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.
Carrie: The Musical, from Oct. 15: MPAC's spooky-season opener, right on time.
Blues at Flamingo Bay, Oct. 12-18: Brandon Santini, John Németh & Friends, and Ricci and The Bad Kind still to come.
Wanderlust Food Truck Festival, Oct. 16: A rotating lineup of trucks at Tom Bennett Park, free on first and third Fridays.
Goblin Gathering, Oct. 16: Free hayrides, a petting zoo, and a costume contest at G.T. Bray Park.
Anna Maria Island BayFest, Oct. 17: The island's biggest street festival turns 25 on Pine Avenue.
Pumpkin farms, Oct. 17-18 and 24-25: The last two weekends at Hunsader Farms and Dakin Dairy.
Groovin' in the Gardens, Oct. 18: A Pops Orchestra jazz combo among the plants at Palma Sola Botanical Park.
Halloween week, Oct. 25-31: Trunk-or-treats, costume contests, and the Village of the Arts trick-or-treat on Saturday the 31st.
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 on Old Main Street, Saturdays 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Village of the Arts Third Saturday Market sets up Saturday, Oct. 17, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Coquina Beach Market sets up Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., on Anna Maria Island.
Anna Maria Community Farmers Market takes Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., at Roser Church.
Mixon Farms Market, the county's newest weekly market, opens every Sunday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., in east Bradenton (2525 27th St. E).
Main Street Market at Lakewood Ranch lands one Saturday a month. (October's, Oct. 10, is past.)
Waypoint Artisan Market in Palmetto settles into second Saturdays. (October's Fall & Halloween Market, Oct. 10, is past.)
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 at The Club at River Wilderness in Parrish, Saturday, Oct. 3. (Past.)
Palma Sola Fall Plant & Garden Festival at Palma Sola Botanical Park, Sunday, Oct. 4. (Past.)
Community Fall Festival at Parrish United Methodist Church, Sunday, Oct. 11. (Past.)
Wanderlust Food Truck Festival opened at Tom Bennett Park (400 Cypress Creek Blvd., Bradenton) on Oct. 2 and comes back the first and third Friday of every month, 5-9 p.m. Expect a rotating lineup of food trucks, music, and free entry and parking. Next up: Friday, Oct. 16.
Oktoberfest Beer Festival at Waypoint Bar & Grill pours in Palmetto on Saturday, Oct. 17 (11000 US Hwy. 41 N).
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 a.m.-9 p.m. 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' 35th annual Pumpkin Festival has two weekends left, Oct. 17-18 and 24-25, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at 5500 County Road 675 in Bradenton. The first weekend was rained out. The gate is $15 for ages 10 and up, $5 for kids 5 to 9, and free under 5, plus $5 parking, and it's cash only (some vendors take cards). Admission covers the craft show, live music, hayrides, Tiny Town, the petting zoo, a jumping pillow, and the Pioneer Trades Village. Pony rides, face painting, the corn maze ($2), and train rides cost extra, and friendly, leashed dogs are welcome.
Dakin Dairy Farms Fall Harvest Festival has two weekends left in Myakka City, Oct. 17-18 and 24-25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $20, kids 5 and under get in free, and parking is free. The corn maze and farm animals come with your ticket, while the pumpkin patch, the pumpkin cannon, and the food trucks cost extra.
Country Critters Fall Festival wraps up Saturdays Oct. 17 and 24 in Parrish (15571 Rutland Road), a smaller farm day with a pumpkin patch, pony rides, face painting, and hands-on animal fun. Admission is $15 (ages 2 and up).
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, 4-7 p.m. Free.
Though Silent They Speak: The Language of Cemeteries is a fittingly seasonal talk at Palmetto Historical Park on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 10 a.m. 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.
Victorian Wake at the Sam G. Curry House (1305 4th Ave. E, Bradenton) opens the restored, reportedly haunted 1860 house for a guided Victorian wake with costumed interpreter Crystal Kopp on Saturday, Oct. 24, 4-6 p.m. Learn how Old Manatee families memorialized their dead, see 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.
