 50,000-egg hunt.
- On Siesta Key: Siesta Key Chapel and the Siesta Key Chamber have hosted an Easter egg hunt at the chapel the Saturday before Easter.
- Around town: churches, The Children's Garden and nearby communities like Lakewood Ranch and Venice also held egg hunts in 2026, many of them free.
Local news sites usually publish a roundup of Easter events the week before the holiday. That's the best place to find the 2027 list once it's out.
Easter Brunch: Book Early
Easter brunch is a big deal here, and the best tables go fast. In 2026, resort hotels on Longboat Key and downtown, restaurants along Main Street and waterfront spots across the area all offered Easter brunch, many at a set price per person, and at least one popular brunch sold out with a waitlist before the holiday.
A few tips:
- Reserve three to four weeks ahead, and earlier for a resort brunch or a table with a view.
- Ask about price and seating times when you book. Holiday brunches are often prix fixe, with separate pricing for kids.
- Consider Saturday. If Sunday is booked, a regular Saturday brunch or a Sunday dinner reservation is much easier to get.
- Going to an early service? Book brunch for late morning so you have time to change.
A Beach Day on Easter Weekend
Easter weekend is beach weekend, so plan the same way you would for any busy spring break day:
- Go early or late. The free lots at Siesta Beach (about 950 spaces at 948 Beach Road) and Lido Beach (about 370 spaces at 400 Ben Franklin Drive) can fill by late morning. Arrive before 10 a.m. or after 3 p.m.
- Take the free trolley. The Bay Runner connects downtown, St. Armands Circle and Lido Beach, and the 77 Siesta Islander runs along Siesta Key. Hours can change on holidays, so check the schedule.
- No glass on the beach. Glass containers are not allowed on county beaches or in county parks, so pack cans or a reusable bottle.
- Check the beach report. Mote Marine Laboratory's free Beach Conditions Reporting System (visitbeaches.org) reports red tide signs, water temperature and crowds.
- Stay for sunset. Easter Sunday's sunset is around 7:45 p.m., a perfect end to the holiday.
For more on parking, crowds and what to book, see our spring break guide.
Beyond the Beach
If the beaches are packed, Easter week is a good time for the rest of the area. The Ringling, Selby Gardens and the new Mote SEA aquarium at Nathan Benderson Park are all good choices for a spring afternoon, but check holiday hours before you go. St. Armands Circle is a classic Easter weekend stroll, with shops, restaurants and the Circus Ring of Fame plaques to find. And on Palm Sunday weekend, Sarasota Opera closes its season with the final performance of Jenůfa on March 21.
Easter Basket Ideas With a Beach Twist
A souvenir that comes with a story makes a great Easter basket filler, for kids traveling with you or grandkids at home. A few ideas from The Sarasota Style at 410 St. Armands Circle:
- For little ones: the Longboat onesie for babies, or the Lido Kids Key Tee for bigger kids.
- For the beach: the Lido Key kids hooded sunshirt keeps shoulders covered on long beach days.
- For grown-ups: a Siesta Key cap for sunny days, and the Sun Bum SPF 30 lip balm tucks into any basket.
Browse the kids and baby collection for more.
Easter in Sarasota 2027 FAQ
When is Easter 2027?
Easter Sunday is March 28, 2027. Good Friday is March 26 and Palm Sunday is March 21.
Is Sarasota busy at Easter?
Yes. In 2027 Easter falls during spring break season, one of the busiest times of year, so book rooms, brunch and dinners early.
Are there Easter sunrise services on the beach in Sarasota?
Usually, yes. Church of the Palms has held a sunrise service on Lido Beach for decades, and Siesta Key churches have held beach services too. Confirm 2027 times with each church.
What time is sunrise on Easter 2027 in Sarasota?
About 7:25 a.m. on March 28, 2027. Sunset is around 7:45 p.m.
Do you see the sunrise over the water at Siesta Key or Lido?
No. The Gulf beaches face west, so the sun rises behind you over the land. Sunset is the over-the-water show.
Are there Easter egg hunts in Sarasota?
Yes. In 2026 there were egg hunts from Good Friday through Easter Sunday, including one on St. Armands Key and a 50,000-egg hunt at the Sarasota Fairgrounds. Check organizers for 2027 dates.
How early should I book Easter brunch in Sarasota?
Three to four weeks ahead, and earlier for resort brunches or waterfront tables. Some Easter brunches sell out.
Is spring training happening Easter weekend 2027?
No. The Orioles' last home game at Ed Smith Stadium is March 19, 2027, so come earlier in March if baseball is part of the plan.
Is parking free at the beach on Easter weekend?
Yes at the main lots. Siesta Beach has about 950 free spaces and Lido Beach about 370, but both can fill by late morning on holiday weekends.
Are attractions open on Easter Sunday?
Hours vary by venue on holidays, so check The Ringling, Selby Gardens and Mote SEA before you go.
Whether you're here for a sunrise service, an egg hunt or a long brunch, Easter is one of the prettiest weekends of the year on the keys. Make your reservations early, and stop by The Sarasota Style on St. Armands Circle while you're out. Still planning your trip? Read our guide to things to do on St. Armands Circle.