Holidays at UTC

Experience the magic of the season at UTC with dazzling light shows, ice skating, holiday events, and the best holiday shopping and dining.

NOW - JAN. 4

Zōtō

A modern izakaya from James Beard–nominated restaurateurs Jimmy and Johnny Tung, featuring elevated Japanese cuisine by Executive Chef Atsushi Okawara.

NOW OPEN

Mote SEA

Take the plunge into ocean life and learning. Discover the wonders of the sea at this all-new aquarium.

NOW OPEN

Where lifestyle is a way of life

Shop in the sunshine at Southwest Florida's premier lifestyle destination

WELCOME TO THE CENTER
OF IT ALL

UTC is where friends and families find themselves at the center of it all — at Sarasota-Bradenton's favorite shopping, dining and lifestyle destination. Soak up the Florida sun in this open-air environment where new discoveries are always waiting to be made, and favorites are waiting to be enjoyed again.

Shop over 200 retailers

Discover boutiques that are brand new to you and the national brands that you love, too.

See Stores
Enjoy 80+ Dining Options

Enjoy 80+ dining options

From delicious shakes to mouthwatering steaks, there’s something that caters to every craving.

See Restaurants

DISCOVER MORE AT UTC

Play

Mark your calendar and join us for store openings, free workouts, family fun and holiday celebrations.

View Events

Work

Headquarters in the heart of everything. Impress clients. Recruit top-tier staff. Work and play do go hand in hand.

View Offices

Stay

Whether you’re here for business or pleasure, get the most out of your visit to Sarasota-Bradenton by staying in the center of it all.

View Hotels

HAPPENING HERE

Santa’s Coming to Town
November 3, 2025 Fun

Santa’s Coming to Town

The most festive night of the year is almost here! University Town Center (UTC) will…

Read More
Top Fall Things To Do At UTC
September 29, 2025 Fun

Top Fall Things To Do At UTC

Fall has arrived, and we’re so ready for it. From pumpkin picking to spook-tacular celebrations,…

Read More
Game Day at UTC: Where to Watch and Score Dining Deals this Football Season
September 23, 2025 Food

Game Day at UTC: Where to Watch and Score Dining Deals this Football Season

Football season is here, and UTC is your go-to destination for game day gatherings. From…

Read More
Taste of UTC: Fall Edition
January 1, 1970 Food

Taste of UTC: Fall Edition

 Enjoy this two-week dining event featuring your favorite restaurants around University Town Center. From September…

Read More
Soaring Through Summer With New Mural at UTC
July 17, 2025 Art

Soaring Through Summer With New Mural at UTC

A bold new mural has landed in our rotating art space, bringing bright flowers and…

Read More
Christmas in July at UTC
January 1, 1970 Fun

Christmas in July at UTC

UTC is bringing some holiday cheer to the middle of the year with Christmas in…

Read More
Your 2025 Father’s Day Gift Guide at UTC
June 4, 2025 Fun

Your 2025 Father’s Day Gift Guide at UTC

With Father’s Day fast approaching, there’s no better place to find the perfect gift than…

Read More
Mother’s Day at UTC: Where to Shop & Celebrate
April 29, 2025 Fun

Mother’s Day at UTC: Where to Shop & Celebrate

Let’s be honest – Moms rule, and Mother’s Day is the perfect excuse to spoil…

Read More
Spring Brings 12 Fresh New Brands to UTC
April 22, 2025 Fun

Spring Brings 12 Fresh New Brands to UTC

Spring has arrived at University Town Center (UTC), ushering in a vibrant lineup of new…

Read More
UTC Blooms With New Mural for Spring
April 2, 2025 Art

UTC Blooms With New Mural for Spring

Spring is here, and we’re welcoming the new season with a vibrant new mural at…

Read More

EXPLORE THE SOCIAL SCENE @utcsarasota

There's always something to see in the center of it all. Follow along and never miss a beat.

it’s the most wonderful time of the year✨ holidays at utc: believe has officially arrived with a sleigh-full of festive fun happening this week🎁

🎄 dazzling light shows
nightly | every 30 minutes from 6:30–9:30 pm

🧘‍♀️ yoga under the holiday lights with @andrewsantryyoga
wednesday | 6:30–7:30 pm | the green

🐴 horse-drawn carriage rides
thursday–sunday | 6–10 pm | the stable on cattlemen

🎥 holiday movies under the stars
friday & saturday | 7 pm | lot near natuzzi

💪 utc fit yoga with @crunch.university
saturday | 9:30 am | the green

🎆 fireworks
saturday | after 9 pm light show

🎨 paint & sip
sunday | 3–5 pm | the green

🎅 photos with santa
daily | @mallatutc (reservations recommended)

link in bio for all the holly jolly details ❤️
...

581 10

when you realize barks and brews is tomorrow🤩 join us tuesday, nov. 11 from 6-8 pm on the green at utc for tail-wagging fun to benefit @nateshonoranimalrescue 🐾

🍻brew samples from @3daughtersbrewing
🎶live music by @stickandditty
🧁treats from @sprinklescupcakes + @ritasice
🛍️pup-friendly vendors
🐶a puppy petting station
🎟️raffles and more!

