Waterfront festivities and more fun things to do in Sarasota and Bradenton this weekend

Wade Tatangelo, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·4 min read

One of my favorite things to do in downtown Sarasota is to dine at Marina Jack's Blue Sunshine Patio and then walk over to its sister business, O'Leary's Tiki Bar, for a beer before following the path around Bayfront Park. This weekend, that experience will be elevated thanks to the return of the Suncoast Boat Show.

I also regularly enjoy a stroll along the Bradenton Riverwalk, which is once again hosting its free Music in the Park series on Friday. So, yeah, there are a couple of nice waterfront festivities to choose from this weekend, along with three other events we recommend for a good time in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Let's begin with details on the Suncoast Boat Show.

10 best waterfront restaurants I love to recommend in Sarasota and Bradenton

Top 10 restaurants I recommend when asked 'Where should I eat in Sarasota and Bradenton?'

Ticket Newsletter: Sign up to receive restaurant news and reviews plus info on things to do every Friday

1. Suncoast Boat Show at Marina Jack in Sarasota

Suncoast Boat Show, pictured here in 2023, returns Friday through Sunday to Marina Jack.
Suncoast Boat Show, pictured here in 2023, returns Friday through Sunday to Marina Jack.

Regardless of whether you're looking to purchase a new yacht, pick up some accessories, or simply admire the vessels, it's pretty much a guaranteed good time at the Suncoast Boat Show, now in its 42nd year. Featuring a festive atmosphere with food, drinks, music, and a youth fishing clinic, the event is held on Sarasota Bay at Marina Jack, which includes waterfront restaurants and bars, as well as the nearby sister business O'Leary's Tiki Bar in Bayfront Park. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday; Marina Jack, 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota; $19 one-day, free children age 15 and under/active military and veterans with valid ID; 954-463-6762;  suncoastboatshow.com

Best beach bar in Sarasota, Bradenton? My favorite for food, drinks, waterfront views!

2. World Circus Day at The Ringling

A view of Howard Tibbal's model of all the elements, animals and people involved in setting up a big top traveling circus, that moved by train from town to town across the country before the shows moved into arenas. The Tibbals model takes up most of the first floor of The Ringling Circus Museum.
A view of Howard Tibbal's model of all the elements, animals and people involved in setting up a big top traveling circus, that moved by train from town to town across the country before the shows moved into arenas. The Tibbals model takes up most of the first floor of The Ringling Circus Museum.

The circus world would be much smaller if it weren't for circus king and longtime Sarasota resident John Ringling, whose namesake museum will celebrate World Circus Day with free admission to the Circus Museum and Bayfront Gardens (The Museum of Art and Ca' d'Zan are not included.) 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota; free; 941-359-5700; ringling.org

10 best seafood restaurants for a grouper sandwich in Sarasota and Bradenton

3. ReptiCon at Bradenton Area Convention Center

ReptiCon is at Bradenton Area Convention Center this weekend.
ReptiCon is at Bradenton Area Convention Center this weekend.

Everybody’s favorite reptile and exotic animal expo returns to Manatee County with another bunch of vendors and breeders. The family-friendly event offers educational activities and, of course, you will have plenty of opportunities to consider a new family pet among the hundreds of reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, spiders and small exotic animals. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday; Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto; $15 both days, $11 per day ($10 April 20 after 1 p.m.), $6 ages 5-12, free ages 4 and under;  repticon.com/florida/bradenton

Best restaurants for pizza? Here are my favorites in Sarasota and Bradenton

4. The Bradentucky Bombers host roller derby tournament 'Invadentucky'

The Bradentucky Bombers are hosting their first-ever Women's Flat Track Derby Association tournament, aptly titled "Invadentucky," on Saturday.
The Bradentucky Bombers are hosting their first-ever Women's Flat Track Derby Association tournament, aptly titled "Invadentucky," on Saturday.

The Bradentucky Bombers are hosting their first-ever Women's Flat Track Derby Association tournament, aptly titled "Invadentucky." They are welcoming three teams: Lowcountry Roller Derby, Orlando Roller Derby, and Gold Coast Derby Grrls, for two full days of real, rough-and-tumble roller derby action. Like most sporting events, beer and other concessions are available for purchase. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday; Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex, 5309 29th St. E., Ellenton; $25 for a one-day pass and $40 for a weekend pass and free for children 5 and younger; bradentuckybombers.com

10 best restaurants in Sarasota and Bradenton to impress out-of-town guests

5. Music in the Park at Bradenton Riverwalk

Realize Bradenton's annual Music in the Park series continues its 2024 season on Friday with a performance by MonkeyFinger. The band will be playing rock and pop hits at the Riverwalk's main Pavilion stage, overlooking Rossi Park and the Manatee River. Attendees are reminded to bring a chair or blanket to this free, dog-friendly music event, which also features food and drinks available for purchase. For as long as I can recall, this event has served beer and wine, but not when I visited on March 29. An organizer told me they elected not to because there wasn't enough demand and they were short-staffed. 6-8 p.m. Friday; Bradenton Riverwalk Pavilion at Rossi Park, 452 Third Ave. W., Bradenton; free; realizebradenton.com

Who lives here? Most famous celebrities with homes in Sarasota and Bradenton area

Wade Tatangelo is Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. He can be reached by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Waterfront festivities among fun things to do in Sarasota this weekend