The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County hosts and participates in many community events throughout the year. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to connect with staff, tour our mobile classrooms, and receive FREE books! Up-coming events are listed below or click here to view our full calendar of events.
ELC in the Community
April 7, 2026 - Manatee County Health & Wellness Expo
Bradenton Area Convention Center (1 Haben Boulevard, Palmetto, FL 34221) 4:00pm-7:00pm
Taking care of your health can feel overwhelming. Appointments, providers, screenings, fitness classes - it often means visiting multiple locations and making multiple calls. Join us on April 7th for a free Health & Wellness Expo - featuring more than 50 vendors and explore local health services, meet providers, get screened, and try a wellness class - all in one place! Learn More
April 22, 2026 - Pine Village Remake Learning Days: From Tech to Touch
Gwendolyn Brown Resident Center at Pine Village (5631 11th St E, Bradenton FL 34203) 2:00pm-4:30pm
Take learning beyond smart toys and animated apps. Dive into real-world creativity with pens, paper and pointers, all while discovering the excitement of various professions that combine high-tech and touch! Visit Pine Village’s FREE fest that blends online intelligence with hands-on discovery. Solve an intricate puzzle. Use your senses to create something cool. Step from virtual reality out into a world where imagination meets realism!
April 25, 2026 Pre-Parade Block Party & DeSoto Grand Parade
The Pre-Parade Party will take over downtown Bradenton on Old Main Street starting at 3:30pm, creating a lively, family friendly atmosphere. With live music, street vendors, and a kids zone, there’s plenty to enjoy before the Grand Parade begins. Visitors can stay downtown to watch the parade step off at 7:30pm, making it the perfect spot to experience all the excitement. Learn More
May 6, 2026 - Soar in 4 FREE Family Night
Bishop Museum (201 10 St W, Bradenton) 5:30pm-7:30pm
Join Soar in 4 Manatee for a FREE Family Night at the Bishope Museum. Enjoy free admission for your whole family, tour the museum, and receive literacy materials and books to support your child's classroom learning at home! For more information, visit soarin4.org.
May 16, 2026 - Kiwanis Family Fesitval
LECOM Park (1611 9th Street W, Bradenton, FL) 5:00pm-9:00pm
Join us for an evening of baseball (Star Wars Night), prizes, fireworks, and fun activities for the whole family at the Kiwanis Family Festival in Bradenton featuring the ELC Book Bus, MCR Health Dental & Eye Bus, inflatables, face painting, local vendors, and more! Tickets are required to enter the festival. Learn More
June 3, 2026 - Soar in 4 FREE Family Night
Bishop Museum (201 10 St W, Bradenton) 5:30pm-7:30pm
Join Soar in 4 Manatee for a FREE Family Night at the Bishope Museum. Enjoy free admission for your whole family, tour the museum, and receive literacy materials and books to support your child's classroom learning at home! For more information, visit soarin4.org.
June 17, 2026 - BLOCK Fest® at Lakewood Ranch Library
Lakewood Ranch Library (16410 Rangeland Pkwy, Bradenton, FL 34211) 2:00pm-3:00pm
BLOCK Fest® is a FREE family interactive event that uses five, hands-on, block play stations to introduce children and their families to early math and science concepts through guided play and conversation. Join the fun, and build on your child's learning!
