Your Guide to Sarasota-Manatee Holiday Events This December
The holiday season is officially here in full swing! Our Christmas in the sand down in the Sunshine State is no Christmas in the snow, but there are endless Christmas and holiday events in Southwest Florida that are sure to make you feel holly and jolly.
We’ve compiled a list of Christmas and holiday events in Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Venice and beyond filled with parades, festivals, and more so you can plan your December accordingly. Here’s your guide to holiday events this December all the way through New Year’s Eve:
Must Do Holiday Events All December Long
Holiday Splendor at the Ringling Museum of Art - December 1st, 8th and 15th (First 3 Thursdays of December) 5pm - 8pm
Holiday Movies Under the Stars at UTC - Every Friday and Saturday night at 7pm through December 31st
Ice Skating at The Rink at UTC - Every day through January 2nd, hours vary
St. Armands Circle Winter Spectacular - Every day through January 3rd, hours vary
A Country Christmas at Hunsader Farms - December 10th-11th, 16th-18th, and 22nd-23rd, from 6pm to 10pm
Tree Lightings
Downtown Sarasota’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting - Thursday, December 1st from 6pm to 8pm
Holmes Beach Tree Lighting - Friday, December 2nd from 5pm to 8pm
Holiday Tree Lighting on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch - Friday, December 2nd from 5:30pm to 9pm
43rd Annual Holiday Night of Lights on St. Armand's Circle - Friday, December 2nd from 6pm to 9pm
Holiday and Christmas Parades
North Port Poinsettia Parade - Saturday, December 3rd at 5pm
Desoto Square Mall Annual Christmas Jeep Parade- Saturday, December 3rd at 6:30pm
26th Annual Sarasota Holiday Parade - Saturday, December 3rd at 7pm
Anna Maria Island Privateers Christmas Parade - Saturday, December 10th at 10am
Annual Pinecraft Christmas Day Parade - Sunday, December 25th (Christmas Day) from 1pm to 4pm
Boat Parades
Venice Christmas Boat Parade - Saturday, December 3rd at 6pm
Bradenton Beach Holiday Boat Parade - Saturday, December 3rd at 6pm
Annual Sarasota Christmas Boat Parade of Lights - Saturday, December 10th at 6pm
Annual Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade - Saturday, December 10th at 6pm
Holiday 5k Races
25th Annual Jingle & Jog 5K Run/Walk - Saturday, December 3rd at 8am
46th Annual Sandy Claws Beach Run and Holiday-Themed Costume Contest - Saturday, December 10th
11th Annual Lakewood Ranch Jingle 5k Run/Walk - Friday, December 16th at 4pm
Sarasota Christmas Glow Run 5K - Saturday, December 17th at 6pm
The Frosty 5K - Sunday, December 18th at 8am
Santa’s Coming to Town
Breakfast with Santa at Sertoma Club of Venice - Saturday, December 3rd from 8am to 11am
Santa in the Park at Anna Maria City Pier Park - Friday, December 9th from 4pm to 5:30pm
Venice Fire Rescue 2nd Annual Santa Firehouse Pancake Breakfast - Saturday, December 17th at 8:30am
Newtown Estates and Laurel Parks Breakfast with Santa - Saturday, December 17th from 10am to 12pm
Holiday and Christmas Festivals
14th Annual Gingerbread Festival - Dec 1st-19th
North Port’s Annual Poinsettia Festival - Saturday, December 3rd from 4pm to 7pm
Christmas in Cortez at the Florida Maritime Museum - Saturday, December 10th from 1pm to 4pm
Bradenton Riverwalk Holiday of the Arts Festival - Saturday, December 17th and Sunday, December 18th from 10am to 5pm
11th Annual Taste of Chanukah Food & Music Festival - Sunday, December 18th from 4pm to 6pm
Chanukah Klezmer Festival featuring the grand lighting of a 12 foot giant Menorah - Sunday, December 18th from 4:30pm to 6:30pm
Winterfest 2022 and Outdoor Candle Light Service - Friday, December 23rd from 5pm to 8pm
New Year’s Eve Parties and Celebrations
New Year's Eve in downtown Sarasota with the annual Pineapple Drop - 1pm-1am
New Year's Eve at Fisherman's Village in Punta Gorda - 6pm-12:30am
Sharky's New Year's Eve Beach Bash in Venice - 7pm-12:30pm
New Year’s Eve Party at The Beach Club in Siesta Key Village
New Year’s Eve party at T.J. Carneys in Venice - 9pm-1am
New Year’ Eve Party at the Gator Club - 9:30pm-2am
New Year's Rooftop Soiree at The Westin - 9pm-1am
Fireworks on the Bay hosted by Marina Jack - Midnight
