The blues room downtown is stacked, the fall festivals roll in, and Halloween lands on a Saturday. October is when Manatee County wakes back up.
September was the quiet month, and October flips it. The fall festivals start, the farm stands out east fill up with pumpkins, and the evening air finally drops a few degrees. The snowbirds haven't fully arrived yet, so you can still get a parking spot downtown and a table on a Friday night, but the calendar is filling in fast.
Storm season doesn't officially wrap until the end of November, so it's worth keeping an indoor backup in mind for the afternoons that turn. Between the theater season downtown, the farms out east, and a full slate of festivals, you won't be short on options.
Here's what's happening this month, pulled from our live events calendar and checked against venue and member listings. Bookmark it, because we refresh this page every month.
October's best, up top
Short on time? Start here, then scroll for the full month.
Farmers markets. Bradenton Public Market leads off Oct 3. Full list below.
Village of the Arts First Friday ArtWalk. Oct 2–3, free, in the Village.
Anna Maria Island BayFest. Oct 17, the island's biggest street festival, turning 25.
Pumpkin farms out east. Hunsader Farms and Dakin Dairy both run fall festivals every October weekend.
Carrie: The Musical. Opens Oct 15 at MPAC, right on time for spooky season.
Wanderlust Food Truck Festival at Tom Bennet Park.
Blues at Flamingo Bay. National acts like John Németh and Brandon Santini roll through downtown all month.
Music on Main. Oct 2, the first-Friday block party in Lakewood Ranch.
Halloween week. Goblin Gathering, a Howl-O-Ween dog party, and an island Trunk or Treat close out the month.
The markets are open again
After the summer break, most of the county's farmers and public markets are running again, and all are free to walk into.
Bradenton Public Market is back Saturday, Oct 3 on Old Main Street, Saturdays 9 AM–2 PM.
The Village of the Arts is bringing the Third Saturday Market Saturday OIctober 17, 11 AM-4 PM.
Coquina Beach Market sets up Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, 10 AM–2 PM, on Anna Maria Island.
Anna Maria Community Farmers Market takes Tuesdays, 9 AM–2 PM, at Roser Church.
Mixon Farms Market, the county's newest weekly market, is open every Sunday, 9 AM–2 PM, in theast Bradenton (2525 27th St E).
Main Street Market at Lakewood Ranch returns Oct 10, one Saturday a month.
Waypoint Artisan Market opens Oct 10 in Palmetto with a Fall & Halloween Market, then settles into second Saturdays.
For the full rundown of days, hours, addresses, and parking, see our full guide to Manatee County's farmers markets.
Fall festivals
October is the opening act of festival season, and the first weekend sets the pace.
Oktoberfest & Craft Market kicks things off at The Club at River Wilderness in Parrish on Saturday, Oct 3 at noon.
Wanderlust Food Truck Festival will debut in Bradenton on Friday, October 16, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Tom Bennett Park (400 Cyprus Creek Blvd, Bradenton). The grand opening will feature local food trucks and live music from an on-site DJ. Following the launch, the festival will recur on the first and third Friday of each month
Palma Sola Fall Plant & Garden Festival fills the park with plants, vendors, and music on Sunday, Oct 4 at 10 AM (Palma Sola Botonical Park, 9800 17th Ave NW, Bradenton). Free.
Community Fall Festival lands at Parrish United Methodist Church on Sunday, Oct 11 at 4 PM. Free.
Oktoberfest Beer Festival at Waypoint Bar & Grill pours in Palmetto on Saturday, Oct 17. 11000 Us-41, Palmetto.
And the pumpkin patches and street festivals are the month's biggest draws, spread across the county:
Anna Maria Island BayFest takes over Pine Avenue on Saturday, Oct 17, 10 AM–9 PM. Free and now in its 25th year, it's the island's biggest and longest-running street festival, with food, arts and crafts, a classic car show, and bands all day, put on by the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce.
Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival spreads across three weekends. Oct 10–11, 17–18, and 24–25, from 9 AM to 5 PM at 5500 CR 675 in Bradenton. Gate is $15 for ages 10 and up, $5 for kids 5–9, free under 5, plus $5 parking, and it's cash only. You get the full farm day: a craft show, hayrides, pony rides, a corn maze, a petting zoo, and Tiny Town.
Dakin Dairy Farms Harvest Festival opens for pumpkin weekends all October in Myakka City, 10 AM to 5 PM. Admission is $20, kids 5 and under get in free, and parking is free, with pumpkin picking, a corn maze, farm animals, food trucks, and the pumpkin cannon.
Country Critters Fall Festival runs Saturdays Oct 10, 17, and 24 in Parrish, a smaller farm day with a pumpkin patch, pony rides, face painting, and hands-on animal fun. Admission is $15 (ages 2 and up). 15571 Rutland Rd, Parrish.
