Weekend guide: 8 things to do in and near Bradenton over New Year’s weekend

The new year is almost here. If you still need a fun way to welcome in 2022, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s a hand-picked guide to fun times around Bradenton and Sarasota this weekend, Dec. 31-Jan. 2, 2021:

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.

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.

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.

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.

‘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.

Farmers’ markets

• There will be no Sarasota Farmers Market on New Year’s Day. The market will return on Jan. 8.

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 Sundays during November and 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.

See a movie

Ruskin Family Drive-In: In operation since 1952, this drive-in plays classic flicks, family favorites and new movies with showings every day of the week.

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).

▪ Sing 2 (PG): 7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sun.

▪ The Grinch (PG): 9:30 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. 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.