This weekend, December 12th-14th, in Sarasota ,Venice, and Bradenton.
areas are packed with a variety of festive holiday events and general fun activities, from dazzling light displays and boat parades to live performances and family breakfasts with Santa.
Sarasota Area Events
- Lights in Bloom at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens: Stroll through more than two million lights arranged into dazzling displays and tunnels throughout the gardens. This event runs nightly and is a favorite holiday tradition, with food available and visits from Santa before Christmas Eve.
- Sarasota Holiday Parade: The 29th annual parade with this year’s theme “Celebrate Sarasota” will feature illuminated floats, marching bands, and performers. The parade route is along Main Street, from US 301 to J.D. Hamel Park.
- When: Saturday, Dec 13th, 7-9 p.m.
- Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights: Watch as beautifully decorated boats parade on Sarasota Bay. Excellent viewing locations include Bayfront Park and Marina Jack.
- When: Saturday, Dec 13th
- Fresh Fridays “Light Up the Night”: A free street party at Selby Five Points Park featuring a Christmas tree lighting, fake falling snowflakes, and live music.
- When: Friday, Dec 12th
- Porsches in the Park: See Porsche cars from all over Florida on display at St. Armands Circle Park.
- When: Saturday, Dec 13th, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Holidays at The Bay: A free event at Bayfront Park featuring holiday fun and cheer.
- When: Saturday, Dec 13th, 4-7:45 p.m.
Venice Area Events
- The Nutcracker Ballet: The Sarasota Ballet presents the classic holiday ballet at the Venice Performing Arts Center.
- When: Friday, Dec 12th and Saturday, Dec 13th
- Annual Glow Ride: A community tradition and fundraiser featuring a bike ride with glowing participants, food trucks, and a post-ride concert.
- When: Saturday, Dec 13th, starting at 3:30 p.m. at the Venice Airport Festival Grounds
- Holiday Festival of the Arts: The inaugural event at Downtown Wellen Great Lawn celebrating creative expression across various arts during the holiday season.
- When: Saturday, Dec 13th, starting at 10 a.m.
- Santa Firehouse Pancake Breakfast: A free community pancake breakfast with ornament decorating and gifts from Santa. Reservations are encouraged.
- When: Saturday, Dec 13th, starting at 8 a.m. at Venice Fire Department Station 51
Bradenton Area Events
- Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade: Manatee County’s largest holiday event of the year, with decorated boats parading on the river.
- When: Saturday, Dec 13th
- “A Night Before Christmas” at GT Bray Park: This free event includes photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, a snow slide, foam zone, inflatables, and a vendor marketplace.
- When: Saturday, Dec 13th, 4-8 p.m.
- An Old Florida Christmas: The Florida Maritime Museum hosts this free event featuring crafts, vendors, food trucks, games, and entertainment.
- When: Saturday, Dec 13th, noon-3 p.m.
- Breakfast with Santa at Ed’s Tavern: Enjoy a festive breakfast and meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.
- When: Saturday, Dec 13th, 9-11 a.m.
Other Ongoing Attractions
- Wonderland: Believe: An action-packed holiday circus spectacle under the climate-controlled big top at UTC.
-
: Explore the museum, the Circus Museum, and the decorated Ca’ d’Zan mansion for Christmas.
-
: Consistently ranked among the best, it’s a perfect spot for relaxation and family fun.
