Event List

Filters
Age Group
image of pop up library van

Pop-Up: Parade Day!

Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Pop-Up Library
Program Type:
Outreach, Special Events
Age Group:
Families, All Ages

Catch the Pop-Up library in the Sarasota Holiday Parade!  Visit downtown Sarasota for the annual holiday parade held on Saturday, December 6th starting at 7:00 pm.

Offsite Event
Library Branch: Pop-Up Library
Age Group: Families, All Ages
Program Type: Outreach, Special Events
:

Catch the Pop-Up library in the Sarasota Holiday Parade!  Visit downtown Sarasota for the annual holiday parade held on Saturday, December 6th starting at 7:00 pm.

Children in colorful clothes seated on the floor and raising their hands.

Forty Carrots: Partners in Play®

Monday, December 8, 2025 at 10:15am - 11:15am
Program Room at Elsie Quirk Library
Program Type:
Storytimes
Age Group:
Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Families

Enjoy special uninterrupted play time with your child in our drop-in FREE Partners In Play® (PIP) parenting education groups.

Library Branch: Elsie Quirk Library
Room: Program Room
Age Group: Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Families
Program Type: Storytimes
:

Enjoy special uninterrupted play time with your child in our drop-in FREE Partners In Play® (PIP) parenting education groups.

Puss In Boots Marionettes

Puss In Boots Marionette Show

Monday, December 8, 2025 at 10:30am - 11:30am
Meeting Room at Shannon Staub Library
Program Type:
Cultural Life, Lifelong Learning, Performances
Age Group:
Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Families

Back by popular demand... Bits 'N Pieces Puppet Theater returns for a special presentation of the classic fairy tale Puss In Boots! Enjoy the performance and learn all about how these puppets are used to bring the story to life.

Library Branch: Shannon Staub Library
Room: Meeting Room
Age Group: Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Families
Program Type: Cultural Life, Lifelong Learning, Performances
:

Back by popular demand... Bits 'N Pieces Puppet Theater returns for a special presentation of the classic fairy tale Puss In Boots! Enjoy the performance and learn all about how these puppets are used to bring the story to life.

Children in colorful clothes seated on the floor and raising their hands.

Forty Carrots: Partners in Play®

Monday, December 8, 2025 at 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Program Room at Elsie Quirk Library
Program Type:
Storytimes
Age Group:
Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Families

Enjoy special uninterrupted play time with your child in our drop-in FREE Partners In Play® (PIP) parenting education groups.

Library Branch: Elsie Quirk Library
Room: Program Room
Age Group: Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Families
Program Type: Storytimes
:

Enjoy special uninterrupted play time with your child in our drop-in FREE Partners In Play® (PIP) parenting education groups.

storytime

Preschool Storytime

Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 10:30am - 11:15am
Meeting Room- Classroom A at Osprey Library and History Center
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts, Lifelong Learning, Storytimes
Age Group:
Youth, Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Families

This storytime activity  is geared towards children ages three to five. However, other family members may come in to enjoy the story as well.

Registration Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Osprey Library and History Center
Room: Meeting Room- Classroom A
Age Group: Youth, Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Families
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Lifelong Learning, Storytimes
Registration Required
:

This storytime activity  is geared towards children ages three to five. However, other family members may come in to enjoy the story as well.

Toddler Reading

Roar! on the Road

Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 10:30am - 11:30am
Meeting Room B at Gulf Gate Library
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts, Lifelong Learning, Storytimes
Age Group:
Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Families

Enjoy this free storytime program from The Ringling that connects art with early literacy. At this program, we read together, make art, and learn about an object in the museum.

Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library
Room: Meeting Room B
Age Group: Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Families
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Lifelong Learning, Storytimes
:

Enjoy this free storytime program from The Ringling that connects art with early literacy. At this program, we read together, make art, and learn about an object in the museum.

A rainbow of art supplies arranged in a circle.

Tinker Tuesday

Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Meeting Room II at Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts, Creation Station,
Age Group:
Children (5 to 9 years), Families

A different project every week!

Recommended for ages 6 and up.

Library Branch: Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library
Room: Meeting Room II
Age Group: Children (5 to 9 years), Families
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Creation Station,
:

A different project every week!

Recommended for ages 6 and up.

Disclaimer(s)

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net/ADA.

Forty Carrots: Partners in Play

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 10:15am - 11:15am
Meeting Room at Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library
Program Type:
,
Age Group:
Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Families

For mobile babies to 5 years old. Drop in to enjoy special play time with your child, meet our friendly Parenting Educators and discover how Forty Carrots Family Center can help you enjoy parenting even more.

Library Branch: Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library
Room: Meeting Room
Age Group: Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Families
Program Type: ,
:

For mobile babies to 5 years old. Drop in to enjoy special play time with your child, meet our friendly Parenting Educators and discover how Forty Carrots Family Center can help you enjoy parenting even more.

Disclaimer(s)

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net/ADA.

