Santa Sightings, Christmas Lights, Holiday Crafts, Living Nativities ~ 'tis the season for all the festive fun! Find your local list of all things Christmas in the Macaroni KID Bradenton Holiday Event Guide, the BIGGEST and BEST Guide in town! Be sure to keep this page bookmarked because we will be adding to it as we find more events. Enjoy!
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Give your child the tools to tackle life’s obstacles. At Triumph Martial Arts in Lakewood Ranch, our instructors train in positive reinforcement, discipline and respect. Classes are structured, safe, and fun! We offer a personalized experience as we realize many of our students have enrolled for multiple reasons. You can take a FREE lesson by checking out our website: www.triumphATA.com
Nov 25 | 5PM to 8PM ~ Light Up the Village Holiday Parade: Santa will arrive at the Siesta Center immediately following the parade to greet children. Photos may be taken with Santa, free of charge. Gift bags provided for the first 250 kids to visit Santa. FREE.
Nov 30 - Dec 21 (Select Nights) ~ North Pole Express: Join Florida Railroad Museum for a 35-minute ride from Parrish to the North Pole where Santa awaits to visit with every child. During your stay a variety of entertainment, activities, campfires and all the hot chocolate and cookies you care to eat are included with every train ticket. Ticket prices vary.
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 1 | 6PM to 9PM ~ Winterfest 2023: This family-friendly event features free food, a Christmas photo booth, decorate Christmas cookies, make a family Christmas ornament, a snow slide, games, candy bar BINGO and more. FREE. Hosted by The Family Church at Christian Retreat.
Dec 1-2 | 3PM to 7PM ~ Palmetto's Christmas in the Park: Enjoy the grounds at Palmetto Historical Park where there will be activities including reindeer games and crafts. All of the buildings will be decorated and open at this free event. Reservation required. FREE.
Dec 1 and 3 | 7PM to 9:30PM ~ Sarasota Christmas Festival: Come and enjoy live music by our outdoor Christmas tree (bring a lawn chair, limited seating provided) and a Christmas village with food, photo areas, petting zoo, hot chocolate, kids crafts, and some surprises! Hosted by Sarasota 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 | 9AM to 12PM ~ Annual Holiday Event: Join Ancient Ways Martial Arts Academy for their Annual Holiday Event featuring music, food, specials and giveaways. FREE.
Dec 2 | 10AM to 12:30PM ~ Community Christmas Festival: FREE Toy Giveaways for Kids, FREE Prizes, FREE Live Music and a Message of Hope!
Dec 2 | 10:30AM to 2PM ~ Lester Family Fun Day: Enjoy a lineup of fun activities and performances, food, a visit from Santa and a 50/50 raffle golf ball drop. FREE.
Dec 2 | 12:30PM to 2:30PM ~ Sensory Santa for Children with Autism: See Santa up close and personal in a sensory-friendly environment. FREE.
Dec 3 | 1PM to 4PM ~ Winter Wonderland at Animal Hospital of LWR: Enjoy free pictures with Santa, food trucks, face painting, free raffles, activities for kids, vendors, free hot chocolate station and more. FREE.
Dec 3 | 5PM to 8PM ~ Christmas in the Park: We'll have Food, a fun Light Trail, fabulous Christmas Market with items for sale, Cookies, Bonfire, and we'll be watching The Grinch (2018). Woodland Community Church. FREE.
Dec 3 | 5PM to 8PM ~ Kickoff to Christmas: Enjoy FREE photos with Santa, meet and greets with Rudolph, Frosty, The Grinch and other favorites, decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus and ride the Polar Express. FREE.
Dec 8 | 2PM to 7PM ~ Holiday Tree Lighting Event and Movie on the Water: Join us at Southpoint Marina for a Holiday tree lighting event, featuring a local vendor market, a holiday bounce house, a hot chocolate bar and a movie to follow on the water. FREE.
Dec 8 | 5:30PM to 8PM ~ A Night Before Christmas: Enjoy a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, a foam zone, face painting, bounce houses, a petting zoo, a train ride, vendors, food trucks and more. Admission is FREE with a suggested toy donation per family. $5 wristband required to do activities.
Dec 9 | 10AM to 3PM ~ An Old Florida Christmas: Experience an old-fashioned Florida holiday celebration featuring food, music, free "make and take" seasonal crafts, and vendors. FREE.
