A feast for the eyes of art lovers, the Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival is a yearly, two-day event showcasing an incredible selection of local, regional, and national artists in a wide variety of mediums. You’ll find everything from original paintings and sculptures to handmade jewelry and handbags.
If you’re visiting Siesta Key in January and looking for fun things to do, the Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival deserves a spot on your itinerary. Spend a few hours or a day browsing one-of-a-kind art you won’t find anywhere else. And it’s just a few minutes from your Siesta Key vacation rental.
Ready to browse? Here’s your guide to attending the Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival!
Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival 2025
- When: January 11-12, 2025, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Where: JD Hamel Park, 199 Bayfront Drive, Sarasota, FL
- Cost: Free to attend
This year’s festival, which will be the 12th Annual Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival, will be held at the beautiful waterfront JD Hamel Park in downtown Sarasota. The festival is hosted by Paragon Events, which is known for putting on some of the nation’s top fine art shows.
At this boutique art show, typically featuring less than 100 vendors, you’ll find artists from across the country showcasing a variety of mediums, including:
- Paintings
- Photography
- Drawings
- Ceramics
- Sculpture
- Glasswork
- Jewelry
- Handbags
- Wearable art
- Woodwork
- Metalwork
- Mixed-media
- Digital art
- Embroidery
- Leatherworks
- Tapestries
- Weaving
The Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival has strict guidelines for their artists, focusing on high-quality, original pieces. You won’t find any mass-produced, commercialized, or mass production type artwork at this event. You’ll find only handmade artist originals, which lends to the uniqueness of the event.
You never know what one-of-a-kind treasure you’ll walk away with at the Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival!
How to Best Enjoy the Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival
The Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival is essentially one big outdoor art gallery where you can stroll, browse, and buy one-of-a-kind artwork directly from the artists who made them. It’s the ultimate gathering of artists and art lovers. You’ll find a wide variety of works in all styles and mediums.
Many of the artists even offer options for commissioning your own piece, from pet portraits to a customized pair of earrings. Be sure to stop and chat with the artists if you’re interested in commissioning something unique.
To best enjoy the festival, you’ll want to be prepared for Sarasota’s sunny, warm climate, as this event is completely outdoors. Dress in layers, as it can be cooler in the morning but then heat up in the afternoon — and sunglasses and/or a hat are a must for the bright Florida sun. You’ll also want to wear some comfortable walking shoes for strolling the outdoor gallery and perhaps bring a tote bag if you plan on making some purchases.
What to Know Before You Go
Have questions about attending the Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival? We have you covered! Here are some of the most common FAQs to help you plan your day at the festival.
What Artists Will Be at the Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival?
The list of attending artists can fluctuate from year to year and often includes a mix of locally, regionally, and nationally acclaimed artists. You can find the most current artist list on the event website, along with artist bios, history, and examples of their work.
Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival is Pet-Friendly
Well-behaved, leashed dogs are typically welcome at the festival and throughout J.D. Hamel Park. Just be sure to mind the weather and bring some water for your furry friend; even in winter, Sarasota’s weather can be quite warm. And, of course, bring some waste bags and always clean up after your pet.
Where to Park
There’s limited free parking at JD Hamel Park, as well as additional paid parking options in the Bayfront parking lot, directly across the street from the festival, and the Palm Avenue parking garage, about two blocks away, off Main Street. Plan to arrive early if you wish to get a closer spot.
Is There Food Available at the Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival?
You’ll typically find a small assortment of food and beverage vendors at the festival, serving a variety of options, often from local restaurants and food trucks.
Are There Restrooms at the Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival?
There are plenty of restrooms throughout the festival, including ADA-accessible options, but they are mobile restrooms, so pack some tissues and hand sanitizer, just in case!
Is the Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival ADA Accessible?
JD Hamel Park and the areas where the art vendors are located contain paved pathways and are accessible for wheelchairs, motorized scooters, and other medical devices needed to navigate the festival safely.
What Other Things to Do Are There Around the Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival?
If you’re looking for more fun after attending the Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival, there are plenty of things to do in downtown Sarasota.
You can take a scenic stroll along the bayfront. Just across the street from the festival, you’ll find the Marina Jack Trail, which winds through the bay, leading to sandy beaches, a playground for the kids, and a seaside Tiki Bar if you’re in the mood for afternoon cocktails.
Or, head east on Main Street, where you can stroll the downtown shops and art galleries, grab coffee or ice cream, shop for souvenirs, or have lunch at one of the local restaurants.
Other Art Festivals Around Sarasota
If you can’t make it to the Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival, don’t worry! There are plenty of other great art events happening in the area throughout the year, including:
- Sarasota Fall Fine Art Festival
- Sarasota Festival of the Arts
- Lakewood Ranch Fine Art Festival.
You can find the full lineup of upcoming events at Paragon Festivals.
Book Your Stay to Attend the Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival
Between the gorgeous, sunny, breezy weather and the collection of fine art from across the country, the Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival is the perfect place to spend a day.
Planning a winter escape to Siesta Key? Book your stay with Siesta Key Dreams Vacation Rentals to enjoy all the comforts of home, with full furnishings and kitchens and luxury amenities, like your own private pool, dock access, and more.
And the best part is, you’re always just minutes away from all the best things to do in Siesta Key and great local events like the Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival!