Holiday Events in Sarasota You Won’t Want To Miss

If you’re lucky enough to be in Sarasota during the holiday season, you’ve got several choices for memorable holiday happenings. Here are some of the top events to get you in the Christmas spirit in or near Sarasota, Florida.

Who doesn’t love a parade? The downtown Sarasota and Venice Holiday Parades are especially fun with their lighted floats, music, and, of course, Santa Claus.

Photo credit Nita Ettinger

Experience an active arts community and holiday lights during the monthly art walk at Bradenton’s Village of the Arts. Check out the area’s galleries, music, food, and studios, which will all be decorated for the holidays.

The popular shopping enclave St. Armands Circle will be resplendent during its annual Holiday Night of Lights. You’ll see a 60-foot Christmas tree and more than 40,000 lights as well as photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, performances from local groups, a Christmas sing-a-long, and shopping discounts at many St. Armands Circle stores.

Photo credit Nita Ettinger

Ring in the holidays Florida style with Sarasota, Venice, or Bradenton’s Christmas and Holiday Boat Parades! You’ll see that you’re not the only one in the holiday spirit—various yachts decorated for the season are as well.

The Sarasota Christmas Boat Parade of Lights is visible from Marina Jack Restaurant, Bayfront Park, City Island, or Centennial Park.

Spectators can watch the Venice Christmas Boat Parade from South Nokomis Beach and North Venice Beach jetties, throughout downtown Venice and the Venice waterfront area.

For the Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade in Bradenton, get the best views from the Green Bridge Fishing Pier or Bradenton Riverwalk.

Enjoy a Tropical Holiday Celebration at Selby Botanical Gardens downtown Sarasota campus. More than two million lights illuminate the gardens, and walkways are transformed into sensory light tunnels! Visitors will have the opportunity to stroll through magical gardens filled with beautifully lit flowers, radiant rainforest butterflies, dragonflies, and more. Activities, entertainment, holiday photo opportunities, food and beverages will be available for purchase including a cash bar. Get your tickets here!

Start off New Year’s Eve with Sarasota’s annual daytime celebration featuring music, vendors, food, and rides at Selby Five Points. Return at night for the Pineapple Drop at midnight, which takes place at Lemon Avenue and Main Street.

As you can see, finding holiday happenings in the Sarasota area is never difficult. Even with Sarasota’s unconventionally warm weather, visitors and residents still get in the holiday spirit and have plenty of ways to show it.

Visit the Sarasota Events Calendar for specific dates and additional information about Sarasota area holiday events!