Ho Ho Ho! The big man in red is popping up all over town. Find out where you can see him below!
Santa Hours
Westfield Sarasota Square Mall
The Mall at University Town Center
Nov 11 - Dec 24 - Santa's Flight Academy - Become an official member of the flight crew and enjoy a special visit with Santa. Plus, receive a personalized Cadet Badge, try on a virtual flight suit, learn how to operate the sleigh, dance under magical lights and snowfall, and more!
Nov 15 - Santa's Grand Arrival & Firework Spectacular - Kick off the holiday season with UTC Mall. Enjoy food vendors, live music and entertainment, ice skating, snow tubing, a dance party, holiday character meet and greets, lighting of the mall, Santa and a fireworks show. (6PM to 10PM - free admission).
Nov 16 - Jan 6 - Holidays on the Green at UTC - Enjoy ice skating, ice sledding, movies on the lawn every Friday and Saturday night, live entertainment, carriage rides, fireworks every Saturday night, holiday light tram tour, a carousel and more. (Hours vary. Free admission with cost to do activities).
Nov 16-17 - Canine Christmas - Features pet adoptions, a doggy fashion and talent show, food trucks, vendors, live shows and performances, a doggie fun zone and pictures with Santa. (10AM to 4PM - free admission).
Nov 17, 24, Dec 1 and 8 - Santa Paws - Well-behaved cats and dogs can come visit Santa for a special meet and greet with Santa at UTC Mall. (Nov 6PM to 8PM and Dec 8PM to 9PM).
Nov 23 - Ellenton Premium Outlet's 2nd Annual Tree Lighting - Enjoy face painting, music, a photo booth, special VIP Shopper Club perks, Santa and more! (4PM to 8PM - free admission).
Nov 30 - Small Business Saturday with Santa - Take advantage of special deals from over 30 local vendors. Plus visit Santa from 1 to 3PM and make a fun holiday craft! (10AM to 3PM).
Nov 30 and Dec 21 - Santa Jaws at Mote Marine - Santa Jaws will great guests and take pictures with them at Mote Marine. Included with cost of admission (12PM to 2PM).
Dec 3-22 - Florida Railroad Museum North Pole Express - Ride a train and sing along with the carolers on your way to the North Pole where there will be lots of fun activities including Santa! (Trains depart at 5:30PM and 7PM. Ticket prices vary).
Dec 4 - Photos with Santa - Get your FREE photo with Santa! (6PM to 8PM).
Dec 5 - Sarasota Christmas Tree Lighting - Enjoy the annual Christmas tree lighting, plus refreshments, music, and photos with Santa. (6PM to 8PM).
Dec 6 - Holiday Night on St. Armands - Enjoy live holiday performances, photos with Santa, special store promotions and more. (5:30PM to 8PM - free admission).
Dec 6 - Sledding with Santa - Free community event at the LWR YMCA featuring treats, hot chocolate, arts & crafts, Santa and sledding on real snow. (5:30PM to 8PM).
Dec 6-7 - December Artwalk: A Village Wonderland - Enjoy the lights and galleries decorated for the holidays. live music, strolling entertainment, unique holiday shopping, and tasty treats. (6PM to 9:30PM Fri and 11AM to 4PM Sat).
Dec 6-15 - The 11th Annual Gingerbread Festival - Presented by the Girl Scouts. Vote for your favorite gingerbread house - you can even purchase your favorite one to bring home! Admission is free. (Monday - Saturday 10AM to 8PM and Sunday 11AM to 6PM).
Dec 7 - Reindeer Round-Up - Enjoy food, bounce houses, raffle baskets and more. Benefits the Broach School. (10AM to 2PM).
Dec 7 - 1st Annual Holiday Spectacular - Meet Santa, enjoy holiday music and crafts, photo booth, face painting, lawn games, food trucks and more. Hosted by Gullett Elementary. (10AM to 2PM).
Dec 7 - Palmetto's Christmas in the Park - Enjoy decorated buildings, kids’ crafts and contests, Reindeer Games, a snow hill and of course, Santa! (3PM to 8PM).
Dec 7 - St. Nicholas Fair - Enjoy the Cookie Walk, Sweets & Treats, Artwork, Kid's Crafts and Activities, Santa and more! (9AM to 2PM).
Dec 7 - Winterfest - Hosted by The Family Church at Christian Retreat. Enjoy a double snow slide, a climbing rock wall, Olaf photo opp, trackless train, inflatables, music, a hayride, games and more. (5PM to 8PM).
Dec 7 - Lester Family Fun Day - Enjoy live entertainment, pony rides, inflatables, obstacle courses, crafts, games, cookie decorating, raffles, and much more. Free admission with cost to do activities. (10:30AM to 2PM).
Dec 7 - Compound Christmas Party / Mission Mexico Benefit - Featuring a big snow slide, Santa, live auctions, raffles, prizes and food. All proceeds benefit Mission Mexico. (6PM to 9PM).
Dec 7-8 - 1st Annual Jingle Jam - Includes a holiday market, horse and carriage rides, Santa, bounce houses, movies, entertainment and more. (10AM to 9PM).
Dec 8 - Plantation Christmas - Enjoy crafts, demonstrations of period sutlers, food, live music and tours of the beautifully decorated plantation. (10AM to 3PM).
Dec 12-13 - Night of Wonder - Hosted by Bayside Community Church. See the Christmas story through immersive sets, actors, and live animals, plus enjoy Christmas cookies, hot chocolate, a light show and a free photo with Santa. (6:30PM to 9:30PM).
