Ho Ho Ho! The big man in red is popping up all over town. Find out where you can see him below!
Nov 12 - Dec 24 - Photos with Santa at Santa's Flight Academy ~ Step inside Santa’s 22-foot tall sleigh and experience the magical snowfall! Reservations are strongly recommended for all photo sessions. (Masks are optional - site with Santa for your photo or remain socially distanced).
Nov 20 - Santa's Grand Arrival & Fireworks Spectacular - Welcome Santa with this FREE festive event featuring a Holiday Parade with Lighted Floats, Holiday Themed Characters, Live Music/Bands, a Holiday Lights Show, a Spectacular Fireworks Show, After-party with character meet-&-greets and more! All the fun starts at 6PM.
Nov 20 - Light Up Bradenton Beach - Enjoy the tree lighting ceremony, caroling, an outdoor family movie, and an opportunity to get a photo with Santa. FREE. 3PM to 9PM.
Nov 21, 28, Dec 5 - Santa Paws at UTC - Bring your well-behaved dogs and cats to meet Santa. 6PM to 7PM.
Nov 27 - Light up Siesta Key and Village Holiday Parade - Festive décor and holiday atmosphere will Light Up Siesta Key. The parade will start at 5:30PM from Beach Road to Siesta Key Village where Santa will greet children and take pictures (free of charge). Free. 5PM to 9PM.
Dec 1-5, 8-12, 15-20 - North Pole Express - Join us onboard for a 30 minute ride from Parrish, FL to the North Pole. Upon arrival, everyone will detrain at our special North Pole station where Santa awaits to visit with every child along with entertainment, activities, camp fires and all the hot chocolate and cookies you care to eat. Trains depart at 5PM and 6:35PM. Ticket prices range.
Dec 2 - Sarasota Menorah & Christmas Tree Lighting - Celebrate the lighting of the tree with Ring Sarasota, the area's premiere handbell ensemble, as they “ring” in the season with many of your holiday favorites. Be sure to visit with Santa! FREE. 6PM to 8PM.
Dec 2-5, 9 - Jan 2 - Ellenton Holiday Village - Enjoy holiday fun for the whole family with midway rides and games for all ages, favorite fair food, circus thrill shows, festive holiday lights and displays, and visits with Santa Claus. FREE parking and admission, Victoria Circus Shows and Santa Visits. Cost for rides.
Dec 2, 8, 16 - Carriage Rides / Carolers / Santa Strolls - Visit Lakewood Ranch Main Street and take advantage of FREE carriage rides (available first come / first serve basis), carolers and Santa strolls. Free. 6:30PM to 8:30PM.
Dec 3 - TFC Winterfest 2021 - Enjoy Christmas crafts, a photo booth, Christmas cooking decorating, BINGO, a snow slide, live music, food and more. FREE. 6PM to 8:30PM.
Dec 3 - Holiday Night of Lights on St. Armands Circle - Enjoy special performances, a Christmas carol sing-a-long, Santa's arrival and the Tree lighting ceremony. FREE. 5:30PM to 9PM.
Dec 3-4 - Palmetto's Christmas in the Park - Visit with Santa and go on a guided tour of the decorated park and learn the history of Palmetto. Reservations required. FREE.
Dec 3-5 - Star Towne Christmas Village - Take a step back in time and experience a Sweet Shop, Free Gift Shop/Gift Wrapping for kids, Candle Dipping, Barber Shop Quartet, Riverview HS Chorus Carolers, Family Photos Ops, Hands-on-Crafts, Hot Cider/S'mores, Corn Popping, Kids Games, Christmas Hay Rides, Mini-Farm Animals, a Wood-shop, a Live Nativity at the stable every hour and MORE. FREE. 6PM to 9PM.
Dec 4 - Pictures with Santa - Bring the whole family (even pets!) for a FREE photo with Santa! 10AM to 2PM at Children's World.
