There’s no shortage of events here! With tons of events happening year-round, homes in Sarasota promise to keep your calendar as stacked as you want it to be. Here are The Duo’s Top Ten.

• Sarasota Film Festival: www.sarasotafilmfestival.com.  Nevermind the South of France, the Gulf has its own prestigious film festival. The Sarasota Film Festival, held annually, showcases the best in cinema with more than 180 features, documentaries, shorts, and kid-friendly films. Don’t miss out on this silver screen celebration.  
• Chalk Festival: www.chalkfestival.org.  Launched in 2007, the Chalk Festival is the first and only internationally acclaimed festival in Sarasota County. Free admission, the event is sustained by large and small donations. Captivating both cosmopolitan critics and curious on-lookers, seemingly basic chalk transforms an artist’s vision into a street masterpiece. Don’t miss
  

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• Polo Season: www.sarasotapolo.com.  If you thought it was impossible to want for Sarasota winters more than you already do, you thought wrong.  Come winter, Sarasota Polo at Lakewood Ranch is the premiere place to be on Sundays. Eager to enjoy the “fastest game on four feet,” spectators come together on 130 acres of meticulously manicured grounds for tailgating, pony and Clydesdale wagon rides, half-time entertainment, and divot stomping, of course. What’s more, it’s family and pet friendly. See you there!
• Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix Race: www.sarasotapowerboatgrandprix.org.  There’s no need to fly to Dubai. Every summer, Sarasotans enjoy powerboat and jet ski racing at Lido Beach - sans the jet lag. A nationally televised race, the Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix Race attracts pilots and fans from all around the world. A thrilling event, race spectators fill hotel balconies and blanket beaches. Even a novice fan will enjoy the party. Book ahead and get to the beach early – the best views go almost as fast as the winning boat. 
• Forks & Corks: www.dineoriginal.com.  Local eats. Global drinks. Forks & Corks, Sarasota’s premiere food and wine festival, is a multi-day epicurean event taking place at the Ringling Museum of Art, Michael’s on East, and other local hotspots. Winos beware: this event has a rock concert mentality of selling out within minutes. Good luck, and cheers.   
• Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights: www.sarasotachristmasboatparade.com.  A Christmas classic, the Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights is a must see. Transforming their vessels into bright, floating visions of the season, boat owners compete for trophies, cash prizes, and the priceless privilege of bringing you some holiday cheer. Enjoy this sparkling celebration from Marina Jack, Bay front Park, City Island, and Centennial Park.   
• Circus Sarasota: www.circusarts.org/buy-tickets.  The ultimate in entertainment, Circus Sarasota aims to awe. Several silly shows are held under the big top throughout the year. Daring, artistic, spectacular – don’t miss out!
• Siesta Key Crystal Classic Master Sand Sculpting Competition: www.siestakeycrystalclassic.com.  Perfecting the concept of sand castle building to a new and improved level, sand sculpting artists from around the world converge on Siesta Key Beach to challenge each other’s sand skills. From exquisite cathedrals to impressively detailed facial features, you’ll be in awe of what their hands can make with the soft, white sand that most of us simply sit on. 
• Howl-O-Ween Pet Costume Contest and Ringing Bridge Funwalk: www.hssc.org.  Calling all dog parents and Halloween fans: the only thing more adorable than a trick-or-treater at your door is your furbaby in a costume strutting his stuff in a pet parade! Post parade, pet adoption awareness and a costume contest take place at the JD Hamel Park located Downtown. Trophies are awarded for the cutest costume, the best human/pet look-a-like costume, and more. The Duo’s dog gives this event two paws up.   
  
• ​Lights in Bloom: www.selby.org.  The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is picturesque by day. By night, it’s magical. Giant butterflies grace the treetops, live music sets the scene for a stroll through the lighted garden, 3-D glasses sold at the entry add snowflake sparkle to each light, and dance performances can be enjoyed at the mansion. Lights in Bloom is a holiday season must see.