2017 Sarasota Holiday Events: What To Know Before You Go

SARASOTA, FL – As the calendar is getting ready to hit the final month of the year, Sarasota County is getting ready to hit the 2017 holiday season running.

The different sights, sounds and smells of the Hanukkah and Christmas seasons will take place around Sarasota County with a bit of something for everyone.

Here’s what area residents and visitors need to know before you go to any of the 2017 Sarasota County holiday events:

Thursday, Nov. 30

• Deck the Halls at Ca’d’Zan – The Ringling Museum will host Deck the Halls at Ca’d’Zan, showing of the 1920s mansion with its holiday trimmings on select Thursdays during the Ringling’s Art After 5 series from 5 to 8 p.m. The museum is located at 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota.

Friday, Dec. 1

• Holiday Night of Lights – St. Armand’s Circle (300 Madison Drive for GPS) will host its annual Holiday Night of Lights on Friday, Dec. 1 from 6 to 9 p.m. The event features the St. Armand’s Circle tree lightning, caroling and Santa Claus arriving in his sleigh.

Saturday, Dec. 2

• Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade – More than 25,000 people are expected to attend the 22nd annual Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade on Saturday, Dec. 2 starting at 7 p.m. Click here for more information, including road closings.
• Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt – The Children’s Garden, 1670 10th Way, Sarasota, will host its Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2. Organizers recommend participants arrive by 9:45 a.m. to take part in the event, geared toward small children. After the scavenger hunt, a holiday coloring station, hot cocoa and coffee will be available as well as a bake sale.
• Venice Boat Parade – The annual Venice Boat Parade is set to take place Saturday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. The parade route starts at the Albee Road Bridge and follows the Intracoastal waterway to the South Tamiami Trail Bridge. The rain date is Sunday, Dec. 3. For more information, visit http://www.venicechristmasboatparade.com.

Sunday, Dec. 3

• Jingle Paws Jubilee – Suncoast Pet Magazine will host its annual Jingle Paws Jubilee on Sunday, Dec. 3 from noon to 5 p.m. at Phillippi Estate Park, 5500 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Dogs and cats are invited to wear their holiday best to participate in a parade, contest and photos. Pets will be available for adoption. Participants also can donate to and support rescue groups, visit pet-friendly vendors, food, raffles, agility demonstrations and more.

Thursday, Dec. 7

• Holiday Splendor at the Ringling – The Ringling Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, will host Holiday Splendor at the Ringling on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. The event, which supports Toys for Tots, will feature holiday musical performances from area elementary, middle and high school students in the museum courtyard, Bolger Campiello and Ca’d’Zan. All Ringling venues will be open during the event. Admission is free with one unwrapped toy per guest or $15 for adults and $5 for children ages 6 to 17. Children 5 and younger are free.
• Downtown Venice Christmas Walk – The Annual Downtown Venice Christmas Walk will take place Thursday, Dec. 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. along Venice Avenue, Miami Avenue and Tampa Avenue. Participating shops will offer specials, discounts and holiday goodies.

Friday, Dec. 8

• Holidays Around the Ranch – Lakewood Ranch Main Street will host its Holidays Around the Ranch on Friday, Dec. 8 from 6 to 9 p.m. The event features Santa Claus’ arrival on a horse-drawn carriage, caroling and the community’s tree lighting.

Saturday, Dec. 9

• Atomic Holiday Bazaar – The Atomic Holiday Bazaar, Sarasota’s annual holiday indie craft market will take place Saturday, Dec. 9 from noon to 5 p.m. The event features arts, crafts, clothes and DIY artists, designers and vendors.
• Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade – The 32nd annual Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade is set to launch on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. Bayfront Park offers prime viewing.
• North Port Tree Lighting, Poinsettia Festival and Parade – North Point’s main holiday events will take place on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., featuring a festival carnival atmosphere with vendors and games, school choir carolers and the Gingerbread Land contest at City Hall. For more information, visit http://www.cityofnorthport.com/government/city-services/parks-recreation/special-events/tree-lighting-poinsettia-festival.

Sunday, Dec. 10

• Atomic Holiday Bazaar – The Atomic Holiday Bazaar, Sarasota’s annual holiday indie craft market will take place Saturday, Dec. 10 from noon to 5 p.m. The event features arts, crafts, clothes and DIY artists, designers and vendors.

Tuesday, Dec. 12

• Thanksgiving Chanukah Celebration – Chabad of Sarasota and Manatee Counties will host a Thanksgiving Chanukah Celebration on Tuesday, Dec. 12 from 6 to 10:30 p.m. at Lakewood Ranch Main Street. A menorah will be assembled from cans of donated food, which will be lit on the first night of Chanukah. Canned food can be donated to the Chabad House, 5712 Lorraine Road, prior to the event or bringing cans to the event.
• Menorah Lighting – Chabad of Venice and North Port will host a giant menorah lighting with music and hot latkes on Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 5:30 p.m. at 420 W. Dearborne St. in Englewood.

