Free outdoor festivities, new aquarium opening, and more fun things to do this weekend in Sarasota and Bradenton, Oct. 10-12.

Fun things to do, all of which are outdoor and free-admission events, this weekend in Sarasota and Bradenton, Oct. 17-19.

Fall festivals, Oktoberfest and Halloween celebrations, and other events taking place in October in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties.

It's a new season in the Sarasota area — the start of fall, and snowbirds beginning to flock back for October — and you'll see both reflected in the lineup of events taking place this weekend, ...