In-depth guides available to assist vacationers and residents
This year, as several cities and cultural institutions across Sarasota County mark their centennials, Visit Sarasota County (VSC) “is compelling visitors and residents to take part in these once-in-a-century celebrations,” the county’s tourism marketing organization has announced.
In-depth guides on VisitSarasota.com — one for countywide milestones; the other, for the City of Venice’s centennial — “walk vacationers through special events, history, and ways to engage with local businesses, particularly through two mobile experiences,” a news release explains.
“To complement Venice’s 18-month program of festivities, VSC has created in partnership with the City a Venice Centennial Pass to serve as a mobile guide to the area’s most iconic historic buildings, parks, and landmark sites. Another pass — dubbed the Circus Legacy Trail — will feature a curated list of tours, shows, and sites that harken to Sarasota’s identity as the ‘Circus Capital of the World,’ ” the release adds. This pass will accompany circus-themed public relations pitches to members of national and international media organizations leading into 2027, “which will be the 100-year anniversary of John Ringling’s decision to move the winter quarters of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey to Sarasota,” the release points out.
Members of the public may sign up for free for the passes without the need for downloading an app, the release notes.
“The tourism bureau views these centennial stories as a timely marketing strategy to keep Florida’s Cultural Coast® competitive and connected to broader, national moments,” such as America’s 250th birthday this year, the release adds.
“For tourism, centennials provide an invitation for visitors to be a meaningful, momentary part of our destination’s history, but for residents, they hold a more profound meaning in reminding us why we continue to love where we live,” said Erin Duggan, president and CEO of Visit Sarasota County, in the release. “As we welcome 2026, we encourage you to embrace rediscovery as a hometown tourist yourself and connect with our shared history while supporting institutions that have drafted our reputation with visitors near and far and defined our quality of life for decades,” she added in the release.
“Among the most prominent milestones is the City of Venice’s Centennial, which officially began in 2025 and continues through 2027 with an 18-month slate of commemorative programming,” the release continues. This year, among the signature events will be “the unveiling of a bronze John Nolen statue” on Feb. 18; “a year-long ‘Venice Turns 100!’ exhibition at the Venice Museum; a community block party in March, and special celebrations tied to Independence Day weekend,” the release adds.
Among Sarasota County arts and cultural institutions marking 100-year anniversaries in 2026, the Sarasota Opera House, built in 1926, will host a Centennial Open House in April, followed by a Centennial Concert and Gala, along with additional programming reflecting on a century of performances and community gatherings,” the release says.
Art Center Sarasota, also founded in 2026, is marking its centennial season “with expanded exhibitions, educational programming, and the return of the iconic Beaux Arts Ball in March.”
Additionally, the release notes, “Other iconic destinations — including St. Armands Circle and the original Sarasota High School building, now home to the Sarasota Art Museum — further underscore the significance of 2026 as a moment to reflect on the county’s architectural, cultural, and commercial legacy.
“Residents are encouraged to follow VSC’s social channels for ongoing updates and opportunities to engage with centennial celebrations across the county,” the release says. For a comprehensive list of events, passes, and planning resources, visit https://www.visitsarasota.com/blog/sarasota-countys-centennial-celebrations.