Thursday, Dec. 14

• Deck the Halls at Ca’d’Zan – The Ringling Museum will host Deck the Halls at Ca’d’Zan, showing of the 1920s mansion with its holiday trimmings on select Thursdays during the Ringling’s Art After 5 series from 5 to 8 p.m. The museum is located at 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota.
• Menorah Lighting – Chabad of Venice and North Port will host a giant menorah lighting with music and hot latkes on Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 5:30 p.m. at Warm Mineral Springs, 12200 San Servando Ave. in North Port.

Friday, Dec. 15

• Gingerbread Festival – The Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida will present the ninth annual Gingerbread Festival on Saturday, Dec. 9 at the Westfield Sarasota Square Mall, 8201 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. The festival features gingerbread house displays from more than 150 participating schools, organizations, youth groups and local businesses.
• Cinematic Celebration – The Ringling will host its Cinematic Celebration: “Elf” in the Ringling Courtyard on Friday, Dec. 15 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $15, $13.50 for members and $10 for children, and are available to purchase at https://www.ringling.org/events/cinematic-celebrations-elf.

Saturday, Dec. 16

• Breakfast with Santa – Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources will host Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 16 from 10 a.m. to noon at Newton Estates Park, 2800 Newton Blvd., Sarasota. The free event features a pancake breakfast, gifts and toy raffle, holiday music, crafts, games and Santa Claus himself.

Sunday, Dec. 17

• Storytelling with Santa – The Crosley Estate will host Storytelling with Santa and the Christmas Fairy on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 11 a.m. with lunch served at 12:30 p.m. at the estate, 4141 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. The event features hot cocoa, Christmas cookie decorating, reindeer games and the special holiday lunch. Tickets are $32 for adults and $17 for children 12 and younger, and are available at http://www.crosleysupperclub.com/santa-in-sarasota.html.
• A Taste of Chanukah – The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee will host A Taste of Chanukah on Sunday, Dec. 17 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Phillippi Estate Park, 5500 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. The event features kosher food, magicians, games, and daredevil performer Bello Nock. Admission is $5, children enter free.
• Chanukah Israel Klezmer Festival – Chabad of Venice and North Port will host the Chanukah Israel Klezmer Festival on Sunday, Dec. 17 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Centennial Park in downtown Venice. The event will feature the lighting of a 12-foot menorah, a huge Dreidel House, a Hebrew school performance, music from the Freylekh Klezmer Band, matzah ball soup, latkes, sufganiyot and other traditional Jewish food and a replica of the Western Wall.

Thursday, Dec. 21

• Deck the Halls at Ca’d’Zan – The Ringling Museum will host Deck the Halls at Ca’d’Zan, showing of the 1920s mansion with its holiday trimmings on select Thursdays during the Ringling’s Art After 5 series from 5 to 8 p.m. The museum is located at 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota.

Saturday, Dec. 23

• Storytelling with Santa – The Crosley Estate will host Storytelling with Santa and the Christmas Fairy on Saturday, Dec. 23 at 11 a.m. with lunch served at 12:30 p.m. at the estate, 4141 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. The event features hot cocoa, Christmas cookie decorating, reindeer games and the special holiday lunch. Tickets are $32 for adults and $17 for children 12 and younger, and are available at http://www.crosleysupperclub.com/santa-in-sarasota.html.

Monday, Dec. 25

• Pinecraft Christmas Parade – The annual Pinecraft Christmas Parade will gather at the Der Dutchman parking lot on Monday, Dec. 25 at 1 p.m. and wind its way through the community. The largest event in Sarasota’s Amish and Mennonite community, the Pinecraft Christmas Parade draws more than 1,000 spectators per year.

Thursday, Dec. 28

• Deck the Halls at Ca’d’Zan – The Ringling Museum will host Deck the Halls at Ca’d’Zan, showing of the 1920s mansion with its holiday trimmings on select Thursdays during the Ringling’s Art After 5 series from 5 to 8 p.m. The museum is located at 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota.

Thursday, Jan. 4

• Deck the Halls at Ca’d’Zan – The Ringling Museum will host Deck the Halls at Ca’d’Zan, showing of the 1920s mansion with its holiday trimmings on select Thursdays during the Ringling’s Art After 5 series from 5 to 8 p.m. The museum is located at 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota.

Image via The City of North Port – Government Facebook page