Dec 4 - Lester Family Fun Day - Activities include the MHS drum line, a Diane Partington Studio ballet performance, a golf ball drop 50/50 raffle, crafts, pony rides, face painting, a rock wall, a visit from Santa (at 12PM) and more. FREE admission with cost to do activities. 10:30AM to 2PM.
Dec 4 - Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt - Find all the hidden candy canes in the Garden. Included in the price of admission to the Garden.
Dec 4 - Christmas in Cortez - Visitors can step right up to test their skill and luck at a variety of carnival-style and lawn games. Or, for all you thrill seekers, take a trip or two down our snow slide! Local and community organizations will have several interactive booths on our grounds with additional games, crafts, and fun demonstrations. Don't forget to visit Santa in his nautical workshop for photo opportunities and to make sure your name isn't on the naughty list! FREE. 10AM to 2PM.
Dec 4 - Saturday Night Jingle Bell Dance Parties and Fireworks - Tonight is Frozen Party with Anna & Elsa. Enjoy free Santa's Workshop craft activities, dance along with their characters and watch a spectacular fireworks show at 9 pm. The nights will also feature face painting, a DJ, magical snowfall and cocktails and sweet treats.
Dec 4 - Night out with Santa - Southern Magnolia Acres will be hosting one last event this year. Come out for Hickory Hollow BBQ, S'MORES, KONA ICE and PHOTOS WITH SANTA! $5 parking and FREE photo with Santa. 4PM to 8PM.
Dec 5 - "Snow Much Fun Sundays" - Today: Jump and slide to your heart's content on Bouncy, the world's tallest snowman, and climb to the top of 30' summit of the Everest Slide before rushing back down the winding slopes! 11AM to 6PM. FREE but registration required.
Dec 5, 12, 19 - Meet Santa at the Red Barn Flea Market - Come and meet Santa and get your picture taken. FREE. 11AM to 3PM.
Dec 6-19 - 13th Annual Gingerbread Festival presented by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast FL - Features more than 100 unique gingerbread houses crafted by local schools, youth groups, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. FREE admission; $1 to vote for your favorite or cost to take home. 6:30PM to 9PM.
Dec 6 - Jan 2 - UTC Festival of Trees - Explore an indoor winter wonderland filled with over 50 charity-trimmed trees. Admission is free. $1 raffle tickets will be available for you to vote for your favorite trees, and you can bid in the silent auction for a chance to take your favorite tree home. 6:30PM to 9PM.
Dec 10 - A Night Before Christmas at GT Bray - Visit with Santa plus enjoy face painting, bounce houses, snow, hayrides and more. 6PM to 8:30PM. Free admission - buy a wristband to partake in activities.
Dec 10 - Southside Village Holiday Stroll - Photos with Santa, Music Compound, Ice Slide, Rock Climbing Wall & Trampoline, Bouncy House, Hot Cocoa, Face Painting, Raffles and more! Dine, Shop, Sip & Stroll among the festive lights and decorated businesses. 5PM to 9PM. FREE.
Dec 10-11 - Christmas Town at Southside - Free Community Christmas Celebration in Sarasota with Smores, Hot Chocolate, Christmas lights maze, Crafts, Games, and so much more. FREE. 5PM to 8PM.
Dec 10-13, 17-20 - Hunsader Farms Country Christmas - Enjoy a light display, hayrides, train rides, a petting zoo, holiday movies and music, snow tubing and more! Admission is $12 / Kids 5 and under are FREE. Parking is FREE. 6PM to 10PM.
Dec 11 - Parrish Civic Association Annual Christmas Tree Lighting - Join in the fun of a snow slide, arts and crafts, goody bags, caroling, live performances, a petting zoo, books and story time, an appearance by the Grinch and Santa, a tree contest and, of course, the tree lighting. FREE! 4PM to 8PM.
Dec 11 - Meet Santa at our Christmas Craft Fair - A full day of fun for the whole family at Mixon Fruit Farms! Meet Santa, Mrs. Claus and their elves. Featuring Live Entertainment and an array of fantastic Crafts & Vendors! FREE admission. 10AM to 4PM.
