Ready for some summer fun? Here are top events happening around Bradenton & Sarasota

Summertime is here. If you’re looking for some cool ways to spend the long hot Florida days, we’ve got you covered.

Top events for the summer months around Bradenton and Sarasota include food and music festivals, markets, a circus and more.

Here’s a look at upcoming fun in July, August and September 2024.

F estivals & events: Art, food, music & more

Christmas in July at Village of the Arts: The Village of the Arts will host a holly jolly market in July.

“Explore our charming village, filled with unique shops, one-of-a-kind finds and delicious food,” an event preview says. There will also be live holiday music.

Attractions in the village include shops selling handmade art and vintage finds, restaurants and cafes, gemstone mining, healing arts and more.

• Details: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 20. Village of the Arts, downtown Bradenton. Free.
• Info: VillageOfTheArts.com

Repticon at Bradenton Area Convention Center: This reptile and exotic animal expo will showcase a whole menagerie of creatures.

Vendors offering lizards, geckos, snakes, frogs and other amphibians, butterflies, arachnids and more will be there. In addition to shopping pets and pet supplies, visitors can learn more about the world of herpetology.

• Details: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 20 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 21. Ages 13 and up: $11. Ages 5-12: $6.
• Info: Repticon.com/florida/bradenton .

Olympic Rowing Watch Party: Cheer on Sarasota local Clark Dean and other American rowing athletes as they compete for the gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This watch party at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota will display the competition on a huge screen.

Guests can also enjoy rowing demos, food trucks, beer and wine for purchase, a live steel drummer, inflatable kids’ games and an Olympic-themed photo op.

• Details: 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3. Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. Free entry and parking.
• Info: NathanBendersonPark.org .

SarasotaCon: This gathering for pop culture and comic fans will include vendors and exhibitors, a video game tournament, cosplay contest, guest appearances and more.

• Details: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10. Carlisle Inn & Conference Center, 3727 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota. General admission: $20. One free child entry (ages 11 and under) per adult ticket.
• Info: Facebook.com/thesarasotacon .

Summer & Soul Night Flea + Music Fest: A summertime soirée at Oscura will feature live soul, R&B, jazz and funk music, a market of artisan vendors, soul food and food trucks.

• Details: 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10. Oscura, 816 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton. Free.
• Info: Oscura.live .

Toast Local at Robarts Arena: A night of craft cocktail and beer tastings at Robarts Arena in Sarasota will benefit the Sarasota Rotary Club. Guests will be able to sample the offerings of 20 breweries and nine distilleries, and there will be live music and door prizes.

• Details: 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17. Robarts Arena at the Sarasota County Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. $35.
• Info: RotaryClubofSarasota.com/2nd-annual-toast-local .
  
  

Laser Light Nights at The Bishop: The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature’s Planetarium will transform into an illuminated music venue this summer for Laser Light Nights, an after-hours event series. Popular music, from Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars to David Bowie, Prince and The Beatles will be set to dazzling laser light displays.

The shows happen on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, and each time slot features the music of a different artist.

Food and drink are available for purchase.

• Details: Showings at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 31. The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. $15 per person.
  
  
• Info: BishopScience.org/laser-light-nights .

ALSO Youth Expressions Exhibition: ALSO Youth, a local nonprofit serving LGBTQ+ youth, will host its second annual art showcase Sept. 5. The Expressions Exhibition will display the work of local and youth artists from Manatee and Sarasota counties. The event also includes a silent auction, live music, light bites and a cash bar.

• Details: 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5. Sarasota Opera House, Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. Ages 24 and younger: $15. Ages 25 and up: $50.
• Info: ALSOYouth.org .

Sarasota Bradenton Home Show: The Home Show, a home improvement expo, will be back at Robarts Arena at the Sarasota Fairgrounds in September.

With over 100 exhibitors, the event offers a chance to check out the latest looks in remodeling, landscaping and decorating.

“Our events feature a wide selection of home improvement professionals in a fun, interactive environment,” organizers say.

• Details: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13 and Saturday, Sept. 14; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15. Robarts Arena at the Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. Free admission with online registration; $10 at the door.
• Info: HomeShowFlorida.com

Sarasota Opera Food & Wine Festival: This annual event brings together restaurants from Sarasota to Bradenton in support of the Sarasota Youth Opera.

“Taste a plethora of savory and sweet flavors and enjoy wine tasting on stage and throughout the historic Sarasota Opera House,” an event preview says.

• Details: 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21. 61 N. Sarasota Opera House, Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. $75 advance; $85 at the door.
• Info: SarasotaOpera.org/2024-25-signature-events .

Shows and performances

The Summer Circus Spectacular is a nine-week circus arts revue that brings together performers from around the world for a thrilling show at the Historic Asolo Theatre in Sarasota.

This year’s showcase includes contortion, acrobatics, balancing acts, hair-hanging and a clown act.

The circus is a production of Sarasota non-profit The Circus Arts Conservatory and The Ringling.

