Holiday Light Displays and Live Nativities - 2024

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 6-8 | 6PM to 8PM ~ Drive Through Bethlehem: Come visit Bethlehem like it was that first Christmas night. Drive through and walk through. Hosted by Evangel Baptist Church. FREE.

Dec 8 | 5:30PM to 7:30PM ~ Christmas Village: Join us for this fun, FREE event! Hot dogs, popcorn, cookies, crafts, games, a photo booth, a live nativity, hot chocolate, cider, coffee and a gift for every child. Hosted by Liberty Baptist Church.

Dec 12-15 | 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. Hosted by The Tabernacle Church.

Dec 13-14 | 6:30PM to 8:30PM ~ The Living Nativity: Walk through a variety of outdoor scenes leading to the birth of Christ as we celebrate our Savior this season. Register for FREE tickets to reserve your tour time. Hosted by Parrish United Methodist Church.

Dec 14-15 | 6:30PM to 8:30PM ~ Drive Thru Living 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 & games. Hosted by Bethel Mennonite Church, Sarasota. FREE.

Dec 15 | 5:30PM to 6:30PM ~ Bethlehem Walk: We take to the streets of beautiful Anna Maria to re-enact the mystery and joy of that Holy Night! The Bethlehem Walk is exciting for people of all ages—from the littlest of angels to the wisest of men. Cookies and beverages provided afterwards. FREE. Hosted by Roser Church.

Nov 9 - Dec 31 | 6:30PM to 9:30PM, every 30 minutes ~ Nightly Light Shows at UTC: Enjoy the sights and sounds of the season with spectacular light shows.

Nov 9 - Dec 31, Thursdays - Sundays | 6PM to 10PM ~ Carriage Rides: See the lights from a horse-drawn carriage. First come, first served. $10 per passenger.

Nov 23 | 5:30PM to 7:30PM ~ The 6th Annual Light Up Longboat: Enjoy live music, special appearances by Santa, Minnie, & Mickey, vendors, food and drink, a tree lighting, raffles and more. FREE.

Nov 29 | 5PM to 8PM ~ Hometown Christmas Tree Lighting: Enjoy a charming Christmas evening with live music featuring performances by First Baptist Church's Voices of Venice, the Venice Chorale, and children help light the tree! Enjoy time with Santa, food trucks, shopping, dining, & exploring historic downtown Venice! FREE.

Nov 25 - Dec 30 | All Day ~ Hidden Elves on Lakewood Ranch Main Street: Spot the elves hidden around Main Street this Holiday season and you could become a winner! More than 15 mischievous elves are hiding inside and outside, so be sure to look high and low. Record what they’re doing and drop off your entry form at the Lakewood Ranch Information Center.

Saturdays Dec | 9PM ~ Festive Fireworks: Watch the night sky light up with a dazzling fireworks show.

Dec 1-23 | 5:30PM and 7:30PM tours ~ Discover Sarasota Tours Christmas Carol Trolley Letters to Santa: This holiday favorite is a 75-minute family-friendly show filled with downtown lights, caroling down Main St., holiday stories, and heartfelt performances featuring the Trolley Troubadours, our singing ensemble of professional performers. $29.99 for kids 2+ and $53.99 for adults.

Dec 5 and 12 | 5PM ~ Holiday Splendor at The Ringling: 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. Admission to this event is free with one unwrapped toy per person. Regular admission will apply without a toy donation ($15 Adult / $5 Child).

Select dates Dec 5-30 | 6:30PM and 8:30PM tours ~ SRQ Trolley Holiday Tour of Lights: See the best lights in Sarasota. Book your seat or the whole trolley for a party! $20 per seat.

Dec 6 | 5PM - 9PM ~ Old Manatee Candlelight Walking Tour: Come experience an old-fashioned holiday in Old Manatee. Lights, music, food, vendors, and magic!

Dec 6 | 5:30- 9PM ~ 46th Annual Holiday Night of Lights: Enjoy the annual Christmas Carol Sing-a-long, a visit from Santa and the illumination of the St. Armands Circle 60-foot Christmas Tree. There will also be live musical performances and family crafts and activities, plus special store promotions. FREE admission.

Dec 6 - Jan 1 | 6:30PM ~ Lights in Bloom: Features more than two million lights illuminating the gardens and walkways of the Selby Gardens Downtown Sarasota campus. There will be festive photo opportunities, activities and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy!

Dec 6 - Jan 4 | 5PM to 9PM and 5PM to 10PM Fri/Sat ~ Bradenton Holiday Lights Festival at the Freedom Factory: Drive through different areas of the facility, a light tunnel, and even on the actual track surface all while immersed in over 100,000 lights synchronized to music and dozens of set pieces. Come inside the Christmas village which features a 50-foot Christmas tree, Meet and Greet with Santa, games, rides, a Jumbotron playing Christmas movies, music, vendors, food, drinks, and more! $20 per carload.

Dec 6 | 7PM - 10PM ~ Fresh Fridays / Light up the Night: See the lighting of downtown Sarasota's tree, plus enjoy live music under the twinkling city lights and dance under the stars. FREE.

Dec 7 | 5PM - 8PM ~ Downtown Community Block Party: Christmas Edition: Walk through a wonderland of lights, listen to live Christmas carolers, snap a photo at our tunnel of lights or photo booth, enjoy having a “snow” ball fight while in Florida, jump in a bounce house, eat delicious food and sip on some hot chocolate. Hosted by First Baptist Church Bradenton. FREE.

Dec 7-31 | 6PM - 10PM ~ Pilos Family Christmas Show: A dazzling programmed sequence light show that brings the magic of the holidays to life! Our show features a breathtaking display of synchronized lights and music, creating an unforgettable experience. FREE.

Dec 10-13 ~ Historic Holiday Tours at Palmetto Historical Park: Schedule a special holiday season guided tour of our historic buildings and take in the festive ambiance of the beautiful Christmas decorations throughout the Park. More info to come - reservations required. FREE.

Dec 11-13, 18-20, 27-28 | 5PM to 9PM ~ Christmas at Creators Farm and Garden: You will experience thousands of lights throughout 5 acres of gardens, live Christmas music with Joey O, fun Florida snow and laser lights, s'mores by the fire, children's games with prizes, and other fun activities. $20 for adults, $15 for ages 21 and under and free for ages 5 and under.

Dec 11-15 | 6PM to 9PM ~ Winter Nights Under the Lights: The park will be magically lit up while sounds of holiday music will abound. Santa & Mrs. Claus will be here, as well as his nemesis The Grinch. Come hungry as we'll have a variety of food trucks on hand with seating, as well as hot cider, cocoa, coffee, tea, beer, wine & seltzers. You can shop for holiday gifts inside our Galleria building and vote on your favorite Christmas tree decorated by elementary school students. FREE admission / donations appreciated. Hosted by Palma Sola Botanical Gardens.

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.

Enander's Winter Wonderland: Every year we open up our yard to the community and invite anyone to see our Christmas light display. We have over 350,000 lights and 400 lit figurines. Walk through. FREE event / donations accepted. December 7 to January 1 | 6PM to 10PM every night.

For more holiday fun, click on a picture below!