Top April events around Bradenton include updated De Soto Parade and local festivals
If you need help planning your weekends in April, we’ve got you covered.
From spring festivals and shows to free live concerts, baseball and the DeSoto Grand Parade, there are plenty of options for local fun around Bradenton, Anna Maria Island and Sarasota.
Here’s a look at what’s on tap.
De Soto Grand Parade
One of the Bradenton area’s oldest traditions is back with some major updates in 2024.
The De Soto Grand Parade is one of the largest and oldest in the Southeast. It draws tens of thousands of people to Bradenton to see illuminated floats and collect beads and coins. Over 150 entries are set to participate in the 2024 parade.
This year’s De Soto Grand Parade will feature a new route and a pre-parade street festival in downtown Bradenton.
The Pre-Parade Party will start at 4 p.m. at the intersection of Manatee Avenue and Old Main Street. It will include live music and street vendors, organizers say. There will be entertainment, bounce houses and games for kids.
Crowds can also watch parade floats stage up.
At 6 p.m., the De Soto Grand Parade 5K walk and run will take place along Manatee Avenue.
The parade will start a bit later this year at around 7:30 p.m.
Details: Parade starts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27. Starting at Manatee Avenue and Ninth Street West and proceeding west along Manatee Avenue to 39th Street West. Free.
Info: deSotoHQ.com.
Hunsader Farms Flower Festival
This family farm east of Bradenton is locally famous for its annual pumpkin festival each October.
This April, Hunsader Farms will welcome crowds to celebrate spring with its first-ever Flower Festival.
The two-weekend event will feature lots of family-friendly activities and a chance to pick wildflowers, zinnias and sunflowers.
A craft show, live music, kid’s games, hayrides, a sunflower maze, flower fields, a comedy show, playground and petting zoo are included with entry.
Pony rides, axe throwing games and train rides will be available for purchase inside the festival, as well as food, ice cream and fresh produce.
Details: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, April 13; Saturday, April 14; Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21. Hunsader Farms, 5500 C.R. 675 Bradenton. Admission: $15. Kids 10 and under: Free. Parking is free.
Sarasota Film Festival
The 26th annual Sarasota Film Festival returns Friday, April 5 through Sunday, April 14 with a curated line-up of independent and outside-the-box film, from international movies to local and regional projects.
This year’s festival features screenings of narrative, documentary and short film. Films will be shown at Regal Hollywood Sarasota and CineBistro Siesta Key.
The lineup includes 64 feature films, many of them premieres, and 81 short films.
The festival will open with the East Coast premiere of Lynn Dow’s “Bull Street,” a drama about a small-town South Carolina lawyer. It will close with Steve Buscemi’s “The Listener,” a drama about a crisis hotline worker. Both Dow and Buscemi will attend the festival and take part in post-screening talks.
Sarasota native Austin Abrams of “The Walking Dead” fame will also attend the festival and receive its Rising Star Award. He stars in Ethan Berger’s “The Line,” a thriller that will have its Florida premiere at the festival.
Details: Friday, April 5 through Sunday, April 14.
Info: SarasotaFilmFestival.com.
Freedom 500 and Cleetus and Cars
A weekend of high-speed racing and burnouts await auto sports fanatics at the Freedom Factory in Manatee County.
The event is headed up by YouTube personality Cleetus McFarland and crew; the online star and racing driver promotes car modification and stunts to millions of followers.
Friday’s main event is the Freedom 500 race.
“Watch as Cleetus, along with your favorite automotive influencers, and professional drivers race nitrous-equipped Crown Vics for 100 laps around our home track, the Freedom Factory,” an event preview says.
Saturday is “Cleetus and Cars,” an event featuring all-day burnout competitions at Freedom Factory.
Both days will wrap up with live country music performances.
Details: Noon to 11 p.m. Friday, April 5; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, April 6. The Freedom Factory, 21050 S.R. 64, Bradenton. Friday: $40; Kids 3 to 12: $15. Saturday: $30; kids 3 to 12: $10.