• Details: Circus runs through Aug. 17 with performances Tuesday through Sunday. Historic Asolo Theatre, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Adults: $20. Children 12 and under: $15.
• Info: (941) 360-7399 . CircusArts.org/performances/summer-circus-spectacular .

Manatee Performing Arts Center: The Manatee Players’ rendition of Broadway musical “Anything Goes” will hit the stage this August.

“When the S.S. American heads out to sea, etiquette and convention head out the portholes as two unlikely pairs set off on the course to true love…proving that sometimes destiny needs a little help from a crew of singing sailors, an exotic disguise, and some good old-fashioned blackmail,” a show preview says.

• Details: Thursday Aug. 8 through Sunday, Aug. 18. Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave.W., Bradenton. $35 and up.
• Info: ManateePerformingArtsCenter.com .

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall:

▪ Aug. 9: “The Magic of Motown,” a songbook show of Motown hits.

▪ Sept. 20: Friday Fest: This free outdoor summer concert will bring K-Luv and the United Funk Foundation to the stage. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy the show.

• Details: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.
• Info: VanWezel.org or (941) 263-6799 .

Farmers markets and local shopping

Saturdays in Old Manatee: Businesses in the budding Old Manatee district of downtown Bradenton are inviting locals to come explore the neighborhood and see what’s new on Saturdays.

Over 25 businesses call the area home, including thrift and vintage shops, a comic book store, restaurants and cafes. The Manatee Village Historical Park is another fun destination in the area.

• Info: OldManatee.com

Bradenton Market’s Summer Mini Market: The Bradenton Market will host a mini market Old Main Street on Saturday, Aug. 10.

Stop by for vendors, exhibits and live music. The full-size market will be back the first Saturday of October.

• Details: 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 10. Old Main Street, Bradenton. Free.
• Info: Facebook.com/bradentonmarket .

Fun at the museum

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature: Explore the past, present and future of the natural world with interactive displays and exhibits, Planetarium shows, an indoor manatee habitat, the Mosaic Backyard Universe for kids and more at The Bishop in downtown Bradenton.

• Details: Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Ages 18-64: $25. Ages 65 and up: $23. College students with ID: $19. Ages 5-17: $16. Ages 4 and under: Free with paying adult.
  
  
• Info: BishopScience.org or (941) 746-4131 .

Manatee County Agricultural Museum: Explore Manatee County’s rich agricultural past and present at the Manatee County County Agricultural Museum. Permanent exhibits include displays of authentic farm tools and equipment and highlights of various crops and industries that have taken root in Manatee County over the decades. There’s also a revolving lineup of special exhibits to check out.

• Details: Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and on the first and third Saturday of each month. Manatee County Agricultural Museum, 1015 Sixth St. W., Palmetto. Free. Donations accepted.

• Info: ManateeCountyAgMuseum.com or (941) 721-2034 .

Manatee Village Historical Park: Explore a collection of historical and replica buildings, a general store, a cemetery, a gift shop and more under the oaks at this historical village. Tours are self-guided with materials provided.

• Details: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Manatee Village Historical Park, 1404 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton. Free.
• Info: ManateeVillage.org .

Reflections of Manatee: Learn about Manatee County’s past with a focus on a diversity of stories, including the maroon community of Angola and Florida’s Underground Railroad.

• Details: Open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Last tour starts at 2:30 p.m. Reflections of Manatee, 1302 Fourth Ave. E., Bradenton.
• Info: ReflectionsofManatee.org . (941) 201-5435 .

Sarasota Art Museum: Operated by Ringling College of Art and Design, the Sarasota Art Museum displays revolving exhibits of contemporary artwork.

The museum is housed in the former Sarasota High School building and offers 15,000 square feet of gallery space to showcase paint, sculpture, photography, furniture making, experimental art and more.

Events at the museum include curator and artist talks, live jazz every second Thursday of the month and free entry and family fun on the second Sunday of each month.

Visitors can also enjoy a gift shop and a bistro.

• Details: Museum and shop open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Ages 18 and up: $15. Ages 17 and under: Free. Veterans and active military: Free with ID.
• Info: SarasotaArtMuseum.org .

The Ringling in Sarasota offers a treasure trove of fine art and architecture. See collections of European works from the Baroque period and modern and contemporary art; witness the colorful history of the big top in the Circus Museum; take a tour of the Ca’ d’Zan, a Mediterranean revival mansion; and stroll The Ringling’s 68 acres of waterfront grounds and gardens.

• Details: Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Ages 6-17: $5. Ages 18 and up: $30. Ca’ d’Zan entry $10 extra. Admission to the Museum of Art and grounds is always free on Mondays.
  
  
• Info: Ringling.org or (941) 359-5700 .

The Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish takes visitors on a trip back in time to the days when locomotive transport was king.

Weekend rail rides through rural Manatee County make for a fun family adventure, and the ride includes a stop in the ghost town of Willow, Florida, where there are railroad exhibits and artifacts to see.

• Details: Trains leave at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Ages 3-11: $14. Ages 12 and up: $18.
• Info: (941) 776-0906 . FRRM.org .

Have a local event to add to the list? Send an email with details to rballogg@bradenton.com .