BAM!Fest (Bradenton Art & Music Festival) returns to the Bradenton Riverwalk on Saturday, March 28, from 11 am to 7 pm. This free, all-ages event stretches a full mile along the Bradenton Riverwalk, from the Green Bridge to the DeSoto Bridge.
Presented by Realize Bradenton, this immersive experience features live music on multiple stages, large-scale live art, hands-on activities, local food vendors, a makers' market, pop-up performances, and more!
There's so much going on, it's helpful to have a bit of a plan. Here's what you need to know...
BAM!Fest Activity Zones
The Riverwalk is divided into different zones, each with its own vibe and unique activities. You can plant yourself in one spot or move through them at your own pace.
There's no wrong place to start. Pick an end and work your way through, double back for anything you want to catch again, and leave room to stop whenever something catches your eye. The unscheduled moments, stilt walkers, jugglers, and the wandering woodland fairy are often some of the most memorable.
The Art Tower (Banner Tower)
The Art Tower is one of the most visually impressive spots at BAM!Fest. Eight artists spend the entire day creating large-scale paintings in the round, with DJ Milo spinning vinyl alongside them from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The public can also join in on the fun by adding brush strokes to the community mural throughout the day.
The mural artists for Bam!Fest 2026 include: Andrew Viera, Laura Spencer (Miss Crit), Reen Troy, Truman Adams, Cory Wright, Corin Finnie, Matt McAllister, and Luke Vest. You can find more information about each artist and examples of their work on the Realize Bradenton Facebook page.
From 2:45 to 3:45 p.m., you'll get to meet the artists and hear about their process, then come back after 5:45 p.m. to see all eight finished pieces side by side.
Plein air painters Darryl Goldman and Maggie Bosco will also be painting live along the Riverwalk from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Eco Park at the Great Lawn
Eco Park is where art meets conservation, and it's one of the most hands-on areas of the whole festival. Families can build oyster reef restoration rag pots, decorate oyster shells, explore marine life through interactive touch tanks, and learn about manatee rescue and wildlife conservation.
The Doodz take the stage from 11 am to 2:30 pm, and Luna & The Warriors play from 3 pm to 6:30 pm.
There will also be plenty of delicious local food vendors, including Bethi B's Coffee Shop Trailer, Simply Greek Food Truck, Charrua, Gumbozilla, Tokyo Grill, and Kona Ice.
Rossi Park
Rossi Park is the most family-friendly zone at the festival, and also one of the most relaxed spots to settle in for a while.
Throughout the day, you'll find giant yard games, extreme hula hoop performances (noon to 3 p.m.), giant bubble making, and a chalk obstacle course for kids. There's live music here too, with the School of Rock House Band performing from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and the Champ Jaxon Band from 3 to 6:30 p.m.
As you relax and enjoy the music, you can also grab a bite from Captain Crab Cake, Edible Cookie Dough Cafe, and Whipilicious.
Want to be a part of local history? As part of Bradenton's America 250 commemoration, the Heroic Flags team will be building a 4-by-6-foot American flag from reclaimed wood throughout the day, and 250 festival-goers will be invited to carve a piece of it. The finished flag will be permanently installed at the new Bradenton Police Department.
The Atomic Bazaar Market
You'll definitely want to visit The Atomic Bazaar Market, where local artists and makers will be creating and selling original, one-of-a-kind work. At the entrance to the Atomic Bazaar, chalk artists Hilary Frambes and Laura Thomas will be creating a large-scale 3D illusion you won't want to miss.
Nax Steel, a Bradenton-based steelpan musician, sets the tone from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with hand-tuned melodies mixing classic calypso with modern favorites. Grammy-nominated musician Trevor Bystrom takes over from 3 to 6:30 p.m, with sound drawn from Afro-Caribbean, Latin, folk, Americana, and blues traditions.
Discovery Lane
Attention all comic lovers! Bat City Comic Professionals will be set up for a day with local comic creators, bold original artwork, and hands-on experiences for kids who love superheroes, illustration, or anything with a creative edge.
Sandcastle Beach
Local artist Casey Fabianski will be sculpting a large-scale sand castle in the volleyball courts throughout the day and sharing techniques so you can try your hand at it too. There will also be face painting here from noon to 5 p.m.
The St. Pete Mountain Boys play the beach stage from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Sycamore Shade picks up from 3 to 6:30 p.m.
You can grab some bites from Mo's Meats & More, cool down with Jeremiah's Italian Ice, or visit the Tiki Bar.
The Mosaic Amphitheater
You'll find a wide range of performances at the Amphitheater from mid-morning through the end of the festival, and it's a good spot to pull out a chair or blanket and stay a while. Here's the lineup:
11 am, 12:30 pm, and 2 pm - The Moogician
11:45 am - Bayshore High Honey Bears Dance Team & Bradenton Kiwanis Celebration! Troupe
1:15 pm - Circus Arts Conservatory (aerial acts & more)
2:45 pm - Nora Bear (singer & songwriter)
3:30 pm - Hula / Polynesian Dance with Bonnie Gray Dancers
4:15 pm - Showtunes Performances with Bonnie Gray Dancers
5:30 pm - Luke Andrews Music (rock & reggae)
Face painters will also be on-site from 12 pm to 5 pm.
Getting to BAM!Fest 2026
If you're going to drive, plan ahead for parking at BAM!Fest. There are three downtown garages that offer free parking on Saturdays. Signs in each garage direct you to the pedestrian walkway under the Green Bridge to the Riverwalk.
City Centre Garage: 200 10th St. W (less than a 5-minute walk)
Manatee County Garage: 414 10th St. W (5-minute walk)
Judicial Center Garage: 615 12th St. W (10-minute walk)
Note: The Rossi Park lot is closed to the public during the event.
For rideshare (Freebee, Lyft, or Uber), use one of these drop-off points:
Manatee Performing Arts Center: 502 3rd Ave. W
Riverwalk Parking Lot: 129 Riverfront Blvd.
Accessible parking is available in all three garages, and accessible Riverwalk entry is near Corwin's Ice Cream at 1000 Barcarrota Blvd.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BAM!Fest really free?
Yes! There is no admission fee for BAM!Fest. The only money needed will be for food, drinks, and treasures purchased at the Atomic Bazaar Market. You can have a great time and not spend any money at all!
What should I bring?
When you head out to BAM!Fest, you can certainly come as you are. But if you want to make sure you're extra comfortable, think about bringing a few things...
A chair or blanket if you want to settle in near a stage or performance area.
A bag for art you create or purchases from the Atomic Bazaar.
Comfortable shoes and sun protection.
Your ID if you plan to drink.
Are dogs allowed?
Technically yes, but it's not recommended. The event is loud with a lot of activity, and attendees are responsible for any damage or injury caused by their pet.
Can I bring my own food?
The Riverwalk is a public park, so you are allowed to bring your own food. But, BAM!Fest is bringing in some of the best local food vendors, and these small businesses would really appreciate your support.
Will there be alcohol at BAM!Fest?
Yes, alcohol will be sold during the festival for guests over the age of 21. Note that you may not bring your own alcohol.
What if it rains?
BAM!Fest is a rain or shine event, so unless the weather is severe or there's an emergency, the event will go on as planned.
POPULAR EVENTS