See our full guide to Manatee County's festivals.
Halloween happenings
The back half of the month leans spooky, and Halloween itself falls on a Saturday this year. For the full list, see our Halloween events in Bradenton guide.
Goblin Gathering brings the family Halloween energy to G.T. Bray Park on Friday, Oct 16 at 4 PM.
Though Silent They Speak: The Language of Cemeteries is a fittingly seasonal talk at Palmetto Historical Park on Saturday, Oct 17 at 10 AM. Free.
Thrill the World "Thriller" Dance Mob holds free practices at Manatee Central Library on Saturdays through Oct 24, so you can learn the zombie routine with the crew.
Dog Days at Flamingo Bay: Howl-O-Ween Edition is a free, pet-friendly costume party on Sunday, Oct 25 at noon.
Island Trunk or Treat closes the month at The Center of Anna Maria Island on Friday, Oct 30 at 6 PM. Free.
Bradenton Ghost Tours runs spooky outings and tours the entire month of October. $25.00 per person with a minimum of 2.
Victorian Wake at the Sam G. Curry House. Step into the 1860 Sam G. Curry House (1305 4th Ave E, Bradenton, restored, and reportedly a little haunted, for a guided Victorian wake with costumed interpreter Crystal Kopp. Learn how Old Manatee families memorialized their dead, view a rare display of authentic memento mori and death photography, and take home a memento mori of your own. $5 at the door or online (Saturday, Oct 24, 4:00–6:00 PM).
For pumpkins and hayrides, the farm festivals above run all month, and Waypoint's Oct 10 market doubles as a Fall & Halloween Market.
Live music, theater, and comedy
The Manatee Performing Arts Center anchors the downtown season. Carrie: The Musical opens Thursday, Oct 15, Dear Evan Hansen follows Thursday, Oct 22, and Almighty Queen: A Tribute to Queen plays a matinee on Tuesday, Oct 27
For a lighter afternoon, join The Pops Orchestra of Bradenton & Sarasota and Palma Sola Botanical Park for Groovin' in the Gardens, a new outdoor music experience that brings together live jazz, beautiful gardens, and the simple joy of gathering with friends.Oct 18 from 4 to 6 p.m. The Pops Orchestra's Jazz Combo, the Cultural Coast's own pops group, plays a set of jazz favorites while you settle in with wine, beer, and snacks among the gardens. General admission starts at $35, with lawn and VIP tiers, and the evening benefits two local nonprofits.
Village of the Arts blues room is Flamingo Bay Brewing Co., and October is stacked. Damon Fowler & Reverend Billy (Oct 3), Memphis Red Lightning (Oct 8), Crystal Shawanda (Oct 11), Brandon Santini (Oct 12), John Németh & Friends (Oct 15), and Ricci and The Bad Kind with Mark Telesca (Oct 18) all take the stage. That's a serious month for a brewery.
Over on Holmes Beach, the Freckled Fin books acts almost every night, with standouts like Jahrockaz Reggae Band (Oct 9), Stereo Therapy (Oct 16), and Celtic rockers Seven Nations (Oct 29). For something quieter, the 41st Street Music Patch, an intimate backyard concert series under the live oaks, capped around 50 seats, BYO drinks, hosts Americana songwriter Ryan Biter on Friday, Oct 16.
Free and family-friendly
You don't need a big budget this month, especially if you've got kids to keep busy on a Saturday.
Village of the Arts First Friday ArtWalk opens the month on Friday, Oct 2 and Saturday, Oct 3, from 11 AM to 4 PM. The galleries, studios, and shops inside the Village's painted cottages open their doors, with pop-up vendors, food, and music along the way. Street parking is available throughout the Village, with additional parking in the empty lot at 13th Ave and 12th St.
Stuff the Bus Food Drive across multiple locations on Sunday, Oct 11.
Cat Adoption Event at the South Manatee Branch Library, Saturday, Oct 24 at 2 PM.
Ask a Master Gardener at the Palmetto branch (second Saturday, Oct 10) and Central Library (third Saturday, Oct 17).
Library storytimes happen all month across the Manatee County system, from baby storytime in Palmetto to sensory and family story times at Central and Rocky Bluff.
The Holmes Beach Drum Circle will be starting up Friday, October 2, 1 hour before sunset. This will be a recurring event every Friday evening.
And the Bradenton Riverwalk is open every day at no charge, with the splash pad, the trail, and the fishing pier all yours for free.
Get outside
The mornings are finally comfortable enough to spend outdoors.
Chasing the Sun Endurance Run hits Robinson Preserve on Saturday, Oct 10 at 8 AM. Robinson is a destination on its own, with coastal trails, a kayak launch, and an observation tower over the mangroves.
