October on Anna Maria Island
Fall sunshine, local events, Gulf sunsets, and another good reason to come back to the island.
October on Anna Maria Island has a little of everything: the 25th BayFest on Pine Avenue, a beach 5K for the island's elementary school, Halloween fun for the kids, and long beach days that end with the sun going down over the Gulf.
It is also the last month of sea turtle nesting season, which officially ends Oct. 31.1 Here is our pick of what's happening, our first Restaurant of the Month, and a tip for getting around without your car.
BayFest turns 25 on Pine Avenue
- When
- Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Where
- Pine Avenue, City of Anna Maria
- Hosted by
- Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber's 25th annual BayFest takes over Pine Avenue for the day with live music, a classic car show, local vendors, food trucks, beer and wine.2
Staying at SeaCrest? Pine Avenue's boutiques and dining are an easy bike ride from the house.
Stay close: SeaCrestRun the Dolphin Dash at Coquina Beach
- When
- Saturday, Oct. 10. Fun run 9:15 a.m., 5K 9:30 a.m.
- Where
- Coquina Beach pavilion by the playground, 2650 Gulf Drive, Bradenton Beach
- Cost
- $35 for the timed 5K, $15 for the roughly 1K fun run
Anna Maria Elementary's Dolphin Dash starts and finishes at the Coquina Beach playground. The timed 5K is for grown-ups and fast kids, and Fin's Fun Run heads from the playground to the Coquina Beach cafe and back.3
Coquina Beach is in Bradenton Beach, the same town as Island Breeze, and it is where the free island trolley's route begins.4
Stay close: Island BreezeHalloween, island style
Three ways for the kids to trick-or-treat, plus a spooky paddle for grown-ups.
- Oct24Sat
Legend of the Mangrove Murders night paddle
AMI Paddle and The Center lead a Halloween paddle through the mangroves of Neal Preserve after dark. Families about 6 to 7:30 p.m., adults 18+ about 8:30 to 10 p.m. Meets at The Center, 407 Magnolia Avenue, Anna Maria. $120.7
- Oct30Fri
Trail of Treats
Costume contest at 4:30 p.m. at the Chamber, 5313 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, then trick-or-treating at participating island businesses from 5 to 6:30 p.m.8
- Oct30Fri
Island Trunk or Treat
Decorated trunks and tables full of treats at The Center of Anna Maria Island, 6 to 8 p.m. Free.9
- Oct31Sat
Sundown Get Down: Halloween Spooktacular
Historic Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach becomes a family Halloween party with costumes, candy, entertainment, local vendors and games, 2 to 8 p.m. Free.10
Beach days, Gulf sunsets and Bridge Street
Not every day needs a plan. Spend the morning on the sand, cool off in the Gulf, and stay out for the sunset.
In Bradenton Beach, historic Bridge Street has boutiques, shops and restaurants and the Historic Bridge Street Pier.5 It is a short walk from Island Breeze.
Smoqehouse
Chef-inspired craft sandwiches and BBQ fusion · Bradenton Beach
The fries and their signature sauce are worth the drive. That's what we order every time, and it's a must-order.
The AmIsland Properties family
Smoqehouse calls itself "chef inspired. craft sandwiches. bbq fusion. fast casual."11 Don't expect a traditional barbecue joint: the kitchen cooks from scratch with fire and smoke and borrows ideas from cuisines around the world, turning them into handcrafted sandwiches, salads, soups and fries.12
It's fast casual, so it fits right in between beach sessions: order at the counter, eat, and get back to the sand.
- The fries with their signature sauce
- Where1701 Gulf Drive North, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217
- Closest homeIsland Breeze
The sea turtles keep coming back. So will you.