The holiday season typically conjures up visions of a winter wonderland with snow as a backdrop. But who says wintertime has to be cold? Come to sunny Sarasota, where it’s summertime all year long. Here, we have the same holiday festivities without the frostbite. Holiday parades abound this season. Historic Venice Main Street hosts a parade on November 28, 2009 and Holiday Parade Downtown Sarasota takes place on December 5.
In Sarasota County, parades aren’t limited to the land—the Venice Christmas Boat Parade takes place on December 5, as well, and the 23rd Annual Sarasota Christmas Boat Parade is on December 12.
Experience the sounds of the season at concerts across Sarasota. Candy Canes + Carols: Christmas with Florida Voices takes place at the Historic Asolo Theater on December 3. On December 10, the Holiday Swing Big Band Courtyard Concert takes place at the beautiful John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. The Moscow Ballet presents a holiday classic, the Great Russian Nutcracker 2009, at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on December 29.
Our favorite area attractions are adding to the festivities with a variety of fun events. From November 22, 2009 through January 2, 2010, Historic Spanish Point presents Heritage Holidays. On November 28 and December 2, 12 and 19, Mote Aquarium hosts “Santa Jaws” and the Ringling Museum’s Holiday Splendor takes place on December 3, benefiting the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots.
Sarasota Jungle Gardens Holiday Lights and Jungle Nights run on select nights between November 27 and December 27 and the breathtaking Selby Botanical Gardens’ Lights in Bloom takes place December 18-23 and December 26-27.
Sarasota brings its original flair to the holiday season with the Atomic Holiday Bazaar, December 12-13, an event featuring crafts inspired by rock and roll. The 33rd Annual Sandy Claws Beach Run, December 12, features a mile-long run and a 5k run on beautiful Siesta Beach, ranked the number 2 beach in the world on Dr. Beach’s 2009 list.
Of course, no holiday trip is complete without some shopping and Sarasota has plenty to offer in that department. Visitors will be able to check every gift off their holiday lists after paying a visit to the quaint shops on St. Armands Circle and Venice Main Street, as well as the fashionable stores in downtown Sarasota. For more information on the fun holiday events taking place in Sarasota & Her Islands this season, check out www.sarasotafl.org.
For more information on Sarasota's holiday parades, visit these sites:
www.venicemainstreet.com
www.venicechristmasboatparade.com
http://sarasotachristmasboatparade.com
For more information on holiday concerts and events, visit these sites:
www.atomicholidaybazaar.com
www.parksonline.scgov.net
www.ringling.org
www.mote.org
www.sarasotajunglegardens.com
www.selby.org
www.vanwezel.org
www.starmandscircleassoc.com
