12/08/2025
Grinning Gecko has availability from 12/8 through 12/20 and look at all the holiday events in the area. Spend some family time together during this special time of year. www.vrbo.com/4194735
A Celtic Christmas: First Presbyterian Church in Sarasota will offer two chances to see its annual Christmas musical spectacular this year. The Lubben Brothers, a triplet folk trio, will be backed by a 70-voice choir composed of the First Presbyterian Choir and the Sarasota-based Via Nova Chorale.
Details: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12 and 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. First Presbyterian Church, 2050 Oak St., Sarasota. $30 online; advanced purchase recommended.
Info: ViaNovaChorale.org
Christmas in Cortez: Now in its fifth year, this festival spirits up holiday family fun in the historic fishing village of Cortez. Hosted by the Florida Maritime Museum, "Christmas in Cortez" will feature games, a bounce house, a Santa meet-and-greet and other holiday festivities. Food and drink will be available for purchase at the festival. Event parking can be found at the FISH Preserve, just east of the Florida Maritime Museum. Parking, admission and activities are free.
Details: Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Free.
Info: FloridaMaritimeMuseum.org
An Old Florida Christmas at Manatee Village Historical Park will offer live music performances, make-and-take crafts, photo opportunities with Father Christmas, family-friendly activities and vendors selling handmade goods. Historic buildings will be decorated in holiday style, and there will be a selection of food trucks.
Details: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Manatee Village Historical Park, 1404 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton. Free.
Info: ManateeVillage.org
A Night Before Christmas at G.T. Bray: G.T. Bray Park in Bradenton will transform into a holiday wonderland for this family-friendly Christmas extravaganza. The annual event is hosted by Manatee County Government, and it will feature a snow slide, a "foam zone," bounce houses, a petting zoo, face painting and a letters to Santa station. Kids will also be able to say hello to Santa and Mrs. Claus and take a free picture with them. Local vendors and food and dessert trucks will be there to add to the fun.
Entry is free, but organizers request a donation of one new, unwrapped toy per family for a Toys for Tots drive. Parking will be available in several lots around the park.
Details: 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Event parking available near the G.T. Bray Recreation Center, 5502 33rd Ave. Drive W., Bradenton. Free entry.
Info: Mymanatee.org
The Path to Christmas: Peace Presbyterian Church in Lakewood Ranch will host an illuminated walk through the woods with live nativity characters this Christmas season.
The event will include a Santa Claus appearance, Christmas cookies and warm beverages, plus live music with favorite seasonal songs. The church sanctuary will be open for visitors to pray and light candles in memory of loved ones.
Details: 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21. Peace Presbyterian Church, 12705 S.R. 64, Lakewood Ranch. Free.
Info: PeacePCUSA.com/the-path-to-christmas
Bradenton's Winter Wonderland: This Bradenton Christmas tradition will return in 2025 with a snow slide and other festive activities in the heart of downtown. Enjoy holiday-themed family photo ops, performances by local youth music groups and strolling performers as snow falls on Old Main Street. A free winter carnival will feature games like a snowball toss and ice fishing, and there will be a market of holiday gift vendors and food and drink merchants. Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be in attendance.
Details: 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. Old Main St., Bradenton. Free.
Info: RealizeBradenton.com/events/winter-wonderland
North Pole Express at the Florida Railroad Museum: The North Pole Express transports guests through rural Manatee County to a Christmas village with activities, campfires, hot chocolate, cookies and a meet-and-greet with Santa. The experience lasts about three and a half hours.
Tickets for this local favorite are quick to sell out.
Details: Nov. 28-30 and Dec. 3-7, 10-14 and 17-22. Florida Railroad Museum, 12210 83rd St. E., Parrish. Tickets start at $29.25 for children and $35.50 for adults.
Info: (941) 776-0906. FRRM.org
Holiday parades
AMI Privateers Children's Christmas Parade: After last year's parade was canceled due to hurricane damage, this annual beach tradition returns to Anna Maria Island in 2025. The children's parade features colorful floats decorated for the holidays. It steps off at 10 a.m. from the Coquina Beach South Ramp and travels up Gulf Drive through Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach, ending at City Pier Park in Anna Maria. The parade will be followed by an after-party at Holmes Beach City Field with free hot dogs and drinks for kids and a visit from Santa.
Details: 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Anna Maria Island. Free.
Info: Facebook.com/AnnaMariaIslandPrivateers
Chanukah on Main Street: A Chanukah Celebration on Lakewood Ranch Main Street will feature family fun and glow-in-the-dark dancers. Other activities will include live music, food and drink vendors, a floral menorah lighting, face painting, balloon sculpting, doughnut decorating, a dreidl bounce house, a bubble light show and more.
Details: 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15. Lakewood Ranch Main Street. Free admission.
Info: ChabadOfBradenton.com
This family-friendly Bradenton vacation home is within 3 mi (5 km) of Blake Medical Center and IMG Academy. LECOM Park and Palma Sola Bay are also within 3 mi (5 km).