Fall Sky & Scope is a two-part telescope workshop at the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature: a Saturday-morning classroom session on Oct 17 (10 AM–noon), then night-sky observation on Oct 24 (7–9 PM). It's $20 for one session or $30 for both (less for members) and capped at 20 people, so reserve ahead.
Worth knowing: the NEST at Robinson Preserve keeps a steady calendar of low-cost programs year-round, from yoga and tai chi to kayak trips and stargazing nights. Check the Manatee County Natural Resources calendar for this month's lineup.
Sports and motorsports
FL2K roars into Bradenton Motorsports Park October 1st- 4th, one of the country's biggest drag-and-roll racing events. Expect several days of racing, car shows, and high-horsepower street cars.
Workshops worth your Saturday
Fall craft season is in full swing, and most of these shops are Discover Bradenton members.
SourDough Bread Making Workshop at GypSea Soul Boutique & Studios, Saturday, Oct 3 at 1 PM.
Chardonnay & Canvas Totes at The Wellness Center of Ellenton, Tuesday, Oct 6.
Restorative Ritual: Yoga Nidra & Deep Rest at Embodied Health, Thursday, Oct 8 (and Oct 1).
Happy Healthy Feet with Angela at Thrive Yoga & Fitness , Saturday, Oct 24 at 1 PM.
You'll find these shops, and hundreds more local spots, in the Manatee County business directory.
Give back while you're at it
A few October events pair a good time with a good cause.
Paint a Brighter Future for Young Readers at Painting with a Twist, Sunday, Oct 4 at 2 PM.
Spirit Night for Child Abuse Prevention at Good Liquid Brewing Co., Wednesday, Oct 7 at 5 PM.
F.E.L.T. 5th Annual Cattle Baron's Ball: Rhinestone Rodeo at the Manatee County Fairgrounds, Saturday, Oct 10, 5:30–10:30 PM. Tickets are $100 (dinner and two drinks) for a western-themed night of dinner, dancing, and auctions that fights childhood hunger.
A Night of Hope Under the Stars at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, Saturday, Oct 10 at 6 PM.
The Mark Wandall Foundation Annual Golf Tournament tees off at Heritage Harbour Golf Club on Friday, Oct 30.
The recurring stuff you can count on
Not every good night needs a date on the calendar. These run every week, all month:
Trivia and games: Rock & Roll Trivia with Steve Arvey at the Freckled Fin (Wednesdays), Tuesday Game Night at Adobe Kava, and Sunday Funday Bingo at Cork's Cigar Bar.
Line dancing: Country Night with the Buffalo Gals at Flamingo Bay Brewing, every Tuesday at 6 PM. Beginner-friendly, so no experience needed.
Open mics and music: Rock Star Open Mic at Flamingo Bay (Wednesdays), Friday Acoustic Sessions at Adobe Kava, Sunday Open Mic at Loaded Cannon, and Monday Karaoke at the Freckled Fin.
Weekly specials: Rocco's Italian Kitchen runs its lineup from Wine Down Wednesdays on, and Loaded Cannon Distillery keeps Friday Nights and Saturday Martini Specials going.
FAQ
What is there to do in Manatee County in October 2026?
More than 30 events fill the month: farmers markets reopen (Bradenton Public Market starts Oct 3), BayFest takes over Anna Maria's Pine Avenue on Oct 17, and pumpkin farms host weekend festivals. Carrie: The Musical opens at MPAC Oct 15, and Halloween events run through Oct 31. Most are free.
When is Anna Maria Island Bayfest 2026?
Bayfest runs Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Pine Avenue in the City of Anna Maria. Admission is free, with live music, a classic car show, food trucks, and a vendor market along the street.
Where can I find a pumpkin patch near Bradenton?
Hunsader Farms (5500 CR 675, Bradenton) runs weekends through Oct 25 and costs $15 (cash only). Dakin Dairy Farms in Myakka City is $20, and Country Critters in Parrish runs Saturdays Oct 10, 17, and 24 at $15. The Great Pumpkin Patch of Palmetto (209 7th St W) hosts a free Trunk or Treat Oct 25, 5–8 p.m.
What Halloween events are happening in Manatee County in 2026?
The biggest is the Village of the Arts Trick-or-Treat on Saturday, Oct 31, 6–8 p.m. Island Trunk or Treat (The Center of Anna Maria Island, 6 p.m.) and Trail of Treats (Anna Maria Island Chamber, 4 p.m.) are both Friday, Oct 30. Goblin Gathering at G.T. Bray Park is Oct 16. See our full Halloween guide for the rest.
Are Bradenton's farmers markets open in October?
Yes. The Bradenton Public Market reopens Saturday, Oct 3, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Old Main Street, and most Manatee County markets run October through spring. Mixon Farms is Sundays, the Anna Maria Community Farmers Market is Tuesdays, and Coquina Beach is Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Days, hours, and addresses for every market are in our Manatee County farmers markets guide.
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