Despite its small size, Anna Maria Island has a calendar full of exciting and unique events and festivals. From festive parades and local markets to food and music festivals, there’s usually something happening on the island. The following events offer a way to experience the island’s coastal charm and vibrant culture.
Contents
- Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival
- Springfest Festival of Fine Arts and Fine Crafts
- Cortez Nautical Flea Market
- Wearin’ O’ the Green Parade
- Anna Maria Island Heritage Day
- Beach N’ Food Truck and Music Festival
- 4th of July Activities
- Bayfest
- Coquina Beach Market
- Cortez Stone Crab and Music Festival
- Symphony on the Sand
Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival
- February 15th & 16th · 2025
- 10 AM to 6 PM
- 46th Ave at the end of 123rd Street · Cortez Fishing Village
- admission is $5 · children under 12 are free
- website
The Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival celebrates the area’s long history with delicious seafood caught by Cortez fishermen. The festival includes educational exhibits, live music, kid activities, and arts and crafts. This family-friendly event is a fundraiser for conservation efforts by the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage.
Springfest Festival of Fine Arts and Fine Crafts
- March 8th & 9th · 2025
- Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM · Sunday 10 AM to 4 PM
- City Hall Field · Holmes Beach
- free admission
- website
Anna Maria Island Art League hosts the Springfest Festival of Fine Arts and Fine Crafts which benefits the Art League’s Scholarship Fund. The juried show draws over 80 professional artists. The festival is a combination of education from community organizations, live music, kid-friendly activities, food, and drink. The highlight of the festival is a gala raffle of art work donated by festival exhibitors. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5 and the winners do not need to be present to win.
Cortez Nautical Flea Market
- March 8th · 2025 · Rain Day March 22nd
- 9 AM to 1 PM
- Florida Maritime Museum · 4415 119th St West · Cortez
- free admission
- website
Hosted by the Florida Maritime Museum and the Cortez Cultural Center, this event calls all boat enthusiasts for deals on fishing gear, marine equipment, life preservers, and much more. There are fun activities and arts and crafts for sale at the Cortez Cultural Center.
Wearin’ O’ the Green Parade
- March 16th · 2025
- 4 PM to 6 PM
- Starting at Flotilla Drive · 58th Stree · Marina Drive · Palm Drive · Gulf Drive · Pine Avenue · Tarpon Street to Magnolia Avenue · ending at The Center of Anna Maria Island Community Center
- website
Wearin’ O’ the Green annual parade is organized by The Center of Anna Maria Island and features bagpipers, high school bands, traditional Irish step dancers, festive floats, and much more. Don’t forget your most festive green attire and join the lively celebration!
Anna Maria Island Heritage Day
- March 26th · 2025
- 10 AM to 2 PM
- 402 Pine Avenue · Anna Maria
- free admission
- website
The Anna Maria Island Historical Society celebrates the history of the island by hosting its Anna Maria Island Heritage Day at the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum. The family-friendly event includes guided tours of the museum, living history exhibits, food, strawberry shortcake, arts and crafts booths, and live entertainment. Kid activities include an interactive area with crafts, school games, face painting, fairy hair, scavenger hunt, pirates invasion, and chances to win prizes. Participate in raffles and silent auctions offering island experiences, resort stays, dining vouchers, excursions, spa baskets, and more. Donations benefit the AMI Historical Society.
Beach N’ Food Truck and Music Festival
- April · 2025
- 10:00 AM to 9 PM
- Coquina Beach
Anna Maria Island’s Beach N’ Food Truck and Music Festival is a beach celebration featuring live music, food trucks, tropical cocktails and other beverages, arts and crafts, and kid activities.
4th of July Activities
The 4th of July is one of the biggest celebrations on Anna Maria Island. Below are Independence Day events on the island:
- Anna Maria Island Privateers 4th of July Parade · begins at Coquina Beach travels across the entire island and finishes at Bay Front Park in the city of Anna Maria. The parade moves from 10 AM till 12:30 PM and features patriotic floats loaded with pirates throwing beads, candy, and sometimes dousing the spectators with water.
- 4th of July Picnic Celebration · At the end of the Privateers’ parade route enjoy a picnic celebration at City Pier Park with food, live entertainment, and kids’ activities from noon till 1:30 PM.
Bayfest
- October · 2025
- 10 AM to 2 PM
- 402 Pine Avenue · Anna Maria
- free admission
- website
AMI Chamber of Commerce hosts Bayfest, an all-day street festival with live music, local food, beverages, arts and craft, face painting, classic car show, and more.
Coquina Beach Market
- January through June · 2025
- Sunday · Wednesday · Friday · 10 AM to 2 PM
- South Coquina Beach, adjacent to Longboat Pass
- website
Check out the outdoor market at the south end of Coquina Beach Park to find unique vendors selling fresh produce, baked goods, local arts and crafts, jewelry, art, clothing, and other unique items. Enjoy the food and beverage vendors as you cruise the beachside market. Check their facebook page for scheduled closures.
Cortez Stone Crab and Music Festival
- November · 2025
- 10 AM to 6 PM
- 4628 119th Street West · Cortez Fishing Village · over the Cortez Bridge
- admission is $5 · children under 12 are free
- website
The Cortez Stone Crab and Music Festival is a celebration of fresh seafood and local culture. This festival draws visitors to enjoy freshly harvested stone crabs, a local delicacy known for their sweet and tender meat. Fish, shrimp, smoked fish spread, and clam chowder are also prepared by local vendors. There is live music by local bands and family-friendly activities such as a Kid Zone, arts and crafts booths, and educational exhibits about the area’s fishing heritage.
Symphony on the Sand
- November · 2025
- 4:30 to 7:30 PM
- Coquina Beach Gulfside Park · 2650 Gulf Drive South
- website
Symphony on the Sand is the most unique and elegant event on Anna Maria Island. The Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus & Orchestra 45-member ensemble performs classical favorites, Broadway hits, and film scores while attendees dine on gourmet food from local restaurants. There are five ticket tiers, from the general admission option at $30 per person to a luxurious table seating option with complimentary drinks and hors-d’oeuvres at $250 per person.
Until next time…
izzy
Traveling with kids can sometimes require additional planning. Here is a comprehensive list of kid friendly activities on Anna Maria Island (AMI). These family friendly activities will keep both kids and adults entertained.
It is a quintessential beach day – crisp blue skies, warm sunshine, and a cool Gulf breeze. The last thing you want to do on this prefect day is leave your comfortable beach chair when hunger and thirst strikes.
Anna Maria Island offers many choices for food and beverage delivery right to your beach chair.
Carrying bulky beach gear and struggling with setups can be a mood killer.
Luckily, AMI has many beach set up companies which offer a wide selection of umbrellas, canopies, beach chairs, and other beach gear. Whether you’re looking for a single umbrella and chair, a complete setup for 8 people, or a sunset experience, they can deliver.
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