JANUARY
Manatee County Fair
Manatee County Fairgrounds, Palmetto, 941-722-1639, www.manateecountyfair.com
Rides, games, 4-H clubs and more.
Forks and Corks
www.freshoriginals.com
Special dinners at participating member restaurants; participating wineries showcase wines from their top vintages and introduce new releases.
FEBRUARY
Coquina Beach Fine Arts & Fine Crafts Show
Coquina Beach and Bradenton Beach, 508-737-0998, www.communityaffair.com
Fine art, sculpture, jewelry, glass, photography and more.
Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival
Village of Cortez, Bradenton, 941-794-1249, http://fishnews.org/festival
Fresh seafood, entertainment, arts and crafts, boat tours.
Anna Maria Island Wedding Festival
AMI Chamber of Commerce, Holmes Beach, http://amichamber.org
Featuring limo and trolley rides to 14 wedding sites hosting more than 70 wedding professionals. Live music, catering tastings, hair and make-up demos, lunch, fashion shows, a mock wedding and sunset celebration finale where $10,000 in prizes is given away.
Rubonia Mardi Gras
Town of Rubonia, 941-722-3403 or 941-722-5048
Live bands, costumes, vendors and the Wild & Wacky Parade.
MARCH
Manatee Heritage Days
Bradenton, 941-749-2627, www.reflectionsofmanatee.com
Join costumed volunteers on historic tours of the Manatee Settlement.
Anna Maria Island Heritage Day
Island Historical Museum, Anna Maria, 941-778-0492, www.amihs.org
Tours of the historical museum and Belle Haven Historic Cottage, art show, clowns, live music and art demonstrations.
Mixon’s Orange Blossom Festival
Mixon Fruit Farms, Bradenton, 941-748-5829, www.mixonevents.com
Celebrating the peak of citrus with kids’ games and music.
Springfest Festival of Fine Arts
Holmes Beach City Hall Park, Anna Maria Island, 941-778-2099, www.islandartleague.org
Pottery, paintings, photography, glass, jewelry, sculpture, wood and more. Children’s exhibits, Cajun and bluegrass music and food.
International Beer Festival
Lakewood Ranch, 941-907-9243, www.lwrmainstreet.com
Enter the sampling tents and enjoy great food and music.
APRIL
De Soto Seafood Fest
Bradenton, 941-747-1998, www.desotohq.com
Outstanding seafood, multi-stage entertainment and a large variety of vendors.
Gulf Coast Rhythm & Rib Fest
Manatee County Fairgrounds, Palmetto, 941-746-7470 or 941-725-0827
Rib masters from across the nation, live music and a car and bike show.
De Soto Bottle Boat Regatta
Palma Sola Causeway, Bradenton, 941-747-1998, www.desotohq.com
Thousands of plastic bottles and only paddles to propel them. Teams compete in this very popular event.
Florida Gulf Coast Traditional Small Craft Festival
Florida Maritime Museum, Cortez, 941-708-6120
People from all over the country bring their wooden boats for races, exhibits and displays of boat-building techniques.
De Soto Grand Parade and After Parade Party
Bradenton, 941-747-1998, www.desotohq.com
An illuminated night parade with more than 150 entries and 180,000 spectators.
JULY
BeachHouse Fireworks Extravaganza
BeachHouse Restaurant, Bradenton Beach, 941-779-2222, www.beachhouse-restaurant.com
A spectacular fireworks display.
4th of July Celebration
City of Palmetto, along the Manatee River, 941-721-2138, www.palmettofl.org
Live entertainment, food, children’s activities and fireworks.
Anna Maria Island Privateers 4th of July Parade
Anna Maria Island, 941-778-6611, www.amiprivateers.org
The parade starts at 10 a.m. at Coquina Beach and travels the length of Anna Maria Island.
Snooty™ the Manatee’s Birthday Bash
South Florida Museum, Bradenton, 941-746-4131, www.southfloridamuseum.org
Featuring punch and cookies for the kids, games and crafts.
OCTOBER
Pumpkin Festival
Hunsader Farms, Bradenton, 941-322-2168, www.hunsaderfarms.com
A working farm with homemade apple cider, a petting farm, old country store, pumpkin patch and arts and crafts. The festival includes a BMX stunt show, Freestyle Moto-X stunt show, corn maze, hay rides and live music.
NOVEMBER
Taste of Manatee
Downtown Bradenton, 941-747-4655
More than 20 restaurants, arts & crafts vendors, kids’ games, music and sports bars. Show support for your favorite restaurants.
Mixon’s Harvest Festival
Mixon Fruit Farms, Bradenton, 941-748-5829, www.mixonevents.com
An annual event celebrating the first harvest of citrus. Includes a concert, classic car show, motorcycle show, live music, kids’ games and craft vendors.
DECEMBER
Holidays at the Crosley
Powel Crosley Estate, Sarasota, 941-722-3244, www.powelcrosleyestate.com
Dozens of beautifully decorated trees, Crosley radios, antique Crosley automobiles and an elaborate vintage model railroad. Entertainment, gift boutique, historic photo display and bayside café.
Winter Wonderland
Downtown Bradenton, 941-932-9400, Ext. 449
Jingle Bell Run along the Riverwalk, the Holiday Boat Parade and the Street Festival, complete with snow mountains, Santa, crafts and live entertainment.