Knitting Basket

Knit and Crocheting Group

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 10:15am - 12:00pm
Conference Room at Fruitville Library
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts, Creation Station,
Age Group:
Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Families

Join us at the Fruitville Library with your knit/crochet projects. All ages and skills are welcome. Supplies and knowledgeable members are on hand to help anyone interested in learning to knit or crochet. 

Library Branch: Fruitville Library
Room: Conference Room
Age Group: Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Families
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Creation Station,
:

Join us at the Fruitville Library with your knit/crochet projects. All ages and skills are welcome. Supplies and knowledgeable members are on hand to help anyone interested in learning to knit or crochet. 

Toddler Playing

Forty Carrots: Partners in Play

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Meeting Room at Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library
Program Type:
,
Age Group:
Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Families

For mobile babies to 5 years old. Drop in to enjoy special play time with your child, meet our friendly Parenting Educators and discover how Forty Carrots Family Center can help you enjoy parenting even more.

Library Branch: Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library
Room: Meeting Room
Age Group: Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Families
Program Type: ,
:

For mobile babies to 5 years old. Drop in to enjoy special play time with your child, meet our friendly Parenting Educators and discover how Forty Carrots Family Center can help you enjoy parenting even more.

Disclaimer(s)

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net/ADA.

Paint an ornament

Paint An Ornament

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Story Time Room at Shannon Staub Library
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts, Creation Station, Cultural Life, Special Events
Age Group:
Youth, Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years), Adults, Seniors, Families, All Ages

Happy Holidays! Come paint a keepsake wooden ornament to take home for your tree! We take care of the mess, you bring the imagination!

Library Branch: Shannon Staub Library
Room: Story Time Room
Age Group: Youth, Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years), Adults, Seniors, Families, All Ages
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Creation Station, Cultural Life, Special Events
:

Happy Holidays! Come paint a keepsake wooden ornament to take home for your tree! We take care of the mess, you bring the imagination!

Kids participating in a storytime.

ROAR! on the Road with The Ringling

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Meeting Room II at Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library
Program Type:
Art Displays & Exhibits, Arts & Crafts, Creation Station, Cultural Life, Lifelong Learning, Storytimes
Age Group:
Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Children (5 to 9 years), Families

ROAR! is The Ringling's free storytime that connects art with early literacy. At this program, we read together, make art, and learn about an object in the museum.

Library Branch: Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library
Room: Meeting Room II
Age Group: Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Children (5 to 9 years), Families
Program Type: Art Displays & Exhibits, Arts & Crafts, Creation Station, Cultural Life, Lifelong Learning, Storytimes
:

ROAR! is The Ringling's free storytime that connects art with early literacy. At this program, we read together, make art, and learn about an object in the museum.

Lego Pile

LEGO® Club

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 6:00pm - 7:00pm
North Port Library
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts, Clubs, Creation Station, Games
Age Group:
Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years), Families

Work on your own creations or build as a team. We provide the LEGO® bricks, you provide the imagination.

Library Branch: North Port Library
Age Group: Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years), Families
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Clubs, Creation Station, Games
:

Work on your own creations or build as a team. We provide the LEGO® bricks, you provide the imagination.

Santa Claus

Holiday Craft Night

Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Meeting Room at Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts
Age Group:
Youth, Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years), Families

Get into the holiday spirit with an afternoon of festive family crafts. Crafts include beaded snowflake ornaments, handprint Christmas trees, and paper plate Santa masks. 

 

 
Library Branch: Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library
Room: Meeting Room
Age Group: Youth, Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years), Families
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
:

Get into the holiday spirit with an afternoon of festive family crafts. Crafts include beaded snowflake ornaments, handprint Christmas trees, and paper plate Santa masks. 

 

 
a Christmas tree by a fireplace

A Christmas Carol Read-Aloud

Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Community Room at William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library
Program Type:
Cultural Life, Performances
Age Group:
Youth, Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors, Families

Enjoy live music, carols, cookies, hot cocoa, and be a part of the abridged version of the beloved classic story by Charles Dickens!

Registration Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Youth, Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors, Families
Program Type: Cultural Life, Performances
Registration Required
:

Enjoy live music, carols, cookies, hot cocoa, and be a part of the abridged version of the beloved classic story by Charles Dickens!

Lego Pile

LEGO® Club

Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Story Time Room at Shannon Staub Library
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts, Clubs, Color Our World (Summer 2025), Games
Age Group:
Youth, Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years), Families
LEGO Club:

Work on your own creations or build as a team. We provide the LEGOs, you provide the imagination.

Library Branch: Shannon Staub Library
Room: Story Time Room
Age Group: Youth, Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years), Families
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Clubs, Color Our World (Summer 2025), Games

LEGO Club

Work on your own creations or build as a team. We provide the LEGOs, you provide the imagination.

Homeschoolers at the Library

Friday, December 12, 2025 at 10:15am - 11:15am
Meeting Room II at Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts, Creation Station, Cultural Life, Games, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years), Families

A time for homeschool children and their families to socialize, participate in arts and crafts, STEM activities and more!

