13 Christmas Parades, Tree Lightings, Markets and Boat Parades in Sarasota and Bradenton for 2026
Sarasota and Bradenton start the season with Venice's tree lighting on November 27 and the Siesta Key Holiday Parade on November 28. The Sarasota Holiday Parade and Bradenton's Winter Wonderland follow on December 5, and boat parades hit Sarasota Bay and the Manatee River on December 12.
Every event below shows the date its organizer lists. Where an organizer has not posted a start time, we say so instead of guessing.
1.Siesta Key Village
Siesta Key Holiday Parade ends in the Village, with free Santa photos first.
The Siesta Key Holiday Parade starts at 5:30 PM at Avenida del Mare and Beach Road, heads north on Beach Road and turns onto Ocean Boulevard, ending in Siesta Key Village. Before the parade, Santa is at the Village Gazebo from 3 to 5 PM, and the first 250 children get a holiday gift bag.
- Know before you go
- The organizer says photos with Santa are free. The Santa spot is the Village Gazebo, Ocean Boulevard at Avenida Messina and Canal Road.
- Best time
- Saturday, November 28, 2026. Santa photos 3 to 5 PM (line closes 4:30 PM); parade 5:30 PM.
- Local tip
- Join the Santa line before 4:30 PM, when it closes. Santa also visits The Big Tiki Lounge after the parade.
2.Centennial Park
The Mayor's Hometown Christmas tree lighting in Historic Downtown Venice.
The Mayor's Hometown Christmas kicks off the season in downtown Venice with a Christmas tree lighting, performances by local choirs including The Venice Chorale, and time with Santa. You can also shop and dine in the Historic Downtown Venice businesses.
- Know before you go
- At Centennial Park, 200 West Venice Avenue. The organizer page does not say whether the event is free.
- Best time
- Friday, November 27, 2026, 5 to 7 PM.
- Local tip
- Bring chairs or blankets, as the organizer advises.
3.Historic Downtown Venice, FL
Venice's Christmas Walk lights up decorated trees and storefront windows.
The Christmas Walk keeps local shops open later, with treats, live music and decorated trees lit along the downtown avenues. Strolling past the decorated holiday storefront windows is part of the evening.
- Know before you go
- Organized by Venice MainStreet. The page does not say whether the event is free.
- Best time
- Thursday, December 3, 2026, 5 to 8 PM.
- Local tip
- Walk the Miami, Tampa and West Venice avenues for the lit trees and window displays.
4.Bradenton Area Convention Center
European Holiday Market: 80 plus merchants, glühwein, pierogies and Old Saint Nicholas.
The European Holiday Market fills the Bradenton Area Convention Center with more than 80 merchants selling handmade crafts, plus interactive attractions and food and drinks. The Bradenton Times lists German style glühwein, Polish pierogies and locally made brats, with photo opportunities and a visit from Old Saint Nicholas.
- Know before you go
- A ticketed event. The Bradenton Times reports children under 12 enter free. The Florida Railroad Museum page also mentions a model train exhibit and holiday tree displays.
- Best time
- Early December 2026. The Manatee Performing Arts Center lists December 3 to 6, 10 AM to 6 PM; the Bradenton Times reports December 2 to 6. Confirm the exact days when you buy.
- Local tip
- Advance tickets are sold online and at the Manatee Performing Arts Center box office.
5.Sarasota Holiday Parade
The 30th Sarasota Holiday Parade rolls down Main Street with an America 250 theme.
The Sarasota Holiday Parade is presented by Sarasota Holiday Celebration Inc., a nonprofit, on Main Street downtown. The 2026 theme is America 250.
- Know before you go
- The organizer page does not list a route, time or admission details, so check it for updates.
- Best time
- Saturday, December 5, 2026. The organizer page does not list a start time.
- Local tip
- Parade rules prohibit throwing or handing out items such as candy, beads and flyers.
6.Old Main Street
Falling snow, a snow slide and live performances on Bradenton's Old Main Street.
Winter Wonderland takes over downtown Bradenton's historic Old Main Street with falling snow and a snow slide for kids, carnival games, live holiday performances and local vendors. There are also food and drink vendors, photo ops and a costume contest at the photo frame at Old Main and 4th Avenue.
- Know before you go
- The organizer says the event is free to the public; you only need money for shopping or food.
- Best time
- Saturday, December 5, 2026, 5 to 8 PM.
- Local tip
- The City Centre Parking Garage above Orange Blossom is free, with its entrance on 10th Street across from the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature.
7.Main Street At Lakewood Ranch
Handmade fine art and crafts on Main Street for Holiday of the Arts.
