Halloween may just have passed, and we’re still in the early days of November, yet Christmas and other winter holiday events are already returning to the Sarasota area as soon as this week.
Santa’s Grand Arrival Parade will return Saturday to University Town Center, where customers can also take photos with Santa at The Mall at UTC starting this week. Numerous other parades — both on land and, fitting for Florida’s tropical backdrop, by boat — will occur over the following weeks, along with other chances to meet Santa, light shows, holiday markets and Chanukah festivities.
Here are winter holiday events taking place in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties, presented in chronological order. Event details are subject to change. Note: While this list doesn’t include the extensive lineup of winter holiday concerts and stage productions also coming to our area, keep an eye out for our upcoming December events guide and weekly concert picks columns for more on those.
Santa’s Flight Academy
Step inside a 22-foot-tall sleigh, experience snowfall and meet Santa. Reservations are strongly recommended, but walk-ups are welcome as well. There will also be pet photos with Santa Nov. 16, 23 and 30. Friday-Dec. 24; The Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota; $39.99-$59.99 photo packages; 941-552-7000; mallatutc.com
Santa’s Grand Arrival Parade
The event will feature a pre-parade performance by NoFilter at 4 p.m., Veterans Day tribute at 5:45 p.m.; high-wire walk tree lighting by Nik and Lijana Wallenda at 6 p.m.; parade with floats, marching bands, dance troupes and Santa Claus at 6:30 p.m.; fireworks show at 7:30 p.m.; and concert by Bradenton-formed pop-punkers We the Kings at 8 p.m. 4 p.m. Saturday; University Town Center, 210 N. Cattlemen Road, Sarasota; free admission; 941-552-7000; utcsarasota.com
Holiday Lighting of the Village
The annual event kicking off Fishermen’s Village’s Holiday Festival of Lights (running Nov. 16-Dec. 31) with a grand lighting will also feature a Jingle & Jammies theme this year, with attendees encouraged to wear their favorite Christmas pajamas, as well as visits with Santa, Mrs. Claus, The Grinch and Cindy Lou, live music and more. 5-10 p.m. Nov. 15; Fishermen’s Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda; 941-639-8721; fishermensvillage.com
Wonderland
Sarasota-born celebrity high-wire performer Nik Wallenda once again presents a holiday-themed circus show, promising “thrilling circus acts, mesmerizing aerial performances, and uplifting holiday storytelling.” Nov. 21-Jan. 4; Big Top at University Town Center, 191 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota; $39.99 and up; 941-260-1705; wonderlandcircus.com
Christmas on Bridge Street
Enjoy holiday cheer on Anna Maria Island’s Historic Bridge Street with a Christmas tree lighting, festive fun with Santa, holiday shopping and special merchant promotions. 2-8 p.m. Nov. 22; Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach; historicbridgestreet.net
The Mayor’s Hometown Christmas
The Christmas tree lighting will also feature local choirs and Santa, with attendees encouraged to bring chairs or blankets. 5-7 p.m. Nov. 28; Centennial Park, 200 W. Venice Ave, Venice; 941-484-6722; visitvenicefl.org
Siesta Key Light Up the Village Holiday Parade
Santa will be at the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center to greet children before the parade, where photos can be taken with him free of charge and gift bags will be given to the first 250 kids. The parade will start at Avenida del Mare and Beach Road, traveling north on Beach Road, onto Ocean Boulevard, and into Siesta Key Village. 2-4 p.m. photos with Santa; 5:30 p.m. parade Nov. 29; Siesta Key; 941-349-3800; siestakeychamber.com
Venice Holiday Parade
The 49th annual parade also kicks off the City of Venice’s Centennial Celebration, with the parade’s theme being “All Aboard the Centennial” — paying homage to those who took the train to Venice, from the circus to BLE (Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers) and KMI (Kentucky Military Institute) cadets and dignitaries.” 5-9 p.m. Nov. 29; Downtown Venice; venicegov.com
Christmas Carol Trolley
The 75-minute, family-friendly holiday tour features guide Christmas Carol and the Trolley Troubadours along with downtown lights, caroling down Main Street and holiday stories. Holiday-themed outfits are encouraged. Dec. 1-23; Discover Sarasota Tours, 1826 Fourth St., Sarasota; $58.99 adults, $34.99 children ages 3-11, free children ages 2 and under (includes complimentary beer and wine for ages 21 and up and complimentary soft drinks for kids before boarding); 941-260-9818; discoversarasotatours.com
European Holiday Market
The second annual event will feature artisan vendors, festive food and drink, interactive activities and live performances. Dec. 4-7; Bradenton Area Convention Center, One Haben Blvd., Palmetto; $5 advance, $10 day of (general admission) $5 educators and veterans, free ages 12 and under; 941-748-5875; europeanholidaymarket.com
Christmas Walk
The event will feature extended hours at downtown Venice shops, treats, live music, and decorated trees and storefront windows along Miami, Tampa and West Venice avenues. 5-8 p.m. Dec. 4; Downtown Venice; 941-484-6722; visitvenicefl.org
Christmas in the Park
Palmetto Historical Park hosts this holiday event with reindeer games, holiday crafts and festive decorations, themed A Coastal Christmas. 3-7:30 p.m. Dec. 5-6; Palmetto Historical Park and Manatee County Agricultural Museum, 515 10th Ave. W., Palmetto; free, but tickets required and quantities limited; 941-721-2034; manateecountyagmuseum.com
Poinsettia Parade & Festival
