Ring in the Season University Center for the Arts December 8

'Tis the season to explore what Sarasota has to offer for the holidays. From light shows to musical performances and charity events, at that place are plenty of ways to celebrate in town.

Second Annual Holiday Festival of Trees

Wednesday, November. 24-Saturday, Dec. 4; online auction

The offset festival of trees auction for Entre Nous Manatee was in-person, but volition be online this year. Place bids for Christmas copse, wreaths and the annual wine raffle, or win gifts like beach trips, jewelry, spa packages and more. Click here for more information.

Holiday Soirée at St. Armands Circumvolve

Saturday, Nov. 27-Sunday, Dec. 19, 300 Madison Drive, Sarasota, (941) 929-3104

Immerse yourself in weekly events hosted on St. Armands Circle throughout the month of December. Saturday, Nov. 27 is "Allow's Become Shop Small"; Friday, Dec. 3 is Holiday Night of Lights; Thursday, December. 9 is "Songs on the Circle: Holiday Edition"; Saturday, Dec. 11 is "Porsches in the Park"; Thursday, Dec. 16 is ladies' night and Sunday, December. 19 is St. Armands Family Day.

Florida Studio Theatre's "Deck The Halls" Shows

Sundays from Nov. 27-Dec. 24, 1241 N Palm Ave., Sarasota, (941) 366-9017

This interactive, family-friendly and music-filled show is sure to please your kiddos. The show, created by Sarah Durham and Caroline Saldivar, represents everything that makes the holidays in Sarasota special. Purchase tickets online or by calling the box part at (941) 366-9017.

Venice Holiday Parade

Saturday, November 27, Park Blvd., Venice, (941) 488-8780

Find a spot on Park Boulevard to enjoy the holiday parade in downtown Venice. The parade begins at 6:30 p.chiliad. and will march through the north side of Westward Venice Avenue afterward crossing Harbor Drive. It will end at Venice Community Center with a celebration. Access is costless.

Light Up Siesta Key and Village Vacation Parade

Sat, November 27, Ocean Blvd., Siesta Cardinal, (941) 349-3800

This holiday and lite parade begins at Avenida del Mare and Embankment Road at 5:30 p.m. Information technology will march north on Embankment Road onto Ocean Boulevard into Siesta Primal Village from 6:xxx p.m. to eight:30 p.1000. Santa volition be there for photos free of charge. Savour live music and refreshments at the shops. Access is free.

Holidays at UTC

Sunday, November 28-Saturday, January 1, 140 Academy Town Centre Drive, (941) 552-7000

There are plenty of things to practise this holiday season at University Town Eye. Relish lite shows, outdoor holiday movies, horse-drawn carriage rides and fireworks. Or, attend the Hands on Hanukkah with Temple Sinai Sarasota (November. 28-Dec. five) as well as Santa'southward Flying University (now through Dec. 24) and Santa Paws photos (Nov. 28 and Dec. 5). Click here for details.

Gingerbread & Festival of Trees at UTC

K opening Wednesday, December 1, 125 N. Cattlemen Rd., Sarasota

The grand opening of University Boondocks Center's gingerbread & festival of trees volition accept place Midweek from 6:thirty to 9 p.m. The display will be open up nightly through December 21. More than 100 gingerbread houses and 50 busy trees by local charities will be on display. Trees will exist bachelor for silent auction on December nineteen for a take chances to have abode. Buy tickets for $i to vote for favorite trees. Proceeds will do good the charities. Admission is free.

Sarasota Orchestra'due south Vacation Lights

Wednesday, December. 1-Lord's day, Dec. 5, 709 North. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, (941) 953-3434

The Sarasota Orchestra is performing seasonal favorites this December, led by Broadway conductor William Waldrop. 15 magical holiday songs will be performed at Holley Hall with shows at five:30 p.m., vii:30 p.chiliad., 8 p.thou. and 4 p.chiliad. on Sundays (see website for details). Tickets range from $42-$65. Purchase tickets here.

Westcoast Black Theater Troupe: Joyful! Joyful!

Wed, Dec. ane-Thursday, December. 30, 1012 Due north. Orangish Ave., Sarasota, (941) 366-1505

Savour WBTT's Christmas card to the community withJoyful! Joyful!, a show with uplifting holiday music created, adjusted and directed by WBTT'southward Nate Jacobs. Nourish a matinee at 2 p.m. or evening bear witness at vii:30 p.g. Adult tickets are $l and educatee/active military tickets are $20. Purchase tickets here.

Gingerbread House Decorating at Tsunami

Wednesday, Dec. ane; Saturday, Dec. iv; and Sun, December. five; 100 Central Ave., Suite 1022, Sarasota, (941) 366-1033

Become a master gingerbread house decorator at this special event put on past Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi. Cake decorator Julie Deffense will have all the supplies ready at the restaurant to build the ultimate candy wonderland. Tickets toll $150 per person and include admission to a sushi buffet and holiday cocktails. Click here or call the restaurant to buy.

