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Sarasota’s Holiday Events

The holiday’s are here!  Can you believe it?  Enjoy Sarasota’s holiday splendor! Sarasota has many wonderful festivities to help you get into the holiday spirit.   From the downtown Sarasota holiday parade to the 38th Annual singing Christmas tree at First Sarasota Baptist church, as well as Christmas plays, beautifully decorated mansions, gardens, and holiday music.  Here are a few of our favorites to help you get into the holiday spirit.

Crosley Estate Mansion 

Festival of Trees

11/30/2011 through 12/07/2011 11:00a to 9:00p
Price: Adults $10, Children 12 & under free

Phone: 704-4366

Age Suitability: All Ages a plethora of holiday decorations, live entertainment, intimate afternoon teas, Sarasota Bay boat rides, Festive wine tastings, performances by the Manatee Players, decorated Christmas trees & wreaths antique Crosley cars, Crosley radios, a gingerbread houses, & a vintage model train display.

Holiday Splendor at the Payne Mansion

at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota, FL

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Presents “Holiday Splendor at the Payne Mansion.” The Florida West Coast Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) will expand the scope of its popular Holiday Showhouse in the Mansion for 2011, decking the entire first floor with stunning holiday décor
Open December 1, 2011 through January 2, 2012 from 10:00 a. read more

Price: $14 for adults; $12 for members; children 11 and under FREE

Phone: (941) 366-5731

Age Suitability: All Ages

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Presents “Holiday Splendor at the Payne Mansion.” The Florida West Coast Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) will expand the scope of its popular Holiday Showcase in the Mansion for 2011, decking the entire first floor with stunning holiday décor
Open December 1, 2011 through January 2, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily and during the evenings of Lights in Bloom, December 16-23 and 26 & 27. For more details: www.Selby.org

 

The 38th Annual Singing Christmas Tree at First Sarasota Baptist Church

Beginning Friday, Dec 2, 7:00p

at First Sarasota, The Downtown Baptist Church, Sarasota, FL

The Singing Christmas Tree is an annual music and drama production written & directed by church members, and accompanied by an orchestra. The performance features a multi-story tree, adorned with our talented choir members. With the various musical pieces, the tree comes to life in an awe-inspiring light show. read more

Price: $10.00 per person

Phone: 941.365.2846 Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m for Ticket Sa

Age Suitability: All Ages

The Singing Christmas Tree is an annual music and drama production written & directed by church members, and accompanied by an orchestra. The performance features a multi-story tree, adorned with our talented choir members. With the various musical pieces, the tree comes to life in an awe-inspiring light show. In addition, each year’s drama performance is new and spectacular, but with a special message.

Tickets are being sold now!

   

!2th Annual Gala Concert – The Ditchfields

Saturday, Dec 10, 7:00p to 9:15p

at Riverview Performing Arts Center, Sarasota, FL

Enjoy one of Florida’s favorite Christmas traditions as the Ditchfields present their 12th Annual Gala Concert. As one of America’s most unique vocal groups they are renowned for their superb harmonies and rich blend. Join this special family for an unforgettable Christmas experience! 2 Shows – Saturday, December 10th, 2011 at 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM at the Riverview Performing Arts Center. read more

Price: $15 – $40

Phone: (941) 923-2013

Age Suitability: All Ages

Enjoy one of Florida‘s favorite Christmas traditions as the Ditchfields present their 12th Annual Gala Concert. As one of America’s most unique vocal groups they are renowned for their superb harmonies and rich blend. Join this special family for an unforgettable Christmas experience! Two shows Saturday, December 10th, 2011 at 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM at the Riverview Performing Arts Center. Tickets range from $15 – $40 with group discounts available. (941) 923-2013 www.ditchfieldfamilysingers.com

 

 

Light Up Siesta Village

When November 26, 2011 @ 6:00PM – 9:00PM

Where:  Siesta Key Village

Contact:  Helene Hyland at (941) 685-2274 Siesta Key Village Association
Presents
Light Up Siesta Village
For the 27th year, the Siesta Key Village Association will present Light Up the Village on Saturday, November 26, 2011 from 6 to 9 PM. Siesta Village will be decorated in full holiday splendor with the Christmas tree lighting taking place at the Gazebo, located at Ocean Blvd. and Canal Road, at approximately 6:15 PM

 