The parade, featuring the theme “Once Upon a North Port Holiday” this year, will travel down Sumter Boulevard, ending at the City Center Front Green, where the Poinsettia Festival will be held before and after the parade. The festival will feature a craft workshop, food and merchandise vendors, live entertainment, community groups, an opportunity to meet Santa, and a kids zone. 3-7 p.m. festival, 5 p.m. parade Dec. 6; City Center Front Green, 4970 City Hall Blvd., North Port; free; 941-429-7275; northportfl.gov
Winter Wonderland
The event features the opportunity to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus for a photo and share your holiday wishes, a snow slide, holiday-themed vignettes, falling snow, performances from local youth groups, roaming performers, winter carnival with games and prizes, vendors and food and beverages. 5-8 p.m. Dec. 6; Old Main Street, Bradenton; 941-301-8445; realizebradenton.com/events/winter-wonderland
Venice Christmas Boat Parade
The parade is visible from the Intracoastal Waterway, starting above Albee Road Bridge heading south and turning around before Circus Bridge. 6 p.m. Dec. 6; Intracoastal Waterway, Venice; 941-718-8644; venicechristmasboatparade.net
Sarasota Holiday Parade
The 29th annual parade in downtown Sarasota, beginning at Main Street and U.S. 301 and ending at J.D. Hamel Park will feature the theme “Celebrate Sarasota” this year. 7 p.m. Dec. 6; Main Street, Sarasota; sarasotaholidayparade.com
Atomic Holiday Bazaar
The annual holiday show catering to a crowd it calls the “world’s delightful irregulars” will feature arts, crafts, home goods, vintage and more. Noon-5 p.m. Dec. 6-7; Robarts Arena, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota; $6 adults, free ages 12 and under (tickets only sold at Robarts Arena box office during show dates and purchased with cash); atomicholidaybazaar.com
Lights in Bloom
Selby Gardens’ holiday light show features more than two million lights illuminating the gardens and walkways of its downtown Sarasota campus. Dec. 6-Jan. 3; Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St., Sarasota; ticket details coming soon; 941-366-5731; selby.org
An Old Florida Christmas
Manatee Village Historical Park hosts this celebration with crafts, vendors, food trucks, entertainment and more. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 13; Manatee Village Historical Park, 1404 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton; free admission; 941-749-7165; manateevillage.org
A Night Before Christmas
The annual event will feature Santa and Mrs. Claus, snow slide, face-painting, inflatables, petting zoo and more. 4-8 p.m. Dec. 13; G.T. Bray Park, 5502 33rd Ave. Drive W., Bradenton; free entry, with suggested donation per family of a new unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots; 941-324-5771; mymanatee.org
Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade
The annual holiday event will feature a fleet of decked-out vessels touring up the Manatee River, competing for the winning title and cash prizes. Public viewing areas include the Green Bridge and Palmetto Pier, with VIP viewing parties at Riverhouse and Pier 22. 6 p.m. roll call, sundown parade kickoff Dec. 13; Manatee River; holidayboatparade.org
Holiday Boat Parade of Lights on Sarasota Bay
The 39th annual parade of boats decorated for the holidays on Sarasota Bay, with the best viewing from Marina Jack and Bayfront Park, benefits Suncoast Charities for Children. Dec. 13; Bayfront Park, 5 Bayfront Drive, Sarasota; free admission, but donation of unwrapped toy or book encouraged; suncoastcharitiesforchildren.org
A Taste of Chanukah
The festival will feature a four-ton snow slide, helicopter dropping gelt, trackless train ride, performance by The Garbage-Men, LED light robot and winter wonderland stilt walker, Lego menorah, giant sand menorah sculpture, catered Kosher food, arts and crafts, face-painting and more. 4-6 p.m. Dec. 14; Phillippi Estate Park, 5500 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; $7 before Dec. 7, $10 after; 941-925-0770; atasteofchanukah.com
Chanukah on Main Street
Chabad of Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch host this Chanukah celebration featuring a Blossoms of Light flower menorah lighting, glow-in-the-dark dancers, gelt drop, live music, latke bar, raffles, face painting, balloon sculpting, doughnut decorating, Judah the Maccabee, Dreidel Moonbounce, falafel, kosher BBQ, Kona Ice truck, Chanukah art and dreidel mascot. 6 p.m. Dec. 15; Lakewood Ranch Main Street, 8100 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Bradenton; free admission; 941-752-3030; chabadofbradenton.com
Winter Nights Under the Lights
Palma Sola Botanical Park hosts this event with acres of lights, Santa and Mrs. Claus, food trucks, holiday music, gift market, hot cocoa and cider, decorated trees, crafts, Toys for Tots and more. 6-9 p.m. Dec. 18-21; Palma Sola Botanical Park, 9800 17th Ave. NW, Bradenton; free admission, but donations appreciated to support the park; 941-761-2866; palmasolabp.org
Swim with Santa
The uniquely tropical festivity with Santa on holiday before his biggest day of the year will feature photo ops, a variety of games and take-home crafts, concession stand with cookies and hot chocolate, and specialty goody bags for kids. 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 20; North Port Aquatic Center, 6205 West Price Blvd., North Port; $15 per child, complimentary supervising adult; 941-429-7275; northportfl.gov
Pinecraft Christmas Day Parade
Though more specific details typically aren’t revealed until closer to the event date, this Christmas Day parade through the Amish and Mennonite community of Pinecraft is one of the most popular annual winter holiday events in Sarasota-Manatee. Dec. 25; Pinecraft neighborhood, Sarasota
Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Top Christmas and winter holiday events in Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, Punta Gorda
Reporting by Jimmy Geurts, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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