Local events for November 2019 in Sarasota and Manatee

From festivals to fairs, November events are beginning to fill the air! Take some time this autumn to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather at some of these fun filled events around the area.

November 8 – 10, 2019: Sarasota Boat Expo Check out new boats, fishing gear, a fishing school and more. Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Admission is $5.00, 12 & under free. Robarts Arena, Sarasota County Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, FL.

November 9, 2019: Taste of Mixons is a fun filled event held twice a year at Mixon Fruit Farms in Bradenton. Guest are given passports as they enter the store, which are stamped at different stations around the store. Samples of cookies, cheese, kettle corn, wine, fudge, ice cream, and more. This is a free event, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

November 9, 2019: Harvest Fall Festival Enjoy this free Fall Festival complete with free food, bounce houses, entertainment, face painting, a Festival Marketplace with vendors, local non-profits and much more. 3:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Harvest Church, 3650 17th St., Sarasota FL.

November 9 – 10, 2019: Annual Sarasota Medieval Fair Take a step back in time at the Sarasota Medieval Fair. There’s jousting, human combat chess tournaments, rides and games, food and drinks, entertainment, and a marketplace with over 100 shops, food, and snack booths plus 11 stages holding over 75 shows daily! Admission is $18.95 daily for adults, $16.95 daily for students, seniors, and military, $9.95 daily for children 5-12, children 4 and under are free. 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Additional dates include November 16 – 17, November 23 – 24, and November 30 – December 1. Sarasota County Fairgrounds 3000 Ringling Blvd. Sarasota, FL

November 9 – 10, 2019: 8th Annual Stone Crab & Music Festival Two days of food, drinks, live music, beer tents, a kid’s zone and fresh stone crabs. The festival is located at the fishing village of Cortez, along Sarasota Bay by Swordfish Grill & Tiki Bar, 4628 119th St W., Cortez, FL. Marker 49 by boat. 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. both days.

November 11, 2019: Manatee County Veteran’s Day Parade The parade will start at the Manatee County Fairgrounds and proceed south on 11th Ave and end at Sutton Park in Palmetto, followed by the annual Veterans Day Memorial Service. The parade will begin at 10:45 a.m.

November 11, 2019: Sarasota Veteran’s Day Parade The Parade will begin at Main Street and Osprey Avenue and will end at Chaplain J.D. Hamel Park at the corner of Main Street and Gulfstream Avenue where a ceremony will be held.  Local high schools and Veterans groups will participate in the parade along with patriotic organizations. The parade will begin at 10:00 a.m.

November 11, 2019: Veteran’s Day Parade on Anna Maria Island The parade begins at Pine Avenue at City Hall and will go to City Pier Park. The parade will feature honor guards, high school marching bands, The Privateers, floats, flags and much more. The parade will begin at 1:00 p.m.

November 14 – 17, 2019: Ellenton Carnival The Ellenton Outlet Mall host a free carnival fun for the whole family! Featuring rides for all ages, carnival games, and fair food. Admission and parking are free, ride wristbands are available for purchase. Carnival hours are Thursday 5:00 p.m. -10:00 p.m., Friday 5:00 p.m. -11:00 p.m., Saturday 12:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m., and Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

November 15 – 18, 2019: 10th Annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic Master Sand Sculpting Competition Come out and enjoy sand sculptors from across the U.S competing for prizes while listening to live music, shopping at the retail vendors in “vendor village”, and trying some local foods. Hours are 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Monday. Admission for this event is $10.00 per day.

November 16, 2019: 2nd annual “America Recycles Day” The Chemical Collections Center is hosting this event which features, a recycled art contest, dumpster painting, demonstrations, games and Garbage and Recycling Trucks on display. Local food trucks will be onsite to purchase food. 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Admission is free. Located at 8750 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL.

November 23, 2019: Turkey Trot 5K The Lakewood Ranch running club host this 5K race with turkey-themed volunteers, turkey water stops and turkey music. All participants will finish to a great after party with food and beverages supplied from local restaurants and participants along with a free t shirt. Race Start 8:00 a.m., Kids Turkey Dashes starts at 7:15 a.m. Held at Mainstreet in Lakewood Ranch, FL.

November 23, 2019: Taps, Tacos + Tequila Festival Held at Nathan Benderson Park this festival features craft beer, tacos & tequila! Over 15 taco vendors and other food vendors, multiple cocktail booths crafting margaritas, high-end tequila samplings, as well as a 4-hour craft beer sampling session! All included in one ticket!  Tickets range from $15.00 – $45.00. Adults 21 and over. 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. 5851 Nathan Benderson Cir, Sarasota, FL

November 27, 2019: Thanksgiving Eve Party Main Street Live presents this Thanksgiving Eve party featuring live music, food & drink vendors, and arts and crafts. Free admission. 6:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. Located at Old Main Street, Bradenton, FL

November 29, 2018: Annual Sarasota Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony! The fun starts at 6:00 p.m. with Christmas Lights, music, carolers, and refreshments. Tree lighting at 7:00 p.m. Five Points Park, N Pineapple Ave, downtown Sarasota, FL.

November 30, 2019: The Annual Bridge Street Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Festivities start at 4:00 p.m. on Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach, Anna Maria Island, FL.

November 30, 2019: The 35th annual Light Up Siesta Key and Village Holiday Parade The parade will begin at Avenida del Mare and Beach Road at 5:30 p.m. heading North on Beach Road onto Ocean Blvd. and into the Village. Enjoy the Christmas Tree at the Village Gazebo, Santa’s arrival, live music, and other entertainment.  Free public transportation is provided. Shops and restaurants will offer special holiday bargains from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.