Photo Credit: First Sarasota The Downtown Baptist Church: Singing Christmas Tree
Whether you’re here for the holidays or a longtime Bradenton resident, you’ll be familiar with Sarasota’s unique combination of cultural and environmental amenities, from sandy beaches and resorts to the Sarasota School of Architecture. If you’re looking for a special Christmas event in or around Sarasota, you’ll discover an eclectic selection that’s sure to please the whole family.
Check out our local guide for more of the area’s best family entertainment and dining, and read on below for a compilation of Christmas favorites from the team at Cox Mazda!
Get the ultimate Sarasota Christmas lights experience with this celebration featuring the 25-foot Singing Christmas Tree, a musical pageant performance, and over 130 singers supported by a love orchestra. Hosted by the First Baptist Church of Sarasota, this festive celebration is a holiday hallmark in Sarasota — and one of the longest-running Christmas festivals in the entire city!
Come to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for this unique Christmas experience that transforms the Selby’s gardens and walkways into sensory light tunnels. Transformed by the glow of Christmas lights, normal flowers and plants suddenly look like a mysterious and beautiful fairy forest. Kids will enjoy crafts, games, and visits from Santa in this special environment. Kids under 5 attend free, and tickets cost $7 for kids ages 6 to 12!
Florida Studio Theater’s imaginative Deck the Halls performance celebrates the season in true Florida fashion! A tradition for Sarasota-area families, the story follows five elves who travel to Sarasota from the North Pole to find out about Sarasota Christmas celebrations — and in the process learn about what makes Florida special. If you saw it last year, this year’s edition features all-new songs and sketches!
If you enjoy celebrating your Sarasota Christmas with physical activity, the Glow Run 5k is always a lot of fun. You’ll run or walk the lakeside course at night among lit-up Christmas-themed decorations. Deck out your running gear with complimentary glow products. Live tracking on the Elite Events Tracker App means spectators can keep up with the fun, too. You can look forward to celebratory snowfall at the finish!
For music lovers, Celtic Angels Christmas may as well be a dream gift! Featuring instrumental and Irish seasonal favorites, you’ll be treated to a true celebration of Christmas in Ireland. Among the highlights are vocal performances from a renowned all-Irish vocal quintet, and Irish dance routines by the Celtic Knight Dancers — featuring the lead dancer of Riverdance, Patrick O-Mahoney.
Whether you’re coming from Tampa or Palmetto for a special Sarasota Christmas event, don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions! Check out our other local guide to Sarasota’s best restaurants and fall activities near Sarasota. Also be sure to learn more about our low mileage used cars when you want to start your car search!
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