Hunsader Farms' Halloween Sunday lands Oct. 25: a kids' costume contest by age group starting at 1 p.m., a dog costume contest at 2:30, and trick-or-treating around the grounds for kids in costume from 3 to 5 p.m.
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, 6-8 p.m. Free.
Bradenton Ghost Tours leads spooky downtown walks all October, $25 a person with a two-person minimum.
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, the Pops Orchestra of Bradenton & Sarasota's jazz combo plays Groovin' in the Gardens at Palma Sola Botanical Park on Sunday, Oct. 18, 4-6 p.m., with wine, beer, and snacks among the plants. General admission starts at $35, with lawn and VIP tiers, and the evening benefits two local nonprofits.
Flamingo Bay Brewing Co. is the Village of the Arts' blues room, and October is stacked. Still ahead: Brandon Santini (Oct. 12), John Németh & Friends (Oct. 15), and Ricci and The Bad Kind with Mark Telesca (Oct. 18). Damon Fowler & Reverend Billy, Memphis Red Lightning, and Crystal Shawanda already played. That's a serious month for a brewery.
Over in Holmes Beach, the Freckled Fin books acts almost every night, with standouts like 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 with about 50 seats and 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 Art Walk & Market, Friday, Oct. 2, and Saturday, Oct. 3, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (Past.)
Stuff the Bus Food Drive across multiple locations, Sunday, Oct. 11. (Past.)
Cat Adoption Event at the South Manatee Branch Library, Saturday, Oct. 24, at 2 p.m.
Ask a Master Gardener at Central Library on the third Saturday, Oct. 17. (The Palmetto branch session, Oct. 10, is past.)
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 started Oct. 2 and now meets every Friday an hour before sunset near the Spanish Rocks. Park near 33rd Street or at Manatee Public Beach and walk left.
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 at Robinson Preserve, Saturday, Oct. 10. (Past.)
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 a.m.-noon), then night-sky observation on Oct. 24 (7-9 p.m.). It's $20 for one session or $30 for both (less for members) and capped at 20 people, so reserve ahead.
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, one of the country's biggest drag-and-roll racing events, brought several days of racing, car shows, and high-horsepower street cars to Bradenton Motorsports Park Oct. 1-4. (Past.)
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. (Past.)
Chardonnay & Canvas Totes at The Wellness Center of Ellenton, Tuesday, Oct. 6. (Past.)
Restorative Ritual: Yoga Nidra & Deep Rest at Embodied Health, Oct. 1 and 8. (Past.)
Happy Healthy Feet with Angela at Thrive Yoga & Fitness, Saturday, Oct. 24, at 1 p.m..
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. (Past.)
Spirit Night for Child Abuse Prevention at Good Liquid Brewing Co., Wednesday, Oct. 7. (Past.)
F.E.L.T. 5th Annual Cattle Baron's Ball: Rhinestone Rodeo at the Manatee County Fairgrounds, Saturday, Oct. 10. (Past.)
A Night of Hope Under the Stars at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, Saturday, Oct. 10. (Past.)
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 p.m. 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 starts its week with Wine Down Wednesdays, and Loaded Cannon Distillery keeps Friday Nights and Saturday Martini Specials going.
FAQ
What is there to do in Manatee County in October 2026?
The rest of October brings BayFest on Pine Avenue (Oct. 17), the last two pumpkin weekends at Hunsader Farms and Dakin Dairy (Oct. 17-18 and 24-25), Carrie: The Musical at MPAC (from Oct. 15), a stacked blues lineup at Flamingo Bay, and Halloween on Saturday, Oct. 31. The farmers markets are back every week, too.
When is Anna Maria Island Bayfest 2026?
Bayfest is 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 County Road 675) has weekends Oct. 17-18 and 24-25: $15 for ages 10 and up, $5 for kids 5 to 9, plus $5 parking, cash only. Dakin Dairy Farms in Myakka City is $20, kids 5 and under are free. Country Critters in Parrish is Saturdays Oct. 17 and 24 at $15. The Great Pumpkin Patch of Palmetto 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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