Weekend guide: Here are 10 things to do around Bradenton and Sarasota this weekend

Are you ready for the weekend? Us too.

If you don’t have plans yet, we’re here to help.

Here’s a hand-picked guide to fun times around Bradenton, Sarasota, Tampa Bay and beyond.

Are we missing a big event? Drop us a line at rballogg@bradenton.com.

Fun for everyone

Nutcracker fun: Dance Theatre of Bradenton’s 26th annual production of “The Nutcracker” will bring ballet magic to the stage of the Davis Theater for the Performing Arts at Manatee High School this weekend.

In addition to hosting the only professional annual production of “The Nutcracker” in Manatee County, the non-profit dance school gives local youth the chance to explore the world of dancing arts and develop lifelong discipline.

Get in the holiday spirit with a local take on this classic ballet.

Details: 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Davis Theater at Manatee High School, 902 33rd St. Ct. W., Bradenton. $18-$27 advance, $20-$30 day of show.

Info: bradentonnutcracker.com.

Enchant Christmas: Step into a scene from a winter snow globe at Enchant Christmas, a holiday wonderland inside Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. The fun-for-all-ages event includes an enormous 90,000-square-foot light maze, a kids’ zone, ice skating, food and drink and shopping.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there, too.

St. Petersburg is one of only three cities nationwide to host the event this year, and it’s the first in the Southeast to do so.

Details: Opens 4 p.m. daily through Dec. 29; closing time varies depending on day. Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Drive, St. Petersburg. $14.99-$32.99. Family, senior, student, military and first responder discounts available.

Info: enchantchristmas.com.

Outdoor art: “The Fence” is the largest public photo exhibition in North America, and it is displayed in eight city parks every year.

Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota is one of them.

The open-air exhibit features compelling photos from photographers of all skill levels. The pictures are arranged to tell stories.

Details: Through Feb. 8, 2020. Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. Free.

Info: fence.photoville.com.

Winter nights under the lights: Palma Sola Botanical Park will bring some holiday cheer to Bradenton this weekend with its first ever holiday light display.

Take a stroll and snap a few family photos among the illuminated Florida foliage during this free event. Word is that Santa Claus may be stopping by to join in the fun.

Details: 6-9 p.m. Sunday-Monday. Palma Sola Botanical Park, 9800 17th Ave. NW, Bradenton. Free (donations accepted).

Info: palmasolabp.org.

Something different

Yoga...with tigers: Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary in Sarasota is offering a new way to get in your yoga session — alongside a tiger.

“The sessions will be on the deck surrounded by the big cats’ habitat enclosures for a close up, and safe, experience with tigers and other big cats,” the non-profit says. “Yoga with Tigers is suitable for all experience levels and will continue bimonthly on the fourth Saturday of the month.”

A price of $40 admission also gets you a pass to return to the habitat during normal business hours.

Participants should bring yoga mats, props and towels; refreshments and light snacks will be provided.

Details: 4:30 -6 p.m. Saturday. Big Cat Habitat, 7101 Palmer Blvd. Sarasota. $40.

Info: bigcathabitat.org.

Live music

Ty Kirkland at Bunny and Pirates on Tap: Using loop pedals, Bradenton musician Ty Kirkland plays solo rock with an alternative edge.

Details: 7 p.m. Saturday. Bunny and Pirates on Tap, 12404 Cortez Road, Bradenton. No cover. Info: facebook.com/bunnyandpirates.

Matt Gatewood Band at Joyland: Joyland is a great place to catch local and national country acts in Bradenton — and get in some line dancing.

The Boss Hawg Band brings “down home country, hard rock and southern-fried boogie sounds” to stages throughout Bradenton.

Details: 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Joyland Country Music Night Club, 5520 14th St. W., Bradenton. $7 cover.

Info: joylandbradenton.com.

Grass Is Dead at Fogartyville: Grass is Dead brings the sounds of bluegrass to beloved Grateful Dead tunes.

“The Grass Is Dead have created a sound that not only pays homage to roots music and the songs of the Dead and Jerry Garcia, but expertly travels through time and space to explore the galactic and psychedelic nature of music itself,” Fogartyville says.

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday. Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota. $18.

Info: wslr.org/fogartyville.

Barbara Jordan Quartet at Scarpino’s Family Restaurant: The Barbara Jordan Quartet performs jazz, swing and music from the Great American Songbook.

Details: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sunday. Scarpino’s Family Restaurant, 6152 14th St. W., Bradenton. No cover.

Info: scarpinosfamilyrestaurant.com.