Fall events 2024: Pumpkin festivals, Oktoberfests and more around Manatee County
Autumn is here, and Bradenton and Sarasota are ready to celebrate with all kinds of fall festivities.
Pumpkin festivals, Oktoberfests, farmers markets and outdoor concerts are among the seasonal traditions returning to Southwest Florida in 2024.
There’s something for all ages, including free and family-friendly events.
Here’s a guide to happy harvest times near you.
Pumpkin farm festivals
Fruitville Grove Farm Market’s 36th annual Pumpkin Festival will feature a free petting zoo, playground, live music, circus performances, craft vendors, decorated photo spots and costume contests. Admission is also free.
Activities in the $1-$10 range include pony rides, a rock-climbing wall, a wildflower maze, a kids fun zone with a zip line and pumpkin painting.
Food trucks and food vendors will be on-site every day of the festival.
Details: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays & Sundays in October (October 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 & 27). Fruitville Grove, 7410 Fruitville Road, Sarasota. Free admission. $5 parking.
Info: FruitvilleGroveFarm.com
Hunsader Farms 33rd annual Pumpkin Festival is a family-friendly event offering crafts, entertainment and harvest fun.
Live music and entertainment, juggling shows, hayrides, scarecrow displays, a petting zoo and playground access are included with admission.
Activities available for an additional charge include pumpkin games, a corn maze, train rides, pony rides and face painting.
There’s also a bounty of food and desserts to try, such as roasted sweet corn, homemade ice cream and pumpkin pie.
Details: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, Sunday, Oct. 13, Saturday, Oct. 19, Sunday, Oct. 20, Saturday, Oct. 26 and Sunday, Oct. 27. Hunsader Farms, 5500 County Road 675, Bradenton. Admission: $15. Children 10 and under: Free. Parking: $5. Cash only.
Info: HunsaderFarms.com
Oktoberfests
Parktoberfest at The Bay: This family-friendly Oktoberfest will feature live polka music, chicken dancing, cornhole, craft beer and German food for purchase.
Details: 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6. The Bay, 1055 Blvd. of the Arts, Sarasota. Free admission.
Rocktoberfest: Downtown Sarasota will host a three-day celebration in J.D. Hamel Park that combines elements of a traditional Oktoberfest with a rock music festival.
Vendors will offer a wide variety of German dishes, and there will be an arts and crafts marketplace for shopping between performances.
Admission is free, and the event is family and dog friendly.
Details: 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13. J.D. Hamel Park, 199 Bayfront Dr., Sarasota. Free admission.
Celtoberfest at Motorworks: Motorworks Brewing’s annual “Celtoberfest” fuses Celtic and German traditions for a day of drinking, music and fun.
Motorworks’ biergarten will welcome a market of vendors, bagpipers and four live bands playing Celtic-inspired music.
Celebratory food, drink specials and Oktoberfest games are also in the mix.
The party is family and dog-friendly. Kilts, dirndl and lederhosen are highly encouraged.
Details: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19. Motorworks Brewing, 1014 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. General admission: $25.
Info: MotorworksBrewing.com
Oktoberfest at Edelweiss: The Edelweiss Restaurant in Old Manatee will host its 12th annual Oktoberfest this year.
The five-day celebration invites guests to enjoy a beer tent, live stage music, German dancers, vendors, contests, giveaways and traditional German food and beer.
The event is family-friendly, with face painting and games for kids.
Details: 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, Thursday, Oct. 10 and Friday, Oct. 11; noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12; noon to end Sunday, Oct. 13. Edelweiss Restaurant, 611 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton. Free admission.
941-748-3838. Facebook.com/Edelweiss941
Fall festivals
Fall Festival of Music: State College of Florida’s annual Fall Festival of Music will celebrate student music-makers with a showcase of talent.
Hear from SCF’s concert choir, chamber choir, guitar ensemble, jazz big band and jazz combo all in one evening.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26. SCF Neel Performing Arts Center, 5840 26th St. W., Bradenton. $15.
Info: SCF.edu
Fall Festival at University Town Center: The fourth annual fall festival at The MALL at UTC will include carnival rides, a pumpkin patch, a pet costume contest, trunk-or-treat, live entertainment, food trucks, beer and fall-themed photo ops and activities.
Details: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 and Sunday, Oct. 20. The Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Dr., Sarasota. Free admission.
The Pumpkin Patch at Southern Magnolia Acres: This community pumpkin party in Palmetto will include pumpkin painting, face painting, tractor hay rides, holiday and craft vendors, dunk tanks, tasty treats, and more.
Details: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 and 26; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20 and 27. 4315 89th St. E., Palmetto. Free entry. Parking: $5.
Fall-A-Palooza at Woodland Community Church: Woodland will welcome families for a fall festival with a candy trail, face painting, costumed characters, live music and entertainers. Food will include hot dogs, popcorn, candy and fall treats. Kids are encouraged to wear costumes.
Details: 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20. Woodland Community Church, 9607 E. S.R. 70, Bradenton. Free admission. Registration required.
Info: GoWoodland.com
Fall Festival at Peace Presbyterian Church: Peace Presbyterian’s fall celebration will feature a pumpkin patch, kids’ games, a bounce house, a decorated path, live music and food trucks. Food and pumpkins will be available for purchase.
