Sarasota, Florida is a wonderful destination all year long, but it really shines throughout the holiday season. Here are some staple activities that happen every year in our area around during the wonderful winter months.

Lights in Bloom at Marie Selby Gardens

Annually at the beautiful botanical gardens on Sarasota Bay, Marie Selby Gardens, the entire 15-acre property is bedecked in over 2 million twinkling Christmas lights. Visitors have the opportunity to stroll through magical gardens filled with beautifully lit flowers, radiant rainforest butterflies, dragonflies, and more. The tropical holiday paradise includes nightly visits from Santa (before Christmas Eve), children’s arts and crafts activities and games, and special entertainment. Snacks, beverages, and desserts are available for purchase. I recommend getting tickets for this event, as it is very popular and ticket holders are let in first. Space in limited so those without a ticket may be turned away. You can find out more about this event at Selby.org.

Holiday Boat Parades – Downtown Sarasota & Manatee River

Shore- and water-stationed guests of the multiple boat parades are treated to a caravan of festively decorated boats and yachts as they cruise slowly up the coast. The Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights has been a signature event in downtown Sarasota for over 30 years. Great spots for viewing the boat parade are O’Leary’s Tiki Bar, Marina Jack’s Restaurant, atop the Ringling Bridge, or from any of the waterfront condo high-rises and/or rooftop bars. The Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade is Manatee County’s largest holiday event each year, as a fleet of decked-out vessels make their way up the river while thousands of residents and tourist spectators line the riverside to experience the magic.

The Sarasota Ballet presents The Circus Nutcracker

A world-wide holiday favorite gets a Sarasota spin when the Sarasota Ballet presents The Circus Nutcracker. All your favorite Tchikovsky classics are included, and the ballet gorgeously blends E. T. A. Hoffman’s classic tale The Nutcracker with the history of Sarasota icons John and Mable Ringling. To add another element of spectacular, The Circus Nutcracker is the only ballet performed by Sarasota Ballet with full orchestral accompaniment by the Sarasota Orchestra. It is a festive classic but a bit of Sarasota fun that you simply must see at least once. You can find out more about this special performance here.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe presents A Motown Christmas

Christmas classics crooned by the vocalists and performers of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe in the beautiful Sarasota Opera House? What could be better! Sarasota living legend Nate Jacobs created, wrote, and performs in this annual show each holiday season, featuring Christmas favorites in the styles of Motown legends such as Stevie Wonder, the Supremes, and Marvin Gaye. Despite the formal setting, this holiday concert is designed for you to get up and sing or sway along during the performance. So let your hair down and come ready for a good time. Find out more about A Motown Christmas here.

The Grand Chanukah Klezmer Festival & Lighting of the Giant Menorah

What Chanukah would be complete without the formal lighting of a giant, 12-foot lego menorah? Join the Jewish Federation under the stars at Centennial Park each year for the Grand Chanukah Klezmer Festival, located at Centennial Park in Venice. Each year the festival features live music, Chanukah activities for children, Jewish food favorites such as latkes, kugel, and matzah ball soup, and the lighting of an extra-sized menorah. Bring the entire family to the beautiful setting of historic downtown Venice for an evening to remember. This annual event is put on by the Jewish Federation, and more information about it can be found here.