Holiday of the Arts brings handmade art and crafts from artisans across the U.S. to downtown Lakewood Ranch. The listing includes canvas works, sculpture, jewelry, photography, candles, ceramics and woodworking, and you can commission custom work.
- Know before you go
- The organizer lists free admission.
- Best time
- Saturday and Sunday, December 5 and 6, 2026, 10 AM to 5 PM.
- Local tip
- Go for gift shopping; you can ask artists about custom commissions.
8.Bayfront Park
Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade on Sarasota Bay, free to watch.
The Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade sends a parade of boats along Sarasota Bay. The organizer names Bayfront Park and Marina Jack as the best viewing spots and says the event is free and open to the public.
- Know before you go
- Presented by Suncoast Charities for Children and Marina Jack. Check the organizer page for the start time before heading out.
- Best time
- Saturday, December 12, 2026. The organizer page does not list a start time.
- Local tip
- Watch from Bayfront Park or Marina Jack. Dinner at Marina Jack requires a reservation.
9.Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade
Manatee County's biggest holiday event is a boat parade on the Manatee River.
The Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade is run by a nonprofit, with boats competing for cash prizes as the fleet tours up the Manatee River. The organizer calls it the county's largest holiday event of the year.
- Know before you go
- Boat registration is free to enter. The page does not say whether spectator viewing is free or where to watch.
- Best time
- Saturday, December 12, 2026. The organizer page does not list a start time.
- Local tip
- Contact the Bradenton Yacht Club at 941 722 5936 for viewing or timing questions.
10.The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
Holiday Splendor in the Museum of Art Courtyard supports Toys for Tots.
Holiday Splendor is a Museum of Art Courtyard festival with a visit with Santa, face painting, food trucks and live music from local school groups. It supports the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots.
- Know before you go
- The Ringling says admission is free with one unwrapped toy per person. Food is sold separately.
- Best time
- December 10 and 17, 5 to 8 PM. The Ringling's listing shows the dates without a year, so confirm on the Ringling page.
- Local tip
- Enter through the Visitor's Pavilion. Toys are also sold in the Museum Store if you forget one.
11.Main Street At Lakewood Ranch
Free rides, games, Santa and a candlelight service on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.
Christmas on Main offers free rides and games from 4 to 6:30 PM, a visit from Santa and a candlelight service from 7 to 8 PM. It is hosted by Grace Community Church at 8100 Lakewood Main Street.
- Know before you go
- No registration is required, and the organizer lists free games, rides and attractions for the whole family.
- Best time
- Saturday and Sunday, December 19 and 20, 2026, 4 to 8 PM.
- Local tip
- Come early for the free rides and games, which end at 6:30 PM; the candlelight service closes the evening.
12.Parrish Hometown Christmas
A free evening of market shopping, food, Santa and activities in Parrish.
Parrish Hometown Christmas is an evening of holiday fun, market shopping, food and community connection. The page lists Santa, children's activities, entertainment and games, plus handmade makers, local market vendors and community organizations.
- Know before you go
- Admission is free. The organizer states there is no rain date.
- Best time
- Sunday, December 13, 2026, 4 to 8 PM.
- Local tip
- Dress for the weather; it is an outdoor event.
13.Maxine Barritt Park
A free holiday market with live music and Christmas carols in Venice.
Venice Nights Christmas Carols is a holiday market with local vendors and live music by Joey O and Aaron Kelly. It is organized by Golden Shellback Media at Maxine Barritt Park, 1800 Harbor Drive South.
- Know before you go
- The listing says entry is free.
- Best time
- Saturday, December 19, 2026, 5 to 9 PM.
- Local tip
- Bring your own chair, as attendees are invited to do.
Hours and routes can change, so confirm on each organizer page. Plan the rest of your season on Wayfind at https://www.gowayfind.com/christmas-in-florida.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Sarasota Holiday Parade in 2026?
The organizer lists Saturday, December 5, 2026, on Main Street in downtown Sarasota. The theme is America 250. The organizer page does not list a start time.
When are the holiday boat parades in 2026?
Both the Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade (Sarasota Bay) and the Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade list Saturday, December 12, 2026. Neither organizer page lists a start time.
Is the Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade free to watch?
The organizer says the event is free and open to the public, with Bayfront Park and Marina Jack named as the best viewing spots.
What happens at Bradenton's Winter Wonderland?
Winter Wonderland on Old Main Street runs 5 to 8 PM on December 5, 2026, with falling snow, a snow slide, carnival games, live performances and vendors. The organizer says it is free to the public.
Which events fall on Thanksgiving weekend?
The Mayor's Hometown Christmas in Venice is Friday, November 27, and the Siesta Key Holiday Parade is Saturday, November 28, 2026.