Dec 13 - Christmas Family Event - Enjoy crafts, treats and free photos with Santa. (5:30PM to 8PM).
Dec 13 - Holidays Around the Ranch - Witness Santa's grand entrance plus enjoy carolers, an outdoor snow slide, crafts, live entertainment, street vendors and more. Free! (6PM to 9PM). (Plus, catch a FREE showing of the movie Polar Express at LWR Cinemas from 7PM to 9PM. Register to reserve your spot).
Dec 13 - Holidays at The Point - Enjoy live music, games, and holiday treats. (6PM to 9PM).
Dec 13 - Southside Village Holiday Stroll - Enjoy pictures with Santa, live musical entertainment, treats and activities for all ages, face painting, a snow slide, trampolines, climbing wall, raffles and more. (5PM to 9PM).
Dec 13-15, 20-22 - Hunsader Farms Country Christmas - Enjoy over 300,000 lights, hayrides, train rides, petting zoo, Christmas movies, games, live music, food, visit with Santa and more. Parking is free and admission is $10; children 5 and under are free. (6PM to 10PM).
Dec 14 - 19th Annual Community Toy Celebration - Featuring Santa Claus, toys and food. (11AM to 1PM).
Dec 14 - Christmas on Bridge Street - Live music, ornament making for kids, corn-hole tournament and Santa Claus. (4PM to 8PM).
Dec 14 - Pictures with Santa - Free Community Event - Sign your child up for a fun morning with Dojo Martial Arts to include bounce houses, Games, Raffles and a Holiday Sale. (11AM to 1PM).
Dec 14 - Candy Cane Hunt - The elves have hidden the candy canes. Find them and you could win a prize! For ages 2 to 12. Free, but register in advance. (1PM to 2PM).
Dec 14 - Free Event Meet Santa & Mrs Claus Family Fun Over 400 Free Gifts - Hosted by Rehab Roofing. Meet the Clauses and get a picture, ride in Santa's cart, build a birdhouse, enjoy a sing-a-long and story time, food trucks and more. (2PM to 5PM).
Dec 14 - Winter Wonderland - Enjoy special appearances by the Grinch, Cindy Lou, Rudolph and Santa, plus enjoy a giant ice slide and refreshments. Hosted by Sunset Chevrolet Buick. (10AM to 2PM).
Dec 14 - Christmas Processional and Gifts from Santa - Join the Anna Maria Island Privateers and Santa for a processional followed by gifts from Santa. (10AM to 2PM).
Dec 14 - Pictures with Santa - free toy for your child! - Get a picture with Santa and a free toy (while supplies last) and sign up for a chance to win a FREE MOTOROLA moto g7 PLAY online. (2PM to 4PM).
Dec 14 - Parrish "Hometown" Christmas Tree Lighting Event - See Santa arrive on a firetruck and enjoy snow slides, a Kids Zone, live entertainment, vendors, tree lighting, Christmas Tree decorating contest and more. (3PM to 7PM).
Dec 14 - Night Before Christmas - Features face painting, bounce houses, snow, hayrides, and much more. Free admission and parking with cost to do activities. (10AM to 2PM).
Dec 14 - Southside Christmas Town - Enjoy a Christmas light maze, vendors, crafts, games, movies and more. Free! (3PM to 7PM).
Dec 14-15 - Country Bear Christmas - See bears in their natural habitat, plus visit with Santa, enjoy live music, face painting, train and pony rides and more. (11AM to 5PM).
Dec 15 - An Old Florida Christmas - Celebrate old-fashioned holiday traditions with beautifully decorated buildings, live music, make-and-take crafts, vintage silent films, food vendors, and more. (11AM to 4PM).
Dec 20 - Winter Wonderland Family Event - Play games and win a prize, decorate cookies and make arts & crafts. Plus visit with Santa and get a Free picture! (5:30PM to 7PM).
Dec 21 - Carols by Candlelight - Hosted by Woodland Community Church at the Bradenton Riverwalk. Sing well-known carols and enjoy hot chocolate, cookies and fellowship. (Event at 6PM and 7PM).
Dec 21 - Braden River Library's Annual Children's Holiday Party - Join us for festive fun. This year's theme is Frozen. (11AM to 12PM).
Dec 21 - Santa is coming to CFA Cortez - Meet Santa, Santa Cow and Cow Elf. Everyone is welcome! (8:30AM to 10:30AM).
Dec 21 - Santa and Snow Holiday Party - Get your picture taken with Santa while enjoying a meal at Caddys. There will even be snow! (2PM to 6PM).
Dec 21 - Swim with Santa - Bring your wish list and join Santa in the pool. (10AM to 12PM).
Dec 23 - Christmas on Main - Event features photos with Santa, rides, food trucks, music, a candlelight service and more. (4PM to 7:30PM).
More events that you may be interested in:
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Thank you to A&S Painting Studio for sponsoring this Guide!
A&S Painting Studio is thrilled to announce our Grand Opening on Tuesday, December 3rd at 10:00 a.m.! Located in the heart of Lakewood Ranch, just north of SR70 4124 Lakewood Ranch Blvd, (941) 254-4823 we are your painting and crafting destination! Not only do we have the absolute largest collection of bisque in the area with over 1800 square feet of space, we also offer wood palette and canvas painting! Check out our website at www.aspaintingstudio.com for upcoming events like birthday parties, Creativity Nights for Kids, Preschool Mini Masterpiece Hour, Christmas Holiday Painting Events, Paint with Santa event and so much more! With over 10 years of experience in the business, we will not disappoint! We look forward to seeing you soon!
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