New Year Brings Family Fun, Outdoor Movies and Spectacle to Manatee County
Manatee County rings in 2026 with a mix of holiday observances, family-friendly entertainment and special events taking place January 1 through January 5 across Bradenton, Palmetto and Parrish.
County government offices will be closed on Thursday, January 1, in observance of New Year’s Day, with regular operations resuming on Friday, January 2. Public parks, beaches and preserves remain open, offering residents and visitors a chance to enjoy the outdoors during the holiday break.
One of the first major community gatherings of the new year happens Friday, January 2, when the City of Palmetto hosts a free outdoor Movie Night at Sutton Park, located at 1006 6th St. W. Families are invited to bring blankets and chairs for a showing of Paddington in Peru from 6 to 7:45 p.m. Light snacks and drinks will be available while supplies last, making it an easy, relaxed way to kick off the year under the stars.
Also on Friday, January 2, Manatee County’s popular Manatee Movie Night series continues at Parrish Community Park, 7550 Fort Hamer Road. The free event runs from 6 to 8 p.m. and encourages families to gather with lawn chairs or blankets for another outdoor movie experience.
For those looking for a larger-than-life experience, Cirque Italia brings its Water Circus Platinum show to Palmetto from January 2 through January 5. Performances take place under a climate-controlled big top at Riviera Dunes Marina. The show features high-energy acrobatics, water-stage performances and theatrical production elements designed for all ages. A special promotion offers one free child ticket with each paid adult ticket in select seating levels during the Palmetto run.
In Bradenton, city facilities reopen after the New Year’s Day holiday, while residents can continue to explore local attractions, dining and arts venues throughout the weekend.
From free movies in the park to circus thrills by the waterfront, Manatee County’s first days of 2026 offer something for every age group, setting an upbeat tone for the year ahead.
