Holiday Shows, Music and Markets 2022

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 12 | 9AM to 1PM - Christmas Market ~ Kirkwood invited 28 local, national and international nonprofits to come and host a booth at the Christmas Marke, to inform the community about their mission. Also available via the website beginning Nov 6.

Nov 26 | 12PM to 7PM - Kris Kringle Holiday Market ~ Enjoy an indoor/outdoor market featuring festive holiday décor, unique gifts, and expertly crafted treasures. Enjoy live music, food truck fare, and adult beverages.

Dec 1 | 5PM to 8PM - Venice Christmas Walk ~ Take a stroll and delight in the warm glow of decorated holiday storefront windows.

Dec 2 | 7PM to 10PM - Shop. Stroll. Sing! ~ Shop. Stroll. Sing! will have a forecast of “snow” and holiday karaoke to make the night a spark of joy to start the holiday season! As usual, you can expect some tasty food and beverage offerings from select downtown hospitality partners to go along with FREE holiday polaroid portraits and some FRESH signature giveaways.

Dec 2-3 | 6PM to 9:30PM and 11AM to 4PM - December Artwalk Village of the Arts Christmas Bazaar ~ Stroll through this colorful art community lit by Christmas luminaries to the sound of caroling as your view painting, pottery, jewelry, sculptures, sacred art, crafts and more.

Dec 3 | 8AM to 2PM - The 3rd Annual Christmas Market ~ Shop our indoor Christmas Market at Oasis Church! Join us for crafts, gifts, Christmas photos, and food!

Dec 3-4 | 10AM to 5PM - Florida Penguin's Holiday MEGA Market ~ Featuring 140+ vendors over 1 weekend! Shop local for handmade, retail, resale, upcycled items & more this holiday season! Also enjoy live entertainment and food trucks.

Dec 10 | 9AM to 2PM - An Old Florida Christmas ~ Experience an old-fashioned Florida holiday celebration at Manatee Village Historical Park featuring food, crafts, music, and vendors selling handmade goods. FREE admission.

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

Dec 10AM to 3PM - Holiday Market ~ Holiday shopping, crafts, letters to Santa, and more! Hosted by Seaside Allstars.

Dec 10 | 10AM to 4PM - The Free Holiday Book Market ~ This free event includes admission to the museum, snacks, art-making, and of course BOOKS! Each child will get to pick out two free books from our popup market- one to keep and one to gift to a friend! Tickets required.

Dec 11, 18 | 10AM to 2PM - Holiday Meadows Farmers Market ~ Shop local this holiday season at our Farmers Market. Join us for all your local favorite food, music, art, and more.

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 2 and 4 | 6PM to 7PM - The Sights and Sounds of Christmas ~ Enjoy a meaningful start to the Christmas season featuring your very favorite Christmas songs and carols, followed by free hot chocolate and coffee and children's crafts. FREE. At Sarasota Baptist Church.

Dec 2-4 | 7PM 12/2-3 and 3PM\6PM 12/4 - Singing Christmas Tree Spectacular ~ The Singing Christmas Tree, some 25 feet tall, sporting over 10,000 lights with 12 levels that hold 115 choir members, is a music and drama production written & directed by church members and accompanied by an orchestra featuring songs of the Christmas Season and stunning pageantry. Adults: $15, children under 12: $10.

Dec 2-4, 9-11 | 6PM - ELF The Musical ~ The hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Performed by Ovation School of Musical Theatre. Tickets are $20 adults \ $15 children.

Dec 3-4, 10-11, 18, 24- Deck the Halls ~ Get ready to celebrate the holidays – Florida style – palm trees with decorations, swimming in the sea, sand snowmen, and more! Tickets are $10. Presented by Florida Studio Theatre.

Dec 9-10 | 7PM - The Nutcracker featuring the Venice Symphony ~ The Sarasota Ballet School in partnership with The Venice Symphony presents a stunning and spirited version of the beloved holiday classic, the Nutcracker. Tickets are $36 to $66.

Dec 10 | 7PM - The Nutrcracker ~ Bring the entire family to join the adventures of young Clara as she explores a magical world alongside the Nutcracker Prince, the Mouse King and the Sugar Plum Fairy on her journey to The Kingdom of Sweets. Presented by the Diane Partington Studio of Classical Ballet. Tickets $30 to $60.

Dec 10 | 7:30PM - The Holiday Spectacular ~ The performance will showcase several different styles dance performed by the JDC Competition teams and holiday vocals sung by the Jump Encore theater troup! Tickets $15.

Dec 10, 11, 17, 18 | 3PM to 6PM - Herrmanns' Royal Lipizzan Stallions presents Santa and The Grinch ~ Free ornament making! Free pictures with Santa and The Grinch. Games and concessions on site. Enjoy Liberty and riding demonstrations. Admission is $5 per person. Parking and children 5 and under are free.

Dec 17 | 12PM to 3PM - 15th Annual Nutcracker Tea Party ~ This is an adorable event where children, moms, grandmas and more, come to enjoy a charming Nutcracker ballet-themed "tea party." During the Tea Party, Allison's Ballet Centre and the Dance Theatre of Bradenton dance company perform a 30-minute excerpt from the Nutcracker ballet. Tickets: $30 for children (12 and under) | $40 for adults.

Dec 28-31 | 2PM and 7PM showtimes - Sailor Circus Holiday Special ~ Do reindeer really fly? How much do elves help Santa? Find out, as America's longest-running youth circus celebrates the holidays and takes a peek into Santa's action-filled circus sack of wonders. Reserved seat tickets range from $20 to $40.