◀ RETURN TO EVENTS CALENDAR

Sharktoberfest 2023

Saturday, October 14 

PURCHASE VIP TICKETS

PURCHASE MAIN EVENT TICKETS

Event FAQ

Sharktoberfest Logo

Raise a glass with Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium during Sharktoberfest, a craft beer festival in the Aquarium after hours sponsored by Gold Cost Eagle Distributing.

The event will feature local and regional breweries that will provide samples of their staple selections alongside unique, seasonal brews. Each guest will receive a commemorative tasting glass for sampling and a branded gift bag. Sharktoberfest guests will experience Mote Aquarium as they never have before, enjoying live entertainment, food stations, merchandise vendors and special experiences provided by Mote’s Education department. 

A limited number of VIP Tasting tickets are available for a private tasting experience that will be held at Mote (in the New Pass Room) prior to the start of Sharktoberfest. Presented by 99 Bottles Taproom & Bottle Shop, the VIP Tasting will feature six sample selections from local brewers. A curated menu of light bites will be paired with each brew. Guests will enjoy a guided tasting experience where representatives from each brewery will provide insight into the creation of each brew. At the completion of the VIP Tasting experience, guests will enter the Aquarium for the start of Sharktoberfest.

*Rain or shine event

*Must be age 21 or older to attend.

DETAILED EVENT INFORMATION

VIP TASTING
$125

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
New Pass Room
1599 Ken Thompson Parkway
Sarasota, Florida 34236

VIP Tasting Tickets include access to both the VIP Tasting held prior to the main event and Sharktoberfest (access to Mote Aquarium, beer sampling and event entertainment).
Additional purchase opportunities: event merchandise, food and cash bar (with limited cocktails, wine and beer available to purchase.)

MAIN EVENT**
$55
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Mote Aquarium
1600 Ken Thompson Parkway
Sarasota, Florida 34236

General Admission includes access to Mote Aquarium, beer sampling and event entertainment.
Additional purchase opportunities: event merchandise, food and cash bar (with limited cocktails, wine and beer available to purchase.)

Tickets will be available to Mote Members starting August 7, 2023 and to the general public starting August 12, 2023. Need a Mote Membership? Visit mote.org/membership


Participating Breweries


A special thank you to our sponsor

 


 

VIP Event Food Partner

Pier 22 logo, restaurant, patio, catering


Main Event Food Partners

Michael's on East logo

Deep Sea Diner logo showing dolphin serving burger and fries



Merchandise Vendors

Mote Gift Shop

Support Mote's mission by shopping at our gift store!

Gulf Coast Custom Designs 

Customized sea-themed wood & resin art that can be used as charcuterie or cutting boards. 

Gulf Coast Custom Designs logo showing circle with blue water
Aaron Willoughby Jewelry

Handmade jewelry, including pieces designed or casted around stones and fossils, like shark teeth! 

Logo for Aaron Willoughby Jewelry showing a red

 

The Wooden Fence

Handmade earrings, croc charms and key chains.

Openwater Relics

Shark tooth fossil jewelry.

Claire and Cleo

Crochet marine animals.

SeaMonkey Apparel

Local brand created for those living the coastal lifestyle and who share a love for the ocean. Offering unique designs representing coastal locations from around the globe, SeaMonkey Apparel has partnered with Mote and donates $1 from every sale to Mote's mission.

Grammy's Dog Bandanas

Handmade and reversible pet bandanas.


Looking back on our toast-worthy inaugural event

After a long-awaited postponement due to Hurricane Ian, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium’s inaugural Sharktoberfest event went off without a hitch Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. Read about our successful inaugural event here!