9 things to do near Bradenton this weekend: Boat parade, holiday fun, blues fest & more

The first weekend of December is just around the corner, and there’s lots of local fun afoot. If you still need plans, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s a hand-picked guide to fun times around Bradenton and Sarasota this weekend, Dec. 3-5, 2021.

Holiday gift market

A Holiday Gift Market will bring more than 70 vendors to the Mall at University Town Center this Saturday and Sunday.

The event is the second of three market weekends before Christmas. In addition to shopping among crafters, artists and regional businesses, visitors can enjoy food trucks, tree lightings and lots of light displays.

Details: 1-9 p.m. Dec. 4 and 11 and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 5 and 12. The Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Dr., Sarasota. Free parking and entry.

Info: mallatutc.com.

Christmas beach party and boat parade

Bradenton Beach will kick off the holiday season this weekend with a downtown Christmas party and a boat parade up the Intracoastal waterway.

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 3-7 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.

The party is also in prime viewing area for the Bradenton Beach Marina’s holiday boat parade, which is slated to pass by between 6:30-7 p.m.

Details: 3-9 p.m. Dec. 4. Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach.

Info: lovebradentonbeach.com/event/christmas-on-bridge-street.

Bradenton Beach Marina’s third annual Holiday Boat Parade is Dec. 4. The parade will start near the Longboat Pass Bridge, and then the festive boats will float north up the Intracoastal waterway, ending at the Bradenton Beach Marina.

Recommended spots to view the parade are the Longboat Pass Bridge (6-6:30 p.m.) and Bradenton Beach City Pier (6:30-7 p.m.).

Details: 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Dec. 4 Bradenton Beach City Pier, 200 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach. Free.

Info: bradentonbeachmarina.com/bradenton-beach-boat-parade.

Christmas in Cortez

A brand new festival will bring holiday family fun to the historic fishing village of Cortez. Hosted by the Florida Maritime Museum, “Christmas in Cortez” will feature carnival and lawn games with prizes, a snow slide, a photo booth with props and a chance to snap a picture with Santa.

Local organizations will also take part in the event with interactive booths offering crafts, games and demonstrations.

Food and drink will be available for purchase at the festival. Event parking can be found at the F.I.S.H. Preserve, just east of the Florida Maritime Museum.

Details: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 4. Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Free.

Info: floridamaritimemuseum.org.

‘Holiday Bizarre’

For December’s Art Walk, The Village of the Arts in Bradenton will host a special Holiday Bizarre with lots of opportunities to find unique gifts.

The shops of the live-work community display and sell a wide range of crafts and art styles. There will also be rummage sales throughout the Village.

Live music is planned, including blues all weekend at Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen. Other Village restaurants and cafes will also be open for eats and drinks.

Whether you fancy folk art or fine art, creative cuisine, antiques, furniture, tattoos, records, quilting or a psychic reading, Village of the Arts has something to offer most any taste.

Check villageofthearts.com/calendar for individual business hours during Art Walk.

Details: 6-9:30 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Village of the Arts, downtown Bradenton.

Info: villageofthearts.com.

The Bradenton Blues Festival

The 10th anniversary of the Bradenton Blues Festival Weekend will be held at LECOM Park on Friday-Saturday with live music, local craft beer and wine, food and merchandise.

On Sunday is the Bradenton Blues Brunch, a sit-down three-course meal prepared by award-winning Chef Paul Mattison at Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Purchase tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bradenton-blues-brunch-tickets-157288270451 before 5 p.m. Friday.

Proceeds from the festival support Realize Bradenton’s youth, art and music programs that are free to the community, including the Blues in the Schools program.

Tickets are $20-30 and can be purchased at the gate or online at https://www.bradentonbluesfestival.org/tickets/

COVID 19 protocols will be followed according to local health guidelines at the time of the event.

LINEUP

FRIDAY

• Cece Teneal and Soul Kamotion - 4-5 p.m.

• Johnny Rawls - 5:20 – 6:20 p.m.

• Doug MacLeod 6:40–7:45 p.m.

SATURDAY,

• Terrie Odabi 11 a.m.– 12:05 p.m.

• Jimmy Carpenter 12:25–1:30 p.m.

• James Armstrong 1:50–2:55 p.m.

• Dawn Tyler Watson 3:15–4:20 p.m.

• Latimore 4:40–5:55 p.m.

• Bernard Allison 6:15–7:30 p.m.

SUNDAY

• Annika Chambers 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

‘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.

Siesta Key Seafood and Music Festival

Enjoy fresh local seafood, drinks, shopping and lots of live music at the three-day Siesta Key Seafood and Music Festival.

Beyond seafood, other dining options at the festival include meat and vegetarian dishes, sides, desserts and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

The event features a full musical lineup each day with local acts playing rock, blues, country, dance and more.

Details: Noon-9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Siesta Key Pavilion, 948 Beach Road, Siesta Beach Free.

Info: seafoodfestivals.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 contains 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.

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).

▪ “Encanto” (PG): 7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sun.

▪ “Jungle Cruise” (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. 941-955-3456.