A Travel Guide to Sarasota, Florida's Best Concerts & Events

Experience Broadway at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

If you are looking for world-class entertainment in Sarasota, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is likely at the top of your list. Affectionately known by locals as the "Purple Cow" due to its distinctive color and architecture, this venue sits right on the beautiful Sarasota Bayfront. It hosts everything from touring Broadway shows like Hamilton and The Lion King to concerts by legendary musicians, comedy acts, and the Sarasota Orchestra. The hall’s location offers stunning sunset views over the water, making it a perfect destination for an evening of culture.

However, parking at the Van Wezel can be challenging, especially for popular, sold-out performances. The lots fill up quickly, and navigating the exit traffic after a show can take upwards of 45 minutes. When you rent a charter bus with Charter Bus Rental Company Sarasota, we streamline this process entirely. Your driver can drop your group off right at the front entrance (777 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236), allowing you to head straight to your seats or enjoy a pre-show drink in the lobby. While you enjoy the performance, your bus will park in the designated oversized vehicle area. Once the curtain calls are over, your group simply boards the bus for a hassle-free departure, avoiding the gridlock and ensuring a relaxing ride back to your hotel or dinner reservation.

Catch a Game at Ed Smith Stadium

Spring Training is a massive event in Florida, and Sarasota is proud to be the spring home of the Baltimore Orioles. Ed Smith Stadium, renovated to offer a classic ballpark feel with modern amenities, is a fantastic place to catch a game under the Florida sun. Located at 2700 12th St, Sarasota, FL 34237, the stadium draws thousands of fans between February and March. Whether you are organizing a trip for a Little League team, a corporate retreat, or a group of die-hard baseball fans, attending a game here is a quintessential Sarasota experience.

Traffic around the stadium, particularly near the intersection of Tuttle Avenue and 12th Street, gets heavy on game days. Coordinating a convoy of personal cars means risking getting separated and paying individual parking fees for every vehicle. A charter bus rental is the ultimate solution for sports fans. Our buses offer ample undercarriage storage for coolers, banners, and gear, making it easy to organize a tailgate or just keep your hands free. Inside, your group can enjoy air conditioning—a must for Florida afternoons—and review player stats via onboard WiFi. Your driver will handle the navigation and drop you close to the gates so you don't miss the first pitch.

Immerse Yourself in Culture at The Ringling

No trip to Sarasota is complete without visiting The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. This sprawling 66-acre estate includes the Museum of Art, the Circus Museum, the Ca' d'Zan mansion, and the historic Asolo Theater. It is a prime destination for school field trips , senior tour groups, and private events. Throughout the year, The Ringling hosts "Ringling Underground" music events, outdoor film screenings, and the impressive Ringling International Arts Festival (RIAF), which brings contemporary performance art to the city.

Located at 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243, the complex is massive, and organizing a group visit requires precise timing. Charter Bus Rental Company Sarasota specializes in educational and tour group transportation . We can arrange for seamless drop-offs at the Visitor Pavilion, ensuring your group stays together. If you are attending a special evening event or a wedding on the museum grounds, our shuttle services add a layer of sophistication and comfort. Guests can enjoy wine and cocktails at the event without worrying about a designated driver, as your chauffeur will ensure everyone returns comfortably to their accommodations.

The Siesta Key Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival

Every November, the white quartz sands of Siesta Key Beach transform into an outdoor art gallery during the Siesta Key Crystal Classic. This event attracts master sand sculptors from all over the world and tens of thousands of spectators. While Siesta Key Beach (948 Beach Rd, Siesta Key, FL 34242) has been named the #1 beach in the USA multiple times, accessing it during this festival is notoriously difficult. The two bridges connecting the key to the mainland—Siesta Drive and Stickney Point Road—often become gridlocked, and public parking lots fill up by sunrise.

This is where a private shuttle bus rental becomes a necessity rather than a luxury. By booking a minibus or charter bus with Charter Bus Rental Company Sarasota, you can avoid the stress of hunting for a parking spot on the island. We can shuttle your group from a designated meeting point on the mainland directly to the beach access. Your driver handles the traffic on the causeways while your group relaxes in reclining seats, listening to music or chatting. After a day of admiring the sculptures, enjoying the live music, and shopping at the vendor village, you’ll have a cool, comfortable bus waiting to take you back, avoiding the exhaustion of the post-festival trek.

Film & Arts at the Sarasota Film Festival

For over two decades, the Sarasota Film Festival has been a major stop on the independent film circuit, drawing celebrities, directors, and film buffs to the city. The festival takes over various venues downtown, including the Regal Hollywood and the Sarasota Opera House (61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236). With screenings, panels, and parties spread across the city, logistics can be tricky for large groups attending the festival together.

Charter Bus Rental Company Sarasota can act as your personal festival shuttle. Whether you are a group of film students, a VIP entourage, or a film club, we can create a custom itinerary that moves you between screenings and galas efficiently. Downtown Sarasota’s streets are charming but can be narrow and crowded during festivals. The drivers know the best routes to navigate areas like Main Street and Palm Avenue, ensuring you arrive at the red carpet on time. With premium amenities available such as leather seating and tinted windows for privacy, our buses provide the VIP treatment your group deserves.

Thunder by the Bay and Downtown Festivals

Sarasota loves a street party, and few are louder or more exciting than the Thunder by the Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival. Usually held at the Sarasota Fairgrounds (3000 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34237), this charity festival features live rock music, vendors, and incredible bike shows. Similarly, the Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts takes over Main Street with booths and exhibits. These events draw massive crowds, resulting in significant road closures and detours downtown.

If you are attending with a large group of friends or a motorcycle club that prefers to travel together in comfort for the evening events, a charter bus rental is the way to go. We can arrange pick-up from hotels in Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, or Venice, consolidating your group into one vehicle. This eliminates the need for multiple rideshares, which can surge in price during festivals. Your group gets door-to-door service, ample space to store festival merchandise, and the peace of mind that comes with professional transportation.

World-Class Rowing at Nathan Benderson Park

Nathan Benderson Park (5851 Nathan Benderson Cir, Sarasota, FL 34235) is a unique 600-acre community park that features a world-class 2,000-meter sprint rowing course. It hosts major regattas, including NCAA Championships and World Rowing events, as well as the popular "NBP Fireworks on the Lake" for Independence Day and holiday light shows in December. Located right off I-75 near the University Town Center (UTC), it is a central hub for sports tourism.

For rowing teams traveling from out of state or large groups of spectators, Charter Bus Rental Company Sarasota provides specialized athletic transportation. Our full-size charter buses have massive undercarriage storage bays perfect for team gear, luggage, and coolers. We can transport athletes from the airport to their hotels and then to the park for daily competitions. For spectators attending the holiday fireworks, a private bus means avoiding the long walks from overflow parking lots. We can drop your group near the viewing areas and pick you up immediately after the grand finale, bypassing the worst of the exit traffic.

Book Your Sarasota Event Transportation Today

Don't let traffic jams on the John Ringling Causeway or full parking garages downtown ruin your group's experience. Whether you are heading to the opera, the beach, or the ballpark, Charter Bus Rental Company Sarasota is here to ensure your journey is as enjoyable as the destination. Our team works with you to build a custom itinerary, selecting the perfect vehicle from our diverse fleet to match your group size and budget.

Ready to explore the Cultural Coast? Call our 24/7 reservation team at 239-747-1620 to discuss your itinerary and get a free, no-obligation quote for your Sarasota charter bus rental. Let us drive while you make memories!