Van Wezel Announces 2026 Holiday Shows: Complete Sarasota Schedule and Ticket Details
The holiday season will bring Broadway stars, Grammy-winning musicians, family productions, comedy, ballet and traditional Christmas favorites to Sarasota as the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall prepares for a packed schedule of November and December performances. The lineup builds on the venue’s previously announced 2026-27 Broadway season.
The newly announced lineup includes Leslie Odom Jr.’s first Sarasota appearance, Dave Koz’s annual Christmas tour, a major Taylor Swift tribute concert, Cirque Musica’s high-flying holiday production and a musical salute to some of Broadway’s most popular shows.
Altogether, the Van Wezel has announced 14 holiday-season attractions between November 5 and December 30, 2026. Most performances begin at 7 p.m., although Cirque Musica starts at 6 p.m. and Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet will offer both afternoon and evening performances. The schedule adds another full slate of options for readers looking to celebrate the holidays Sarasota-style.
Several of the newly announced shows are scheduled to go on sale Friday, July 17, at 10 a.m. Other holiday productions, including The Unauthorized Hallmark(ish) Parody Musical, Straight No Chaser, Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet and Salute to Vienna, were already available for purchase when the lineup was announced.
November Brings Rock, Pop and Holiday Comedy
The Van Wezel’s expanded holiday schedule begins before Thanksgiving with several concerts aimed at fans of classic rock and contemporary pop music.
The Phil Collins Story — November 5 at 7 p.m.
Created by the producers behind The Simon & Garfunkel Story and R.E.S.P.E.C.T. – The Aretha Franklin Story, this multimedia concert traces Phil Collins’ career from his years with Genesis through his chart-topping solo work and music for Disney films.
The production combines live musicians, projections and storytelling while revisiting songs from across Collins’ lengthy career. Tickets are listed from $36 to $76, including applicable fees under the Van Wezel’s all-in pricing system.
Neil Berg’s The ’70s: Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll — November 12 at 7 p.m.
Producer and arranger Neil Berg leads a two-hour celebration of 1970s rock music featuring songs associated with Elton John, Billy Joel, Fleetwood Mac, Queen, Bruce Springsteen, Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Chicago, Styx, The Eagles and The Rolling Stones.
Ticket prices are listed from $46 to $91. Unlike most of the newly announced performances, the official Van Wezel page currently lists the public sale date as “to be announced.”
Blank Space: The Unofficial Taylor Swift Tribute — November 13 at 7 p.m.
Taylor Swift fans can sing along to music spanning the superstar’s career during this independently produced tribute concert.
The Van Wezel describes the production as a celebration for longtime Swifties and casual listeners alike. The show is not endorsed by or affiliated with Taylor Swift or her related business entities. Tickets range from $36 to $81 and are scheduled to go on sale July 17 at 10 a.m.
The Unauthorized Hallmark(ish) Parody Musical — November 23 at 7 p.m.
This original musical comedy pokes affectionate fun at the familiar formulas of made-for-television holiday movies.
The story follows Holly, an overworked big-city executive who returns to her small hometown and becomes entangled in an old romance, a corporate merger, a cookie-contest conspiracy and an effort to save Christmas.
Tickets are already on sale and range from $41 to $71.
Home for the Holidays — November 27 at 7 p.m.
Four nationally known performers will share the stage for a post-Thanksgiving concert: All-4-One, Sheena Easton, Ruben Studdard and jazz vocalist Lindsey Webster.
The lineup brings together pop, rhythm and blues, soul and contemporary jazz. All-4-One is known for romantic hits including “I Swear,” while Sheena Easton built a successful career with songs such as “Morning Train.” Studdard rose to national fame as the winner of the second season of American Idol.
Tickets are priced from $51 to $91 and are scheduled to go on sale July 17.
December Lineup Features Major Holiday Tours
The schedule becomes especially busy in December, with concerts, theatrical productions, circus performances and family shows filling the final weeks of the year. Sarasota’s seasonal concert tradition also includes productions such as Rain – The Beatles Christmas Tribute.
Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour 2026 — December 3 at 7 p.m.
Nine-time Grammy-nominated saxophonist Dave Koz returns to Sarasota with his long-running holiday tour.
The 2026 production features singer and guitarist Jonathan Butler, along with special guests Haley Reinhart, jazz keyboardist Kayla Waters and singer-musician Casey Abrams. The concert traditionally blends Christmas standards with jazz, pop, soul and instrumental performances.
Tickets range from $56 to $106 and go on sale July 17.
Leslie Odom Jr.: The Christmas Tour 2026 — December 14 at 7 p.m.
Tony and Grammy Award winner Leslie Odom Jr. will make his Sarasota debut during a one-night holiday performance.
