Your guide to the Bradenton Area River Regatta

BRADENTON — The Bradenton Area River Regatta will be even bigger and faster in 2026 when high-powered Formula One powerboats invade the Manatee River for this year’s 11th annual event, Friday evening and all day Saturday. Here's what you need to know.

Changes include supercharged Formula 1 boats replacing the smaller Formula 2 watercrafts as the marquee racing event for the Regatta.  Seebold Sports, one of the dominant circuits in outboard powerboat racing, brings its high-speed Formula 1 team to compete in the inaugural Florida Formula 1 Championships and navigate the tight turns and waves of the Manatee River for its first race in the Bradenton/Palmetto area.

Two other powerboat classes will also compete at the event—Formula Lights and Tri-Hulls (the latter alos competing for the first time)—to provide the most dramatic racing experience ever for festival spectators.

“We are proud to announce with our partners—the City of Bradenton and Manatee County—the return of the Bradenton Area River Regatta for the 11^th year,” said Palmetto Mayor Dan West.  “All are welcome to two days of free, family-fun events.”

The free Regatta kicks off Friday with Friday Night Flash—a spectacular drone light show culminating in a dazzling fireworks extravaganza. Multiple bands also will provide musical entertainment from 5-9 p.m. at Bradenton’s Rossi Park Pavilion Stage, including up-and-coming singer/songwriter Bella Garland, who comes directly from Nashville’s Belmont University, followed by the rhythmic, high-energy dance tunes of national ABBA tribute band ABBA Nova, and national Fleetwood Mac tribute band, Sweet Fleet.

Highlighted by the Regatta’s marque powerboat racing, Saturday’s activities begin at 10 a.m. and feature a variety of family-fun entertainment and chart-topping musical acts all day on both sides of the river. Other events include electrifying aerobatics on water, world-class stunt dogs along the Bradenton Riverwalk, the PUBLIX Family Fun Zone in Bradenton, and the United States Army and U.S. National Guard Family Fun Zone in Palmetto. Festivities conclude with a FREE racing awards celebration, beginning at 5 p.m. at the new Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa, where the winning drivers from the Formula 1 races will be recognized, followed by a concert featuring Florida’s only national Beach Boys tribute band, Beach Buoys.

The LECOM 5k Run/Walk leads Saturday’s festivities, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Pier 22 Restaurant.  Details and registration information can be found at www.raceroster.com/events/2026/110241/lecom-5k-run-the-green-bridge. The DeSoto Little Anglers Fishing Tourney kicks off activities in Palmetto at the Riverside Boat Ramp at 8:30 a.m.

 “The City of Bradenton is extremely excited to have Regatta return for another fantastic two-day event, and it is all free,” said Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown.

Full details, schedule and additional information are available at bradentonarearegatta.com.  Follow all the fun and activities on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/RiverwalkRegatta.

Remember:

• The Green Bridge will be closed; drivers must use the DeSoto Bridge.
• Trolley service will run between Bradenton and Palmetto.
• 9th Street W will be closed between Manatee Avenue and the Green Bridge.
• 12th Street W will be closed between Manatee Avenue and 1st Street.
• 3rd Avenue W will be eastbound only between 9th Street W and 1st Street.
• The Gulf Islands Ferry will NOT operate on Friday or Saturday.

Event Schedule:

FRIDAY, FEB. 20: “Friday Night Flash”

Bradenton Riverwalk, Rossi Park

• 5 p.m. Bella Garland Band, Rossi Park Stage
• 5:30 p.m. ABBA-Nova-National ABBA Tribute, Rossi Park Stage
• 7 p.m. Friday Night Flash Lighted Drone/Fireworks Above, Manatee River
• 7:30 p.m. Sweet Fleet National Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band, Rossi Park Stage

SATURDAY, FEB. 21

In Bradenton

• 8:30 a.m. LECOM 5K/Run, Pier 22 Restaurant
• 10 a.m./All Day Publix “Family Fun Zone,” Bradenton Riverwalk
• 11:30 a.m., 1:30, 3:30, 5:30 p.m, All-Star Stunt Dog Shows, Bradenton Riverwalk Amphitheater
• Noon, 2, 4, 6 p.m. All-Star Stunt Dog Frisbee Shows, Bradenton Riverwalk Main Lawn
• 10:30 a.m., 12:30, 2:30, The “Moogician” Variety Show, Bradenton Riverwalk Amphitheater
• 4:30, 6 p.m. Kristen “The Destroyer” Smoyer, Manatee River

In Palmetto

• 8:30 a.m. DeSoto Little Anglers Fishing Tourney, Palmetto Riverside Park Pier
• 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Powerboat Village Riverside Ave./Riverside West Park, Vintage Powerboat on display up-close
• 10 a.m.-6 p.m. “Family Fun Zone” Riverside West Park, United States Army and U.S. National Guard…
• 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tampa Bay Bucs Streets Team Riverside West Park
• 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tampa Bay Lightning Rolling Thunder Riverside West Park
• 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Local Food Vendors Riverside West Park

Bradenton Riverwalk- Rossi Park Stage

• 10:45 a.m. Artist Showcase
• Noon: Weeping Angel Bank
• 1:30 p.m. Francesca Tarantino
• 3 p.m. Trop Rock Junkies
• 4:30 p.m. Burnouts

Palmetto-Riverside Park Stage

• 10:45 a.m. Table for 2
• Noon: Witch Trails
• 1:30 p.m. Sunbleached
• 3 p.m. Killjoy
• 4:30 p.m. Black Mariah

Florida Formula 1 Championship

All Racing on Manatee River/All times approximate

• 10:30 a.m.—Noon Test Runs
• 11:45 a.m. Opening Ceremonies

QUALIFYING HEATS

• Noon: Formula Lights
• 12:45 p.m. Tri-Hulls
• 1:15 p.m. Formula 1

CHAMPIONSHIP RACES

• 2:15 p.m. Formula Lights
• 2:45 p.m. Tri-Hulls
• 3:15 p.m. Formula 1
• 5 p.m. FREE Racing Awards Celebration (Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa)