Santa Sightings and Holiday Festivals 2022

Ho Ho Ho! The big man in red is popping up all over town. Find out where you can see him below!

Nov 10 - 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. Reservations are limited; walk-up visits are welcome.

Nov 12 | 6PM to 9:30PM - Santa's Grand Arrival Parade - Enjoy lighted floats, live bands, dance troops, holiday characters and more during the parade from 6PM to 8PM, followed by the lighting of the UTC districts, a spectacular fireworks show and an after party.

Nov 18 - Jan 3 | Mon - Thurs 4PM to 9PM | Fri - Sun 12PM to 9PM ~ St Armands Circle Winter Spectacular ~ Featuring ice-skating, festive rides, interactive holiday activities, and a fantastic lineup of free local entertainment plus the atmosphere of the park will be illuminated by an incredible display of holiday lights, including the city’s magnificent 60-foot Christmas tree.

Nov 23 - Jan 1 | All day - Elf on the Shelf Holiday Contest ~ Spot the elves this holiday season hidden around Main Street and you could become a winner! More than fifteen mischievous elves are hiding inside and outside so be sure to look high and low. Record what they’re doing and drop your entry form off at Lakewood Ranch Information Center to enter.

Dec 1 | 6PM to 8PM - Sarasota Christmas Tree Lighting ~ Enjoy refreshments, music, and photos with Santa! The Christmas Tree will be lit at 7 PM where photos can be taken.

Dec 1, 7, 15 | 6:30PM to 8:30PM - Santa at Main Street ~ You will find festive lighting displays to bring the sparkle to your child’s eyes, and Santa himself will be here, taking photos at the Christmas tree.

Dec 1-19 | 10AM to 9PM - 14th Annual Gingerbread Festival ~ Come marvel at this holiday wonderland featuring one-of-a-kind gingerbread houses crafted by more than 150 local schools, youth groups, businesses, and nonprofit organizations.

Dec 2 | 5PM to 8PM - Holiday Night of Lights ~ Join in the annual Christmas Carol Sing-a-long, the Tree Lighting Ceremony, live musical performances and Santa's grand arrival.

Dec 2 | 6PM to 9PM - Winterfest 2022 ~ This FREE family fun event is hosted by The Family Church at Christian Retreat. Enjoy holiday crafts, cookie decorating, a Christmas photo booth, live entertainment, inflatables, a snow slide, food and more.

Dec 2-3 | 2PM/3PM to 7PM - Palmetto's Christmas in the Park ~ Visit with Santa in the chapel and then enjoy the Palmetto Historical Park grounds where there will be several activities including reindeer games and crafts. The Manatee County Agricultural Museum will also be open for a self-guided tour. Reservations needed to see Santa.

Dec 2-4 | 6PM to 9PM - Star Towne Christmas Village ~ Stroll through the 1800’s Christmas village and visit their old-fashion shops and activities plus live music. FREE.

Dec 3 | 10:30AM to 2PM - Lester Family Fun Day ~ There will be food, live holiday entertainment, poinsettias to buy, pony rides, face painting, crafts, a train, and more! Santa will arrive at noon! FREE.

Dec 3 | 3PM to 7PM - 4th Annual Holiday Celebration ~ Enjoy arts and crafts, face painting, photo booth, music, a hot chocolate bar and photos with Santa. Plus enter for a chance to win a $500 shopping spree! Hosted by Ellenton Premium Outlets.

Dec 3 | 4PM to 8:30PM - Pointsettia Parade and Festival ~ Join us as we celebrate this year's theme: “What a Wonderful North Port Life”! The event is perfect for the whole family, and includes a tree lighting ceremony, food and merchandise vendors, entertainment, attractions, and a parade.

Dec 3 | 5PM to 8PM - Christmas Party in the Park ~ Enjoy a bonfire with roasted marshmallows, cookie decorating, Santa's Foam Snow Storm, Polar Express Train, hot chocolate, popcorn, a Christmas Bizarre selling handmade gifts, a free showing of the movie "The Star" and also an interactive Journey to Bethlehem that will tell the beautiful story of Christ's birth.

Dec 3-4 | 10AM to 5PM - Wintergreen Weekend at The Point ~ Enjoy timeless holiday activities and entertainment throughout the Historic Spanish Point Campus, with seasonal food and beverages available to purchase.

Dec 3 -19 / 10AM to 9PM - UTC Festival of Trees ~ Stroll the upper level of the Mall at UTC to explore nearly 40 trees celebrating charities throughout Sarasota-Bradenton. Admission is free. Vote for your favorite trees and bid in the online silent auction for a chance to take a tree home after the showcase concludes.

Dec 3, 9, 10, 16, 17 | 7PM to 11PM - DeSoto County Christmas Festival: Halloween Town "Making Christmas" ~ A unique Christmas festival - come see Santa Claus, Christmas trees, bounce houses, snow, live music and more. Featuring a family walk through attraction based on the characters of the movie "Nightmare Before Christmas". $5 admission.

Dec 4 | 5PM to 7PM - Kick-Off to Christmas ~ Enjoy Professional Photos w/Santa - Meet & Greet w/ Frosty, Rudolph & the Grinch - Polar Express Train (Florida Style) - Ornament Decorating - Gingerbread House Builds - Letters to Santa - Dinner & Dessert. FREE! Hosted by Forward Community Church of God.

Dec 9 | 5PM to 9PM - Southside Village Stroll ~ Save the date for a fun-filled festive evening with a snow slide, rock climbing wall, trampoline, bounce house, face painting, pictures with Santa, music from Music Compound, Girls Inc. Carolers, raffles and more.

Dec 9 | 5:30PM to 8PM - A Night Before Christmas ~ The night of family fun—highlighted by visits and photo-ops with Santa and Mrs. Claus—will also include face painting, bounce house, the movie “Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas” (presented by Double Deez Chicago Style Hot Dogs) playing at the amphitheater and—new for 2022—a foam zone. FREE admission (a suggested donation of one new, unwrapped toy benefitting local children in need, per family, is kindly requested) / $5 wristband to do activities.

Dec 10 | 9AM to 11AM - Donuts with Santa ~ Join us on a trip to the North Pole and visit Santa!
Stop by for a donut, hot cocoa and take a photo with Santa! Hosted by Bradenton YMCA. RSVP for your spot. FREE.

Dec 10 | 10AM to 3PM - Mixon's Christmas Craft Fair ~ Shop locally made crafts, enjoy live entertainment and meet Santa himself!

Dec 10 | 10AM to 3PM - Kid's Christmas at Mixon's Fruit Farm ~ Kids will enjoy Planet Peek-A-Boo’s Christmas Carols with Lillaquin, Sparkalee and Julianna Flores! Paint a Christmas Orange, get a holiday Glitter Tattoo and meet Santa! Admission to our amazing play place is included! Free.

Dec 10 | 12:30PM to 2:30PM - Sensory Santa ~ See Santa up close and personal in a sensory-friendly environment. Hosted by Face Autism for children with autism and their families.

Dec 10 | 1PM to 4PM - Christmas in Cortez ~ FREE family-friendly event with crafts, games, bounce house, maze, Santa meet-and-greet & other holiday festivities for the whole family.

Dec 10 | 2:30PM to 4PM - Ice Cream with Santa ~ Bring your wish list and come have an ice cream with Santa at Wicked Awesome Ice Cream Emporium.

Dec 10 | 4PM to 6PM - Holidays at The Bay ~ Experience a special holiday celebration filled with joy, music, games, and more! Even Santa is making an appearance at this family-friendly event! FREE.

Dec 10 | 4PM to 7PM - Annual Christmas Party ~ Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and enjoy Christmas train rides, Kona Ice, food trucks, face painting, caroling and more. Hosted by Fun Child Care Center.

Dec 10 | 6PM to 8:30PM - Holidays in the Hallways ~ Enjoy games, crafts, music, vendors and more. Santa will be making an appearance as well. Hosted by Nolan Middle School. $5 admission.

Dec 10-11 | 11AM to 5PM - A Country Bear Christmas ~ Come to our beautiful preserve to view our beautiful brown bears in their natural habitat, plus the Great Anastasini One-Man Show, visits with Santa Claus (Sat Dec. 10) 3:00pm to 5:00pm, a petting zoo, live music, a vendor village and more.

Dec 10-11, 16-18, 22-23 | 6PM to 10PM - Hunsader Farms Country Christmas ~ Admission includes over 300,000 lights, hay rides, train rides, a visit with Santa, a petting zoo, snow tubing, Christmas music and displays, and more. $15 admission | Children 5 and under free | Parking free.

Dec 16-17 | 5PM to 8PM - Southside Christmas Town Celebration ~ Enjoy a lights maze, snow machines, “Journey to Bethlehem“, games, food, and fun!

Dec 16-17 | 6PM to 9PM - Candy Cane Maze ~ Navigate your way through the candy cane maze, enjoy hot chocolate, goodies, and a chance to make your very own homemade candy canes. FREE.

Dec 17 | 9AM to 3PM - Merry Market at the Farm ~ Bring your Family and Friends for some Winter Holiday Fun! Santa will be there! Along with Hot Chocolate, Crafts for ALL Ages, Baked Goods, Live Music, Hayrides, Our amazing Farmer’s Market, and More. Hosted by Gamble Creek Farms.

Dec 17 | 10AM to 12PM - Winter Wonderland with Santa ~ Start with a walk through our Winter Wonderland, with photo areas, breakfast to go, and a special meeting with the one and only Santa! FREE event but you must register in advance. Hosted by Learning Unlimited and Manatee Learning Academy.

Dec 17 | 11AM to 3PM - Santa is coming to Town ~ Santa is visiting Wildflower Children's Boutique and you are welcome to come in and say hi and take a picture with Santa.

Dec 17 | 3PM to 9PM - Christmas on Bridge Street ~ An event filled with entertainment, an outdoor movie and raffle.

Dec 23 | 10:30AM to 12PM - Holiday Party at Westminister Manor ~ Join the residents of Westminister Manor (retirement community) for a morning of cookie decorating, holiday crafts and SANTA! Free event, but please register in the event so we can have enough cookies and crafts!

Dec 23 | 4PM to 8PM - Christmas on Main ~ Come celebrate the season with free games, rides, photo booths and attractions for the whole family and a special candlelight service. Hosted by Grace Community Church on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

Dec 23 | 4PM to 8:15PM - Winter Fest 2022 and Outdoor Christmas Candlelight Service ~ Winterfest will feature food trucks, inflatables for kids, kids and family activities, and live music, followed by a candlelight service. FREE. Hosted by South Shore Community Church.

Dec 24 - NORAD: Santa Tracker Christmas Eve ~ Track Santa as he leaves the North Pole and flies to your house!