📍the green, near @roccostacos
📸: @weeniedog_oakley
...

770 10

still glowing from parade night 💫🎅 thank you for believing, cheering and sleighing into the season with us at santa’s grand arrival parade. special thanks to @nikwallenda and @lijanawallenda for lighting up the tree with their sky-high act, our merry parade crews and @wethekings for the perfect ending to the night. ...

2770 49

holiday drinks are back at @starbucks and santa arrives tonight at utc 🎅✨it's officially the holiday season!

we may not have bear cups, but we've got plenty of festive fun starting at 4 pm. see stories for parade map + schedule.
...

221 4

the trees are trimmed, the halls are decked, and santa claus is coming to town tomorrow🎅✨ join us for a festive evening starting at 4 pm featuring a pre-party with @nofilterband, crisscross skywalk with siblings @lijanawallenda and @nikwallenda, giant featured balloons, floats, fireworks, and an after-party with @wethekings. all the holly jolly details are in link in bio. ...

2282 29

the holiday magic is unwrapping soon🎁

join us saturday, nov. 8 as we ring in the season with santa’s grand arrival parade — then celebrate all season long at utc with nightly light shows, ice skating, outdoor holiday movies, carriage rides & festive fun for all✨
 
it’s all part of holidays at utc: believe 💫
plan your visit: utcsarasota.com/holidays
...

142 9

run baby run… right into the holiday season 🎅🎸get ready to rock around the christmas tree with @wethekings at santa’s grand arrival parade this saturday, nov. 8! the Bradenton-founded band is coming home to headline utc’s biggest night of the year. ✨
 
food trucks + festive fun start at 4pm, and the free after-party concert with We The Kings kicks off around 8pm. link in bio for all the holly jolly details 🎄

🎥 @louiecareysrq
...

990 23

contest closed 🎁 winner @thegirlypearly

ho-ho holly jolly giveaway🎅 join us this saturday, nov. 8 as we unwrap the season with santa’s grand arrival parade, the first lightshow of the season, festive fireworks, after-party with @wethekings and so much more✨ we want to put you (and three friends) in the center of the action with a chance to win a magical experience riding in the parade in a horse-drawn carriage. to enter:

🎁 like this post
🎁 tag the three friends you’re taking to the parade
🎁 follow @utcsarasota

winner announced via DM and on this post on wednesday, nov 5. must be available to participate in the parade starting at 6 pm on saturday, nov. 8. link in bio for parade details.
...

1825 371

happy howl-o-ween✨ thanks for celebrating spooky szn with us and for picking pumpkins to benefit @nateshonoranimalrescue. together, we raised $16,000 to help save homesless pets in our community. 🎃🧡

📸@badaussremi
...

143 5

* all pumpkins have been claimed

happy haunting🍬 halloween is tomorrow and we’re celebrating with a spooktacular scavenger hunt! we’ve hidden 40 mini pumpkins + 1 extra special grand prize pumpkin around the utc district.  if you find one hidden outdoors, scan the QR code and follow the instructions to win an eerie-sistable surprise.✨
 
one prize per person. link in bio for rules🎃
...

229 9

holiday vibes unlocked 🎁✨we’re officially unwrapping the season on saturday, nov. 8 with santa’s grand arrival parade and after-party concert with @wethekings!

join us for a merry celebration featuring:
❤️ special veterans tribute at 5:45 pm
🎄 crisscross skywalk & tree lighting with nik and lijana wallenda
🧑‍🎄 parade with 50+ floats, giant balloons, marching bands, dance troops, and santa
🎆 festive fireworks
🎸 after-party concert by we the kings

the festive fun starts at 4 pm with a pre-party performance by @nofilterband, holiday characters, giveaways, food trucks and more fun spread along the parade route. link in bio for event schedule + parade map.
...

2609 40

trick or treat yourself to @sprinklescupcakes 🧁 celebrate halloween week with two new cupcake flavors: reese’s peanut butter cup + twix 🍬 ...

136 1

falling for the new seasonal menu at @eatnakedfarmer 🍂 ...

63 5

florence after dark 🌙 if you know, you know. if you don’t—now you do. @florenceandthespiceboys turns up the party at utc every fri & sat from 9:30 pm–12:30 am with a live dj, dancing and late-night food and drink specials.

this weekend✨
fri: beats by dj @gabe_vibe
sat: that’s so 2000’s throwback party with dj @kat.fodor + dj frndzwitme

presented by @babylmediagroup
📍 257 n. cattlemen rd.
...

457 10

almost as good as a psl, the fall night market is back this thursday, oct. 16 from 6:30–9:30 pm. 🧡meet us on the green at utc for seasonal sips, cider donuts, 30+ local vendors and live music by @actualbankrobbers.

plus, the pumpkin patch will be open so you can pick your perfect pumpkin to benefit @nateshonoranimalrescue 🎃
...

475 7