Venice Christmas Walk

Thursday, December. 2, 101 Due west. Venice Ave., Venice, (941) 484-6722

Walk through downtown Venice's and adore the brightly lit and busy storefronts. Live entertainment and refreshments will exist served in open sores. Admission is gratis. The walk volition take place from 5-8 p.m. Click hither for more data.

Holiday Splendor at the Ringling

Th, Dec two, ix and 16, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota, (941) 359-5700

Discover joyful vacation cheer at the Ringling Museum as you support the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots programme. Admission is gratuitous with ane unwrapped gift per guest. The event takes place from v-8 p.m. For more data, click here.

Holiday Night of Lights on St. Armands Circle

Friday, Dec. three, St. Armands Cir., Sarasota, sarasotafl.gov

Crab & Fin and Cannons Marina present St. Armands' "Holiday Nighttime of Lights." The circle volition light upwards with festive lights and decorations, and the event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a Christmas Carol sing-a-long followed by Santa's arrival in his sleigh and a tree lighting anniversary.

Fresh Friday Presents: Shop, Stroll, Sing!

Friday, December iii, State St. and Lemon Ave., Downtown Sarasota

Go walking in Downtown Sarasota's wintertime wonderland, as role of the Fresh Friday series. This outdoor, vacation-themed event will take place between State Street and Lemon Artery from 8 to 11 p.m. Savor gratuitous party favors, dessert bites, live holiday music and karaoke with accompanying gift raffle and snow machines. Food comes from State Street Eating House, Element and Whole Foods Market. Take a photograph near the menora lighting or video of Santa. Admission is free.

Sarasota Holiday Parade

Saturday, Dec 4, Main Street, Sarasota

The 25th Sarasota Vacation Parade volition be marching through downtown Sarasota on Saturday, Dec 4 at 7 p.one thousand. The parade, including lighted floats, high school marching bands and Santa Claus, will take place down Main Street, from Washington Blvd., to Gulfstream Ave. For more information, click here.

Venice Holiday Arts and Crafts Testify

Saturday, Dec iv, 720 Alligator Bulldoze, S Venice Beach, (941) 493-0006

Visit the annual pre-Christmas Arts and Crafts Show and Auction at Venice Civic Clan from nine a.m. to two p.1000. Dozens of local artists and crafters will showcase their wares simply in time for your Christmas shopping.

Pop-Up Hanukkah Party And Toy Drive at UTC

Saturday, Dec. 4, 140 University Town Centre Drive, Sarasota, (941) 552-7000

In celebration of Hanukkah, Temple Emanu-El and Community Mean solar day School are hosting a family-friendly event on The Dark-green at UTC from xi:30 a.one thousand. to 2:xxx p.m. Indulge in chocolate gelt, latkes, donuts and other treats, and enjoy live entertainment, story fourth dimension, craft and other activities for kids. Guests are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toy to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties. Admission is costless.

Venice Christmas Boat Parade

Sat, Dec iv, Albee Road Bridge, Venice, (941) 718-8644

Boats large and small are invited to join the 33rd Venice Christmas Boat Parade. The parade begins at 6 p.thousand. north of Albee Route Bridge. Enter to bring together every bit late as Wednesday, Dec 1 at seven p.yard. Entry fee is $20 per boat. As a viewer, admission is gratis. All yous need is a lawn chair and a great view of the water to run into the boats decorated with magical holiday lights.

tertiary Annual Jingle Jam

Saturday, December 4 and Sunday, Dec 5, 18800 West. Villages Parkway, Venice, (941) 413-5000

Go to the CoolToday Park in Venice for an almanac 5k followed by a pet parade, holiday market, live music, drinkable specials and more than. Sunday will have a golf cart parade, Santa Claus photo opportunities, wagon rides and other fun kids' activities. For a consummate effect schedule and registration details, click here.

SPARCC Auxiliary Holiday Luncheon

Wednesday, Dec. 8, 1212 Southward. East Ave., Sarasota, (941) 365-0208 ext. 110

The Safety Place and Rape Crisis Middle (SPARCC) is celebrating the holiday season with its almanac dejeuner at Michael's on Due east at 11 a.g. Guests will savor tiffin, entertainment by Westcoast Blackness Theatre Troupe and more. Bring unwrapped toys, purchase broiled goods and back up a local cause. RSVP here or call (941) 365-0208.

Crosley Christmas-Holiday Songs & Fables

Thursday, Dec. 9-Sunday, Dec. 19, 502 tertiary Ave. W., Bradenton, (941) 748-5875

The Crosley Theater Company will share a sing-a-long and fables at the Manatee Performing Arts Center this vacation season. There will likewise be an excerpt of "A Christmas Carol" after intermission. Shows have place at 2 p.m., seven:30 p.m. and 8 p.yard. Tickets tin can be purchased here.

Night of Lights at The Bay

Thursday, Dec 9, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, (941) 203-5316

Stroll through the Mangrove Bayou Walkway at The Bay, where a touch of holiday magic will be constitute. From 6 p.m. to 11 p.yard., you will see twinkling lights rise amid the canopies of trees and span over the bayou. Admission is free.

