| Jill French · REAL Broker · Sarasota & Bradenton |
Nov–Dec 2026 |
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🎅 🎄 ✨ ⛵
Your Holiday Sarasota Guide
Santa’s coming to town this weekend! 🌴
Parades, fireworks, millions of twinkling lights, and sunshine on the side — the holidays on the Suncoast are hard to beat. Here’s everything happening from now through mid-December.
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Hey friends! 👋 Jill here. The holiday season officially kicks off this Saturday with Santa’s Grand Arrival Parade at UTC — and from there the calendar just keeps getting better. I’ve flagged the events where tickets or reservations are worth grabbing early so you don’t miss out. Happy holidays! 🙌
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🎟️ Book These Early
💡 Lights in Bloom — tickets on sale now (Dec 5–Jan 2)
🎅 Photos with Santa at UTC — reserve your time slot
⛵ Marina Jack boat-parade viewing — reservations required (Dec 12)
👟 Steps for Sarasota — register by the Nov 21 walk
🎤 David Foster & Katharine McPhee — Van Wezel, this Saturday
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🎅 This Weekend — Nov 13–16 |
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NOV 14
⭐ MUST-DO
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Santa’s Grand Arrival Parade & Tree Lighting 🎄
The Mall at University Town Center (UTC) · Sat, Nov 14 · Free
The Suncoast’s official kickoff to the holidays! Nik Wallenda lights UTC’s 50-foot Christmas tree in a daring stunt, Santa rolls in on parade, fireworks light up the sky, and the night wraps with an after-party concert. Expect big crowds — arrive early. Extra parking is available at Nathan Benderson Park and the lot near Homewood Suites. 🎆
4:00 PM Pre-party entertainment
6:00 PM Circus performances & daring tree-lighting stunt
6:30 PM Santa’s Grand Arrival Parade
7:30 PM Fireworks show
8:00 PM After-party concert |
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NOV 14
FREE
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Suncoast’s Largest Food Truck Festival 🚚
The Mall at UTC, Parking Lot 9 · Sat, Nov 14 · 11 a.m.–9 p.m. · Free entry & parking
Make a day of it! About 40 food vendors plus local makers set up at UTC before the parade — family- and pet-friendly, and you can stay for the parade and fireworks that evening. Come hungry. 🌮
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NOV 13–16
FREE
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Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sand Sculpting Festival 🏖️
Siesta Beach · Nov 13–16 · Free to attend
World-class sculptors from around the globe build massive sand masterpieces live on our powdery white beach, with a speed-sculpting contest and amateur competition. Gorgeous for a weekend beach stroll. 🌟
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NOV 14
🎟️ EARLY
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David Foster & Katharine McPhee 🎤
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall · Sat, Nov 14
Legendary producer David Foster and powerhouse vocalist Katharine McPhee take the bayfront stage. Check with the box office for any remaining seats — this one is popular! 🌹
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NOV Thru 15
LAST DAYS
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Living Arts Festival 🎭
Bradenton · Sarasota · Venice · Nov 8–15 · Mix of free & ticketed
A week-long celebration of theatre, dance, music, and visual art across the Cultural Coast wraps up this weekend. See what’s left at sarasotarising.org. 🎨
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NOV 21
REGISTER
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Steps for Sarasota Walkathon & Community Celebration 👟
Junior League of Sarasota · Nathan Benderson Park · Sat, Nov 21 · 4 p.m.
The inaugural evening walk around Nathan Benderson Park, followed by a festive community celebration with food and entertainment — all supporting the Junior League of Sarasota. Sign up at sarasota.jl.org. 💜
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NOV 6–Dec 24
RESERVE
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Photos with Santa at UTC 🎅
The Mall at University Town Center · Nov 6–Dec 24 · Reservations available
Skip the long lines — reserve a time for a classic holiday photo with Santa. Weekends fill up fast as Christmas gets closer, so book your slot early. 📸
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NOV 7–Dec 6
SAT & SUN
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Sarasota Medieval Fair ⚔️
Woods of Mallaranny, Myakka City · Weekends through Dec 6 · 9:45 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Full-contact jousting, human chess, artisan shops, and turkey legs galore — a one-of-a-kind family day out with a new theme each weekend. 🏰
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DEC 4
FREE
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48th Annual Holiday Night of Lights 🌟
St. Armands Circle · Fri, Dec 4 · 5:30–8 p.m.
St. Armands Circle lights up for the season with its beloved tree lighting celebration — strolling, shopping, and holiday cheer on Lido Key. ✨
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DEC 5
FREE
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Sarasota Holiday Parade — “America 250” 🇺🇸
Main Street, Downtown Sarasota · Sat, Dec 5 · 7 p.m.
The 31st annual downtown parade rolls down Main Street with lighted floats, bands, and Santa, themed for America’s 250th birthday. Free — bring a chair and arrive early for a good spot. 🎺
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DEC 5–Jan 2
🎟️ EARLY
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Lights in Bloom at Selby Gardens 💡
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Downtown Sarasota · Select nights Dec 5–Jan 2 · Tickets on sale now
More than two million lights transform Selby’s bayfront gardens into a glowing holiday wonderland — a USA TODAY top-10 botanical garden light show. Advance tickets are strongly encouraged and popular nights sell out, so grab yours now at selby.org. 🌺
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DEC 5
FREE
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Music on Main — Lakewood Ranch 🎶
Lakewood Ranch Main Street · Sat, Dec 5
Lakewood Ranch’s monthly street party returns with live music and community fun — a great way to spend a December evening close to home. Check the Lakewood Ranch calendar for start time. 🎁
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DEC 12
⭐ PICK
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40th Annual Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights ⛵
Sarasota Bay · Sat, Dec 12 · 6 p.m. · Free
Decorated boats of every size glide along the downtown bayfront in one of Sarasota’s most beloved traditions. Best viewing is from Bayfront Park or Marina Jack (reservations required at Marina Jack). Prefer the river? The Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade is the same night in Bradenton/Palmetto. 🎅
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📍 A Note From Jill
Visitors and snowbirds are arriving, and the holidays are a great time to see why people fall in love with Sarasota. If you’re thinking about buying, selling, or just curious what your home is worth heading into the new year, I’d love to chat. 😊
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What’s Your Home Worth? 🏡
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Jill French PLLC · Real Broker LLC · 6903 Arbor Oaks Circle, Bradenton, FL 34209
You’re receiving this as a valued member of Jill’s community. Event details are subject to change — always confirm with organizers before attending. To unsubscribe, reply with “unsubscribe” in the subject line.
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