As we soon leave November and enter December, 2023 has nearly come to a close. Yet before we welcome 2024, we have one more month full of local events, including ways to ring in the new year.
We’re already in the thick of Christmas and other winter holiday celebrations , which’ll continue throughout the end of December before switching to New Year’s Eve festivities, including an annual downtown Sarasota event that offers a Florida-fitting, tropical take on the traditional ball drop. Other annual events returning this month include arguably our biggest music festival, taking place on downtown Bradenton’s Riverwalk, and a seafood and music festival on world-famous Siesta Beach. There’ll be plenty of the concerts, stage productions and art exhibitions our area hosts year-round, too.
To help keep track of it all, here are more than 100 events set to take place in December in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties, listed in roughly chronological order. Event details are subject to change.
Best Christmas and winter holiday events in Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, Punta Gorda
100-plus fun things to do in November near Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice and Punta Gorda
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Holiday Night of Lights
The 45th annual event will feature a Christmas carol singalong, 60-foot Christmas tree, the chance to mail your letter to and take photos with Santa, live musical performances and holiday entertainment, and more. 5:30-9 p.m. Dec. 1; St. Armands Circle, Sarasota; starmandscircleassoc.com
Music on Main
The free monthly concert series and block party on Lakewood Ranch’s Main Street features Shell and the Crabs in December, along with food vendors, beer trucks and kids’ games and activities. 6-9 p.m. Dec. 1; 8100 Lakewood Main St., Lakewood Ranch; free; 941-907-9243; lakewoodranch.com
Fresh Fridays
The monthly event in downtown Sarasota will return with a Fresh & Frosty theme in December, featuring a holiday showcase with local talent and professional carolers, seasonal sweets and treats, lights and snow globe photobooth. 7-10 p.m. Dec. 1; Selby Five Points Park, 1 Central Ave., Sarasota; downtownsarasotadid.com/fresh-fridays
SIRSY
The pop-rock, husband-and-wife duo of Rich Libutti and Melanie Krahmer has had their music appear on the Showtime series “Shameless.” 7 p.m. Dec. 1; Birdrock Taco Shack, 1213 13th Ave. W., Bradenton; 941-545-9966; facebook.com/birdrocktaco
Palmetto’s Christmas in the Park
Visit the Palmetto Historical Park grounds, where there will be activities including reindeer games and crafts, all of the buildings open and decorated, and Santa. 3-7 p.m. Dec. 1 and 2-7 p.m. Dec. 2; Palmetto Historical Park and Manatee County Agricultural Museum, 515 10th Ave. W., Palmetto, reservations required; 941-721-2034; manateecountyagmuseum.com
The two-day event presented by Florida Penguin Productions will feature more than 120 vendors selling holiday gifts, food and more. 4-9 p.m. Dec. 1 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 2; The Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota; free entry; 727-674-1464; floridapenguinproductions.com
Bradenton Blues Festival
The annual festival will feature renowned blues musicians such as Rick Estrin and the Nightcats, Mark Hummel and James Cotton Band, Lurrie Bell, and John Primer and the Real Deal Blues Band during the main Dec. 2 concert, with a concert headlined by J.P. Soars Gypsy Blue Revue with Anne Harris the night before. 5-8:40 p.m. Dec. 1 and 10 a.m.-6:25 p.m. Dec. 2; Bradenton Riverwalk Pavilion at Rossi Park, 452 Third Ave. W., Bradenton; $65-$75 both days, $55-$65 Dec. 2 only, $20-$30 Dec. 1 only; bradentonbluesfestival.org
Siesta Beach Seafood & Music Festival
The free, three-day festival features live music, a variety of seafood and other dishes, beverages of the alcoholic and non-alcoholic variety, and a marketplace of arts, crafts and other select products and food items. Noon-9 p.m. Dec. 1, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 2 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 3; Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Road, Siesta Key; free admission; 941-487-8061; paragonfestivals.com
Singing Christmas Tree Spectacular
The 49th annual event features the First Sarasota Choir and Orchestra performing beloved Christmas classics and some new favorites as well. 7 p.m. Dec. 1, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dec. 2, and 5 p.m. Dec. 3; First Sarasota, 1661 Main St., Sarasota; $20, $15 children; 941-365-2846; firstsarasota.org
‘Shakespeare’s Lovers’
