10+ things to do near Bradenton this weekend: Winter Wonderland, boat parades and more

Another December weekend is just around the corner, and there’s a whole sleigh-full of holiday happenings and other fun events planned around Bradenton. If you still need ideas, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s a hand-picked guide to fun times around Bradenton and Sarasota this weekend, Dec. 10-12, 2021.

Holiday fun

Bradenton’s Winter Wonderland: After an long hiatus, a favorite local holiday happening is returning to downtown Bradenton this Saturday.

The 20th Winter Wonderland will transform Old Main Street into a charming holiday scene, complete with lights, vendors, crafts, entertainment, snow slide mountains and family photo ops.

In a new twist, kiddos will be able to visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus via video call.

And Winter Wonderland takes place just near the waterfront, where the Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade will pass by around 8 p.m.

• Details: 5-9 p.m. Saturday. Old Main Street, Bradenton. Free.
• Info: facebook.com/Winter-Wonderland-Bradenton-137508373064845.

Country Christmas at Hunsader Farms: Hunsader Farms in Bradenton is getting in the holiday spirit this December with displays of more than 300,000 lights, hayrides, train rides, campfires, snow tubing, Christmas movies, pictures with Santa, a petting zoo and more.

Check out craft vendors, fresh produce and plenty of food and drink options, too.

• Details: 6-10 p.m. Dec. 10, 11, 12, 17, 18 & 19. Hunsader Farms, 5500 C.R. 675, Bradenton. Admission: $12. Ages 5 and under: Free. Cash only. Free parking.
• Info: hunsaderfarms.com

Showfolks Holiday Circus Festival: This outdoor circus festival will offer three days of Christmas-themed fun at the Sarasota Fairgrounds.

The event includes a big top with continuous circus acts. Other performances include motorcycle stunt riders and famous high wire walkers The Flying Wallendas.

Food and drink vendors, crafts, exhibits, a flea market and photos with Santa are some other things to enjoy at the festival.

• Details: 2-8 p.m. Dec. Friday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. Ages 13 and up: $12. Ages 3-12: $8. Multi-day passes available.
• Info: showfolks.com

Night Before Christmas at G.T. Bray: On Dec. 10, G.T. Bray Park in Bradenton will host a family-friendly Christmas extravaganza.

The annual event is sponsored by Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department and will feature a snow slide, bounce house, face painting and a showing of the 2003 hit “Elf.” Kids will also be able to say hello to Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Local vendors and food trucks will be there to add to the fun.

Entry to the event is free, but organizers request a donation of one new, unwrapped toy per family for a Toys for Tots drive. A purchase of a $5 wristband is required to access the snow slide, bounce house and face painting activities.

Vehicles should enter the event at 59th Street West and exit at 51st Street West.

• Details: 6-8:30 p.m. Friday. Event parking available near the G.T. Bray Recreation Center, 5502 33rd Ave. Dr. W., Bradenton. Free entry.
• Info: https://www.mymanatee.org/departments/parks___natural_resources/programs_events/signature_events/night_before_christmas.

Jiggs Landing Outpost will host an “Old Florida” holiday boat parade on the Evers Reservoir and Braden River on Dec. 11.

Boaters who want to participate can arrive early to decorate their boats. For spectators, there will be live music, food and drink and activities.

Bring your own lawn chair and set up waterside.

• Details: Music and activities: Noon-6 p.m. Parade starts around 7 p.m. Saturday. Jiggs Landing Outpost, 6106 63rd St. E., Bradenton. Free.
• Info: jiggslanding.com. 941-727-4181.

The Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade keeps the holiday spirit afloat with a festive nautical display down the famous waterway.

Boat owners will compete for cash prizes based on theme creativity, lights, music and crowd reaction.

Parade viewing points include Snead Island, the Green Bridge Fishing Pier and sidewalk areas, parts of Riverside Drive in Palmetto and the Bradenton Riverwalk.

Alternatively, grab a reservation at Riverhouse Waterfront Restaurant, Caddy’s or Pier 22 Restaurant for a view with food.

• Details: 6-9 p.m. Saturday on the Manatee River. Free.
• Info: holidayboatparade.org

The Wailers come to AMI

The latest iteration of legendary reggae group The Wailers will visit Anna Maria Island this weekend for an outdoor concert.

The band is an offshoot of Bob Marley’s original group and is currently led by Aston Barrett Jr., son of original Wailer Aston “Familyman” Barrett. The band is currently touring the new album “One World.” The album was nominated for a Grammy in 2021 and features Latin-infused music co-written by Emilio Estefan and guest appearances by Shaggy and several of Bob Marley’s children.

Guests will be required to bring their own chairs for the outdoor, open-air concert. Street parking and free valet parking will be available, and there will be a cash bar on site.

• Details: 6 p.m. Saturday. The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. $35-$45.
• Info: centerami.org

‘Cinderella’: Broadway edition

This December, the Manatee Players invite audiences to enjoy one of the world’s most beloved fairy tales in musical form with a production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella.”