Dec 11 - Breakfast with Santa MPSD - Take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus while enjoying a delicious breakfast, MPSD performances, raffles, vendors and more. 8AM to 11AM. $10.
Dec 11 - Breakfast with Santa at GROVE Restaurant - Meet Santa Claus and get creative at the arts & crafts tavke while indulging in a delicious breakfast buffet created by an award-winning culinary team! 8:30AM to 10:30AM. Adults $30 / Children $15.
Dec 11 - Sensory Santa - See Santa up close and personal in a sensory-friendly environment - lower lighting, soft music, therapy dogs, play area, no line. For children with autism and their families. 12:30PM to 2:30PM. FREE.
Dec 11 - Winter Wonderland Celebration - Features holiday treats, live music and a hill for sledding. 5PM to 9PM. FREE.
Dec 11 - Myakka Family Christmas - Enjoy games, crafts, toys, cookie decorating, food, music and fun. Plus, there will be a special appearance by Santa. FREE. 4PM to 6PM.
Dec 11 - Saturday Night Jingle Bell Dance Parties and Fireworks - Tonight is Grinch-Mas Celebration with The Grinch & Cindy Lou. Enjoy free Santa's Workshop craft activities, dance along with their characters and watch a spectacular fireworks show at 9 pm. The nights will also feature face painting, a DJ, magical snowfall and cocktails and sweet treats.
Dec 11-12, 18-19 - Rye Road Giraffes Christmas Celebration - Make your reservation to bring the entire family down to the farm for an up close animal, interactive experience! Also enjoy the live Christmas Carol Circus, pony rides, camel rides, bounce houses, face painting and more. Reservation times are at 11AM and 2PM. Admission is $15 adults and $5 children (ages 4 to 10).
Dec 11, 18 - Santa on Saturdays - Dec 11: Santa and Buddy will appear near Selby Library. Dec 18: Santa and Buddy will appear near Paul Thorpe Park. 11AM to 1PM. FREE.
Dec 12 - Breakfast with Santa at Old Salty Dog City Island - Say hello to Santa and Mrs. Claus, plus enjoy some craft activities and a hot cocoa bar. 9AM to 11AM.
Dec 12 - Enchanted Holiday Fairy Tea - A Fairy Scavenger Hunt starts our Magical adventure to find our Fairy Gifts & our sparkly wands to embellish. Then it is time for our Fairy Tea complete with tea sandwiches, sweets, fairy berries & delicious tea! After tea we welcome you to listen to our "Fairy House" story and then we are collecting our Fairy finds to make houses for our wee folk in the garden. 2PM to 4PM. $25 adults || $22 children.
Dec 12 - Sant Visits The Elixir - There will be special treats for the little ones…and of course plenty of holiday treats for adults. We'll also have a local craft table, along with holiday gift bags for that special someone. 2PM to 4PM.
Dec 12 - Sledding with Santa - Bring the kids to enjoy sledding with Santa at the LWR YMCA. 1PM to 4PM. FREE.
Dec 12 - "Snow Much Fun Sundays" - Today: Synthetic Ice Skating Day! Enjoy a special appearance from the Tampa Bay Lightning from 11AM to 1PM. 11AM to 6PM. FREE but registration required.
Dec 12 - Lunch with Santa at Main Street Trattoria - Santa with be having lunch at Main Street Trattoria from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Reserve your seat.
Dec 15 - Jingle Jam 2021 - Join Church of the Cross for an unforgettable Christmas experience complete with fun, games, music, and lights. FREE! 6:30PM to 8PM.
Dec 16 - Pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus - Exclusively at Chick-fil-A Pelican Plaza. FREE! 4PM to 8PM.
Dec 17 - First Annual Santa Firehouse Pancake Breakfast - Hosted by Station 51. 8:30AM to 11AM.
Dec 17 - Christmas Festival - Enjoy food trucks, a SNOWSLIDE, petting zoo, and more. 6PM to 9PM. FREE.
