Road closures planned as holiday festivities begin around Manatee County
When the University Town Center’s holiday season kicks off Saturday, there will be a road closure for the Santa Grand Arrival Parade and accompanying festivities.
Parts of North Cattleman Road will close at 4 p.m. The road won’t fully reopen until 11 p.m.
The road closure is from the first traffic light south of University Parkway on North Cattleman Road to the roundabout at DeSoto Road and North Cattleman Road.
Saturday’s parade route starts at the roundabout where North Cattleman Road meets Mall Ring Road just north of the recently opened Mote Science Education Aquarium.
It winds north on North Cattleman Road, before looping around a 50-foot Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
That is located just to the east of UTC’s Green area, near restaurants such as Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar and JPan Sushi & Grill.
Traffic updates for UTC holiday event
Event parking is along Mall Ring Road, which can be accessed from the part of North Cattleman Road that reaches University Parkway on entry to the UTC Mall area.
The event begins at 4 p.m. with NoFilter performing music followed by a veteran’s tribute, tightrope artist Nik Wallenda and sibling Lijana Wallenda doing a crisscross skywalk during the tree lighting, a light show, Santa’s Grand Arrival Parade, fireworks and We The Kings performing an after-party concert.
The Suncoast’s Largest Food Truck Festival begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, while North Cattleman Road is open.
For more information, visit UTCSarasota.com/holidays/parade/.
