Regatta Guide2027 · Presented by Firkins Shop Firkins
Opening night · Fri Feb 19, 2027Rossi Park & the Riverwalk

Friday Night Flash: Drones & Fireworks

The Regatta opens with a drone light show and a fireworks finale over the Manatee River. It’s free, about 16 minutes long and starts after dark. Here’s how the night runs, where to stand, and how to get home without sitting in traffic.

How the night runs Where to stand
2027 dateFri, Feb 19, 2027Show time TBA
Show length (2026)About 16 minutesDrones, then fireworks
Sunset Feb 196:25 p.m.Fully dark by about 6:50
CostFreeNo tickets needed
Hour by hour

How the night runs

Organizers haven’t posted 2027 times yet. The night has followed the same shape since 2024, so here’s the 2026 schedule with the 2027 sky times added. Plan around it, then check back in January.

2027 times TBA
Friday, Feb 20, 2026 · last year

Opening night 2026

  1. Rossi Park opens, first bandBella Garland Band on the Rossi Park stage
  2. Sweet FleetFleetwood Mac tribute
  3. Drone show, then fireworksSky Elements drones, Zambelli fireworks. Schedules listed 7:00; Bradenton’s police chief gave 7:15 and about 16 minutes.
  4. ABBA NovaABBA tribute closes the night
  5. Night endsEveryone leaves at once

The sky on Friday, Feb 19, 2027

Sunset and dark times in Bradenton on Feb 19, 2027
Sunset6:25 p.m.
Dark enough for dronesAbout 6:50 p.m. (end of civil twilight)
2026 show start, for comparison7:00–7:15 p.m.

Sunset and twilight calculated for downtown Bradenton (Eastern Standard Time). Clocks don’t spring forward until March 14, 2027.

The upshot: if 2027 keeps a similar slot, the sky over the river turns orange around 6:25, then there’s roughly half an hour of blue dusk before the drones light up. Get there by sunset to claim a spot and you won’t be rushing.

2026 times: official 2026 schedule, The Bradenton Times (Chief’s Corner) and 99.5 QYK. Published sources listed the two tribute bands in a different order, so treat band times as approximate.

All free

Where to stand

The drones fly over the river, so any spot with a clear view of the water near Rossi Park works. The 2026 show could be seen from both sides of the river. These are the spots organizers and police point people to, plus what each is like.

Official first pick

Riverwalk splash park

The splash pad and kids’ playground in front of Rossi Park, between light poles 14 and 15. Front-row and right by the stage, so it fills first. Best for families who want to stay put from 5 p.m.

Police chief’s pick

Rossi Park to the Tower

The Riverwalk stretch from Rossi Park west to the observation tower. The organizers also list the Tower itself. A little more room to spread a blanket, and a short walk to Old Main Street for dinner.

Quieter side

Palmetto’s Riverside Park

Organizers list the Riverside Park main stage area on the Palmetto shore. You watch back across the river toward Bradenton, and getting out afterward on US-41 north or I-275 is easier than leaving downtown Bradenton.

Viewing spots from the official Regatta FAQ and Bradenton Police Chief Josh Cramer’s 2026 guidance in The Bradenton Times.

Watching from a boat?

Boaters have to stay behind the red-buoy “no-cross” perimeter during the drone show, and law enforcement patrols the river. For ramps near the Palmetto side, see BradentonNow’s Manatee County boat ramp guide.

A short history

How drones took over opening night

The Regatta didn’t always open with drones. In 2023, organizers swapped the usual fireworks for a 200-drone show by Sky Elements as the Saturday finale. The drones drew a U.S. flag and eagle, musical notes, a fishing rod and fish, citrus and the outline of Florida. Weather pushed that first show up from 7 to 6:30 p.m.

In 2024 the show moved to Friday night, turning it into the weekend’s opener instead of its closer, with a Fleetwood Mac tribute band on stage. By 2025, the Regatta’s 10th anniversary, fireworks were back and paired with the drones at 7:15 p.m. 2026 kept that formula: Sky Elements drones, a Zambelli fireworks finale and two tribute bands, all free at Rossi Park.

