Last updated on April 13th, 2026 at 06:42 am
You don’t have to dig deep or look very hard to find a shark’s tooth on the beaches of Venice, so every year this Florida city celebrates its unique place in the world with the Venice Sharks Tooth Festival.
The teeth you find today are centuries old, when sharks were prolific in the Gulf of Mexico and Florida was under the sea.
Venice’s calm waters gave the Gulf’s shark’s teeth a place to settle into the sea bottom, aided by the tides and shifting sands, and earning this Southwest Florida coastal city the moniker “Shark Tooth Capitol of the World.”
Beachgoers use sifters, some use toy beach shovels, most just use their fingers or pick them out of the surf like sea shells. You’ll find them. Nobody goes home without at least one.
Oh, yea, there are plenty of shells here, too!
So it’s only fitting, in this state of Spring festivals and tourist distractions, to have a festival to celebrate shark’s teeth.
The Venice Shark Tooth Festival is held each year in mid-April.
Sharks have 40 or more teeth in each jaw and continually shed their teeth and replace them. Over a period of 10 years, an average Tiger shark can produce as many as 24,000 teeth. Dead sharks (and their shedded teeth) sink to the ocean floor, where they are covered with silt and sand and decompose, leaving only the teeth.
The unique tides and Gulf currents that wash shells up on the beaches of Sanibel and Captiva also wash sharks teeth up on the beaches of Venice. (Venice also has its share of shells). Snorkelers and divers go deeper for the prize and often come up with the large teeth that don’t always make it to the beach.
One of the more captivating opportunities at the Shark’s Tooth Festival is the viewing of fossil displays, where you can buy sharks teeth and other marine fossils from the area. There is continuous music throughout the weekend, and an art show.
Venice Sharks Tooth Festival, April 11-12, 2026. Saturday, 10 am-8 pm; Sunday, 10 am-5 pm. Admission free. Centennial Park, 200 West Venice Ave., Venice, FL 34285. Free parking with continuous shuttle from Venice High School. Phone: 941-484-6722. Web site:venicesharkstoothfestival.com
Festival Entertainment
Saturday, April 11
- 10 am – 4 pm — Venice Gondoliers Barbershop Chorus (roaming throughout festival)
- 12-2 pm — Ellipsis (Rock)
- 3-5 pm — Unique Full Circle (Rhythm and Blues)
- 6-8 pm — Maiden Cane (70s & 80s Arena Rock)
Sunday, April 12
- 10 am – 4 pm. — Venice Gondoliers Barbershop Chorus (roaming throughout festival)
- 12-2 pm — Cheese Brothers in Paradise (Sing Along)
- 2:15pm-2:30pm — Line Dancing with The Bridget Phillips Experience
- 3-5 pm — Junction 41 (Blues, Soul and Rock)
FREE Parking: Free parking at Venice High School, 1 Indian Avenue, Venice, FL., with continuous shuttle from 10 am-8:30 pm on Saturday and 10 am-5:30 pm on Sunday.
Things to do in Venice
Casperson Beach is where Gulf currents drive the highest concentration of shark’s teeth ashore, so naturally, this is where you’ll find the highest concentration of beachcombers sifting through the sand. But the parking lot has been washed out by storms, so you’ll have to park at South Brohard Beach (dog beach) and walk south. Restrooms, vehicle parking, and playground are closed until repairs can be made.
Venice’s historic downtown shopping district encircles Centennial Park, where the sharks tooth festival is being held after moving from the grounds of the Venice Municipal Airport. During the festival, parking with free shuttle service will be available at Venice High School, 1 Indian Ave, Venice, FL 34285
The multi-use Legacy Trail runs from the historic railroad depot in downtown Venice through woods, parks, wetlands and back yards for 30 miles to Sarasota. The trail also connects to Venetian Waterway Park, a multi-use trail that parallels the Intracoastal Waterway and out to Casperson Beach.
Oscar Scherer State Park is a few miles north of Venice on U.S. 41 in Osprey, and it is accessible from the Legacy Trail. In addition to bike trails, you’ll also find a full day’s worth of hiking and kayak trails, wildlife viewing, a swimming lake and fabulous camping (see note below).
Worth a visit: Everglades photographer Clyde Butcher’s Venice Gallery & Studio, but you’ll have to do it Tuesday through Friday, the only days the gallery is open. This is the home of Clyde’s amazing large-format darkroom where he produces his original prints. The gallery is in an industrial park off Venice Avenue at 237 Warfield Ave. 941-486-0811. (Clyde also has a gallery in Ochopee on the Tamiami Trail).
You should also read: 5 things to do in Venice, Florida
Where to eat in Venice
Sharky’s is the pier restaurant on the main beach and one of our favorite places to enjoy seafood. The outdoor tiki bar is spacious with a great view of the beach. You can also eat inside. The service is fast and the food is good. 1600 Harbor Drive South, Venice. Phone 941-488-1456. TripAdvisor Reviews
T.J. Carney’s Irish pub on the south side of Centennial Park has outdoor sidewalk seating and a comfortable bar inside where you can enjoy a cold beer, a stacked sandwich or a full dinner. Great place to people-watch as the bar opens up on the square. 231 West Venice Ave. 941-480-9244. TripAdvisor Reviews
Crow’s Nest. Great views from the upstairs dining room, and there’s quaint tavern tucked away in a corner downstairs. Excellent selection of seafood, and oysters are the raw bar specialty — from all over the world. 1968 Tarpon Center Drive, Venice. 941-484-9551. TripAdvisor Reviews.
Food Trucks at the Festival
- Chasin Chicken
- The Currywurst Truck (German Street Food)
- Dawg Pound (Hot dogs)
- GitChewSum (BBQ)
- Grace’s Taste of Poland (Polish)
- Made In Italy (Italian; Pizza)
- Mr. Buylgogi (Asian)
Campgrounds near Venice
Oscar Scherer State Park. Beautiful state park with shady campsites and access for paddlers to the Intracoastal Waterway. Swimming lake and access to the Legacy Trail, which will let you bike to the festival. Six miles north of Venice at 1843 South Tamiami Trail, Osprey FL. Reserve your campsite online at reserve.floridastateparks.org or call 800-326-3521 (TDD 888-433-0287).
Ramblers Rest RV Park is off I-75 from the River Road exit with more than 500 RV sites. This campground is more like a small city with a boat ramp, a dock and picnic area on the river. 1300 North River Road. Reserve online or call 941-493-4354.
Myakka River State Park. Miles of excellent hiking and biking trails, kayaking, three outstanding campgrounds and historic palm-tree log cabins built during the Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Campsites are $26/night plus a $7 utility fee (electric, water and sewer). Reserve your campsite online at reserve.floridastateparks.org or call 800-326-3521 (TDD 888-433-0287).
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