Get ready because it’s that time of the year again! The Goats of De Soto present their 9th Annual Charity Bartending Fundraiser at Cork’s Cigar Bar. All proceeds will go benefit the Bradenton Blue Foundation. There will be raffles, live auctions, and free giveaways for everyone to enjoy.

Want to donate, but can’t attend the event? No worries! You can donate using their PayPal and Venmo accounts:

PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/oldgoatsofdesoto
Venmo: @OldGoatsofDeSoto

Come and support this great charity for an even greater cause!

Clancy’s Irish Pub is known for hosting this annual community fundraising event where volunteers bravely go through the chilly Gulf waters for donations from local businesses, family, and friends.

During this year’s Shamrock Shiver Charity Plunge, all proceeds will go directly to The Blessing Bags Project, Feeding Empty Little Tummies, Healthy Teens Coalition of Manatee County, Inc., and Parenting Matters – all 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations.

After the plunge, there will be a Post-Plunge party at Clancy’s, located at 6218 Cortez Road West, Bradenton. Expect fun games, door prizes, and live music given by the Dr. Dave Band. This event puts “fun” in FUNdrasing and you won’t want to miss it!

The Downtown Bradenton Public Market continues every Saturday through May! Meet up with the community and enjoy live music while you shop for a wide variety of locally made goods.

Each week, you’ll find over 40 local vendors showcasing their fruits, vegetables, organic products, fresh seafood, prepared foods, and plants. You’ll also have the chance to view and buy items made by local artisans and craftspeople.

ArtCenter Manatee will be hosting a month-long Annual Member Exhibition from January to February. This will be an open-media juried exhibit featuring the wonderful works of their members.

ArtCenter Manatee considers their members to be their foundation, noting that “without them, we would not exist.” This exhibit is a powerhouse of talent. Each year, the excellence of work continues to exceed expectations.

The exhibition is FREE for everyone to enjoy. So if you’re an art lover, head on over and check it out.

If you’re into treasure hunts and outdoor adventures (or you just want some cool prizes), then this is the activity for you!

Rediscover the wonderful city of Bradenton in a fun and exciting way! Check out the Love this City Scavenger Hunt, a family-friendly activity that includes unique “Love This City” prizes. Complete all the Scavenger Hunts and win a grand prize!

Check out Realize Bradenton’s website for more information.

If you and your kids are fans of dinosaurs, then this is the event for you! The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature’s Dinoventure presents the unique, not-to-miss TriceraTots experience.

During this time, your little ones will enjoy hand-on activities in the Triceratops garden outside the Mosaic Backyard Universe. No reservation is needed and people of all ages are welcome to come out and join the fun. The price is included in your DinoVenture ticket, and you’re welcome to pack a snack or bring a picnic lunch.

Are you ready to get back in shape? Join Robinson Runners and take a little trip along your choice of 1 to 3.2-mile routes through Robison Preserve. Participants are welcome to run, walk, or stroll at their own pace with a warm-up and cool-down stretch offered at the finish line.

You’ll also be rewarded for all your efforts at the finish line, with treats donated by partners Fit2Run, The Runner’s Superstore, and Bayshore Nutrition.

Paranormal Cirque is back in Palmetto with a brand new show! This unique performance promises an unforgettable mixture of fear, amusement, surprise, and much more! 

The show’s white and black big-top tent is located in front of Riviera Dunes Marina. This is an age 13+ event, and kids aged 13-17 are required to have an adult with them. You can learn more and buy tickets directly from the Paranormal Cirque website.

What better way to ring in the New Year than a visit to the January Art Walk in Bradenton’s Village of the Arts?

The theme for this month’s event is Love This City Bradenton. Come on out and enjoy the art, food, music, and sense of community the VOTA has to offer. Whether you’re a passionate art lover or just looking for something fun to do, you’re sure to have a great time!

Kick off 2022 with Dark Side of the Sol/ Pink Floyd concert experience at Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen. The band will be playing songs from Dark Side of the Moon, Animals, The Wall, and Wish You Were Here.

It’s going to be an epic 2-hour show of Pink Floyd classics and laser lights! The cost is $12 ahead of time or $17 the day of the show.

