Holiday Light Displays and Live Nativities 2023

Tis the reason for the season ~ check out a local living nativity.

Plus, who doesn't love all of the beautiful light displays? We've got the list below!

Dec 1-3 | 6PM to 7PM ~ Drive Thru Bethlehem: Come visit Bethlehem how it was that first Christmas night. Drive through the gates and pass the soldiers to find the town of Bethlehem, complete with tax collectors, village vendors, fishermen and carpenters. You'll then make your way to the stable where there will be a living nativity depicting Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. Hosted by Evangel Baptist Church. FREE.

Dec 1-3 | 6PM to 9PM ~ Star Towne Christmas Village: Come and be part of the historical reimagining of Star Towne, a village featuring a wide array of old-fashioned shops and activities that will delight visitors of all ages! FREE.

Dec 2-3 | 4:30PM to 8:30PM ~ Walk Through Bethlehem: Step back in time and feel the hope and joy of that first Christmas over two thousand years ago! Bring your whole family to experience this live, dramatic, walk-through Christmas adventure! FREE continuous tours. Hosted by Samoset Baptist Church.

Dec 3 | 6PM to 8PM ~ Bethlehem Walk: We take to the streets of beautiful Anna Maria to re-enact the mystery and joy of that Holy Night! The walk consists of taking the journey to Bethlehem (one block in Anna Maria) with Mary, Joseph, and the animals (llama, donkeys, goats and more) in search of shelter. While traveling from “inn” to “inn” we sing Christmas carols. Back at the church we celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus followed by refreshments and fellowship. FREE.

Dec 9-10 | 6:30PM to 8:30PM ~ Live Drive-Thru Nativity: Stay in your car and see the story of Jesus’ life unfold before your eyes. You are also welcome to stop and enjoy the animal petting area, snacks, hot cocoa & games. FREE. Hosted by Bethel Mennonite Church Sarasota.

Dec 14-17 | 7:45PM to 8:15PM ~ The Living Nativity: A 45-minute, outdoor presentation with live animals, flying angels, and a large cast portraying the birth of Jesus. FREE admission, parking, hot cocoa, and cookies.

Nov 11 - Jan 2 | 6PM to 10PM - Holidays at UTC ~ Enjoy Spectacular Nightly Light Shows (6:30PM to 9:30 PM every 30 minutes), The Rink at UTC (Mon-Fri at 4PM to 10PM | Sat - Sun at 11AM to 10PM | School Holidays at 11AM to 10PM), Holiday Movies Under the Stars (Fri and Sat at 7PM), Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides (Thurs-Sun at 6PM to 10PM | $10), Fireworks (Sat at 9PM), Holiday Greeting Cards exhibit, Holiday Night Market (Nov 16 and Dec 21 at 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM), Festival of Trees (Dec 1-17), Gingerbread Festival (Dec 1-10 at 6:30PM to 9:30PM), Brave New Wonderland (Nov 18 - Dec 31), Festive Sweets and Holiday Eats.

Nov 19 | 5:30PM to 8:30PM - Christmas Tree Lighting at Bridge Street ~ Enjoy our small town gathering to kick off the holiday with hot chocolate, caroling, honoring a local citizen and ending it with a fun, family-oriented holiday movie. Bring a non-perishable item and help us “Stuff the Truck” for Manatee Food Bank! FREE.

Nov 22 - Jan 1 ~ Main Street Lakewood Ranch Elf on the Shelf 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.

Nov 25 | 5PM to 8PM - Light Up Siesta Key Village Holiday Parade ~ Light Up Siesta Key Annual Village Holiday Parade, Santa's arrival and Christmas Tree Lighting. FREE.

Nov 30 | 6PM to 8PM - Sarasota Christmas Tree Lighting ~ Enjoy refreshments, music, and photos with Santa! The Christmas Tree will be lit at 7PM where photos can be taken. FREE.

Nov 30, Dec 7 and 14 | 5PM to 8PM - Holiday Splendor ~ Celebrate the holiday season and help support the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots, serving Sarasota and Manatee counties. Local schools will provide musical entertainment and there will be Art Making, as well as a free Holiday Book Market. All venues will be open for self-touring. FREE admission with wrapped toy; otherwise, $15 Adult and $5 Child.

Dec 1 | 5:30PM to 6PM - Holiday Tree Lighting at LWR Main Street ~ Join us before Music on Main to light up the Main Street Christmas tree, followed by live musical entertainment as well as a visit by Santa. FREE.

Dec 1 | 5:30PM to 9PM - Holiday Night of Lights ~ Join in for special live performances, a sing-along-caroling, Santa's arrival, the lighting of the 60-foot Christmas tree, family friendly activities and more. FREE.

Dec 2-29 Select Nights | 6:15PM and 8:15PM - Holiday Tour of Lights ~ Join Sarasota Trolley as we tour local neighborhoods' lights. This year is bigger and brighter. What a great time for family and friends to spend together. Tickets are $20 each.

Dec 5-8 | 11AM, 1PM, 2PM - Historic Holiday Tours ~ Reserve your spot for a special holiday tour at the Palmetto Historical Park & Manatee County Agricultural Museum. Start your guided tour in the Palmetto Historical Park’s Carnegie Library and learn about the history of Palmetto while enjoying the beautiful decorations throughout each building in the park. You will continue your tour through the Manatee County Agricultural Museum which highlights the agricultural heritage of Manatee County. There will also be many decorated trees around the Museum for your enjoyment. FREE but RSVP in advance - only 10 spots available per tour.

Dec 5-29 Select Nights | 5:30PM and 7:30PM - Christmas Carol Trolley: Letters to Santa Family Show ~ Celebrate the holidays with a Christmas carol sing-along down Main Street, holiday stories, letters to Santa, jokes and trivia, and a charming tour of Sarasota’s downtown neighborhood lights. Hosted by Sarasota Trolley. Tickets are $29.99 children (ages 12 and under) and $49.99 adults.

Dec 8-10, 12-23, 26-30 and Jan 1-3 ~ Lights in Bloom: Step into a tropical winter wonderland at the Selby Gardens downtown Sarasota campus featuring more than two million lights, festive photo opportunities, activities & entertainment for the whole family to enjoy! General admission tickets: $30 for non-members, $25 for members, $15 for children 5-17, free for children 4 and under. 6:30PM to 9PM.

Antzcak Christmas Lights: (Colonial Gables neighborhood off Bee Ridge and Honore) Enjoy driving through a festive neighborhood with Christmas lights galore, pass under a tunnel of lights and be sure to stop at the Antzcak house for an extra special display! TBD - Check their FB page.

Cedar Hollow Christmas Display: Come see the neighborhood Christmas light display put on in Cedar Hollow. A neighborhood full of lights and a road covered with arches. Starts Thanksgiving night and is ongoing. Check the FB page for updates.

Lights of Palmetto: Enjoy over 200,000 Christmas lights set to music.

For more holiday fun, click on a picture below!