The Regatta itself has run since 2015 (it skipped 2021 for COVID) and now draws crowds of 100,000-plus across the weekend. Friday is the smaller, easier night, which makes it the best choice for families with young kids.

Sources: Sky Elements, Bay News 9 (2023), Fox 13 (2024), ABC7 Sarasota (2025), WUSF (2021 cancellation).

The part nobody plans

Parking and getting home

Friday night is easier than Saturday: in 2026 police reported no road closures on Friday. But the whole crowd leaves within minutes of the fireworks, so the exit is the hard part.

Rossi Park lot is closed

The lot at Rossi Park closed early Friday morning in 2025 and 2026 (VIP parking only), and parking near the park was restricted. Plan on a downtown garage or lot instead; fees are set by each lot owner.

Park facing out

Pick a garage or lot on the side of downtown you’ll leave from, and back in if you can. Two or three blocks of walking saves twenty minutes of queueing. BradentonNow has every downtown garage and lot, including the free City Centre garage.

Or wait it out

The tribute band plays until about 8:30 p.m. Staying for it, or for dinner on Old Main Street, means you leave after the rush. No trolley is listed for Friday; the free trolley ran Saturday only in 2026.

Road and parking notes from Chief’s Corner (2026) and the official FAQ. 2027 parking and closure plans will be announced by the city and organizers.

Busy night downtown

The Pirates open the same night

The Pittsburgh Pirates open their 2027 spring schedule at home against Toronto on Friday, Feb 19, 2027, the same night as Friday Night Flash, according to MLB. The first-pitch time hasn’t been announced. If it’s an afternoon game, you can do both: ballgame first, then walk to the river by sunset. BradentonNow’s Pirates spring training guide has parking and bag rules for LECOM Park.

Want a sit-down dinner first? Bradenton Tonight covers downtown restaurants and the Riverwalk, and its sunset guide lists the best spots to watch the sun go down before the show.

Rules and what to bring

Before you go

Regatta rules for Friday night
CoolersAllowed; law enforcement may check them.
AlcoholNo outside alcohol. Beer is sold in the beer garden and has to stay there.
Chairs and blanketsEncouraged. Arrive by sunset to claim a spot on the grass.
DogsAllowed on a leash at all times. Fireworks are loud, so many dogs are happier at home.
KidsBring ear protection for the fireworks and a light jacket; the river gets breezy after dark.

Rules from the official Regatta FAQ. The full tap-to-check list is on the main guide.

Hauling chairs, coolers and kids?

Room for the whole crew

Firkins sells Chrysler Pacifica minivans, Jeep SUVs and Ram crew cabs, plus used SUVs and trucks under $20K. It’s just south of downtown on US-41.

Browse used New specials
Quick answers

Friday Night Flash FAQ

What time is the Bradenton Regatta drone show in 2027?

Organizers haven’t announced 2027 times. In 2026 the drone show and fireworks started at about 7:00–7:15 p.m. on Friday and ran about 16 minutes. Sunset on Feb. 19, 2027 is 6:25 p.m.

Where is the best place to watch Friday Night Flash?

Organizers recommend the Riverwalk splash park in front of Rossi Park (between light poles 14 and 15), the Riverwalk Tower, and the Riverside Park main stage area in Palmetto. The show can be seen from both sides of the river.

Is Friday Night Flash free?

Yes. The whole Bradenton Area River Regatta is free, with no tickets needed.

Can I bring a cooler or alcohol?

Coolers are allowed and may be checked by law enforcement. Outside alcohol is not allowed; beer is sold in the beer garden and must be finished there. Chairs and blankets are encouraged and leashed pets are allowed.

Are roads closed on Friday night of the Regatta?

In 2026 Bradenton police reported no road closures on Friday, though parking near Rossi Park was restricted. The Green Bridge closes on Saturday for the 5K and racing.

Is the Pirates game the same night as Friday Night Flash?

Yes. The Pirates’ 2027 spring home opener against Toronto is Friday, Feb. 19, 2027, the same night. The game time hasn’t been announced.

Last updated .