Library Branch: Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library
Room: Meeting Room II
Age Group: Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years), Families
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Creation Station, Cultural Life, Games, Lifelong Learning
:

A time for homeschool children and their families to socialize, participate in arts and crafts, STEM activities and more!

Disclaimer(s)

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net/ADA.

ukulele

Music | Holiday Music, performed by the Hawaiian Shirts Ukulele Band

Friday, December 12, 2025 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Meeting Room AB (Staff only) at Gulf Gate Library
Program Type:
Cultural Life, Music in the Libraries, Performances
Age Group:
Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years), Adults, Seniors, Families

"You better watch out. 

        You better not cry.

                      You better not pout."  

Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library
Room: Meeting Room AB (Staff only)
Age Group: Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years), Adults, Seniors, Families
Program Type: Cultural Life, Music in the Libraries, Performances
:

"You better watch out. 

        You better not cry.

                      You better not pout."  

gingerbread

Gingerbread House Workshop

Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 10:30am - 2:00pm
Veranda Room at North Port Library
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts, Cooking & Nutrition, Special Events
Age Group:
Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years), Families

Join us to create your own festive Gingerbread House!  Using graham crackers* and icing, decorate an individual gingerbread house to your heart's content.

Waitlist
Registration Required
Library Branch: North Port Library
Room: Veranda Room
Age Group: Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years), Families
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Cooking & Nutrition, Special Events
Registration Required
:

Join us to create your own festive Gingerbread House!  Using graham crackers* and icing, decorate an individual gingerbread house to your heart's content.

Disclaimer(s)

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net/ADA.

SAM Free Second Sunday

Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 11:00am - 4:00pm
Pop-Up Library
Program Type:
Cultural Life, Outreach, Special Events
Age Group:
Families, All Ages

Every Second Sunday the Sarasota Art Museum offers a free admission community day where visitors can not only view the exhibits but also participate in family friendly art classes.

Offsite Event
Library Branch: Pop-Up Library
Age Group: Families, All Ages
Program Type: Cultural Life, Outreach, Special Events
:

Every Second Sunday the Sarasota Art Museum offers a free admission community day where visitors can not only view the exhibits but also participate in family friendly art classes.

Toddler Reading

Family Storytime

Monday, December 15, 2025 at 10:15am - 10:45am
Kid's Zone at Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts, Lifelong Learning, Storytimes
Age Group:
Youth, Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Families

Join us for stories, songs, crafts, and more! 

Recommended ages 3-5 and their families. 

Library Branch: Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library
Room: Kid's Zone
Age Group: Youth, Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Families
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Lifelong Learning, Storytimes
:

Join us for stories, songs, crafts, and more! 

Recommended ages 3-5 and their families. 

Little Book Worm

Preschool Storytime

Monday, December 15, 2025 at 10:30am - 11:00am
Meeting Room at Shannon Staub Library
Program Type:
Storytimes
Age Group:
Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Families

Join us for songs, rhymes, play, and of course great stories! Engage kids in visual literacy, language development, and social skills in a fun class presented by our Youth Services team.

Library Branch: Shannon Staub Library
Room: Meeting Room
Age Group: Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Families
Program Type: Storytimes
:

Join us for songs, rhymes, play, and of course great stories! Engage kids in visual literacy, language development, and social skills in a fun class presented by our Youth Services team.

A man holding a guitar and a woman holding a violin, smiling at each other.

Swingin' Holiday Tunes with Vermont's Easy Street

Monday, December 15, 2025 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Meeting Room at Elsie Quirk Library
Program Type:
Cultural Life, Music in the Libraries, Performances, Special Events
Age Group:
New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors, Families, All Ages

This musical duo will perform the sweetest of your favorite holiday tunes. Everyone will enjoy classic popular songs from Bing to Burl; beautiful carols; and instrumental renditions of seasonal music on the fiddle, guitar, and mandolin.

Library Branch: Elsie Quirk Library
Room: Meeting Room
Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors, Families, All Ages
Program Type: Cultural Life, Music in the Libraries, Performances, Special Events
:

This musical duo will perform the sweetest of your favorite holiday tunes. Everyone will enjoy classic popular songs from Bing to Burl; beautiful carols; and instrumental renditions of seasonal music on the fiddle, guitar, and mandolin.

piano and sheet music

Fall Classical Concert Series: Breathe

Monday, December 15, 2025 at 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Community Room at William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library
Program Type:
Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lectures, Music in the Libraries, Performances
Age Group:
Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors, Families

Ukrainian clarinetist Yurii Padkovskyi returns with flutist Allison DeFrancesco in a virtuoso program for winds for the Fall Classical Concert Series finale!

No registration required, but limited seating available.

Library Branch: William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors, Families
Program Type: Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lectures, Music in the Libraries, Performances
:

Ukrainian clarinetist Yurii Padkovskyi returns with flutist Allison DeFrancesco in a virtuoso program for winds for the Fall Classical Concert Series finale!

No registration required, but limited seating available.