Info: CleetusMcFarland.com
Village of the Arts Art Walk
The creative folks of the Village of the Arts in Bradenton will open their more than 20 businesses on the first weekend of April for a display of crafts, goods, healing arts and more.
Whether you fancy folk art or fine art, creative cuisine, antiques, furniture, records or quilting, Village of the Arts has something to offer most tastes.
There will also be pop-up vendors, live music and food offerings.
The theme for April’s Art Walk is “The Village In Bloom,” and it will feature fairy-inspired fun.
Details: 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday, April 5 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 6. Village of the Arts, downtown Bradenton.
Info: VillageOfTheArts.com
Home improvement expo
Looking for some HGTV-style inspiration? The Home Show, a home improvement expo, will arrive at Robarts Arena at the Sarasota Fairgrounds this month.
With around 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, April 12 and Saturday, April 13; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 14. Robarts Arena at the Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. Free admission with online registration; $10 at the door.
Info: HomeShowFlorida.com
Wildflower Festival and Spring Plant Sale
The Serenoa Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and Sweet Bay Nursery will host a spring celebration in Parrish this month.
The Wildflower Festival and Spring Plant Sale will offer native trees, shrubs, grasses and blooming wildflowers for sale, plus landscaping supplies.
Guests can see demonstrations, hear from conservation groups, check out exhibitors and vendors and ask native plant experts for gardening advice.
There will also be food offerings.
Details: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 13. Sweet Bay Nursery, 10824 Erie Road, Parrish.
Info: facebook.com/serenoaFNPS
Suncoast Boat Show
“This premier boat show on the Gulf Coast of Florida takes place in water and on land at Marina Jack along 65,000 square feet of dock space,” organizers say.
Boats and watercraft on display will include cruisers, runabouts, bowriders, sportfishers, center consoles, motor yachts and inflatables.
Vendors will offer electronics, accessories, jewelry, art and clothing. The event also includes food, drinks, music, exhibits and children’s activities.
Details: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 21. Marina Jack, #2 Marina Jack Plaza, Sarasota. Ages 16 and up: $19 per day. Ages 15 and under, plus veterans and active duty military: free.
Info: SuncoastBoatShow.com
Ink Masters Tattoo Expo
A major tattoo convention will bring about 80 award-winning tattoo artists to Sarasota for a weekend.
Artists specializing in realism, traditional, black and gray and color tattoos will be there.
Other attractions include custom jewelry, temporary tattoos, raffles and food.
Details: 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, April 26; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 27; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, April 28. Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. $20 per day; $35 for weekend pass.
Info: InkMastersTattooShow.com.
Art of Manatee County schools at ArtCenter Manatee
Aspiring young artists who attend Manatee County schools will get a chance to have their work showcased at ArtCenter Manatee this spring.
For two weeks, all three galleries of the community art center will be filled with the work of local students, grades K-12. The pieces will be for sale, and students will also compete for best in show in grade level categories.
Details: Exhibit on display April 9 to April 26. Gallery hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon., Fri. and Sat.; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tue., Wed. and Thurs. ArtCenter Manatee, 209 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. ArtCenter Manatee entry is free; $5 to see AWS International Traveling Exhibit
Info: ArtCenterManatee.org
Bradenton Marauders 2024 season begins
The Florida State League’s Bradenton Marauders begin their 2024 baseball season this month.
There are multiple chances to catch the team playing at LECOM Park, with a home series versus the Clearwater Threshers April 5 to 7 and match up with the Daytona Tortugas April 16 to 21.
The game on Saturday, April 6 will feature a post-game fireworks show. Other special events planned for this month include Women in Sports Night with a pre-game panel on Friday, April 19, Margaritaville Night on Saturday, April 20 and a Hispanic Heritage Celebration on Sunday, April 21.
Details: Season begins Friday, April 5. LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Tickets range from $9 to $15.
Info: MiLB.com/bradenton
Sarasota Cup at Premier Sports Campus
The 12th annual Sarasota Cup will bring top youth soccer players from around the state to the Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch this month.
Over 400 girls and boys teams with players ages 8 to 18 are registered to compete over two weekends. The games are free to attend.
Details: Girls competition is April 12 to 14; boys competition is April 19 to 21. Premier Sports Campus, 5895 Post Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. Free.
Info: SarasotaCup.com
Free live music
REALIZE BRADENTON’S MUSIC IN THE PARK
This annual series brings weekly concerts to a beautiful spot on the Bradenton Riverwalk. Bring a chair or blanket (leashed dogs are welcome, too) and enjoy the sounds of local bands and the views of the Manatee River.
April 5: Glass Onion Beatles Band (Beatles tribute)
April 12: Sweet Fleet (Fleetwood Mac tribute)
April 19: MonkeyFinger (Rock)
April 26: Kristopher James (Singer/songwriter)
Details: Fridays, March 22 to April 26. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Bradenton Riverwalk Pavilion at Rossi Park, 452 Third Ave. W., Bradenton. Free.
Info: RealizeBradenton.com
MANATEE MUSIC SERIES
The first-ever Manatee Music Series, sponsored by Manatee County Government, will bring three concerts to the amphitheater at G.T. Bray Park in Bradenton on the third Thursday of the month this spring. The events will include family-friendly activities and crafts.
April 18: Trevor Bystrom & Zion Albert (World music)
May 16: Paul Fournier (Rock, soul & R&B)
Details: Third Thursday of the month this spring. March 21, April 18 and May 16. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. G.T. Bray Amphitheater, 2811 51st St W, Bradenton. Free.
Info: MyManatee.org
MUSIC ON MAIN IN LAKEWOOD RANCH
Music on Main brings family-friendly fun to the heart of Lakewood Ranch on the first Friday of every month. Food vendors, beer trucks, booths and kids activities line the street.
Each month’s event benefits a different local charity. Guests are welcome to bring chairs and dogs on short leashes.
April 5: Mojo Filter (90s hits)
Details: First Fridays of the month, 6 to 9 p.m. 8100 Lakewood Main St., Lakewood Ranch. Free.
Shows, concerts and performing arts
MANATEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
▪ “Kiss Me, Kate,” “the classic Cole Porter show-within-a-show musical based on Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew.” April 25 through May 12.
FLORIDA STUDIO THEATRE
▪ “Take it to the Limit.” “With hits by iconic musicians like The Allman Brothers Band, The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt and Fleetwood Mac, this guitar musical revue tells the story of lessons learned from hard knocks and lively living.” Showing now through April 28.
▪ ”The Flip Side.” “With songs like ‘I’m My Own Grandpa,’ ‘The Ballad of Sigmund Freud,’ ‘Still Gonna Die,’ ‘Killed by a Coconut,’ and others, this offbeat Cabaret pays tribute to some of the best comic songwriters of the 20th Century.” Showing now through June 16.
▪ “Troubadour.” “It’s 1951 in Nashville. Country music legend Billy Mason is on the eve of his retirement. Can his soft-spoken son, Joe, step into the spotlight and carry on his legacy?” Showing April 3 to May 19.
“The White Chip.” “This autobiographical play follows Steven, an alcoholic, who loses everything because of the inability to face his addiction. As he claws his way back toward sobriety, he finds there’s always more you can lose if you don’t truly commit to changing your life. Showing now through April 12.
Info: FloridaStudioTheatre.org
VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL HIGHLIGHTS
▪ Tuesday, March 26 to Sunday, April 7: Hamilton
▪ Thursday, April 11: Theresa Caputo Live: The Experience
▪ Friday, April 12 to Sunday, April 14: Sarasota Orchestra presents Yang Plays Mozart
▪ Thursday, April 18: Derek Hough - Symphony of Dance
▪ Friday, April 19 to Sunday, April 21: Sarasota Orchestra presents She’s Got Soul
▪ Friday, April 26: The Price Is Right Live
▪ Saturday, April 27: Johnny Mathis: The Voice of Romance Tour
Info: VanWezel.org
Do you have an event to add to the list? Send an email with details to rballogg@bradenton.com.
