Festival of the Skeletons
22nd annual Día de los Muertos celebration with altars, music and vendors. Free.
Nov 6 to Nov 7. Day into evening · Village of the Arts, 1227 12th St W, Bradenton Manatee Co.
Manatee County
Events in Bradenton and Manatee
What's happening in Bradenton and Manatee?
13 events on the calendar, including Festival of the Skeletons, Sarasota Medieval Fair and Palmetto Veterans Day Parade & Service. 1 more happens every week.
November 2026
Sarasota Medieval Fair
Jousting knights, turkey legs and crafts on select November weekends.
Nov 7 to Nov 29. Weekends, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. · The Woods of Mallaranny, 29847 SR-70 E, Myakka City Manatee Co.
The Bash at The Bishop
Celestial-themed museum gala with cocktails, dinner and dancing.
Sat, Nov 7. 6–11 p.m. · The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, Bradenton Manatee Co.
Palmetto Veterans Day Parade & Service
Parade through downtown Palmetto followed by a Veterans Day service.
Wed, Nov 11. Parade 10:15 a.m., service 11 a.m. · Sutton Park, 1036 6th St W, Palmetto Manatee Co.
Parrish Veterans Day Parade & Ceremony
Parade from the Fort Hamer roundabout, then a veterans ceremony with food trucks and family activities at Parrish Community Park.
Wed, Nov 11. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. · Fort Hamer Rd & Parrish Community Park, Parrish Manatee Co.
Mullet Smoke-Off
Smoked mullet festival with crafts and music.
Sat, Nov 14. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. · Seabreeze Park, Terra Ceia Manatee Co.
North Pole Express
45-minute holiday train ride to the 'North Pole' to visit Santa.
Nov 27 to Dec 22. Select dates · Florida Railroad Museum, 12210 83rd St E, Parrish Manatee Co.
December 2026
European Holiday Market
Handmade crafts, European-style food and a visit from Old Saint Nicholas.
Dec 2 to Dec 6. From 10 a.m. · Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd, Palmetto Manatee Co.
Winter Wonderland on Old Main
Holiday street festival with falling snow, a snow slide, three stages and local vendors. Free.
Sat, Dec 5. 5 p.m. · Old Main Street, Bradenton Manatee Co.
Christmas in Cortez
A free holiday afternoon on the museum grounds, with Santa in the Cortez Cultural Center, games and crafts. Parking is at the F.I.S.H. Preserve on Cortez Road.
Sat, Dec 12. Noon–3 p.m. · Florida Maritime Museum, Cortez Manatee Co.
Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade
Lighted boats on the Manatee River. You can watch from the Bradenton and Palmetto shores.
Sat, Dec 12. Sundown · Manatee River, Bradenton Manatee Co.
Parrish Hometown Christmas
Parrish's free community holiday evening, run by the Parrish Civic Association.
Sun, Dec 13. 4–8 p.m. · Parrish Community Park, Parrish Manatee Co.
Winter Nights Under the Lights
Holiday lights throughout the park, plus Santa, food trucks and a gift market. Free, donations welcome.
Dec 17 to Dec 20. 6-9 p.m. · Palma Sola Botanical Park, 9800 17th Ave. NW, Bradenton Manatee Co.
Every week
- Saturdays · 9 a.m.–2 p.m.Bradenton Public MarketOld Main Street, downtown Bradenton
Neighborhoods, golf and where to eat in Bradenton and Manatee →
Dates come from organizers' calendars. Plans change, so confirm before you go. Every event in the three counties.