Wednesday, Dec. 4
1:15 p.m. — Gulf Coast Writers host author Judy Allen Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-3209.
5:35 p.m. — Official sunset time.
Thursday, Dec. 5
5:35 p.m. — Official sunset time.
8 p.m. — Island Players premiere of “Over the River and Through the Woods,” 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. Fee applies. Information: 941-778-5755.
Friday, Dec. 6
1 p.m. — “Waking up and Shaking Up the Human Inside” workshop, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-896-5827.
5-8 p.m. — Downtown Holmes Beach holiday open house, shops, offices and galleries hosting open houses, Marina and Gulf Drives. Information: 941-778-1541.
5:35 p.m. — Official sunset time.
5:30-7:30 p.m. — Island Gallery West reception for Jane Delight Keeling, 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6648.
5:30-7:30 p.m. — Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island reception for Nancy Lindley McDermott, Guild Gallery, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6694.
5:30-7:30 p.m. — Anna Maria Island Art League Christmas Walkabout and reception, 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-2099.
Saturday, Dec. 7
Today is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
8:30 a.m. — Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island breakfast and meeting, Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-1383.
9 a.m.-1 p.m. — Holly Berry Bazaar, Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-1638.
10 a.m. — Anna Maria Island Privateers Christmas Parade featuring Santa Claus and pirates, Bayfront Park to Coquina Beach, where the Privateers will host Santa and a party. Information: 941-962-9820.
10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. — Lester Family Fun Day, Anna Maria Island Community Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-1908.
11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. — Anna Maria Island Privateers Christmas Party for children, featuring Santa Claus, pirates and lunch, Coquina Beach, Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-962-9820.
5:35 p.m. — Official sunset time.
Sunset — Local Group of Deep Sky Observers sidewalk astronomy, city field, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-342-9632.
Sunday, Dec. 8
4 p.m. — Off Stage Ladies bake sale, Island Players theater, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. Information: 941-799-2181 or 941-518-4431.
5:36 p.m. — Official sunset time.
7:30 p.m. — Island Players auditions for “Delval Divas,” 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-5755.
Monday, Dec. 9
5:36 p.m. — Official sunset time.
Tuesday, Dec. 10
Noon — Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island meets, Bridge Street Bistro, 111 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach Information: 941-794-8044.
5:36 p.m. — Official sunset time.
Wednesday, Dec. 11
5:36 p.m. — Official sunset time.
Off-island
Thursday, Dec. 5
8 p.m. — State College of Florida-Manatee Sarasota Jazz Ensemble concert, Neel Performing Arts Center, SCF Bradenton, 5840 26th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-752-5252.
Friday, Dec. 6
5-9 p.m. — Village of the Arts ArtWalk, with the theme of “An Olde Fashioned Village Christmas,” 12th Street West and 12th Avenue West, Bradenton. Information: chromazoe@gmail.com.
6 p.m. — South Florida Museum “Greetings from Florida” film screening, “Ace Ventura,” 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131.
Saturday, Dec. 7
11 a.m-4 p.m. — Village of the Arts ArtWalk, with the theme of “An Olde Fashioned Village Christmas,” 12th Street West and 12th Avenue West, Bradenton. Information: chromazoe@gmail.com.
Wednesday, Dec. 11
11:30 a.m. — Off Stage Ladies meeting and cookie exchange, Mannatees Sports Grill, 7423 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-799-2181.
Coming up
• Dec. 13, Anna Maria Holiday Open House, Anna Maria.
• Dec. 14-15, Anna Maria Island Art League Winterfest, Holmes Beach.
• Dec. 14, Christmas on Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach.
• Dec. 14, Roser Memorial Community Church Bethlehem Walk, Anna Maria.
• Dec. 15, Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra holiday concert, Holmes Beach.
• Dec. 25 is Christmas Day.
Save the date
• Jan. 1 is New Year’s Day.
• Jan. 11, Anna Maria Island Community Center Cornhole Tournament, Anna Maria.
• Jan. 11, Florida Maritime Museum Porch Party, Cortez.
• Jan. 17, Florida Arbor Day, events communitywide.
• Jan. 18-19, Anna Maria Chalk Festival, Anna Maria.
