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10+ things to do near Bradenton this weekend: Christmas beach party, art fest and more

Another December weekend is here, and there’s plenty of local fun on tap to help you enjoy it.

Christmas and holiday celebrations are continuing, including Christmas on Bridge Street this Saturday on Anna Maria Island, and an arts festival will bring local crafters and family fun to the Bradenton Riverwalk.

Still need plans? We’ve got you covered.

Here’s a hand-picked guide to fun times around Bradenton and Sarasota this weekend, Dec. 16-18.

Christmas and holiday events

Christmas on Bridge Street will bring a family-friendly block party to Bradenton Beach’s iconic main drag.

Santa and his entourage, along with his sleigh, will be parked outside of the Bridge Street post office from 3-9 p.m. A kids’ zone with activities including face painting will open from 3-6 p.m. Four-part harmony group The Dickens Carolers will bring some old-time charm to the event from 5-7 p.m. And many shops and eateries on Bridge Street will be open late.

Restaurants and bars will host a continuous lineup of live music throughout the event.

And this year’s event will include a screening of 2021’s “Home Sweet Home Alone” by the Bradenton Beach Christmas tree.

Winter Nights Under the Lights: Palma Sola Botanical Park will bring some holiday cheer to Bradenton with its third annual holiday light display.

Take a stroll and snap a few family photos among the illuminated Florida foliage during this free event.

  • Details: 6-9 p.m. Dec. 15-18. Palma Sola Botanical Park, 9800 17th Ave. NW, Bradenton. Free (donations accepted).
  • Info: palmasolabp.org.

Lights in Bloom: “Lights in Bloom” transforms Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota into an illuminated winter wonderland.

More than two million lights are in place to illuminate Selby’s gardens and walkways.

The event also includes arts and crafts, activities, entertainment and holiday photo ops. Food and drink will be available for purchase in the gardens.

  • Details: 6-9 p.m. Dec. 10-23, Dec. 26-Jan. 1 and Jan. 3-5. Selby Botanical Gardens, 900 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota. Adults: $30. Ages 5-17: $15. Children under 5: Free. Early entry tickets available for an upcharge.
  • Info: selby.org.

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, 16, 17, 18, 22 & 23. Hunsader Farms, 5500 C.R. 675, Bradenton. Admission: $15. Ages 5 and under: Free. Cash only. Free parking.
  • Info: hunsaderfarms.com.

Enchant St. Petersburg presented by the Hallmark Channel: The popular annual event at Tropicana Field returns with over 4 million lights.

There is ice skating, a Christmas Light Maze to a 100 foot tall tree, live entertainment, a shopping Village with vendors, crafts and food.

  • Details: Nov. 25 through Jan. 1. Tickets start at $35 for adults and $20 for children, kids free on select Wednesday nights. Discounts for seniors and military. Ice skating is an additional $18 per person. VIP passes and private event rentals available.
  • Info: https://enchantchristmas.com/st-petersburg-fl-tropicana-field

Holiday of the Arts Festival

Looking for a unique Christmas gift for someone on your list? The Holiday of the Arts Festival will bring over 100 artists from around the region, Florida and the U.S. to the Bradenton Riverwalk this weekend. Artisans and crafters working in painting, photography, sculpture, metalwork, digital art, jewelry, glass, ceramics, woodworking, mixed-media, fiber art, metalwork and more will have their wares on display and for sale.

Yappy Hour at Motorworks

Motorworks Brewing’s monthly canine extravaganza happens this Sunday.

Dog owners are invited to sip craft beer and grab a bite from a food truck, shop from local pet supply vendors and let their leashed pets enjoy the beer garden.

Each month’s event benefits a local pet rescue organization and includes a silent auction and raffle items.

Brunch is available from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, and there will also be live music to enjoy in the beer garden from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

  • Details: 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Motorworks Brewing, 1014 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. No cover.
  • Info: motorworksbrewing.com

Friendly City Flea

On Saturday, the Friendly City Flea at Oscura in downtown Bradenton will welcome a “curated gathering of makers, musicians and creatives,” organizers say.

Vendors include crafts, paper goods, home goods, pantry items, food, clothing, jewelry and more.

The market will be held indoors.

Comic Creation Workshops

Bat City Comic Professionals, a nonprofit that uses comic books for education, will host two free comic creation workshops for kids this Saturday.

“You’ll learn everything you need to bring your story to life panel by panel, all while hanging out in a comic book store!” the event description says.

  • Details: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 3-5 p.m. Saturday. Bat City Comic Professionals, 915 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton. Free. Ages 6-18.

  • Info: facebook.com/batcitycomicbooks

Performing arts and shows

“The Music Man” at Manatee Performing Arts Center: “In River City, Iowa, the town was promised a marching band by a salesman named Harold Hill. What they don’t know is that he is a con man who has no understanding of music. He plans to skip town after receiving money to buy the instruments, but the plan doesn’t go exactly as he expected when he meets the town’s librarian, Marian.”

West Coast Black Theatre Troupe presents “Black Nativity”: Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will once again present its popular rendition of the Langston Hughes gospel musical “Black Nativity” this holiday season. “The music is combined with dance, poetry and narrative to deliver a message of joy, hope and liberation,” a show preview says.

Mr. Showtime at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre: “Mr. Showtime has been featured on HBO and Comedy Central and also happens to be the Guinness World Records holder for longest stand-up comedy show by an individual,” the comedian’s bio says.

  • Details: 7 p.m. Thursday, 6:30 and 8:50 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday. McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. $25.

  • Info: mccurdyscomedy.com

Farmers’ markets

Downtown Bradenton Public Market: This weekly market is a community gathering place that welcomes vendors offering fresh local produce, meat, pantry and home goods, packaged foods, plants, clothing, accessories and more.

Food, drink and dessert vendors make the market a great place to grab a tasty snack.

This year, the market is nearly doubling in size with plans to host about 100 vendors each week, including a core group of businesses and some rotating selections, organizers say.

The market also features live music performances from different regional artists each week. Kid’s activities, special events and cooking demonstrations add to the fun throughout the season.

The Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch welcomes more than 90 regional vendors to Waterside Place each Sunday. Offerings include produce, meat and seafood, prepared foods and breads, crafts, jewelry, plants and pet treats. Live music from a rotation of local musicians and yoga sessions are another regular feature at the market.

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.

Newtown Sarasota Farmers Market offers local produce, fresh-baked goods and other items twice a week in the Newtown neighborhood. The market also hosts community gatherings including events for kids and food festivals.

  • Details: 10 a.m.-5p.m. Friday and Saturday. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, 2523 Cocoanut Ave., Sarasota.
  • Info: newtownfarmersmarketsrq.org

Meadows Farmers Market: Started in Oct. 2021, the Meadows Farmers Market promises organic fruits and vegetables straight from local farmers. Other attractions include artisans, food vendors and live music. Events at the market include yoga, tai chi, wellness talks and holiday celebrations.

Red Barn Flea Market combines the best of a farmers market, a flea market and a food court in one stop. At Red Barn, you’ll find permanent storefronts, vendor booths, fresh produce, local food offerings, live entertainment and more.

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See a movie

Whether you’re interested in Hollywood blockbusters, independent film or an old-timey drive-in movie experience, there’s a theater nearby that can satisfy. Here are your local movie options:

Ruskin Family Drive-In: In operation since 1952, this drive-in plays new movies, classic flicks AND family favorites 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).

▪ “The Polar Express” (G): 7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sun.

▪ “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (PG-13): 9 p.m. Fri.-Sun.

  • Details: 5011 U.S. 41 N., Ruskin. Ages 9 and up: $7. Ages 5-8: $2. 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.

Some of the society’s movie offerings can be streamed virtually from home.

  • 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

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: $25. Ages 65 and up: $23. College students with ID: $19. Ages 5-17: $16. Ages 4 and under: Free with paying adult.

  • Info: bishopscience.org or 941-746-4131

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.

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

Manatee County Agricultural Museum: Explore Manatee County’s rich agricultural past and present at the Manatee County County Agricultural Museum. Permanent exhibits include displays of authentic farm tools and equipment and highlights of various crops and industries that have taken root in Manatee County over the decades. There’s also a revolving lineup of special exhibits to check out.

  • Details: Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and on the first and third Saturday of each month. Manatee County Agricultural Museum, 1015 Sixth St. W., Palmetto. Free. Donations accepted.

  • Info: manateecountyagmuseum.com or 941-721-2034

Sarasota Art Museum: Operated by Ringling College of Art and Design, the Sarasota Art Museum displays revolving exhibits of contemporary artwork.

The museum is housed in the former Sarasota High School building and offers 15,000 square feet of gallery space to showcase paint, sculpture, photography, furniture making, experimental art and more.

Events at the museum include curator and artist talks, live jazz every second Thursday of the month and free entry and family fun on the second Sunday of each month.

Visitors can also enjoy a gift shop and a bistro.

  • Details: Museum open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Ages 17 and up: $15. Ages 0-16: Free with paying adult. Veterans and active military: Free with ID.
  • Info: sarasotaartmuseum.org

The Ringling in Sarasota offers a treasure trove of fine art and architecture. See collections of European works from the Baroque period and modern and contemporary art; witness the colorful history of the big top in the Circus Museum; take a tour of the Ca’ d’Zan, a Mediterranean revival mansion; and stroll The Ringling’s 68 acres of waterfront grounds and gardens.

  • Details: Open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Ages 6-17: $5. Ages 18 and up: $25. Ages 65 and up: $23. Ca’ d’Zan entry $10 extra. Admission to the Museum of Art and grounds is always free on Mondays.

  • Info: ringling.org or 941-359-5700
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RB
Ryan Ballogg
Bradenton Herald
941-745-7024
Ryan Ballogg is a local news and environment reporter and features writer at the Bradenton Herald. His work has received awards from the Florida Society of News Editors and the Florida Press Club. Ryan is a Florida native and graduate of USF St. Petersburg. Support my work with a digital subscription
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