Dec 18 - Lunch with Santa at McGrath's Irish Ale House - Join McGrath’s Irish Ale House for lunch with Santa from Noon – 3 pm! Reserve your seat.
Dec 18 - The Ultimate Santa Experience - Enjoy bounce houses, a game room, pictures with Santa, Elsa and The Grinch and more! FREE but space is limited so reservations are required. 11AM to 2PM.
Dec 18 - Santa Visits Sky Zone Sarasota - Santa will be at the Little Leapers event 9AM to 11AM and then will be sticking around for the big kids (and adults) from 11AM to 1PM. Included with price of admisison.
Dec 18 - Saturday Night Jingle Bell Dance Parties and Fireworks - Tonight is ELF Party with Buddy & Jovie. Enjoy free Santa's Workshop craft activities, dance along with their characters and watch a spectacular fireworks show at 9 pm. The nights will also feature face painting, a DJ, magical snowfall and cocktails and sweet treats.
Dec 18 - Winter Wonderland with Santa - Join us for a walk through our Winter Wonderland and meet Santa at the end! Start with a walk through our Winter Wonderland complete with photo areas, receive take home winter crafts, breakfast to go and a very special meeting with the one and only Santa. FREE but registration required. 10AM to 12PM.
Dec 18-19 - Santa visits Jumpin Fun Inflata Park - Santa will be handing out special treats and taking photos. 1PM to 1:30PM. He will also be at Toddler Time at 10AM on 12/19. Included with price of admission.
Dec 18-19 - Christmas at the Creek - Enjoy cookie tasting, ornament making, poinsettia patch, hot chocolate, photo with Santa and an indoor farm market. 9AM to 1PM. FREE.
Dec 19 - Breakfast with Santa at Ed's Tavern - Santa will be at Ed’s Tavern from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Come share breakfast with Santa! Reserve your seat.
Dec 19 - Santa visits South Siesta Key - Bring your children to see Santa Claus and take pictures with him.
Receive a small gift for each child. 3PM to 5PM.
Dec 19 - St Armands Family Day - Enjoy free fun for the entire family with a special holiday-themed mid-day soiree on the Circle. 11AM to 1PM. FREE.
Dec 19 - Santa Visits Wicked Awesome Ice Cream - Visit Santa and have a cool treat. 1:30PM to 3PM.
Dec 19 - "Snow Much Fun Sundays" - Today: Polar Express Trolley Ride & Outdoor Movie Experience. Get your golden ticket, hop aboard our trolley and take a ride over to our outdoor movie area in the UTC West District to enjoy a showing of The Polar Express under the stars. Hot cocoa and Five-O Donuts will be available for purchase once you de-board our Polar Express Trolley. 6PM to 9PM. FREE but registration is required.
Dec 19 - Future of Dance presents A Tea with Santa - Experience a magical 22-minute Broadway style review featuring your favorite holiday characters and delight in afternoon tea, hot chocolate and sweet treats. Tickets are $20 and all proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of South Florida. 1PM to 3PM.
Dec 19 - Santa D at Palmetto Point - FREE! Donations accepted for Santa D and also canned foods for the local food banks. 6PM to 8PM.
Dec 22 - Christmas on Main - Enjoy games, rides and attractions for the whole family followed by a Candlelight Service. 4PM to 7:30PM. FREE.
Dec 22 - Christmas through the Carols - Sing your favorite Christmas carols with Tabernacle Church, plus there will be a special family activity. Bring your favorite desert to share - refreshments will be served. FREE. 7PM to 9PM.
Dec 22 - Astro Skate Christmas Party - Free Pizza 1st Hour! Wear Red, get a FREE SODA. Wear the most red - WIN FREE SKATES! 6:30PM to 8:30PM.
Dec 23 - Winter Fest 2021 & Outdoor Christmas CandleLight Service - Winterfest will feature food trucks, inflatables, kids and family activities, and live music and will be followed by a Candlelight Service. FREE. 4PM to 8:15PM.
Other holiday events you may be interested in:
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