Each season ushers in a new festival in this culturally rich city of Bradenton. Make your vacation extra-special by planning to book your vacation home during the festive months.
The county celebrates the month of March as Heritage Days. The area comes alive with boat shows, walks, parade, concerts, art exhibits and more. Tours are arranged for the Gamble Mansion, the Cortez Fishing Village and the Manatee Village Historical Park.
Florida Heritage Festival
Bradenton holds a Grande Parade during this festival, which takes place in April. The parade and the Riverfest together draw more than 200,000 people to Bradenton every year.
Snooty the Manatee's Birthday Bash
The county’s mascot celebrates his birthday in the month of July at the South Florida Museum. The occasion also doubles up as a Wildlife Awareness Festival.
Manatee Riverfront Art Festival
The artist community of Bradenton is at its creative best and in full color in autumn during the Manatee Riverfront Art Festival. As the sun goes down, the sky over the Manatee Riverfront Park lights up with fireworks. The festival also brings with it boat and water-ski shows, and a parade. Autumn also hosts the Manatee Convention Center Craft and Folk Art show.
Winter Fairs
While the rest of the country shivers and is covered in snow, the Manatee County celebrates exquisite weather in winter. Witness the Anna Maria Island Festival of Fine Arts, an antique and collectibles show in the Bradenton Municipal Auditorium. Also see the Manatee County Fair and the annual seafood festival in the fishing village of Cortez.
