Hi Everyone,
Since a couple of the events are on Thursday this week, I'm posting early.
Here's a list of fun things I've found that are going on in the Sarasota - Bradenton - Venice area this weekend.
NOV 11 - JAN 2
Ice Skating at the Rink at UTC, University Town Center mall in Sarasota. Open Mon - Fri 4 - 10 pm, Sat & Sun 11 am - 10 pm.
NOV 18 - DEC 31
A Brave New Wonderland -- holiday circus performances. The magical, immersive holiday spectacular by Nik Wallenda and Circus Arts Conservatory promises a blend of thrilling circus acts, mesmerizing aerial performances and uplifting holiday storytelling. Celebrate the magic of the season with this all-new show under the big top in the East District at UTC mall. Ticket Info at:
https://circusarts.org/
DEC 2 - 10
Gingerbread Festival -- more than 100 gingerbread houses on display at the UTC mall, made by children of various local groups & organizations.
DEC. 8 - JAN. 3
Selby Gardens Lights in Bloom -- spectacular garden themed holiday lights, family friendly activities, food & beverage vendors. 5:30 - 9 pm, various ticket prices.
Info at:
https://selby.org/events/lights-in-bloom2023-321-619/
THURSDAY
Holiday Splendor at the Ringling -- free, self tours of the mansion & both museums with one new unwrapped toy/person OR pay $15/adult, $5/child without toys.
Chanukah on Main Street (Lakewood Ranch) -- Gelt drop, magician, kosher BBQ, street art, raffles, hot latkes, etc. Starts 6 pm, Lakewood Ranch Main St.
FRIDAY
Cinema at the Bay -- free move, Home Alone. 7 pm, bring lawn chairs, Oval at the Bay Park, Sarasota. Free ice cream for the 1st 100 people, food vendors on site.
Big Cat Best of Bash 2023 -- fundraiser at Big Cat Habitat, 6 - 10 pm. Music, prizes, animal shows, food drive, pony rides for the kids, food trucks. $30/adult.
Night Before Christmas at G. T. Bray Park (Bradenton) -- Santa, bounce house, petting zoo, train rides, food trucks, music. 5:30 - 8 pm.
Free Music Friday Night Concert -- by the gazebo at Venice's Centennial Park, 7 - 9 pm, bring lawn chairs.
FRIDAY & SATURDAY
Holiday Movies Under the Stars -- free movie nights on west side of UTC Mall, by Ford's Garage. Starts 7 pm. Fri: The Santa Clause, Sat: The Santa Clause 3
The Nutcracker Ballet -- Sarasota Ballet School with Venice Symphony -- Venice Performing Arts Center. Fri at 7 pm, Sat at 3 pm, tickets $35 - $75.
SATURDAY
Sarasota Farmers Market -- downtown at Lemon & Main, 7 am - 1 pm.
Central Sarasota Farmers Market -- corner Proctor & Beneva, 8 am - 1 pm.
Bradenton Farmers Market -- on Old Main Street (400 12th St W), 9 am - 2 pm.
Venice Farmers Market -- at the City Hall, 401 W Venice Ave, 8 am - 1 pm.
Summer Hours: 8 am - noon.
Fisherman's Village Lighting of the Village -- advertising over 1 million lights, 5 - 9 pm, Punta Gorda.
Anna Maria Island Privateers Children's Christmas Parade & Party with Santa -- parade starts 10 am at south end/Coquina Beach & travels north to Pine Ave. Santa party after parade at Homes Beach City Field. Kids get a hot dog lunch & goodie bag from Santa.
Holiday at the Bay -- party with Santa, music, activities. Watch the Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade at 6 pm from the park. 4 - 6 pm, Oval at the Bay, 1055 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota.
Santa Cause -- Christmas party with Iheart Jones, UTC Mall green. Music, dancing, give aways. 6 pm. Everyone is asked to bring one new unwrapped toy per perso.
Sandy Claws Beach Run -- on Siesta Key Beach pre-registration before 7:45 am, fun run 8 am, 5K race at 8:20 am.