Adapted for a Broadway in 2013, the production features songs from the 1957 made-for-TV original as well as some new twists.

• Details: Dec. 2-19. Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton. $30-$38.
• Info: manateeperformingartscenter.com.

Farmers’ markets

Downtown Bradenton Public Market: Formerly the Bradenton Farmers Market, this weekly community gathering is back on Saturdays with a fresh new name. But you’ll still find a bounty of produce, food, handcrafted goods, arts, music, cooking demonstrations and more along Old Main Street. The market offers more than 40 vendors.

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

The Beach Market at Coquina Beach returns for the fall/winter season this weekend. The market offers fresh produce, arts and crafts, jewelry and apparel, health and beauty items, music and more on Anna Maria Island. The market will be held on Wednesdays and Sundays December through March.

• Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Dr. S., Bradenton Beach. Free.
• Info: facebook.com/BeachMarketAtCoquinaBeach

The Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch boasts more than 50 local vendors. Offerings include produce, prepared foods and breads, crafts, plants and pet treats. Local musicians are another regular feature at the market.

• Details: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday. Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. Free.
• Info: mylwr.com/185/Farmers-Market-at-LWR

Oneco Farmers Market is open seven days a week. The permanent market boasts more than 100 vendors in one location, including meats and seafood, fresh produce, sweets and treats. There are also restaurants and arts and crafts vendors to check out, and the market frequently hosts free community events.

• Details: Open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. daily. Oneco Farmers Market, 5108 15th St. E., Bradenton.
• Info: onecofarmersmarket.com

Sarasota Farmers Market brings vendors selling arts and crafts, goods and services, produce, food, plants and more to downtown Sarasota. There’s also live music to enjoy.

• Details: 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. Lemon Avenue and Main Street, downtown Sarasota.
• Info: sarasotafarmersmarket.org

Fun at the museum

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature: Explore the past, present and future of the natural world with interactive displays and exhibits, stellar shows in the famed Planetarium, an indoor manatee habitat, the Mosaic Backyard Universe for kids and more at The Bishop in downtown Bradenton.

• Details: Open Tue.-Sat. The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Ages 18-64: $23.95. Ages 65 and up: $21.95. Ages 12-17 and college students with ID: $17.95. Ages 5-11: $14.95. Ages 2-4: $8.95. Ages under 2: Free with paying adult.
• Info: 941-746-4131. bishopscience.org

Florida Maritime Museum: Florida Maritime Museum documents the age-old relationship between Floridians and the water. Visitors will find marine life displays, historical photos and documents, revolving exhibits and a gift shop.

On the second and fourth Saturday of each month, the museum hosts a “Music on the Porch” outdoor jam session. From 2-4 p.m., local pickers and players come together to share tunes and singalongs with the crowd. (Due to the holidays, the event will only be held on the second Saturday of December.)

Masks are currently required inside museum buildings.

• Details: Open 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Free.
• Info: floridamaritimemuseum.org or 941-708-6120

See a movie

Ruskin Family Drive-In: In operation since 1952, this drive-in plays classic flicks, family favorites and new movies with showings Wed.-Sun.

There are two options for audio: bring a portable radio or leave your car radio turned on during the film. You can also bring folding chairs to set up outside of the vehicle (bug repellent is recommended if you go this route).

▪ Clifford the Big Red Dog (PG): 7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sun.

▪ Ghostbusters: Afterlife (PG-13): 9:10 p.m. Fri.-Sun.

• Details: 5011 U.S. 41 N., Ruskin. Ages 9 and up: $6. Ages 5-8: $1. Cash only. $5 fee for bringing your own food. Alcohol not permitted.
• Info: ruskinfamilydrivein.com

Sarasota Film Society: Sarasota Film Society’s Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota theaters are a great place to catch a weekend flick. Screenings include independent and art films as well as blockbusters. Check the society’s website for the current lineup of movies. Masks are recommended for unvaccinated guests.

Cinema fans can also continue to stream SFM’s latest offerings in the world of independent and thought-provoking film from home with the purchase of a virtual movie experience.

• Details: Lakewood Ranch Cinemas, 10715 Rodeo Drive 8, Sarasota and Burns Court Cinemas, 506 Burns Lane, Sarasota. Online streaming available any time.
• Info: filmsociety.org or 941-955-3456

Other Bradenton area movie theaters:

• AMC Bradenton 20, 2507 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton. amctheatres.com. 941-752-3796

• AMC Sarasota 12, 8201 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. amctheatres.com. 941-922-4900

• CMX CinéBistro Siesta Key, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail #1100, Sarasota. cmxcinemas.com. 941-361-2456

• Regal Oakmont, 4801 Cortez Rd. W., Bradenton. regmovies.com. 844-462-7342

• Regal Hollywood, 1993 Main St., Sarasota. regmovies.com. 844-462-7342

This story was originally published December 9, 2021 at 6:00 AM.