- January 1, 2025
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It's on to 2025, Longboaters.
To celebrate, the Observer gifts you the dates of your favorite events happening on the island this year.
From the Lawn Party to Savor the Sounds to Light Up Longboat, all of your favorite events are back. So bring your appetite, dress your best and mark your calendars.
Here is looking ahead to the fun on Longboat Key.
Every first and third Monday from January to April at the Town Center Green, 600 Bay Isles Road. Visit Facebook.com.
Shop until you drop at the Market on the Key. The bi-monthly Market, ran by Markets by Nancy, has everything from art to apparel, shoes, fresh flowers and more. The market also includes live music and food trucks. The market opens at 10 a.m. on the Town Center Green every first and third Monday from January through April.
The first Monday of every month at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Visit TheParadiseCenter.org.
The Paradise Center offers monthly clinics that will teach participants everything they need to know about the fastest-growing sport in the world. Instructor Terri Noyes teaches this series with no equipment necessary. The workshops start at 11:30 a.m. in The Paradise Center parking lot, 546 Bay Isles Road.
RSVP for Special Programs at The Paradise Center by calling 383-6493 or emailing [email protected].
2 p.m. on Jan. 19 at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Rd. Call 941-383-8222.
Learn about the life of the man who revolutionized science at the beginning of the 20th century, Albert Einstein, in a staged play reading at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel. Watch the Temple's very own Rabbi Stephen Sniderman read the leading role of Einstein as they take attendees through the struggles and discoveries starting when he was a child. The play will dive into the opposition Einstein faced and how Germany's anti-Semitism transformed his view of his Jewish heritage. An audience discussion will follow.
Jan. 17-19 at the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center, 590 Bay Isles Road. Call 941-316-8367.
The staple tennis tournament of Longboat challenges all players while forming camaraderie across the Key. It all starts with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Jan. 16 at the Resort at Longboat Key Club Restaurant, Spike 'n Tees.
With more than 100 players every year, each team comprises two men and two women for four levels of play. Men and women play doubles. When finished, one man and one woman go straight into singles, and the other players are up next. It’s the best three out of five pro sets. The winner moves on to the next round.
There’s a $60 entry fee per player. Non-players can attend the reception for $40.
Feb. 27 at the Longboat Key Club Harbourside Ballroom, 3000 Harbourside Drive.
Taste and Tunes of the Key is one of Longboat's most iconic events hosted by the Longboat Key Garden Club. As one of its biggest fundraisers of the year, restaurants from across the area will bring their best samples for everyone to taste while people are on the dance floor listening to music for a local band.
March 1, March 15 and April 19 at the Town Center Green, 600 Bay Isles Road. Call 941-383-2466.
Local bands highlight this series of outdoor concerts. Last year, the lineup included Kettle of Fish, SoulRcoaster and Yesterdayze. The three bands bring a variety of tunes from genres such as reggae, Motown, blues, jazz, disco, country and soul.
Contact the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce for tickets and information.
Late April or Early March. Details to come. Visit LBKLawnParty.org.
Postponed to 2025 due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the Longboat Key Kiwanis Club Lawn Party will feature bites and drinks from area Longboat Key restaurants and raise money for kids in need for the Children's Guardian Fund. Live entertainment, food and drinks are all included with admission.
7:30 p.m. March 9 at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Call 941-383-8222.
Sarasota's own Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will perform its original musical "Soul Man" at Temple Beth Israel, which celebrates the music from the late 1960s. It touches on how black music grown during the Civil Rights movement through powerful soloists such as James Brown, Otis Redding, Jackie Wilson and Sam Cooke. Program manager Susan Goldfarb said it is one of the most attended programs of the year.
March 1 at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 4280 Gulf of Mexico Drive.
As the biggest fundraiser from St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, people can shop discounted prices for various items from clothing, furniture, art, collectibles, housewares and jewelry. Early-bird shopping starts on Feb. 28.
April 3-6 at the Garden at Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive.
The local art scene blossoms in the springtime with the nice weather and blooming nature on the island. Longboat Key Garden Club is hosting four days of art in the Garden at the Longboat Island Chapel.
July 4 at Bicentennial Park, 500 Bay Isles Road. Call 941-383-2466.
This Fourth of July features the “Shortest Parade in America.” Sponsored by the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce and businesses, organizations, nonprofits and residents parade down Bay Isles Road in celebration. Dogs dressed in patriotic costumes follow in the Hot Diggity Dog contest, hosted by the Rotary Club of Longboat Key. Bicentennial Park has activities, including a butterfly release by the Longboat Key Garden Club, a petting zoo, children’s games and the Blue Dolphin Cafe’s famous waffles.
Nov. 25. Details to come.
Every Tuesday before Thanksgiving, the Interfaith Ministerium of St. Armands and Longboat Keys comes together for its most important event. Each year, one of the six congregations of Longboat Key hosts Longboaters of different religious backgrounds in a Thanksgiving service to celebrate the camaraderie of the religious institutions of the island. Together with an “All-Faiths” choir and post-service chatting, the event is also a fundraiser for All-Faiths Food Bank as a way to give back during the holiday of gratitude.
The churches include All Angels By the Sea Episcopal Church, Christ Church of Longboat Key, Longboat Island Chapel, St. Armands Key Lutheran Church, St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church and Temple Beth Israel.
Details to come.
Traditionally this is the opening event of the Christmas season on Longboat Key. The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce hosts this free tree-lighting event with holiday music, raffles, food and Santa Claus. Attendees can also learn about multiple local nonprofits and how to get involved in the community.
Dec. 1-31 Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive.
The holiday cheer continues in December with the annual Christmas in the Garden at the Longboat Island Chapel. The community’s organizations, nonprofits and businesses come together to donate and decorate trees to be displayed in the Garden.
The event includes musical performances from local musicians throughout the month and renowned hot chocolate and sweet treats from the Chapel’s in-house chef, David Stone. Last year, the Rev. Brock Patterson created a community tree where people could pick an ornament to hang by themselves when they visited the exhibit.