The Messiah -- sung by the Sarasota Choral Society, Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Rd, Sarasota, 4 pm, tickets $25/person.
Commodore's Cup Regatta -- sailboat racing on Sarasota Bay, 10 am.
Porsches in the Park -- Porsches on display around St. Armand's Circle, 9 am - 3 pm.
Old Florida Christmas -- historic Christmas at the Manatee Village Historical Park. Food vendors, 60+ crafts & other vendors. 10 am - 3 pm, free admission. 1404 Manatee Ave E, Bradenton.
Winter Arts & Crafts Show -- Venice Community Center, 326 S. Nokomis, 10 am - 3 pm.
Holiday Gathering Concert -- holiday music by the Manatee Community Concert Band, 3 pm, SCF Neel Performing Arts Center, 5840 26th St W, Bradenton.
Christmas in Cortez -- FL Maritime Museum hosting free holiday event w/ bounce house, sand art, cookie decorating, crafts. 1 - 4 pm, 4415 119th St W, Bradenton (Cortez).
Winter Wonderland Celebration -- party on Old Main in downtown Bradenton with entertainment, hay rides, holiday vendors, 5 - 8:30 pm.
Manatee Holiday Boat Parade -- starts 6:30 pm at Bradenton Yacht Club down river to Pier 22/ Riverwalk Park area.
Sarasota Christmas Boat Parade -- starts 6 pm at City Island and travels along the Sarasota bayfront parks.
Showfolks Holiday Spectacular -- circus show, local performers, Robarts Arena at the Sarasota county fairgrounds. Show times 2:30 & 7:30 pm.
Merry Christmas Tuba Concert -- Venice's Centennial Park by the gazebo, bring lawn chairs, 5:15 - 6:15 pm.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY
Suncoast Renaissance Festival -- Medieval village, actors, crafts, food, demonstrations 10 am - 6 pm, various ticket prices, Sarasota County Fairgrounds. THIS WEEKEND FEATURES A CELTIC CHRISTMAS with pipes & drums, kilt contest, Celtic music.
Info at:
https://suncoastrenaissancefestival.com/
SUNDAY
Lakewood Ranch Farmers Market -- Waterside Place, 10 am - 2 pm.
The Meadows Farmers Market -- At the Meadows shopping village off Honore, 10 am - 2 pm.
Wellen Park Farmers Market -- 9 am - 1 pm.
Polo at Lakewood Ranch -- 2024 season starts Dec 31st.
Polo ticket and other info at:
https://lakewoodranch.com/event/sund...ota-polo-club/
The Ski-A-Rees Water Ski Show -- free show, starts 2 pm, 1602 Ken Thompson Pkwy by Mote
Closed for the winter, back next spring.
Sundays at the Bay -- free performance by various artists at The Oval on the Bay, 4 - 5:30 pm.
Siesta Key Beach Drum Circle -- free event, people gather about an hour before sunset.
Great Escapes 2: Holiday Party -- Sarasota Orchestra performs holiday music, 4 - 6 pm, tickets $47 - $63.
A Taste of Chanukah -- 3 ton snow slide, kosher catered food, live music, Gelt drop. 4 - 6 pm, $10/adult, children under age 12 get in free. Phillippi Estate Park, Sarasota.
Voices of Winter -- performance by the Venice Chorale, Venice Performing Arts Center, 7 pm, tickets $25/adult.
Chanukah Kiezmer Festival -- lighting of the 16 ft Menorah, kids activities, live music. 4:30 - 6:30 pm, Venice's Centennial Park.
SOME OF THE UPCOMING DECEMBER EVENTS
12/08 - 1/03/24 -- Selby Gardens Lights in Bloom
12/13 -- Marie Osmond Christmas Concert at the Van Wezel
12/14 -- Santa Slam
12/23 -- Christmas on Main
12/25 -- Pinecraft Christmas Parade
12/27 - 12/31 -- Sailor Circus
12/31 -- Sarasota Pineapple Drop & New Year's Eve Party
Have a great weekend. Enjoy!
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