articles

Holiday Shows, Music and Markets 2019

November 11, 2019


This season always brings the best shows with it, from the Nutcracker to Singing Christmas trees, holiday music and holiday movies. We have the schedule of the best shows in town!  Be sure to get your tickets early! And did someone mention shopping? Check out all the local markets and vendor events to help you find everything on your shopping list this year.


Nov 8 - Dec 31Sounds of the Seasons Holiday Performance - Enjoy the sounds of the seasons while you shop at The Mall at UTC! Enjoy the festivity as local schools and community organizations spread a little holiday cheer this season! Performance days, times and locations may vary.

Nov 30 - Dec 28 (select Saturdays and Sundays)Deck the Halls: A Holly Jolly Holiday - An annual Sarasota holiday tradition, Florida Studios Theatre invites you to celebrate the holidays Florida style.  All new songs and skits!  

Dec 5-6Holiday Splendor for Toys for Tots - Enjoy the holiday lights and entertainment at The Ringling.  Free admission with unwrapped toy!  (5PM to 8PM).

Dec 6Free Movie Night at The Shore Church - Watch The Grinch (2018) with your friends and family - popcorn, candy, and soda will be provided.  (6:30PM to 8:30PM).

Dec 6Holidays at the Point - Enjoy arts and crafts, holiday treats and a special family-friendly holiday movie “The Santa Clause”.  (6PM to 9PM).

Dec 7Kris Kringle Market 2019 - Features one-of-a-kind shopping, art, wreaths and handcrafted gifts for the holiday.  (9AM to 5PM).

Dec 7SDA presents The Land of Sweets - Magical holiday showcase featuring the talented students of Sarasota Dance Academy.  Showtimes at 11:30AM and 4PM.

Dec 7Polar Express Children's Event - Drop your kids (ages 4 and up) off for a morning of crafts, hot cocoa and polar express while you do some secret shopping.  (9AM to 12PM).

Dec 7A Skating Spectacular - Annual Holiday Ice Show featuring Beginners to National & International Team Skaters.  (Show times are 3PM and 6PM).

Dec 7-8The Holiday Markets at the Mall at UTC - Shop 50+ local makers including handmade jewelry, body products, candles, holiday decor, and more! (11AM to 5PM).  

Dec 8The Nutcracker Tea Party - Enjoy a delightful afternoon that includes excerpts from The Nutcracker ballet performed live by dancers from Dance Theatre of Bradenton. A light lunch buffet is provided including finger foods, sweets, and a self-serve candy bar.  Children will also enjoy the enchanting "Land of the Sweets" decorations and the opportunity to receive a "ballet bun" hairstyle from the Sugar Plum Salon. $40 for adults and $30 for children. (1PM to 3PM).

Dec 9-10The 12 Dolls of Christmas - Holiday show presented by Ovation Theatre. (7PM to 9:15PM).

Dec 11Finding Christ in Christmas Specials - Enjoy a one-man interactive show featuring the most beloved Christmas characters of all time.  There will be singing, games and audience participation.  (6:30PM to 7:30PM).

Dec 11-13Sarasota High School Theater presents White Christmas - Tickets are on sale now: adults $15 and students $12.  (7PM shows Thurs-Sat plus 2PM show on Sat).

Dec 12-22A Classic Crosley Christmas - This year audiences will enjoy favorite traditions and new celebrations from the Crosley Players. The magic of the season brings together 3 generations: The Crosley’s arrive for A Christmas Carol from the 1930s, Music Most Merry with the Mistletones from the 1950s, and hop aboard the Polar Express with siblings Christopher and Agnes Smith from the 1980s.

Dec 13Holiday Movie Night: The Polar Express - Celebrate with this fun family holiday movie at Caddys of Bradenton.  (8PM to 11PM).

Dec 13-14 YDP Presents Twisted Christmas - A "creepy" twist on Christmas. 7PM to 10PM.

Dec 14 Christmas on the Lawn - Join Trinity United Methodist Church for caroling, a holiday movie and free pizza, popcorn and hot chocolate. (6PM to 9PM).

Dec 15Holiday Craft Fair and Santa Visit - Craft vendors, restaurant open for business full menu, Raffle prizes every hour, Santa visiting with cookie decorating for the kids FREE. (10AM to 4PM).

Dec 17 - Let It Snow - Festive classics from Frank Sinatra and Chuck Berry to Burl Ives and Brenda Lee.  Included in price of admission.  Dec 10-15, 17-22, 24, 26.

Dec 18-19Star of Bethlehem - Explores the question "what was the star of Bethlehem".  (7PM to 9PM).

Dec 20-21John Ringling's Circus Nutcracker - The Sarasota Ballet brings winter splendor to life in Program 3 with Matthew Hart’s John Ringling’s Circus Nutcracker, a Sarasota holiday tradition.  Accompanied by the Sarasota Orchestra.  Show times are Dec 20 at 7:30PM and Dec 21 at 2PM and 7:30PM. Tickets start at $30.

Dec 21-22The Nutcracker - Dance Theatre of Bradenton presents its 26th annual production. Show times are 7PM Saturday and 2PM Sunday.



More events that you may be interested in:















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!



Welcome to Bradenton Macaroni Kid!

Are you looking for things to do in Bradenton with the kids?

We have a kid-friendly event calendar just for families in Bradenton! It's packed full of local events, festivals, story times, character visits, giveaways and other local family fun. 

Sign-up for FREE by clicking HERE.