Holiday Night of Lights – St. Armand’s Circle

When December 2, 2011 @ 6 PM

Where: St Armand’s Circle

Host:  St. Armand’s Circle Association

During the holiday season, let the fine shops and restaurants of St. Armand’s assist you in choosing that perfect and unique gift for those special people on your holiday shopping list! St. Armand’s is THE magical holiday destination as the Circle magically comes to light and life with grace and elegance. Enjoy a leisurely stroll

Holiday Parade

When: December 3, 2011 @ 7:00PM – 9:00PM

Where:  Downtown Sarasota

70-80 Community parade units – High School marching bands – Community floats – Boy Scouts – Girl Scouts – Shriners – K of C – Motorcycles – Parade lasts approx. 2 hours
For more information: (941) 361-4440

Holiday Gingerbread Open House

When December 8, 2011 @ 6:00PM – 8:00PM

Where:  Ritz Carlton Sarasota

Host:  The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

Contact (941) 309-2000

The Ritz-Carlton is truly a magical place to be during the holidays. Celebrate the oncoming of Christmas with the official “unveiling” of the Gingerbread masterpiece created with care by the talented Pastry Team. Enjoy cookies, hot chocolate and cider while carolers and guests sing favorite holiday tunes. Share your holiday spirit with families in need by donating to the toy drive.

Gingerbread Festival, Sarasota

When:  December 9, 2011 @ 10:00AM – 9:00PMRepeats daily until Sun Dec 11 2011 .

Where:  Westfield Sarasota Square Mall

Contact:  Karen Bogues at (941) 922-5126

Community Youth Development presents the Gingerbread Festival at Westfield Sarasota mall (Macy’s wing), where more than 125 houses created by youth groups, businesses and community organizations will be featured. This year there will also be gingerbread versions of iconic Sarasota landmarks as well as a Iron Chef-style

25th Annual Sarasota Boat Parade of Lights

When: December 10, 2011 @ 6:00PM – 9:30PM

Where: Marina Jacks

Marina Jack Presents: the 25th Annual Sarasota Christmas Boat Parade of Lights at 6pm.
Every year the Christmas Boats come out and show off their beautiful and exciting decorations in spirit of the holidays. Each boat will be judged in 5 categories

Miracle on 34th Street

When: December 13, 2011 @ 7:30PM – 10:00PM

Where: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

Contact: (941) 953-3368

Cost:  $10 to $50

Based on the beloved 1947 movie, this is the heartfelt story about an average man claiming to be the real Santa Claus who brings about a genuine miracle, spreading a wave of love throughout New York City and convincing a single mother, her somber daughter, a courthouse and the entire state of New York that magic is possible when we believe.

Christmas Shoes

When:  December 15, 2011 @ 7:30PM, repeats weekly on Thur, Fri, and Sat until Sat Dec 17 2011 .

Where:  Virtuoso Performing Arts Theatre

Contact:  (941) 301-8126

Cos: t $12

Enjoy the holiday season with this heart warming story about a little boy who sets out on a mission to buy his mother a pair of shoes for Christmas and the lives which are forever changed by the boy’s love and compassion. This Christmas message is filled with all of the hopes, sounds, and dreams of a classic Virtuoso production.

Lights in Bloom, Sarasota’s Selby Gardens

When: December 16, 2011 @ 6:00PM – 9:00PMRepeats daily until Fri Dec 23 2011 .

Where:  Marie Selby Botanical Gardens811 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota FL 34236

Host:  The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

Contact:  (941) 366-5731

Cost: $14 for adults; $12 for members; children 11 and under free

Enhance your holiday by visiting Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Lights in Bloom, Dec. 16-23 and also Dec. 26 & 27. The originator of Lights in Bloom, Bob McComb (“Mr. Illuminator”), is bringing new excitement to this glittering holiday event. Selby is adding more flowers, real-life faeries, 7-foot-wide butterflies, dragonflies, towering
Enjoy these wonderful festivities with your family!  Have a company party or a special event that you cannot bring the kids?  This is where Elite Family Care comes in.  Elite Family Care is Southwest Florida’s Elite nanny and babysitter agency.  Our Elite nannies and babysitters are top notch, nationwide background screened, cpr and first aid certified, and love caring for children of all ages.  We have reliable, safe and caring sitters so that you can enjoy peace of mind.  Our service areas include Bradenton south to Naples, all area beaches and surrounding communities.

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Debra Fortosis