Southside Village Holiday Stroll

Friday, Dec. ten, between Usa.4.i and Osprey Ave., southsidevillage.org

Enjoy a holiday stroll with the whole family in Southside Village from 5 to 9 p.one thousand. Have pictures with Santa, enjoy live music from Music Compound's students and drink hot cocoa. Or take a ride downwards the snowfall slide, jump on trampolines or scale the climbing wall. Free parking is available in Due south Parking Garage of Sarasota Memorial Hospital, at U.S. 41 and Hillview Street. Access is too free.

Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights

Sabbatum, December 11, 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota, (941) 365-4232

Suncoast Charities for Children presents the 35th Almanac Sarasota Vacation Boat Parade of Lights. Area boaters are invited to enter free of charge. The parade begins at 6 p.k. The all-time viewing spots are Marina Jack restaurant, Bayfront Park and Centennial Park. For more information, click here.

An Old Florida Christmas at Manatee Village

Saturday, Dec. 11, 1404 Manatee Ave. Eastward., Bradenton, (941) 741-4075 ext. 3226

Experience an onetime-fashioned Florida holiday celebration at Manatee Village Historical Park from 11 a.m. to iv p.m. Vendors will exist selling handmade goods, food and free "brand and take" seasonal crafts. Buildings will be decorated for Christmas, perfect for photo opportunities. Admission is free. Cash is encouraged for vendor purchases. Learn more than hither.

Archetype Christmas Choir & Orchestra Concert

Saturday, Dec. eleven-Sunday, Dec. 12, 1661 Main St., Sarasota, (941) 365-2846

Join First Sarasota Downtown Baptist Church for a classic holiday concert featuring the Offset Sarasota choir and orchestra. Evidence times are at 5 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person; children 5 and under are gratuitous. Click here to buy tickets.

Winterfest at Bishop Museum of Science and Nature

Saturday, December 11, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton, (941) 746-4131

Gather up the kiddos and bring together the Bishop Museum at Riverside Plaza to celebrate Winterfest. Family-friendly festivities will include Dino Don's DinoVenture,a series of games, learning and fun for all ages. Winterfest is included in the price of DinoVenture's admission: $8 for Discovery Society members and $10 for others. No registration required.

Lights in Bloom at Selby Gardens

Sat, December eleven-23; 26-xxx; Saturday, January i-2; 1534 Mound St., Sarasota, (941) 366-5731

Become immersed in a magical lights at Selby Botanical Gardens. More than ii million lights will be strewn across the campus, with opportunities for photos and face painting and airship artistry for kids. Live entertainment and nutrient from Michael's on Eastward and cash bar will be available for purchase. Early entry tickets (5 p.m.) cost $thirty for members, $35 for non-members and $15 for children v-17. General access (half-dozen p.1000.) costs $20 for members, $25 for not-members and $7 for children 5-17. Buy hither.

RADD Dark Market: Vacation Edition

Thursday, December xvi, Rosemary Courtroom, Downtown Sarasota

The Rosemary District in Downtown Sarasota has a night market once a month with food, vendors and amusement. This year, the company DreamLarge is hosting a vacation edition of the outcome, with a toy drive for Mothers Helping Mothers, a festive DJ and a holiday bicycle ride through downtown with Endless Summer Eco Tours & Rentals. Decorate your own bike for the ride! There volition be an electric bike raffle, too. Toll of admission is a toy to donate.

Palma Sola Botanical Park's Winter Nights under the Lights

Thursday, December sixteen-Sunday, December xix, 9800 17th Ave. NW., Bradenton, (941) 761-2866

Palma Sola Botanical Park will be hosting a holiday light display for the community. From 6 to 9 p.m., stroll through the twinkling lights and lush greenery and brand special holiday memories. Access is complimentary, simply donations to the garden are encouraged.

St. Armands Circle Presents: Family Day

Sunday, December 19, St. Armands Circle, Sarasota

From xi a.yard. to 1 p.thousand., St. Armands Circumvolve Association will have free, fun crafts for kids to savour. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping and enjoy activities and live entertainment. Admission is gratis.

Stelliferous: Star of Kings Planetarium Show

Wed, Dec 22 and Thursday, December 23, 201 10th St. Due west., Bradenton, (941) 746-4131

The Bishop's planetarium manager Howard Hochhalter will guide you through a journeying back in time, to the nascence scene two,000 years ago. Guests will explore the astronomical explanations for the star described in the birth story. Was it a comet, supernova or something else? Showings are at 7 p.m. on the 22nd and 12:15 a.m. on the 23rd. Tickets toll $eight for members and $10 for nonmembers.

Sailor Circus presents Let information technology Snow

Sunday, December 26-Thursday, December 30, 2075 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota, (941) 355-9335

Watch heart-stopping acrobatics and stunning aerial tricks from the students of Sailor Circus Academy at Sailor Circus' almanac holiday show. The show will be set up to holiday music, festive costumes and decorations. Shows start at 1 p.m., 2 p.thousand., 6 p.grand. and 7 p.1000. Tickets cost $20-$35 per person. All ages are welcome! Buy tickets hither.

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Source: https://www.sarasotamagazine.com/arts-and-entertainment/2021/12/holiday-events-sarasota-2021