Sarasota Guide

Halloween falls on Saturday, October 31, 2026. Here are the confirmed events on St. Armands Circle, Siesta Key and at The Ringling, plus parking, trolley and weather tips.

Everything you need for the 2026 Siesta Key Crystal Classic sand sculpting festival, Nov. 13 to 16: tickets, hours, parking, the trolley and the best day to go.

Holiday gifts for anyone who loves Sarasota, sorted by recipient, from Longboat and Lido Key sweatshirts to stocking stuffers and gift cards, with shipping and pickup details.

When spring break crowds usually hit Sarasota in 2027, how to find beach parking at Siesta and Lido, and what to book before you fly.

Easter Sunday is March 28, 2027, at the height of spring break. Sunrise services on the beach, egg hunts, brunch tips and beach parking advice.

Where to park (and when it's free), where the restrooms are, how to walk to Lido Beach, what to eat and which souvenirs are worth bringing home. A guide to St. Armands Circle from a shop on the Circle.

A relaxed three-day Sarasota itinerary for first-timers flying into SRQ: the islands, The Ringling and downtown, and a final beach day on Siesta or Longboat.

An area-by-area guide to choosing a home base near St. Armands Circle: Lido Key, Longboat Key, downtown Sarasota and Siesta Key, with the hotels visitors ask us about most.

Where to park, what's at the main beach, how Siesta Key Village fits in and whether the Sunday drum circle is still going, plus our tips for beating the crowds.

An honest side by side of Sarasota's three best-known islands, from sand and crowds to parking and dinner, so you can pick the right one for your trip.

A beach-by-beach guide to Sarasota, from Siesta's quartz sand to Longboat's empty stretches, with a quick verdict on who each one suits.

Where to kayak and paddleboard around Sarasota, from the Lido Key mangrove tunnels to Siesta and The Bay, with tide, safety and wildlife tips.

What red tide is, how to check Sarasota beach conditions on the day you go, what it feels like, and plan B ideas if the beach is rough.

What to bring home from Sarasota, from island-logo tees and caps to small gifts that pack flat, plus what fits in a carry-on, what to ship, and the rules on shells.