2022 Family Holiday Events
Dec. 1, 7, 15 6:30-8:30 PM
Lakewood Ranch Main Street
8100 Lakewood Ranch Main Street
Lakewood Ranch
Nightly 6-10 p.m.
5220 69th Street.
Palmetto
The display is set to music and those driving or parking nearby can tune into 96.10 FM to hear holiday songs timed with the lights.
Nightly 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Light shows along Cattlemen Road in Sarasota run every 30 minutes. Fireworks on Saturdays at 9 p.m.
14th Annual Gingerbread Festival
Dec. 2-19 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
The Mall at University Town Center
140 University Town Center Dr
Sarasota
We hope you’ll join us, either as a participant or visitor, at this FREE, unique, family-friendly event! This year’s festival will be on display along the upper level of The Mall at UTC, in conjunction with the UTC Festival of Trees. Come marvel at this holiday wonderland featuring one-of-a-kind gingerbread houses crafted by more than 150 local schools, youth groups, businesses, and nonprofit organizations.
Holmes Beach Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Walkabout
Dec. 2, 5-8 p.m.
Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce
5313 Gulf Drive
Holmes Beach
The Crosspoint Church Choir will perform.
Lakewood Ranch Holiday Tree Lighting
Dec. 2 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Lakewood Ranch Main Street
8100 Lakewood Ranch Main Street
Lakewood Ranch
The lighting will take place before the evening’s Music on Main performance by Juicy Purple.
Palmetto’s Christmas in the Park
Dec. 2 3-7 p.m., Dec. 3 2-7 p.m.
Manatee County Agricultural Museum
1015 6th Street W
Palmetto
Celebrate the holiday season with the return of Palmetto’s Christmas in the Park at the Palmetto Historical Park and Manatee County Agricultural Museum. Reservations are required to see Santa.
Dec. 2-3 6 p.m., Dec. 4 2 p.m., Dec. 9-10 6 p.m., Dec. 11 2 p.m.
Ovation School of Musical Theatre
4602 E SR 64
Bradenton
Elf the Musical is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth.
Bradenton Beach Holiday Boat Parade
Dec. 3, 6 p.m.
The best viewing areas are from the Longboat Key Bridge and the Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach. Vessels gather near the south end of Jewfish Key and head northwest along the Longboat Pass Bridge and north up the Intracoastal Waterway. It will pass alongside the Bradenton Beach city pier and end at the Bradenton Beach Marina.
Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade
Dec. 10, 6 p.m.
Staging is at Snead Island and vessels travel down the Manatee River.
Country Christmas at Hunsader Farms
Dec. 10-11, 16-18, 22-23, 6-10 p.m.
5500 CR 675
Bradenton
This holiday display features more than 300,000 lights. There are also hayrides, train rides, Christmas music, visits with Santa, craft vendors, campfires, a Christmas village display, holiday movies, snow tubing, and a petting zoo, according to the Hunsader Farms website. The cost is $15 per person. Kids 5 and younger are free. Parking is free. Cash only.
Winter Nights Under the Lights
Dec. 15-18 6 p.m.
Palma Sola Botanical Park
9800 17th Ave NW
Bradenton
This holiday display is free, though there are optional donation spots throughout the park.
Dec. 18, 4-6 p.m.
Phillippi Estate Park in Sarasota.
Hosted by Chabad Lubavitch of Sarasota & Manatee Counties, this event includes a balloon menorah, live music, a trackless train, a 3-ton snow slide, kosher food, arts and crafts, and more. Chabad of Sarasota will also host menorah lightings during the holiday.
Dec. 19, 5:30 p.m.
Riverwalk Mosaic Amphitheater
Bradenton
The event will feature menorah lighting and Klezmer music.
Chanukah Shabbat Service and Menorah Lighting
Dec. 23, 7 p.m.
Temple Beth El
5150 Peridia Blvd. E.
Bradenton
Bring your favorite menorah. There will also be music and song during the Shabbat service.
These are just a few of the 2022 family holiday events. See more here.
Have a safe holiday season from Dr. Logan and the staff at West Coast Pediatrics!
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