• Jan. 26, Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra Bach and Vivaldi concert, Holmes Beach.
• Feb. 1, Friends of the Island Library Book Sale, Holmes Beach.
• Feb. 15-16, 32nd annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival, Cortez.
Calendar of ongoing events, activities
• Dec. 5-15, Island Players present “Over the River and Through the Woods,” 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-5755.
• Dec. 5-22, “Peter Pan,” Manatee Players, Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-748-5875.
• Dec. 5-22, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” Manatee Players, Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-748-5875.
• Wednesdays and Saturdays, 9 a.m., horseshoes pitched, Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. Information: 941-708-6130.
• Wednesdays, through December, 11 a.m. Lifelong Learning Academy, Einstein Circle Discussion Group, Studio at Gulf and Pine, 10101 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. Information: 941-359-4296.
• First Wednesdays, 1:15 p.m., Gulf Coast Writers meeting, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-3209.
• First Wednesdays, 6 p.m., Mana-Tweens book club, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-3209.
• Second Wednesdays, 7 p.m., Think+Drink science night, South Florida Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Information: 941-746-4131.
• Most third Wednesdays, noon, Anna Maria Garden Club meets, Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-2607.
• Third Wednesdays, 6 p.m., Mana-Tween club, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-3209.
• Fourth Wednesdays, 7 p.m., star talk, South Florida Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Information: 941-746-4131.
• Thursdays, 5-10 p.m., Main Street Live, Old Main Street, Bradenton. Information: 941-932-9440.
• Thursdays, 7 p.m., Jan. 16-March 27, bingo, Annie Silver Community Center, 103 23rd St., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-778-3580.
• First and third Thursdays, 2 p.m., knitting group meeting, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive. Information: 941-778-6341.
• Third Thursdays, 10 a.m., Island Library Book Club, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-3209.
• Third Thursdays, 10 a.m., guardian ad litem, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-3209.
• Most Fridays, Senior Adventures, low-cost field trips from Annie Silver Community Center, 103 23rd St. N., Bradenton Beach. Fee may apply. Information: 941-962-8835.
• Fridays, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Mike Sales’ sunset drum circle, Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 778-0784.
• Third Fridays, 5-8 p.m., Pine Avenue Porch Party presented by local merchants, Pine Avenue, Anna Maria. Information: 941-896-3132.
• Saturdays, 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island meeting, Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-1383.
• Saturdays, through May, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Downtown Bradenton Farmers’ Market, Old Main Street. Information: 941-932-9440.
• Saturdays, 4 p.m., family night, South Florida Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Information: 941-746-4131.
• Second Saturdays, 10 a.m., origami club, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-3209.
• Third Saturdays, 11 a.m., stress management through breathing, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive. Information: 941-778-6341.
• Third Saturdays, through May, 9 a.m., Manatee County Junior Audubon meeting, Felts Audubon Preserve, 4600 24th Ave. E., Palmetto. Information: 941-376-0110.
• Sundays, through April 27, Bridge Street Market, 107 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach. Information: 215-906-0668.
• Mondays, 12:45 p.m., bridge games, Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Doors open at 12:15 p.m. Information: 941-778-0414.
• First Mondays, 7 p.m., Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage board meeting, Fishermen’s Hall, 4515 123rd St. W., Cortez. Information: 941-254-4972.
• Third Mondays, noon, Anna Maria Island Democrats meeting, Mannatees Sports Grill, 7423 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. Information: 941-779-0564.
• Third Mondays, 7 p.m., U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 81 meeting, 5801 33rd Ave. Court Drive W., G.T. Bray Park, Bradenton. Information: 941-779-4476.
• Tuesdays, 10 a.m., children’s storytime, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.
• Tuesdays, noon, Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island meeting, Bridge Street Bistro, 111 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-794-8044.
• Tuesdays, 12:30 p.m., Anna Maria Duplicate Bridge, the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-3390.
Send announcements of ongoing activities to calendar@islander.org.
Calendar announcements
Send calendar announcements to calendar@islander.org. Please include the time, date and location of the event, a brief description and a contact via email and phone. The deadline for submissions is the Wednesday a week before publication. High-resolution photographs welcome.