In Celebration of the New Year and the rich cultural heritage of music, the Florida Maritime Museum in partnership with the Cortez Cultural Center will once again be hosting Music on the Porch.

If music is your thing, then you definitely don’t want to miss this FREE music event series held on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month. Bring a chair and enjoy the music – or bring your own acoustic instrument and play along!

NOTE: This event is a JAM SESSION, so music is not really guaranteed. Musician participation varies.

You’ll find all kinds of unique items at the upcoming Anna Maria Winter Art & Craft Show. This two-day event will be held at City Field/Community Park in Holmes Beach.

Come check out the variety of featured artists working in a variety of art mediums including painting, sculpture, jewelry, glass, wood, and so much more. There will be approximately 40 to 50 vendors showcasing their work at the event, and there is no cost to attend.

The world-famous Beach Market at Coquina Beach definitely deserves a spot on your list of must-do activities. Here you’ll find tons of local vendors offering a wide variety of gift items, souvenirs, food, and other goodies!

The Anna Maria Island’s String Band will also be performing between 10:30 and 2:30 as you stroll around the market. If you happen to get hungry, the Coquina Cafe will be open for your food and drinks.

Mark your calendars so you don’t miss out on a beautiful day at one of the Bradenton area’s most beautiful beaches.

Want to try something new this new year? Check out a relaxing yoga session, surrounded by goats! The class will gather in a shady outdoor space at Serenity Oaks’ beautiful farmland. You’ll love practicing yoga along with their friendly and ever-so-curious goats.

No experience is necessary, and all levels are allowed! Just make sure to bring your own yoga mat, towel, or blanket along with water, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes. The cost is $35 and you can purchase tickets directly from their Facebook page.

The Manatee County Fair is back! You won’t want to miss out on all the exhilarating exhibits, local vendors, livestock shows, and auction competitions. There’s also a thrill-packed midway with great entertainment and delicious food.

This 11-day fair will be held at the Manatee County Fairgrounds, packed with endless things to do, see, and eat. It’s fun for all ages, so be sure to come check it out.

The world’s biggest bounce house is here in the Bradenton area and is supersized for 2022! Kids and adults will love this magical, candy-colored wonderland of action-packed inflatable adventure.

Thie event will feature America’s biggest inflatable obstacle courses, with an airSPACE filled with slides, ball pits, a 60 ft maze, and much more. There will also be a sports slam filled with balls of every size and every sport you could imagine.

Sessions will be available to cater to all age groups, from small kids all the way to adult-only sessions. Check out the Big Bounce America website for more information and to book your session.

If you’re looking to find some pretty cool and unique treasures, you should head on over to Gypsea Soul for their Outdoor Vintage & Artisan Market. You’ll find a variety of handmade artwork, architecture, antiques, jewelry, plants, and much more.

You can visit this market on the 3rd Saturday of each month in the Gypsea Soul parking lot.

If you’re a fan of musicals, then you’ll love this one! Charlie Chaplin is known for being one the most loved and famous entertainers in the whole world. This show, held at the beautiful Manatee Performing Arts Center, will provide a close-up look at the man who changed motion pictures forever.

You can learn more about the show and book your tickets here.

Want to support a great cause? Join the 3rd Annual S.O.L.E. (Supporters of Law Enforcements) Five-0 5K race. It will be chip-timed, with custom medals for all racers and prizes will be awarded to the Top Overall Male/Female and Top Masters Male/Female.

S.O.L.E. (Supporters of Law Enforcement) is a non-profit, 501(c)3 donation-based organization run by volunteers. The organizational primary focus is taking care of those who take care of us, by ensuring the overall well-being of law enforcement within our community. S.O.L.E. is dedicated to being there for law enforcement in times of illness, crisis, or injury.

Learn more and book your spot at the S.O.L.E. 5k website.

Car enthusiasts won’t want to miss the 7th Annual Classic Car Show in Palmetto. There will be live music, a DJ, food vendors, raffle prizes, a 50/50 drawing, the Bandit Movie Cars, a bounce house, ax throwing, and more!

All proceeds go to scholarships for deserving students who wish to participate in the law enforcement academy.