Local actress and director Katherine Michelle Tanner collaborates with William Shakespeare for this original piece that weaves together 29 of Shakespeare’s sonnets with 19 by Tanner to tell the story of a poet and a painter exploring first love, lost love and lasting love. Blake Walton directs and plays the narrator. Tanner plays O and Stephan Ray Jr. plays H. Dec. 1-17. Tree Fort Productions Projects, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. $40. Treefortproductionsprojects.com
‘A Christmas Carol’
Venice Theatre is back for the 22nd rendition of its original musical version of Charles Dickens’ classic, with Murray Chase returning to direct one of his favorite shows each season. Brad Wages, who once again plays Ebenezer Scrooge, is part of a cast of veterans, including Doug Landin as Bob Cratchit and Neil Kasanofsky as Fezziwig and Christmas Present. Dec. 1-20, Venice Theatre Raymond Center, 140 W. Tampa Ave., Venice. $26, $22 for college students, $15 for youth. 941-488-1115; venicetheatre.org
The Wonderland of Lights
The family-friendly drive-through experience features festive lighted displays, with thousands of dancing lights accompanied by sounds of the season. 6-9 p.m. Dec. 1-30; Charlotte County Fairgrounds, 2333 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte; $30 per vehicle up to eight passengers (military discount available at the gate only with valid military ID); thewonderlandoflights.com
Holiday Festival of Lights
More than one million lights and themed decorations adorn the inside and outside of Fishermen’s Village. Through Dec. 31; Fishermen’s Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda; 941-639-8721; fishermensvillage.com
Holidays at UTC
University Town Center celebrates the holiday season with offerings throughout December including nightly light shows every 30 minutes between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m., holiday movies under the stars 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and fireworks shows 9 p.m. Saturdays, plus an ice skating rink, horse-drawn carriage rides and more. Through Jan. 2; University Town Center, 210 N. Cattlemen Road, Sarasota; utcsarasota.com
Ukrainian Christmas in Venice
Learn about and experience Ukrainian Christmas customs with live music, traditional dress, dancing and more. Bring a blanket or chair. 1-4 p.m. Dec. 2; Centennial Park, 200 W. Venice Ave., Venice; venicegov.com
Poinsettia Parade & Festival
The parade, featuring the theme “North Port Holidays Around the World” this year, will travel south down Sumter Boulevard, ending at the City Center Front Green, where the Poinsettia Festival will be held before and after the parade. The parade has featured more than 50 units in past years, while the festival will feature a tree lighting as well as mobile food vendors, entertainment, attractions, merchandise vendors and more. 4-8 p.m. Dec. 2; City Center Front Green, 4970 City Hall Blvd., North Port; free; 941-429-7275; northportfl.gov
Christmas Jeep Parade
Bradenton Jeep Club and Sarasota Jeep Club’s annual parade meets at DeSoto Square Mall and supports Manatee County Food Bank. 5 p.m. Dec. 2; DeSoto Square Mall, 303 301 Blvd. W., Bradenton; entry fee of two items from Manatee County Food Bank’s list of needs per Jeep; facebook.com/bradentonjeepclub
Venice Christmas Boat Parade of Lights
The parade is visible from the Intracoastal Waterway, starting above Albee Road Bridge heading south and turning around before Circus Bridge. 6 p.m. Dec. 2; Intracoastal Waterway, Venice; venicechristmasboatparade.net
Bradenton Beach Holiday Boat Parade and Christmas on Bridge Street
The fifth annual parade will gather near the south end of Jewfish Key, then head northwest along the Longboat Pass Bridge and then north in the Intracoastal Waterway, passing alongside Bradenton Beach City Pier and ending at Bradenton Beach Marina. Bridge Street will be closed so holiday revelers can experience live music at multiple venues, along with specials at participating restaurants, bars and retailers, and the Manatee Players doing street performances, too. 6 p.m. Dec. 2; Intracoastal Waterway, Bradenton Beach; lovebradentonbeach.com
GeminiiDragon
After opening day one of Bradenton Blues Festival, the Louisiana singer will play a headlining show at the nearby Birdrock Taco Shack. 7 p.m. Dec. 2; Birdrock Taco Shack, 1213 13th Ave. W., Bradenton; 941-545-9966; facebook.com/birdrocktaco
Sarasota Holiday Parade
The 27th annual parade with the theme “Happy Holidays Around the World” this year will feature thousands of participants, including lighted floats and high school marching bands, starting at Main Street and U.S. 301 in downtown Sarasota and ending at J.D. Hamel Park. 7-9 p.m. Dec. 2; Main Street and U.S. 301, Sarasota; sarasotaholidayparade.com