Details: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. Peace Presbyterian Church, 12705 S.R. 64 E., Lakewood Ranch. Free admission.
Info: PeacePCUSA.com
Farmers markets and art fests
Bradenton Public Market will return for its 2024-25 season on Oct. 5.
The 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.
The market hosts about 100 vendors each week, including a core group of businesses and some rotating selections.
The market also features live music by different regional artists each week. Kid’s activities, special events and cooking demonstrations add to the fun throughout the season.
Details: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, October to May. Old Main Street, Bradenton. Free.
The Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch and the Sarasota Farmers Market run all year round.
Downtown Sarasota Craft Festival: The 28th annual Downtown Sarasota Craft Festival will bring a display of handmade jewelry, pottery, ceramics, photography, painting, clothing and more to Five Points Park in downtown Sarasota. Items will range from $15 to $3,000.
A “Green Market” will feature plants, orchids, exotic flora, handmade soaps, gourmet spices and kettle corn.
Details: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 and Sunday, Oct. 6. Five Points Park, 1 Central Ave., Sarasota. Free admission.
Info: ArtFestival.com
More family-friendly events
Music on Main in Lakewood Ranch: Music on Main brings family-friendly fun to the heart of Lakewood Ranch on the first Friday of every month.
Food vendors, beer trucks, booths and kids activities will line the street.
Each month’s event benefits a different local charity.
Guests are welcome to bring chairs and dogs on short leashes.
Details: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, Nov. 1, and Dec. 6. 8100 Lakewood Main St., Lakewood Ranch. Free.
Info: LakewoodRanch.com
Friendly City Flea Art & Music Market: Oscura welcomes a “curated gathering of makers, musicians and creatives” to Old Manatee for the Friendly City Flea. The market includes dozens of vendors displaying crafts, paper goods, home goods, pantry items, food, clothing, jewelry and more.
The market is held outdoors October through April. Oscura will offer a brunch menu and specialty food and drinks, and live music will add ambiance.
Other shops to explore in the Old Manatee district include Segunda Vida, Bat City Comic Professionals and The Vintage Vine Market.
Details: 10 a.m. to 3 pm. Sunday Oct. 13 and Sunday, Nov. 10. Oscura, 816 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton. Free admission.
Back to Angola Festival: This annual festival celebrates the Angola settlement, a community of formerly enslaved people established in Manatee County in the early 1800s.
“In 1821 when the site was raided, they fled and there were those who found refuge in Red Bays, Andros, The Bahamas, Cape Florida on Key Biscayne and among the Seminoles communities at Peace River,” organizers say.
“Come and enjoy lively discussions with the historians, archaeologists and the descendants themselves about this place, which was a place of freedom.”
Planned events include panel discussions, basket weaving and wood carving demonstrations and traditional Bahamian Junkanoo music and costume. Bahamian food will be for sale.
Details: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20. Manatee Mineral Spring Park, 1312 Second Ave. E., Bradenton. Free admission.
Anna Maria Island’s BayFest: Billed as Anna Maria Island’s “largest and longest-running festival,” BayFest features a day of live music from local rock and blues acts.
A food court and arts and crafts vendors are part of the party, and a classic car show is planned from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Details: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19. Festival takes place on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria. Free admission.
Info: Facebook.com/amichamber
Gulfcoast Pride: Formerly Sarasota Pride, this annual tradition is combining forces with Manatee Pride in 2024 for an even bigger celebration of arts, culture and LGBTQ+ community in downtown Sarasota.
This year’s Pride will open with a parade. All-day live entertainment will include drag artists and bands, plus performances by the Sarasota Opera, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe and Azara Ballet.
A market with vendors will be open from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Victoria “Porkchop” Parker of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” fame will headline the festival.
The festival will close with a street party from from 8 to 11 p.m. with music by indie pop-rock singer Zee Machine and the DJs of SRQ Beats.
Details: 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19. Boulevard of the Arts and Florida Avenue, downtown Sarasota. Free admission.
Info: PPSRQ.org
Water Lantern Festival: At the Water Lantern Festival, thousands of illuminated, floating lanterns will make for a memorable display on the lake at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota.
Entry includes a kit to create your own water lantern and customize it with a personal message.
Food trucks and live music are also part of the festival.
Details: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19. Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. $28.99-$55.99.
Info: WaterLanternFestival.com
Sarasota Medieval Fair: Step back into the Middle Ages and partake in a day of medieval merriment at the 20th annual Sarasota Medieval Fair.
Walk among peasants and royalty, sup on turkey legs and other delights, peruse the offerings of ancient vendors and enjoy entertainment like jousting, comedy, rides, games and period music. Don’t forget to dress the part.
This is the fair’s fourth year at the “Woods of Mallaranny,” a 47-acre festival grounds in Myakka City.
The theme for the 2024 event is “Tournament of the Ages,” and it will pit legendary foes Merlin and Morgan le Fay in a battle of good and evil.
Details: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays Nov. 2 through Dec. 1, plus Monday, Nov. 11. Rain or shine. 29847 S.R. 70 E., Myakka City. Ages 4-10: $14.95. Students, seniors and military with I.D.: $21.95. Adults: $24.95. Multi-day passes and add-ons available.
Info: 888-303-3247. SarasotaMedievalFair.com
Did we miss a local fall event? Send an email with details to rballogg@bradenton.com.
