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
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