Jingle Jam
The two-day event will feature a holiday market, horse and carriage rides, kids’ crafts and activities, family events and contests, holiday-themed carnival games, live music, appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a Caddy Carts Golf Cart Parade on Dec. 3. 10 a.m. Dec. 2-3; CoolToday Park, 18800 W. Villages Parkway, North Port; 941-413-5000; cooltodaypark.com/events/jinglejam
Lakewood Ranch Holiday of the Arts
Browse and purchase arts and crafts by artisans from across America at this event featuring works in painting, sculpting, jewelry, photography, candles, scented oils, ceramics, fiber and wearable art, mixed-media, woodworking and more. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 2-3; Main Street at Lakewood Ranch, 8100 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Bradenton; free admission; 941-487-8061; paragonfestivals.com
SunCoast Renaissance Festival
The fourth annual renaissance festival features more than 100 stage shows daily, varieties of foods and treats, and numerous artisan merchants with handcrafted wares. Dec. 2-3, 9-10; Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota; $18, $15 student/senior/military, $10 child (one-day pass), $32, $26 student/senior/military, $22 child (two-day pass), other passes available; 321-458-3515; suncoastrenaissancefestival.com
EcoSummit and Green Living Expo
A two-day Green Living Expo trade show will be followed by an EcoSummit, with highlights including Dec. 5’s Florida Stories featuring authors/reporters Carl Hiaasen and Craig Pittman at Van Wezel and a Dec. 4 screening of “2040” featuring the film’s director Damon Gameau at The Bay. Dec. 2-3; Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; free (Green Living Expo); 5-8 p.m. Dec. 4; The Bay Park Nest, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota; free (“2040” screening); Dec. 5-6; Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; $155-$185 (EcoSummit), $85 (Florida Stories only); scienceandenvironment.org/project/2023summit-expo
‘To Die For’
FST Improv presents an improvised whodunit in which there’s a new culprit every night, depending on how the audience directs the performers. It plays off traditional murder mystery formulas and scenarios but with comedic twists. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2, 9, 16; Bowne’s Lab, Florida Studio Theatre, 1265 First St., Sarasota; $12-$15; 941-366-9000; floridastudiotheatre.org
Holiday Tour of Lights
The nightly tours visit neighborhoods and homes lit up to share the holiday spirit. 6 and 8 p.m. Dec. 2-29; meets at Burlington, 3941 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota; $20 per person; 941-915-3232; siestatrolley.com/holiday-tour-of-lights
Canadian Brass Holiday Concert
The group that may be the world’s most famous brass quintet offers a prelude to the Sarasota Concert Association’s winter Great Performers Series with a holiday-themed concert. The ensemble is known for its clever arrangements and a bit of choreography in its performances. The concert also marks the group’s 25th anniversary. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4; Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota; $35-$85; 941-966-6161; scasarasota.org
Sweet Caroline Tour
Neil Diamond tribute performer Jay White will return to Van Wezel on this tour, with this show billed as “A Neil Diamond Christmas.” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4; Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; $30-$67; 941-263-6799; vanwezel.org
A Seraphic Fire Christmas
Vocal ensemble Seraphic Fire, which earned a Best Small Ensemble Performance Grammy nomination for its album “A Seraphic Fire Christmas,” will perform a concert of the same name with a candle-lit setting and songs such as “Jesus Christ the Apple Tree” and “Silent Night.” 7 p.m. Dec. 5; St. Boniface Episcopal Church, 5615 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota; $62; seraphicfire.org/tickets
Christmas Carol Trolley: Letters to Santa
The 90-minute holiday tour for the whole family with the Trolley Troubadours jumping aboard to entertain you also includes a carol singalong, holiday stories, jokes, trivia and a tour of Sarasota’s downtown neighborhood lights. Dec. 5-30; Discover Sarasota Tours, 1826 Fourth St., Sarasota; $49.99 adults, $29.99 kids ages 3 and up (includes free soft drinks for kids and beer/wine for adults before boarding; 941-260-9818; discoversarasotatours.com
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