Here are all the 2021 holiday events in Bradenton, Sarasota this Christmas season
The holidays are officially here.
And while we may not have snow, Southwest Florida knows how to put on quite the subtropical show for the Christmas season. Many favorite events are returning in 2021 after cancellations last year due to COVID-19.
This December, there are chances to see holiday concerts, enjoy parades, look at lights, shop at holiday markets and much more.
Here’s a guide to family-friendly holiday fun around Bradenton and Sarasota.
Christmas events
Christmas in Cortez: A brand new festival will bring holiday family fun to the historic fishing village of Cortez. Hosted by the Florida Maritime Museum, “Christmas in Cortez” will feature carnival and lawn games with prizes, a snow slide, a photo booth with props and a chance to snap a picture with Santa.
Local organizations will also take part in the event with interactive booths offering crafts, games and demonstrations.
Food and drink will be available for purchase at the festival. Event parking can be found at the F.I.S.H. Preserve, just east of the Florida Maritime Museum.
Details: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 4. Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Free.
Info: floridamaritimemuseum.org.
Christmas on Bridge Street will bring a family-friendly block party to Bradenton Beach’s iconic main drag.
Santa and his entourage, along with his sleigh, will be parked outside of the Bridge Street post office from 3-7 p.m. A kids’ zone with activities including face painting will open from 3-6 p.m. Four-part harmony group The Dickens Carolers will bring some old-time charm to the event from 5-7 p.m. And many shops and eateries on Bridge Street will be open late.
The party is also in prime viewing area for the Bradenton Beach Marina’s holiday boat parade, which is slated to pass by between 6:30-7 p.m.
Details: 3-9 p.m. Dec. 4. Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach.
Info: lovebradentonbeach.com/event/christmas-on-bridge-street.
Historic Holiday Tours: Palmetto Historical Museum & the Manatee County Agricultural Museum will host educational tours that explore both museums’ grounds this month, and visitors can see all the historical buildings decked out in Christmas decor.
Spots for the tours are limited, and reservations are required.
All reservations have already been filled for Palmetto’s Christmas at the Park on Dec. 3-4. The event includes kids’ crafts, reindeer games, and a chance to meet Santa. Families can join a waiting list should more slots become available by calling 941-721-2034.
Details: Historic Holiday Tours offered at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Dec. 7-10. Palmetto Historical Park, 515 10th Ave. W., Palmetto. Free.
Info: palmettohistoricalpark.com.
Country Christmas at Hunsader Farms: Hunsader Farms in Bradenton is getting in the holiday spirit this December with displays of more than 300,000 lights, hayrides, train rides, campfires, snow tubing, Christmas movies, pictures with Santa, a petting zoo and more.
Check out craft vendors, fresh produce and plenty of food and drink options, too.
Details: 6-10 p.m. Dec. 10, 11, 12, 17, 18 & 19. Hunsader Farms, 5500 C.R. 675, Bradenton. Admission: $12. Ages 5 and under: Free. Cash only. Free parking.
Info: hunsaderfarms.com.
Night Before Christmas at G.T. Bray: On Dec. 10, G.T. Bray Park in Bradenton will transform into a holiday wonderland for a family-friendly Christmas extravaganza.
The annual event is sponsored by Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department and will feature a snow slide, bounce house, face painting and a showing of the 2003 hit “Elf.” Kids will also be able to say hello to Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Local vendors an food trucks will be there to add to the fun.
Entry to the event is free, but organizers request a donation of one new, unwrapped toy per family for a Toys for Tots drive. A purchase of a $5 wristband is required to access the snow slide, bounce house and face painting activities.
Vehicles should enter the event at 59th Street West and exit at 51st Street West.
Details: 6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 10. Event parking available near the G.T. Bray Recreation Center, 5502 33rd Ave. Dr. W., Bradenton. Free entry.
Bradenton’s Winter Wonderland: After a long hiatus, a favorite local holiday happening is returning to downtown Bradenton this Saturday.
The 20th Winter Wonderland will transform Old Main Street into a charming holiday scene, complete with lights, vendors, crafts, entertainment, snow slide mountains and family photo ops.
