Family-friendly Holiday Events

2020 has been a challenging year for events. Many of our annual holiday events have had to be canceled or reimaged to keep everyone safe. Here are some family-friendly holiday events. Please note that even some free events require registration so they can limit and socially distance attendees. Don’t wait to register or buy your tickets, as space is limited this year. Please remember to wear your masks, hand sanitizer, and social distance while attending events.

 

24 Days of Merry Making

Date:  December 1-24

Time:  5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Location:  Online

Join Michael’s Kids Club FREE online classes each day for fun holiday crafts designed for your mini-makers (ages 3+).  December 1-24 at 5 pm Eastern. Register HERE

 

RRG Christmas Celebration

Date: December 5 & 6

Times: 11:00 am or 3:00 pm

Location:  Rye Road Giraffes, Bradenton (Get Directions)

Adult tickets – $15

Childrens tickets – $5 (ages 4 – 10)

The Rye Road Giraffes are proud to present their first-ever Christmas Celebration! The Christmas Carol Circus features their caroling ringmaster, who will be singing some of our favorite Christmas songs live. There will also be optional children’s activities happening before the show, such as Pony rides, camel rides, face painting, bounce houses, and of course, animal feedings that will be available for all ages. (Fees apply)

 

North Pole Express at Florida Railroad Museum

Dates:  December 5, 6, 8-13, 15-21

Times: 5:30 pm & 7:00 pm

Location:  Florida Railroad Museum, Parrish (Get Directions)

Ticket prices vary. Get tickets HERE

All Aboard! The North Pole Express will be departing this December from the Parrish train station!  Santa Claus will be waiting for the train to arrive so he can greet every child.  Join along in song with the carolers as they bring good tidings and holiday cheer to all guests onboard.  Lots of included activities will be during an out stop at the North Pole.

 

UTC Holiday Festival of Lights

Dates:  December 5, 2020 – January 3, 2021

Time:  6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Location: University Town Center, Sarasota (Get Directions)

FREE

This year’s reimagined holiday experience – UTC Holiday Festival of Lights – aims to inspire awe and wonder in the hearts of friends, families, and communities through millions of lights. It includes light shows, holiday movies under the stars (Fridays & Saturdays 7 pm), fireworks (Saturdays), horse-drawn carriage rides ($5 per person), and more.

 

Chanukah Drive-In Concert

Date:  December 10

Time:  6:00 pm

Location:  The Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch (Get Directions)

Chabad of Bradenton & Lakewood Ranch is proud to present a Chanukah Drive in Concert featuring the Freylach Klezmer Band, an Aerialist Show, Stilt Walkers, Jugglers, Chanukah Gift Boxes, Latkes, Doughnuts, Children’s Packages, Dreidels, and more! Reservations are necessary for all vehicles attending this event. Register HERE

 

Hunsader Farms Country Christmas

Date:  December 11-13, 18-20

Time:  6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Location:  Hunsader Farm, Bradenton (Get Directions)

Admission: $10/person – CASH ONLY

Kids 5 years and under: FREE

Parking: FREE

Join Hunsader Farms for their Country Christmas this year! They will have over 300,000 lights, hayrides, train rides, pony rides, food, Christmas music, a petting zoo, snow tubing, and more!

 

Winter Wonderland with Santa

Date:  December 12

Time:  9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Location:  Learning Unlimited and Manatee Learning Academy, Bradenton (Get Directions)

FREE

Walkthrough their Winter Wonderland and meet Santa at the end! Start with a walk through our Winter Wonderland complete with photo areas, receive take-home winter crafts, breakfast to go, and an extraordinary meeting with the one and only Santa! They ask you to mark you are going to the event and rsvp through the ticket link to ensure we have plenty of breakfast and crafts for everyone!

RSVP HERE

 

These are just a  few events are happening in the area. For more holiday and non-holiday events for the kids, visit bradenton.macaronikid.com/events. West Coast Pediatrics wishes you and your family a safe, happy holiday season.