Odom is best known for originating the role of Aaron Burr in the Broadway production of Hamilton, a performance that earned him the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. His wider career includes stage, film, television and recording work.
The evening is expected to mix seasonal selections with songs reflecting Odom’s Broadway and recording career. Standard and VIP options are available, with prices currently listed from $61 to $477. The top-priced packages include premium seating, a meet-and-greet, a photograph with Odom and commemorative merchandise.
Tickets go on sale July 17 at 10 a.m.
Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland — December 20 at 6 p.m.
Cirque Musica combines live holiday music with aerial artists, acrobatics and large-scale circus performances designed for a family audience.
VIP packages include premium seating and a preshow experience that may allow guests to meet cast members, step onto the stage, see props and learn more about how the production is created.
Tickets range from $56 to $208 and go on sale July 17.
A Very Broadway Christmas — December 21 at 7 p.m.
Performers with credits from more than 25 Broadway productions will take the stage for an evening of Christmas music presented with a live band and dancers.
The cast’s combined credits include Wicked, The Phantom of the Opera, The Book of Mormon, Motown, Matilda, Beautiful and Annie. The production is designed as a high-energy Broadway-style holiday revue rather than a traditional theatrical musical.
Tickets range from $49 to $99 and go on sale July 17.
Jim Brickman’s A Christmas Celebration — December 22 at 7 p.m.
Pianist and songwriter Jim Brickman brings his annual Christmas concert to Sarasota for an evening combining instrumental music, vocals, humor and familiar seasonal selections.
Brickman has built a large following through his romantic piano compositions, collaborations with popular singers and numerous holiday recordings.
Tickets range from $36 to $76 and go on sale July 17.
A Christmas Carol — December 23 at 7 p.m.
Charles Dickens’ classic story returns in a stage adaptation written and directed by Scott H. Severance.
The production follows Ebenezer Scrooge through his life-changing encounters with the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come. Professional actors, elaborate costumes, puppetry and more than two dozen Christmas carols are incorporated into the performance.
Tickets range from $36 to $76 and go on sale July 17.
Holiday Entertainment Continues After Christmas
The Van Wezel’s seasonal schedule does not end on Christmas Day. Three major productions will carry the celebration through December 30.
Straight No Chaser — December 28 at 7 p.m.
The popular male a cappella group Straight No Chaser returns with its Making Spirits Bright tour.
Known for vocal arrangements that combine traditional holiday music, pop songs and comedy, the group has become a regular seasonal attraction at performing arts centers throughout the country.
Tickets are already on sale. Prices currently range from $38.50 to $308.50, with the most expensive options connected to VIP experiences such as onstage viewing, soundcheck access, a group photograph and exclusive merchandise.
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet — December 29 at 3 and 7 p.m.
Families will have two opportunities to see this touring production of Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic.
The large-scale show features international dancers, acrobatics, detailed costumes, elaborate scenic elements and oversized puppets. The production follows Clara’s journey through the familiar world of the Nutcracker Prince, the Mouse King and the Land of Sweets.
Tickets are already on sale and range from $50 to $209.
Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert — December 30 at 7 p.m.
The final holiday event of the year will bring the music and atmosphere of Vienna’s Golden Age to Sarasota.
The concert features the Strauss Symphony of America, conductor Imre Kollár, soprano Brigitta Simon, tenor Eric Fennell and the Budapest Ballet. The program will include overtures, arias, duets and waltzes associated with Johann Strauss Jr., including “The Blue Danube.”
The production is celebrating its 30th anniversary in North America. Tickets are already on sale and currently range from $66.29 to $109.09.
How to Purchase Van Wezel Tickets
The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is located at 777 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida 34236.
Tickets can be purchased through the official Van Wezel website, by calling the Veteran Air Box Office at 941-263-6799, or by visiting the box office.
Summer box-office hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Regular-season hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The box office also opens two hours before performances held outside its regular hours.
The Van Wezel advises customers to purchase tickets directly from its box office or official ticketing system. Tickets bought through unauthorized resale websites may cost more, may not be genuine and cannot necessarily be replaced if lost or stolen.
We are interested in purchasing tickets for 2026 -2027 season, I have looked at the seating chart and need to know if the space between the outer sections and the middle is an aisle to access seats. Please let me now as we prefer seats on the aisle or close to an aisle so need to be sure that the space there is an aisle.
Thanks.
Maribeth
Prior to purchasing tickets. I need to get specifics on the seating. I see 3 sections of seats. Are the spaces between the right, left and center have a walkway to the seating in the center. The seating chart is unclear and we’d like aisle (or close to aisle) in the center section. Please confirm that there are aisles on either side of the center section.
Thanks, Maribeth