Dec 9 | 11AM to 2PM ~ North River Ranch Winterfest: Come play in the snow and take pictures with Santa Clause, plus enjoy a holiday golf cart parade, decorating contest, bounce houses, face painting, holiday crafts, and more! FREE.
Dec 9 | 1PM to 4PM ~ Christmas in Cortez: Family event with crafts, games, bounce houses, Santa meet-and-greet and other holiday festivities. FREE.
Dec 9 | 2PM to 6PM ~ SCSO 5th Annual Open House: Please come to the FREE, family-friendly event with food, music, demonstrations, giveaways, and Santa! Meet members of SWAT, CERT, Mounted Patrol, K-9, Aviation, and many more! FREE.
Dec 9 | 3PM to 7PM ~ 5th Annual Holiday Celebration: Enjoy a day at the Ellenton Premium Outlets with arts & crafts, cookie decorating, photo booth, music, a hot chocolate bar, photos with Santa and a chance to win a $500 shopping spree! FREE.
Dec 9 | 3PM to 11PM ~ Light Up Wellen! Tree Lighting and Holiday Celebration: Local schools choir/band performances, photo ops with Santa, traditional tree lighting ceremony, ice dancers, Glow-bike Ride, live music on Solis Hall stage, ornament decorating, hot chocolate, and so much more! FREE.
Dec 9 | 4PM to 6PM ~ Holidays at The Bay: Spread the season’s cheer by snapping a free family photo with Santa. Join Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation Teaching Artists for holiday card making, dancing, and a seasonal story read by Mr. Stevey. Dance to Rockin’ Reindeer music spun by Rick Levine and enjoy family-friendly games, crafts, and more! FREE.
Dec 9 | 5PM to 8:30PM ~ Winter Wonderland: Fun will include carnival games with prizes, festive make and take activities, holiday story time, gift shopping from local vendors, and performances from local youth groups, and, of course, Santa! FREE.
Dec 14 | 3:30PM to 7:30PM ~ City of Holmes Beach Sleigh Bell Social: Come on down to the City of Holmes Beach Sleigh Bell Social. Family, fun, prizes, and more. There will be games, food, and plenty of entertainment for the whole family including bounce houses, guest appearances and giveaways! FREE.
Dec 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 | 5PM to 8PM ~ Christmas at Creator's Farm: Included with admission you will stroll through 6 acres of gardens at night for a wondrous Christmas event where you’ll encounter thousands of Christmas lights, decorations, music and activities such as crafts, kids' games, and hot cocoa, tea or coffee. Adults $15 |
Under 21 $10 | 4 and under Free
Dec 15 and 16 | 5PM to 8PM ~ Southside Christmas Town Celebration: From our lights maze and snow machines to the new improvements coming to a “Journey to Bethlehem" and Elf Games, you don’t want to miss this event. FREE.
Dec 16 | 4PM to 8PM ~ Parrish Hometown Christmas: "Santa J" will be arriving at 4:30PM riding in on the Parrish Fire Engine. There will be a snow slide, a snow pile to play in, a petting zoo, a Gingerbread house area for the Kids' Zone to write letters to Santa, face painting, entertainment from schools around our community, lighting of the Christmas Tree, food vendors, market vendors, photo opportunities, Christmas Tree decorating contest, and announcement of the Christmas Lighting Contest. FREE.
Dec 17 | 3PM ~ Santa visits South Siesta Key: Santa Claus will be visiting South Siesta Key Daiquiri Deck. Get a picture and each child will get a small gift. FREE.
Dec 17 | 5PM to 7PM ~ Royal Holiday Spectacular: Join Belle's Princess Parties for a holiday event featuring 10 princesses, live stage performances, meet and greets, yummy treats, bounce houses, vendors and more. Purchase tickets in advance - $25.
Dec 23 | 4PM to 8:15PM ~ Winterfest 2023 and Outdoor Candlelight Service: Winterfest will feature food trucks, inflatables for kids, kids and family activities, and live music. The evening will end with an outdoor Candlelight service starting at 7:15PM. Hosted by South Shore Community Church. FREE.
For more holiday fun, click on a picture below!
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Welcome to Macaroni KID Bradenton!
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