What’s on in October on Anna Maria Island

October is the month to shop; which is why we have compiled a list of some of the most stylish events that are happening on Anna Maria Island this month for you!

Anna Maria Shopping Events

October 3-5, 2014

The first weekend in October you can enjoy a totally thrilling event: the Florida Balloon Festival. You’ll be dazzled by morning Balloon Rides and evening Balloon Glows.

General admission is only $5, and you can also take in live music and arts and crafts vendors and play with kids’ activities. Click here for more information.

October 3-5, 2014

Prefer to get your inspiration closer to ground level? On October 3-5 you can skip the balloon festival and instead visit the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium where exhibitors will have a wide variety of the finest gem, jewelry and bead collections for sale.

Admission is $4. Click here for more information on this and other upcoming gem shows.

October 4-5, 2014

Looking for some great decorative accents for your house? Shop local and hit up the 20th annual Downtown Sarasota Art & Craft Festival in downtown Sarasota at the intersection of Orange and Main. Pick up anything from paintings to woodworking and other great home décor options. Runs Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm.

For a sneak peek at vendors, have a look at the website.

October 11, 2014

From 8am until 3pm on Saturday, October 11, 2014, the Palma Sola Botanical Park will hold their annual Fall Plant sale. Along with plants, gardening specialties and arts and crafts will be available for sale. You’ll also be able to enjoy food and live music. Want to make your living space really standout? Sometimes it’s best to start on the outside.

Visit the Palma Sola Botanical Park website to learn more.

October 11, 2014

From 8am to 1pm at the Sarasota County Extension Office on Clark Road, entertain the kids with activities and educational demonstrations while you shop a wide variety of native plants, as well as edibles, houseplants, succulents, tropical, and unusual plants. Find the perfect foliage to brighten your home indoors and out at the 10th Annual Plant Sale and EdFest. Click here for further details.

October 11-12, 2014

Love a little touch of vintage in your home or wardrobe? You won’t want to miss the Vintage and Collectibles Fair from 10am-5pm on Saturday the 11th and 10am-4pm on Sunday the 15th. You’ll find antique furniture, books, collectibles, linens, and much more at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium.

October 16, 2014

Grand Opening of The Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota: This shopping center will feature a mix of distinctive upscale fashion and lifestyle retailers (many of which cannot be found nearby) as well as a wide assortment of sit-down restaurants. Visit the UTC website for more details.

October 17-18, 2014

Nothing quite shows off the style of the Island like the annual Bayfest on Anna Maria Island. This two-day family-friendly event features nonstop live music, a food court featuring tasty food from Anna Maria Island restaurants, fine arts, jewelry and crafts, and classic vintage cars. It’s the very definition of laid-back Island style.  You can read here for more information.

October 25-26, 2014

The 24th Annual Buckler’s Craft Fair is a perfect place to get a jump start on your holiday shopping.

You’ll find fabulous handmade creations from local and national crafters, including one of a kind holiday and home décor, artwork, unique gifts, and more! The event runs Saturday the 25^th from 10am to 5pm and Sunday the 26^th from 10am to 4pm at the Bradenton Area Convention Center. Kids 12 and under get in free: there’s a $6 admission for everyone else. Click here for more info.

Anna Maria Halloween Events

Select Dates October 2-19, 2014

Spirit Voices from Old Manatee, Season 4: The Manatee Village Historical Park proudly presents the fourth annual presentation of their popular living history drama. Costumed actors portray the early settlers who are buried in the 1850 Manatee Burying Grounds near the mystic “Singing River”. Their stories are culled from diaries, military logs, archival narratives, descendants, books, and local legend.

This haunting historical experience takes place at dusk on a stage draped by century-old oaks covered in moss. It is at turns triumphant, tragic, and heartwarmingly funny. Click here for ticket information.

Select Dates October 4-26, 2014

Halloween is creeping up on you thanks to the 26th Annual Fruitville Grove Pumpkin Fest. Get into the fall spirit and enjoy hay rides, pony rides, face painting, pumpkin decorating, mini train rides, a petting zoo, and much more. There will be authentic Halloween decorations for sale including scarecrows and hay bales, and food will be available for purchase. Check out their website for specific information on festival dates.

October 10-11, 2014

Come enjoy a spooky good time at Historic Spanish Point at their Scarecrow Festival . Alongside scarecrows, you can check out live music, storytelling, pony rides, a petting zoo, barbecue, dancing, and a costume parade. Friday night, you can return for a special Sunset Scarecrow Walk through the grounds.

Visit their website for more details.

October 18-19, 2014

The DeSoto Pumpkin Festival at Veterans Park in Arcadia is one of the area’s biggest celebrations close to Halloween. Over two days there will be over 100 free shows, plus a pumpkin patch and maze, pie-eating contests, midway amusement rides for the whole family, a petting zoo, pony rides, free hayrides, and a whole land of inflatable bounce houses. There will also be tasty food for sale along with cool crafts, and a safe trick-or-treat from vendor to vendor. Tickets are $7: children ten and under get in free. Click here for more information.

October 29, 2014

The Humane Society of Sarasota County will host its 17th Annual Howl-O-Ween Pet Costume Contest at the Phillippi Estates Park Farmer’s Market. Plenty of prizes will be awarded to pets of all shapes and sizes, including Funniest Costume, Spookiest Costume, Most Creative Costume, and more, Registration fee is $10 per pet and will take place between 10:30am and 11:45am on the day of the event. The contest itself starts at noon.

All proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Sarasota County. Click here for more information and pre-registration.

October 31, 2014

On All Hallow’s Eve, experience some spooky fun at Fright Night on St. Armand’s Circle. Everything from storefronts to statues will be bedecked in their Halloween finery, and frightening characters could pop out from any corner. Kids can go trick-or-treating around numerous participating shops and restaurants, while parents shop and take advantage of special promotions.

Have we missed a shopping or spooky Halloween event that’s happening on Anna Maria this month? Then leave us a comment and let us know!