Spring Festivals, Theatre and Community Celebrations Fill Manatee County Calendar March 2–9
Manatee County will be bustling with activity from March 2 through March 9 as residents and visitors enjoy a full lineup of festivals, live performances, civic events and family-friendly gatherings across the county.
Kicking off the week, Bayside Community Church and All First Responders Matter will host a complimentary First Responders Breakfast on Wednesday, March 4, from 8 to 10 a.m. at the North River Campus in Parrish. The event offers a warm meal and time for connection for active and retired first responders.
On Friday, March 6, music lovers can head to Parrish Community Park, 7550 Fort Hamer Road, for the Manatee Music Series First Friday concert from 6 to 8 p.m. Presented by HCA Florida North River Ranch Emergency, the March performance features Cassie Jean & the Fireflies. The free outdoor concert series continues monthly through May and draws families from across northern Manatee County.
Also on Friday, March 6, families can head to Sutton Park in Palmetto for Movie Night featuring The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie. Hosted by the City of Palmetto, the free outdoor movie begins at 6:30 p.m. at 1006 Sixth St. W., offering an evening of community fun under the stars.
That same evening, March 6, the Center of Anna Maria Island presents its 17th Annual Murder Mystery Dinner, The Final Vow… ’Til Death Does Its Part, with additional performances on Saturday, March 7. The adult-only event combines dinner and interactive entertainment for a suspense-filled night.
Also on Friday, March 6, Tropical Nights in the Wild West takes place at the Grove Ballroom in Lakewood Ranch, bringing a themed evening of music and festivities to eastern Manatee County.
Saturday, March 7, will be one of the busiest days of the week across the county.
Manatee County Government will host its Traffic Safety Community Event from 9 a.m. to noon at G.T. Bray Park in Bradenton. The free event features bike helmet giveaways, traffic safety education and a kid-friendly traffic garden designed to teach young residents safe riding skills.
That morning, volunteers can participate in the Great American Cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon at multiple locations, including Kingfish Boat Ramp, Neal Preserve, Palma Sola Boat Ramp, and Palma Sola Causeway Park. Organized through Keep Manatee Beautiful, the event includes beach, roadside, causeway and water-based cleanups, followed by lunch for volunteers.
Southern Manatee Fire Rescue will open its doors for an Open House on March 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Station 1 on Prospect Road in Sarasota. Families can enjoy station tours, safety demonstrations, bounce houses and opportunities to meet local firefighters.
In Parrish, the Parrish Heritage Festival Chili Cook-Off takes place Saturday, March 7, at the Florida Railroad Museum. The day begins with a 10 a.m. parade followed by chili tastings, kids' activities, live music, train rides, and local vendors.
Sports fans can celebrate the Sarasota Paradise USL League One Home Opener on March 7, marking the start of the team’s home season.
Arts enthusiasts can explore the 1st Annual WonderWall Mural Fest on March 7 in Bradenton's Village of the Arts, where artists will create large-scale murals throughout the district.
One of the weekend’s largest cultural events will take place March 7 and 8 at Manatee Mineral Springs Park in Bradenton. The Back to Angola Festival 2026, presented by Oaktree Community Outreach Inc., commemorates the Angola Maroon community and celebrates more than 200 years of shared history. The free festival runs Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Activities include live music, cultural performances, panel discussions, oral histories, vendor booths, community exhibits and Bahamian and African American food. Cultural demonstrations such as basket weaving, wood carving and Junkanoo workshops are also scheduled.
Palma Sola Botanical Park will host its Spring Plants and More Sale on Sunday, March 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 9800 17th Ave. NW in Bradenton. The free-admission event features a wide variety of plants, artisan vendors, food, music and family-friendly activities, with donations supporting the nonprofit park.
Beyond festivals and community events, local theatre takes center stage at the Manatee Performing Arts Center in downtown Bradenton.
Through March 8, audiences can enjoy The Cemetery Club, a heartfelt and humorous play following three lifelong friends navigating love, loss and new beginnings. The production highlights the strength of friendship and the courage to move forward while honoring the past.
Beginning March 5 and running through March 15, Bright Star takes the stage at the Manatee Performing Arts Center. The bluegrass-inspired musical by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell tells a sweeping story of love, memory and redemption set in the American South, brought to life by a dedicated cast of local volunteer performers.
With festivals, theatre, civic engagement and family activities spread throughout Bradenton, Palmetto, Parrish and Lakewood Ranch, the first full week of March showcases the vibrant community spirit that defines Manatee County.