Sarasota’s October 23–25 arts weekend offers three different outings: a film screening with live orchestra, The Sarasota Ballet’s Program One and an artist conversation at Sarasota Art Museum.

Sarasota Orchestra presents Star Wars: Return of the Jedi at the Van Wezel on Friday and Saturday, October 23 and 24, at 7:30 p.m. Chris Confessore conducts as musicians perform John Williams’ score alongside the complete film.

The listed starting price is $52, with an approximate running time of two hours and 30 minutes including intermission. Check the Return of the Jedi event page for seats and current ticket details.

The Sarasota Ballet’s Program One runs October 23–25 at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, featuring choreography by Gemma Bond, Sir Frederick Ashton and Dominic Walsh. Friday’s performance is at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday offer 2 p.m. matinees and 7:30 p.m. performances.

Sarasota Art Museum lists an Eszter Sziksz artist talk for Saturday, October 24, from 1 to 2 p.m. Its current-season page provides access to program and registration information.

Choose the outing that suits your interests, confirm admission and availability through the official organization, and allow time for arrival. The Saturday museum talk and ballet matinee are close together, so plan realistically rather than assuming both fit comfortably.

Find tickets on the Program One page.

Sarasota County’s sea turtle nesting season continues through October 31, making late October a useful time to renew familiar beach habits that protect turtles and their habitat.

Artificial light visible from the shoreline can disorient nesting females and hatchlings. Beachfront residents and visitors can help by closing curtains or blinds after dark and following official guidance on outdoor lighting, shielding and necessary safety needs.

Removing beach furniture, toys and trash is another practical step. Mote Marine Laboratory has documented local turtle encounters with furniture, showing why a clear beach matters beyond keeping the shoreline tidy.

Before leaving, fill holes you have dug and flatten sandcastles. Respect marked nests, leave protective signs and barriers in place, and avoid handling turtles, eggs or hatchlings.

Anyone concerned about a turtle should seek instructions from trained wildlife professionals instead of attempting an independent rescue. Mote’s sea turtle conservation information and Sarasota County’s environmental guidance provide useful starting points.

October 31 does not make marked nests or wildlife safe to disturb afterward. Continue following official instructions wherever nests remain protected. The focus is on easy, repeatable actions: darken beachfront windows, take belongings home and leave a clear route across the sand, helping local beach visits end with care for the animals that share the coast.

Helpful links: Mote’s nesting resources; Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s beach-lighting advice.

October gives Sarasota residents a useful opportunity to begin a fall vegetable garden, including people whose growing experience comes from northern climates with very different calendars.

University of Florida resources explain the seasonal choices and regional planting windows. Central Florida guidance includes direct-seeded carrots, beets, radishes and green beans among October options, while other cool-season crops require attention to planting method and timing.

The Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide helps readers compare crop requirements before buying seeds or transplants. Choosing two or three vegetables the household enjoys is a manageable starting point.

Container gardening provides another option for patios and smaller spaces. Appropriate container size, drainage, sunlight and convenient watering matter more than the size of the project, and containers offer control over the growing medium.

Readers can use the Sarasota edible-gardening resources to find locally relevant information and seek help from Extension or the Master Gardener Plant Clinic when a plant problem is unfamiliar.

The practical approach is to start small, observe plants regularly and keep notes about planting dates and results. A modest first garden can build confidence without requiring a major investment in space or equipment, while helping new Florida gardeners learn which crops and routines fit their own homes.

Helpful links: October planting resources.

Sarasota families still have two distinct Halloween outings to consider before October ends: Selby Gardens’ daytime Spooktacular downtown and Lights at Spooky Point in Osprey.

Spooktacular is scheduled for Sunday, October 25, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Downtown Sarasota campus, 1534 Mound Street. Activities include trick-or-treating, crafts, educational activities and storytelling options for older children.

Children are encouraged to wear costumes and bring treat bags. The celebration is included with general admission and is free for Selby Gardens members, with food and beverages sold separately.

Lights at Spooky Point runs through October 31 at Historic Spanish Point, 401 North Tamiami Trail. The evening walk-through features seasonal light displays and botanical themes, with a few minor jump scares noted by the organizer.

Listed tickets are $34 for nonmember adults, $24 for member adults and $19 for ages 5–17; children 4 and younger are free. Confirm the selected date and entry time on the Lights at Spooky Point ticket page.

The events take place at different campuses and use different admission arrangements. Check the Spooktacular event page, choose the experience that suits your group and contact the venue about accessibility needs before booking. Comfortable shoes and a little arrival time can help.