In a new twist, kiddos will be able to visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus via video call.
And Winter Wonderland takes place just near the waterfront, where the Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade will pass by around 8 p.m.
Details: 5-9 p.m. Saturday. Old Main Street, Bradenton. Free.
Info: facebook.com/Winter-Wonderland-Bradenton-137508373064845.
North Pole Express at the Florida Railroad Museum (SOLD OUT): The North Pole Express transports guests through rural Manatee County to a Christmas village with activities, campfires, hot chocolate, cookies and a meet and greet with Santa.
Tickets for all dates of this year’s events are sold out, according to organizers. The museum does not offer a wait list.
Details: Dec. 1-5, 8-12 and 15-20. Florida Railroad Museum, 12210 83rd St. E., Parrish. Tickets start at $21.
Info: 941-776-0906. frrm.org.
Showfolks Holiday Circus Festival: This outdoor circus festival will offer three days of Christmas-themed fun at the Sarasota Fairgrounds.
The event includes a big top with continuous circus acts. Other performances include motorcycle stunt riders and famous high wire walkers The Flying Wallendas.
Food and drink vendors, crafts, exhibits, a flea market and photos with Santa are some other things to enjoy at the festival.
Details: 2-8 p.m. Dec. 10, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 11 and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 12. Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. Ages 13 and up: $12. Ages 3-12: $8. Multi-day passes available.
Info: showfolks.com.
Holiday parades
Jiggs Landing Outpost will host an “Old Florida” holiday boat parade on the Evers Reservoir and Braden River on Dec. 11.
Boaters who want to participate can arrive early to decorate their boats. For spectators, there will be live music, food and drink and activities.
Bring your own lawn chair and set up waterside.
Details: Music and activities: Noon-6 p.m. Parade starts around 7 p.m. Dec. 11. Jiggs Landing Outpost, 6106 63rd St. E., Bradenton. Free.
Info: jiggslanding.com. 941-727-4181.
The Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade keeps the holiday spirit afloat with a festive nautical display down the famous waterway.
Boat owners will compete for cash prizes based on theme creativity, lights, music and crowd reaction.
Parade viewing points include Snead Island, the Green Bridge Fishing Pier and sidewalk areas, parts of Riverside Drive in Palmetto and the Bradenton Riverwalk.
Alternatively, grab a reservation at Riverhouse Waterfront Restaurant, Caddy’s or Pier 22 Restaurant for a view with food.
Details: 6-9 p.m. Dec. 11 on the Manatee River. Free.
Info: holidayboatparade.org.
Bradenton Beach Marina’s third annual Holiday Boat Parade is Dec. 4. The parade will start near the Longboat Pass Bridge, and then the festive boats will float north up the Intracoastal waterway, ending at the Bradenton Beach Marina.
Recommended spots to view the parade are the Longboat Pass Bridge (6-6:30 p.m.) and Bradenton Beach City Pier (6:30-7 p.m.).
Details: 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Dec. 4 Bradenton Beach City Pier, 200 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach. Free.
Info: bradentonbeachmarina.com/bradenton-beach-boat-parade.
Holiday shows
Nutcracker fun: Dance Theatre of Bradenton’s 27th annual production of “The Nutcracker” will bring ballet magic to the stage of the Davis Theater for the Performing Arts at Manatee High School this weekend.
In addition to hosting the only professional annual production of “The Nutcracker” in Manatee County, the non-profit dance school gives local youth the chance to explore the world of dancing arts.
Get in the holiday spirit with a local take on this classic ballet.
Details: 7-9:30 p.m. Dec. 18 and 2-4:30 p.m. Dec. 19, Davis Theater at Manatee High School, 902 33rd St. Ct. W., Bradenton. $21-$35.
Info: bradentonnutcracker.com.
“Cinderella”: This December, the Manatee Players invite audiences to enjoy one of the world’s most beloved fairy tales in musical form with a production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella.”
Adapted for a Broadway in 2013, the production features songs from the 1957 made-for-TV original as well as some new twists.
Details: Dec. 2-19. Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton. $30-$38.
