Ring in 2022 with these New Year’s events around Bradenton and Sarasota

So long, 2021 — we’ve made it through another doozy of a year, and now it’s time to celebrate.

Still need some holiday plans?

Here’s a guide to New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day happenings around Bradenton and Sarasota.

Downtown Bradenton Ball Drop

The Old Main Street Merchants Association will welcome 2022 with a free and family-friendly downtown festival featuring live music, food and craft vendors and a ball drop at midnight.

Bradenton area rockers The Michael Mac Band will start the show from 6-8 p.m. The Derek Lersch Band will follow with country rock from 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Downtown bars and restaurants will be open late for the event, and alcohol will be available for purchase.

• Details: 6 p.m.-12:30 a.m. New Year’s Eve. Old Main Street, downtown Bradenton. Free.

Sarasota Pineapple Drop

Another option for local New Year’s Eve fun is downtown Sarasota’s annual street party, which famously features a pineapple drop at midnight.

The mega block party includes live DJs, food and drink, arts and crafts vendors, kids activities and more.

Amusement rides and games will be offered at Midway 5 Points Park.

Live music begins at 9 p.m. at the corner of Main Street and Lemon Avenue. Performers are: Big Night Out (dance, rock and alternative); the Dr. Dave Band (classic rock and bluegrass); and Randy McNeeley (country).

The illuminated pineapple drops at midnight, and then the party keeps going with a fireworks display over Sarasota Bay.

• Details: 1 p.m.-1:30 a.m. New Year’s Eve. Intersection of Main St. and Lemon Ave., Sarasota. Free.
• Info: pineappledropsarasota.com.

New Year’s Eve at Motorworks

Motorworks Brewing in Bradenton will help start the new year with some cheer this Friday. A comedy night hosted by 102.5 The Bone radio host Johhny B. will feature Tampa Bay area comics in the taproom.

• Details: 9:30 p.m. New Year’s Eve. Ages 21 and up. Tickets: $20.
• Info: motorworksbrewing.com.

There will be more fun to enjoy in the Motorworks beer garden as Nasuree Van Gelder Band brings classic rock hits to the stage to ring in the new year.

• Details: 7 p.m.-midnight New Year’s Eve. No cover. Motorworks Brewing, 1014 Ninth St. W., Bradenton.
• Info: motorworksbrewing.com.

‘Noon Year’s Eve’ at The Bishop

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature will host a special new year celebration for young ones early on New Year’s Eve. Families can design egg shakers, create party hats and write resolutions for 2022 before a countdown to noon. The event is included with museum admission, and the extra charge to access the Dino Venture exhibit will be waived for the day.

Museum entry is also half-price for the day; The Bishop will close at 1 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and remain closed on New Year’s Day.

• Details: 10 a.m.-noon New Year’s Eve. The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton.
• Info: 941-746-4131. bishopscience.org.

Shamrock Shiver

The 14th annual Shamrock Shiver on Anna Maria Island will kick off the new year with a day of fun and give local charities a big boost going into 2022.

Event participants dress up in costumes of all kinds and line up in the sand. Then, they plunge into the chilly Gulf of Mexico waters on behalf of pledge donors. It makes for a truly unique sight on Bradenton Beach. The event traditionally includes a costume contest. Social distancing will again be requested this year.

A post-plunge party at Clancy’s Irish Sports Pub in Cortez will include raffles, auctions and live music by local country/bluegrass/rock group, Dr. Dave Band. The event raises money for local charities that aid disadvantaged children in Manatee County. Last year’s event raised $32,604, organizers say. This year’s goal: at least $40,000.

To find out how to plunge for pledges, or to donate, call Clancy’s at 941-794-2481 (extension 2).

• Details: The plunge happens at noon on New Year’s Day. Find it on Bradenton Beach off of Gulf Drive between Fourth Street South and 12th Street South. Post-plunge party starting at 1 p.m. at Clancy’s Irish Sports Pub, 6218 Cortez Road W., Bradenton.
• Info: clancysirishsportspub.com/shamrock-shiver-charity-plunge.

Downtown Bradenton Public Market

The Downtown Bradenton Public Market will help you get 2022 started right with a bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Also shop among craft, gift and food vendors and enjoy cooking demonstrations and live music.

• Details: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, Oct.-May. Old Main Street, Bradenton. Free.
• Info: realizebradenton.com/public-market.

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 a walkable light maze, a kids’ zone, ice skating, food and drink and a Nordic-inspired shopping market.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there, too.

St. Petersburg is one of four cities nationwide to host the event this year.

• Details: Event days and hours vary. Open through Jan. 2. Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Dr., St. Petersburg. $25-$35.
• Info: enchantchristmas.com.

Festive dining

Mattison’s restaurants: All three Mattison’s locations will be open on New Year’s Eve with festive drinks and dining and live entertainment.

Each location has its own music and special menu to offer for the holiday. Menu items include delectable appetizers, soups and salads, seafood, steaks and more gourmet dishes and desserts. All three three restaurants have outdoor seating, and the City Grille is an ideal spot to watch the Sarasota pineapple drop.

Catch local five-piece dance music group Tropix at Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille in Bradenton.

• Details: Reservations recommended. New Year’s Eve hours: 11 a.m.-midnight at Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille, 101 Riverwalk Blvd., Bradenton; 11 a.m.-1 a.m. at Mattison’s City Grille Downtown Sarasota, 1 N. Lemon Ave., Sarasota; 4 p.m.-12:30 a.m. at Mattison’s Forty-One, 7275 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.
• Info: mattisons.com.

Pier 22/GROVE: Sister restaurants Pier 22 in Bradenton and GROVE in Lakewood Ranch will both offer VIP New Year’s Eve celebrations.

A gourmet buffet, an open bar, live music and a midnight toast are part of the experience at both restaurants.

In addition the the ballroom celebrations, both restaurants will be open for regular dining on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Reservations recommended.

• Details: New Year’s Eve celebrations starts at 7 p.m. at Pier 22, 1200 First Ave. W., Bradenton, and at 9 p.m. at GROVE, 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch. $150 per person, plus tax and gratuity.
• Info: pier22dining.com. grovelwr.com.

Ortygia: Ortygia serves up authentic Sicilian fare in a cozy dining space in Village of the Arts. The restaurant will host two seatings on New Year’s Eve with candlelight ambiance, live entertainment and a fixed price menu.

• Details: Dinner at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. New Year’s Eve. Call 941-741-8646 for reservations. $75 per person, plus tax and gratuity. 1418 13th St. W., Bradenton.
• Info: ortygiarestaurant.com.

Did we miss a local New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day event? Send an email with details to rballogg@bradenton.com for consideration.

This story was originally published December 26, 2021 at 7:00 AM.