Manatee County Bursts with Fall Events: Festivals, Theater, Music, and Community Gatherings Fill Mid-October Calendar
From fall festivals to live theater and civic gatherings, Manatee County is packed with activities the week of October 13–20, 2025, offering residents and visitors a blend of entertainment, local culture, and community connection.
Festivals and Family Fun
Dakin Dairy Farms Harvest Festival continues its celebration of fall on October 18–19 and 25–26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 30771 Betts Road in Myakka City. Families can enjoy food trucks, live music, a kid zone, a corn maze, pumpkin picking, lawn mower racing, a pumpkin cannon, and even calf cuddles. Admission is $20 per person, with children five and under free and free parking on site.
Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival
One of Manatee County’s favorite fall traditions continues at Hunsader Farms, located at 5500 C.R. 675 in Bradenton. The festival runs October 11–12, 18–19, and 25–26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Visitors can enjoy a variety of family-friendly attractions, including a petting zoo, live entertainment, craft vendors, hayrides, and, of course, pumpkin picking.
Admission: $15 (ages 10+), $5 (ages 5–9), and free for children under 5. Parking: $5 per vehicle. Cash only is accepted at the gate, though some vendors may accept cards.
In Anna Maria, the island’s biggest street festival — the 24th Annual BayFest — returns on Saturday, October 18, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. along Pine Avenue. The free event includes a classic car show (10 a.m.–3 p.m.), arts and crafts vendors, and live music throughout the day featuring The Tropicats, Memphis Rub, Jack’d Up, and Dr. Dave Band. Hosted by the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, BayFest draws thousands each year for food, drinks, and local shopping.
At G.T. Bray Park, the Goblin Gathering takes over on Friday, October 17, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The free, family-friendly event features trick-or-treating with local businesses, inflatables, a petting zoo, costume contests, and spooky photo ops.
Arts, Crafts, and Shopping
The Bradenton Fall Craft Fair brings handmade creativity to the Bradenton Area Convention Center on October 18–19 (Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.). Hosted by Buckler Shows, the fair features Pinterest-inspired crafts, jewelry, fudge, macramé, pottery, home décor, and more than 100 artisan booths.
Admission is $6 cash or $7 credit, with kids 12 and under free. Visitors can receive $1 off admission by bringing a canned good to benefit a local food pantry. Details at BucklerShows.com.
Community and Civic Events
The Parrish Civic Association will host guest speakers Wendy Deming and Cheri Coryea on October 14 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Parrish Community High School media room. The open public forum will discuss a new community-led initiative supported by the Bishop-Parker Foundation, The Patterson Foundation, and The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, focused on strengthening civic engagement north of the river.
On the same evening, the School District of Manatee County invites faith leaders to its “Calling All Clergy” gathering on Tuesday, October 14, 6 p.m.–7 p.m. at Kings Station (518 13th St. W, Bradenton). The meeting aims to build partnerships between schools and local congregations to better support families and students.
That night also marks the Southwest Florida Honor Flight – Mission XXIII, where residents are encouraged to gather at SRQ Airport’s new Allegiant terminal around 8:30 p.m. to welcome veterans returning from Washington, D.C.
Live Music and Entertainment
The Manatee Performing Arts Center opens its latest production, Misery, adapted by William Goldman from Stephen King’s novel, beginning October 16 and running through November 2. The psychological thriller follows author Paul Sheldon’s chilling encounter with an obsessive fan, performed by MPAC’s volunteer cast. Tickets are available at tickets.flculturalgroup.org.
At Oscura in downtown Bradenton, the week features Live Jazz Night on October 16, followed by Punk Nite on October 17, and The Drop Deads with special guests Spanish Needles and Las Nadas on October 18. Details at oscura.live.
Anna Maria Oyster Bar Landside will also host its high-energy Oysters Rock Live concert on Friday, October 17, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., featuring the band 22N. General admission is $10, with VIP tables near the stage available for $100, including four tickets and a pitcher of beer or margaritas. Tickets are available at OysterBar.net/concert.
Wine lovers can head east for Music in the Vines at Fiorelli Winery & Vineyard in Myakka City, featuring live performances every weekend from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.. On October 18–19, the vineyard hosts Matthew McCartney and Justin Layman, offering a relaxing afternoon of music among the vines.
Pop-Up Markets and Local Artisans
The June Collective continues its Pop-Up in the Park series at Parrish Community Park on Saturday, October 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event showcases local artisans, vintage finds, ceramics, and handmade goods in an open-air setting.
A Week of Local Flavor
Whether celebrating the harvest, shopping handmade crafts, catching a play, or listening to live music, residents have dozens of opportunities to connect with their community this week.
From Myakka City’s farm fields to downtown Bradenton’s nightlife, Manatee County’s mid-October lineup highlights the county’s creativity, civic pride, and family-friendly spirit.