Info: manateeperformingartscenter.com.
Martina McBride: Grammy-nominated country vocalist Martina McBride will bring a night of holiday music to the Van Wezel this December. “The Joy of Christmas” concert will see the artist perform with a live orchestra from Sarasota.
Details: 8 p.m. Dec. 4. Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. $37-$107.
Info: vanwezel.org.
Sarah Brightman: Vocalist Sarah Brightman will also stop at the Van Wezel this month with “A Christmas Symphony.” The show features an orchestra and choir backing the Grammy nominee on Christmas classics. Brightman will also perform her greatest hits.
Details: 8 p.m. Dec. 14. Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. $145-$185.
Info: vanwezel.org.
Holiday shopping and markets
‘Holiday Bizarre’: For December’s Art Walk, The Village of the Arts in Bradenton will host a special Holiday Bizarre with lots of opportunities to find unique gifts.
The shops of the live-work community display and sell a wide range of crafts and art styles. There will also be rummage sales throughout the Village.
Live music is planned, including blues all weekend at Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen. Other Village restaurants and cafes will also be open for eats and drinks.
Whether you fancy folk art or fine art, creative cuisine, antiques, furniture, tattoos, records, quilting or a psychic reading, Village of the Arts has something to offer most any taste.
Check villageofthearts.com/calendar for individual business hours during Art Walk.
Details: 6-9:30 p.m. Dec. 3 and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 4. Village of the Arts, downtown Bradenton.
Info: villageofthearts.com.
A Holiday Gift Market will bring more than 70 vendors to the Mall at University Town Center on two weekends in December.
Shop among crafters, artisans and regional businesses and enjoy food trucks, tree lightings and colorful light displays. Saturday’s market will cap off with fireworks at 9 p.m.
Details: 1-9 p.m. Nov. 20, Dec. 4 and 11. and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 21, Dec. 5 and 12. The Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Dr., Sarasota. Free parking and entry.
Info: mallatutc.com.
Enchant Christmas: Step into a scene from a winter snow globe at Enchant Christmas, a holiday wonderland inside Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. The fun-for-all-ages event includes a walkable light maze, a kids’ zone, ice skating, food and drink and a Nordic-inspired shopping market.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there, too.
St. Petersburg is one of four cities nationwide to host the event this year.
Details: Event days and hours vary. Open through Jan. 2. Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Dr., St. Petersburg. $25-$35.
Info: enchantchristmas.com.
Holiday light displays
Winter nights under the lights: Palma Sola Botanical Park will bring some holiday cheer to Bradenton with its third annual holiday light display.
Take a stroll and snap a few family photos among the illuminated Florida foliage during this free event.
Details: 6-9 p.m. Dec. 16-19. Palma Sola Botanical Park, 9800 17th Ave. NW, Bradenton. Free (donations accepted).
Info: palmasolabp.org.
Lights in Bloom: “Lights in Bloom” transforms Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota into an illuminated winter wonderland.
More than two million lights are in place to illuminate Selby’s gardens and walkways.
The event also includes arts and crafts, activities, entertainment and holiday photo ops. Food and drink will be available for purchase in the gardens.
Details: 6-9 p.m. Dec. 11-23, 26-30 and Jan. 1-2. Selby Botanical Gardens, 900 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota. Adults: $25. Ages 5-17: $7. Children under 5: Free. Early entry tickets available.
Info: selby.org.
Theme park fun
Christmas at Busch Gardens: Ready to get holly jolly, Florida theme park style? Busch Gardens’ annual Christmas Town celebration is back.
The park is decked out in lights and decorations for the holiday party, and there are festive eats, shows, rides and music to enjoy.
A $120.99 Fun Card allows unlimited entries to the Christmas Town event and free entry to the park through the end of 2022.
Details: Nov. 12 through Jan. 2. Busch Gardens, 10165 McKinley Drive, Tampa. Single day ticket: $89.99.
Info: buschgardens.com/tampa/events/christmas-town.
Did we miss a major holiday event? Send an email with details to rballogg@bradenton.com.
This story was originally published December 3, 2021 at 11:20 AM.