Thanksgiving in Sarasota 2026: Events, Beaches and What's Open

Thanksgiving in Sarasota is a lovely mix: beach weather most years, the first holiday shows of the season, and a town that's just starting to fill up for winter. Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026, so the long weekend runs Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 29. This guide covers what's on that weekend, what's typically open on the holiday, beach tips and how to plan around the start of the busy season.

Thanksgiving Weekend 2026 at a Glance

• Dates: Thursday, Nov. 26 to Sunday, Nov. 29, 2026.
• Weather: late November normals are highs in the upper 70s and lows in the upper 50s, per local forecasters. Pack a layer for evenings.
• Sunset: around 5:35 p.m. Daylight saving time ends Nov. 1, so evenings come early.
• Thanksgiving Day closures: The Ringling is closed. Other attractions may run shorter holiday hours.
• Beaches: open, with free main lots at Lido Beach and Siesta Beach.
• The following week: St. Armands Circle's Holiday Night of Lights is Friday, Dec. 4.

Events Over Thanksgiving Weekend

These are confirmed on the organizers' own sites. Check times again the week of the holiday.

• Florida Turkey Trot (Thursday). A 5K run and walk at Nathan Benderson Park on Thanksgiving morning, with an 8 a.m. start listed on the race's registration page. A good way to earn your pie.
• Air and Ice (Friday and Saturday). The Circus Arts Conservatory turns the Sailor Circus Arena, 2075 Bahia Vista St., into an ice rink for the first time for a new show pairing circus artists with champion skaters. Shows are Friday, Nov. 27 and Saturday, Nov. 28 at 1 and 6 p.m. Tickets are sold through circusarts.org.
• Sarasota Medieval Fair (Saturday and Sunday). A costumed medieval fair on 47 wooded acres at Woods of Mallaranny in Myakka City, about a 40 minute drive east. It runs weekends from Nov. 7 to Dec. 6, 9:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., rain or shine.
• Florida Studio Theatre holiday shows (from Saturday). The downtown theater's improvised holiday movie spoof, It's a Blunderful Life, returns Nov. 28, and Visit Sarasota lists the family show Deck the Halls opening the same day.
• Nowell, Nowell (Sunday). Key Chorale's holiday concert at the Sarasota Opera House on Sunday, Nov. 29.
• Selby Gardens. The fall Orchid Show at the downtown campus runs through Dec. 6. In 2025, Selby opened on Thanksgiving Day with shorter hours, so check before you go.

What's Open on Thanksgiving Day

A lot more than you might expect, since this is a vacation town. Still, plan ahead.

• Restaurants: many restaurants and resort hotels serve a Thanksgiving dinner, and the popular ones book up well ahead. Reserve as soon as you know your plans. If you're renting a condo, grocery stores may close early on the holiday, so shop Wednesday.
• Museums and attractions: The Ringling closes on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day and is open the rest of the weekend. For Mote Aquarium, Selby Gardens and others, check holiday hours on their sites.
• Beaches and parks: open as usual.
• Transit: the free Siesta Islander trolley runs shorter hours on Thanksgiving Day, per the county's schedule. Check the Breeze site for holiday service.
• Shops: hours vary by store on the holiday itself, so call ahead if you're planning a stop.

Beach Days Over Thanksgiving

Late November is one of the nicest times to be on the sand here. The summer heat is gone and the humidity drops. The Gulf is cooler than it is in summer, so test the water before you plan a long swim.

• Lido Beach has a free lot with about 370 spaces at 400 Ben Franklin Drive, lifeguards, restrooms and a snack bar. It's a short walk from St. Armands Circle. See our Lido Beach guide.
• Siesta Beach has a big free lot and the famous white quartz sand. On a holiday weekend it can fill by late morning, so arrive early or come late for sunset.
• Check conditions first. Mote Marine Laboratory's free beach conditions report at visitbeaches.org shows water color, wind and any red tide irritation by beach.
• Sunset is early. With the sun down around 5:35 p.m., plan to be on the sand by 5 p.m. Lido and Siesta both face west over the Gulf.

The Start of the Busy Season

Thanksgiving is when winter season begins to show. Monthly reports from the airport show November passenger traffic well above September and October, and it keeps climbing through the winter. For you, that means:

• Book dinner reservations early, especially for Thursday and Saturday nights.
• Expect more traffic on the bridges to Lido and Siesta Key on Friday and Saturday afternoons.
• Park once. On St. Armands Circle, the city garage at 57 N. Adams Drive is the easiest bet, and your first hour is free once you register your plate. During events, the city may switch the garage to pay on entry.
• Make the weekend about holiday shopping. Small Business Saturday falls on Nov. 28, a good day to browse the independent shops on the Circle and downtown.

Staying a Little Longer? The Following Week

If you can stretch your trip, the first weekend of December is packed:

• Holiday Night of Lights: the 48th annual lighting on St. Armands Circle is Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
• Downtown Holiday Parade: held on Main Street on the first Saturday of December, which is Dec. 5 this year. Confirm the start time on the city's site.
• Lights in Bloom: Selby Gardens' holiday light show usually opens in December. 2026 dates weren't posted at press time.

Our December guide has more ideas for the holiday season.

What to Pack for a Thanksgiving Trip

Days feel like summer to anyone flying in from the Northeast or Midwest, but mornings and evenings can be cool, especially on the water. Bring a layer and a hat. A few pieces from our shop that are made for this time of year:

• A cozy layer: the Longboat Key Mock Neck for her, or the Lido Key Timber Crew sweatshirt for a cool beach evening.
• A sun shirt: the Lido Key TASC long sleeve is light enough for a beach walk and covers your arms from the sun.
• A beach towel: our beach towel saves suitcase space if you're renting a condo.
• Something for the hosts: if you're visiting family, a candle tin is an easy thank-you that fits in a carry-on.

Getting a head start on holiday gifts? Browse our home and gift collection.

We'd love to see you over the long weekend. The Sarasota Style is at 410 St. Armands Circle, a short walk from Lido Beach. If you're planning your days on the Circle, our St. Armands Circle guide covers parking, food and what to see.