A White Christmas might not be too far off for all the Snowbirds enjoying their Siesta Key luxury rentals. There are tons of great Sarasota events to spread a little holiday cheer. Starting with the Holiday Parade on Black Friday and ending with the finale of Lights in Bloom at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, on January 5th, the holidays are in full swing this year. Hanukkah celebrations have been given a place of honor as well since what was once the Sarasota Christmas tree lighting has now become the Sarasota Menorah and Christmas Tree lighting celebration.
The Siesta Key and Sarasota communities strive to make the holidays bigger and brighter than ever for everybody.
Light up the Village and Holiday Parade
The holiday season is set to kick off with Light Up the Village and Holiday Parade on Friday, November 26th. The event will take place in Fiesta Center Plaza in Siesta Key Village and begin at 5:30 PM. This festival has been a time-honored tradition for nearly four decades. Those with small children should try to arrive early because the first 250 kids to visit Santa will all receive Goody bags. Adults will appreciate the free Siesta Key trolley service to and from North and South Siesta Key, along with some great Black Friday deals downtown from 5-9.
There will also be free refreshments along with games, activities, and even a live dance performance. And if you hear a few merry ‘ho ho hos’ off in the distance, know they’re heralding Santa’s arrival. The Jolly old elf and all his reindeer (including Rudolph) will serve as the grand finale, and kids can take pictures with him for free. There is no cost to attend this event, and tickets need not be purchased in advance. Sponsoring this event is the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, local businesses such as Siesta Key mainstays, the Lobster Pot and Above the Bar, and friends of Siesta Key. Those looking for more information can contact the chamber at 941-349-3800, or visit its website: siestakeychamber.com.
Sarasota Menorah and Christmas Tree Lighting
Next in the procession of holiday festivities is the Sarasota Menorah and Christmas Tree Lighting celebration. It will be held on Thursday, December 2nd at Five Points Park from 5-8 PM. Sarasota’s best handbell ensemble will quite literally “ring” in the holiday season. This is a great time to get a picture for your holiday card. Photos of both the tree and menorah will be entirely free of charge. Local businesses will also extend their hours and provide snacks, refreshments, and special promotions and sales. This event is brought to you by the Downtown Sarasota Enrichment Association. You can learn more by visiting their website: www.SarasotaDowntownMerchants.com, and remember to shop for your Holiday gifts locally this year.
Lights in Bloom at Marie Selby
Opening on December 10th and remaining all the way through until January 5th, visitors to the famed Marie Selby Gardens will be able to look at over 2 million beautiful glittering lights as they illuminate the much-beloved site. Tickets for Marie Selby members are already available, and tickets for the general public become available on November 11th. Tickets are priced as follows: Early admission is $40 for non-members, $35 for members, $20 for children 5–17, and kids under 5 are free.
General admission tickets are $30 for non-members, $25 for members, $15 for children 5–17, and free for small children. “All-inclusive Event” tickets for the show on December 17th will go for $200 for adults and $50 for children, and they will get you Valet parking on site as well as unlimited food and drink. You’ll also have access to the grounds for the light show; kids four and under are free. This is to be presented by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and is Sponsored by Sarasota County, along with contributions from Publix Super Market Charities, the local Child Protective Center, Friendship Centers, and Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.
Onsite parking valet vouchers will be available every night on a first-come, first-served basis, and free parking with trolley service downtown will be available at the Gardens. This is a rain-or-shine event and will only be closed in the event of dangerous weather conditions. There will be events and entertainment, and food from the Michael’s on East grill will also be available for purchase.
St. Armands Circle Holiday Night of Lights
If you want to take your holiday light gazing to the next level we recommend also seeing St. Armands Circle Holiday Night of Lights on December 2nd from 5:30-9 PM. This event is completely free and begins with a special surprise performance to kick it off. No tickets or reservations are needed except for the local restaurants, and it will be a stunningly beautiful event. Grab a bite to eat afterward since it helps to support a wonderful charity called Flight to the North Pole, which supports terminally-ill children and their families.
Plan Your Siesta Key Vacation
Join these exciting events when you spend the holidays at the beach this year! Contact Vunique to book your Siesta Key vacation rental!
Sarasota Holiday Parade
Last on our list, but certainly not least, is the Sarasota Holiday Parade. It will be held on Saturday, December 3rd, and is not to be missed. This year’s theme is “A Winter Wonderland.” First Prize for the best float will be the Mayor’s Trophy. Expected to attract up to 25,000 onlookers, the 26th annual Sarasota Holiday Parade will shut down Main Street and let it snow, despite the forecast for weather in the 70s. Parade viewers are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs to be comfortable as they watch the parade, which generally has good visibility despite the impressive crowd size.
Groups like the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Circus arts conservatory, and even the Shriners are known to often be in attendance. There will be several marching bands making their way through. The participants will be judged by how well they demonstrate the theme of a Winter Wonderland and have opportunities to gain recognition in several other categories as well, such as Best Church, Best Walking, Best Holiday Theme, Best business, and best school. The parade’s theme changes from year to year, and last year’s theme was Silver Bells. The evening will end with Santa and Mrs. Claus finishing up their parade atop one of the best floats of the night.
This is a phenomenal experience for locals and vacationers alike. It’s an unforgettable way to get in the holiday mood, and local businesses will, of course, give out freebies to promote the event. The deadline for new entrants is said to be around November 1st. And the 2-hour-long parade is said to begin on Washington Boulevard and End on Gulfstream Avenue. You can learn more by emailing Danny at [email protected] or calling Danny Bilyeu Enterprises at 941-685-0628. There may still be time to get in a last-minute entry for this fun, free, can’t-miss event.
Christmas will come to your vacation rental with all of the cheer but none of the chill. There’s no shortage of opportunities for gifting, celebrating, and having fun things to do in Sarasota this holiday season while staying in one of our Siesta Key luxury rentals.
