Februarys in Florida are full of festivals, fairs, and events that will keep you and your family busy every week!
February 1 – 8, 2020: “The Fence” at Nathan Benderson Park The largest public photo exhibition in North America returns to Sarasota and includes a showcase of the best from Gulf Coast photographers. Participating artists’ work spans the categories of creatures, home, people, streets, nature, food and play and will appear on both sides of a fence between the island’s twin bridges. Admission is free. 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota FL.
February 6, 2020: Tunes, Trucks, and Treasures at Phillippi Estate Park Every Thursday through March 26, Phillippi Estate Park will hold this free festival filled with food trucks, art and craft vendors, and live music. 11:00 am – 2:00 pm, with live music from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm. Free admission and free parking. 5500 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL.
February 6 – 17, 2020: The Florida State Fair Opening day is on February 6, 2020 with festivities continuing until February 17, 2020. This year the State Fair will feature entertainment from Sea Lion Splash, Extreme Pogo, and Demolition Derby and of course Midway Entertainment fair rides, and famous fried fair foods. Gates open daily at 9 a.m. The fairgrounds are located at 4800 U.S. 301 North in Tampa.
February 7, 2020 – March 1, 2020: Circus Sarasota Celebrating 23 years of Big Top Performances the Circus Sarasota is back, beginning Friday, February 7, 2020 through Sunday, March 1, 2020. This year’s performances will feature single trapeze, fast paced Alanian riders on horseback, hand-to-hand acrobatics, juggling and much more. Parking: $5. Big Top at Nathan Benderson Park behind the Mall at UTC, Sarasota, FL.
February 8, 2020: 6th Annual Bradenton Area River Regatta on the Manatee River Just east of the Green Bridge, this daylong festival features, powerboat racing, live music, carnival rides, and a food fest. Festival goers can watch the boat races from either the Bradenton or Palmetto river fronts or on the bridge itself. The day will end with a fireworks finale over the river. Free admission. 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Downtown Bradenton’s Riverwalk and in Palmetto, FL.
February 8, 2020: Braves on Main Celebrate the kickoff of spring training at the block party in downtown Venice. This block party will feature kids’ activities, live music, food and drink trucks, and Braves players Rafael Furcal and Andruw Jones. $5.00 cover at the door, kids under 12 free. 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Miami Avenue, downtown Venice, FL.
February 14, 2020: Siesta Key Village Valentine Stroll Spend Valentine’s day with the one you love, strolling through village, surrounded by free music and free candy kisses from the merchants. 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Siesta Key Village and South End.
February 14 – 16, 2020: Thunder By The Bay Sarasota Music & Motorcycle Festival This outdoor bike festival features great looking motorcycles, food, live music, fun, and much more. Held at the Sarasota Fair Grounds. Daily admission $5.00, kids under 12 are free.
February 15, 2020: Pittsburgh Pirates Annual Pep Rally Launch spring training festivities at the annual Pittsburgh Pirates Pep Rally. Activities includes a photo booth, autograph sessions with Pirates players, games and live music. Free admission. 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Old Main Street between 3rd Avenue and Manatee Avenue in downtown Bradenton, FL
February 15 – 16, 2020: 38th Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival Held in the historic fishing village of Cortez, Florida come out and celebrate the rich heritage of the area’s commercial fishing industry. The festival features two days of marine life exhibits, seafood, events for kids and live music. Admission is $4.00, children under 12 are free. 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. 4425 119th St. West, Cortez, Florida.
February 21 – 23, 2020: 11th Annual Sarasota Invitational Regatta Rowing Competition This two day event will feature over 1,500 rowers from the southeastern United States, ranging from youth to masters. Racing is from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Free admission, parking $5. Benderson Park World Class Rowing and Aquatic Sports Center, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota, FL.
February 22, 2020: Maverick’s Rhythm & Rave at SCF An evening full of family fun at SCF’s Maverick’s Rhythm & Rave. Featuring live music, food, dancing, lawn games and photos with SCF’s mascot, Maverick the Manatee. Guests may bring lawn chairs, blankets and coolers, but sorry, leave the pets at home. This event starts at 7 p.m. at Building 1 near the corner of 57th Avenue West and 26th Street West. Free admission and free parking.
February 22 – 23, 2020: 26th Annual Siesta Key Craft Festival Stroll down Ocean Blvd in Siesta Key enjoying more than 100 craft vendors featuring everything from folk art, handmade jewelry, pottery, paintings and more! 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Free Admission. Ocean Blvd in Siesta Key Village. 5124 Ocean Blvd. in Sarasota, FL.
February 23, 2020: Ski-A-Rees Water Ski Show Enjoy Ski-A-Rees amazing water ski performances at their Sunday afternoon show. Starts at 2:00 p.m. Free admission. Located at Ski-A- Rees Stadium 1602 Ken Thompson Parkway.
February 28 – March 1, 2020: DeSoto Food & Music Festival This three-day event will feature food, music, arts and crafts vendors and a kid’s zone. Admission is $10.00 per day. Friday 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., and Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Nathan Benderson Park 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota, FL.
February 29, 2020: 14th Annual Youth Fishing Tournament at Lake Uihlein Located in Lakewood Ranch this “catch and release” fishing tournament is for different age groups ranging from ages 5-8, 9-11, and 12-15. Participants will need to bring their rod, reel, and chairs bait will be supplied. Each participant will receive a T-Shirt, bag full of goodies, and the first 50 arrivals on tournament day will receive a Cool Today Cooler Bag! 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd, Lakewood Ranch, FL.
February 29, 2020: 1st Annual Cornhole & Cocktails Festival Hosted by the Manatee Sunrise Kiwanis club’s this fun event will feature indoor cornhole, music, food, drinks, door prizes and raffles. There will be restaurants with samples of their food and cocktails along with breweries and wineries with samples of their selections! Eric Von will be performing live music from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Manatee County Fairgrounds, 1402 14th Avenue W., Palmetto, FL. This event is 21 and older. Free parking.