Checking out how the locals decorate for the holidays is one of the best and cheapest way to immerse yourself in the holiday atmosphere in Sarasota during the holiday season.
Even though some Sarasota citizens may celebrate Christmas while swimming in the ocean (daily high temperatures there are around 71 °F or 21 °C), they know how to create bright and dazzling Christmas vibes. If you and your family would like to fully immerse in the holiday spirit, driving around looking Christmas lights in Sarasota,Florida, is definitely worth your attention! Simply driving around in downtown Sarasota, Siesta Key or St. Armand’s Circle (among many other areas) is sure to delight those looking for holiday cheer!
One neighborhood in Sarasota, Colonial Gables, has been tempting visitors for many years for justifiable reasons. It’s one of the most glowing neighborhoods with spectacular displays and must-see homes decorated above and beyond every holiday season. Many other neighborhoods boast fanatastic lights, as well, so take some time to meander through some and discover some hidden gems on your own.
A fantastic Holiday Christmas Lights Show is located at Selby Gardens‘ Downtown Sarasota campus, where you will get a thrill out of the glow of more than 2 million LED Christmas lights. This Sarasota Christmas event made USA Today’s Top 10 Botanical Garden Holiday Lights Shows in 2019, making it one of the most desired shows to visit. What’s more, you can join in various activities, such as touchless face painting, photo shooting, and balloon artistry, as well as great food and beverages.
The Holiday Tour of Lights is a famous Sarasota trolley Christmas lights tour that takes its passengers to some of Sarasota’s best-illuminated displays. Reserve a seat on an open-air, old-fashioned trolley and dive deeper into the world of the brightest parts of Sarasota. Relax on the trolley with friends and family, while cruising the streets.
The Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of lights is a MUST see when talking about Christmas lights in Sarasota. It’s a part of the annual Florida Holiday Boat Parade that fascinates and hypnotizes thousands of spectators. People grab their chairs, some snacks, and drinks and head to the best places from which they can enjoy the festival of brightly lighted and spectacularly decorated boats. About 25 boats and yachts make their way starting from City Island, moving across Sarasota Bay to Centennial Park, the Ringling Bridge, and then to Sarasota’s Bayfront Park. The Christmas lights show begins at 6 pm and is organized by Marina Jack Yacht Basin. The best spots to view from are Bayfront Park, City Island, and Centennial Park. A little tip: arrive an hour earlier to get the best seats. There is also a fantastic boat parade in Venice, if you are located a bit further south.
The University Town Center is a great place to get into the holiday spirit, featuring millions of lights for the duration of the holiday season. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the season and fresh-air festivities including nightly light shows choregraphed to music; holiday movies under the stars most Friday and Saturday nights ; and many other memorable experiences! Lakewood Ranch Main Street also has a beautiful light display, so be sure to add that to the list as you drive around.
Jungle Gardens has been a family favorite since 1939. During the holiday season, the gardens get a beautiful makeover full of dazzling lights and light displays. You an stroll through the beautiful gardens, check out the animals and birds, while sipping hot chocolate, grabbing a bite to eat, various other festive activities and even visiting with Santa!
The Christmas lights go on at Enander’s Winter Wonderland on December 13 and remain lit through January 1. This family-run display on Mission Valley Boulevard in Nokomis has become a must-do holiday tradition for many in the area, and for good reason. Featuring around 400,000 Christmas lights, it includes scenes depicting Santa and his elves along with kid-friendly faves like Cinderella and dinosaurs.
Downtown Venice is absolutely aglow this time of year for Christmas lights. Christmas lights wrap the towering palm trees that line Venice Avenue, creating a cool effect that’s totally Instagram-worthy. Additional lights hang from lampposts in the shape of poinsettias, gift boxes, and other holiday symbols. An illuminated animal menagerie sits in front of Venice City Hall, featuring everything from Florida wildlife (like an alligator and dolphin) to more exotic creatures (like a camel and rhinoceros). After checking out that display, stroll through the Venice Arboretum at West Blalock Park to admire its trees strung with lights and other decorations for the holiday season.
There are many more amazing places to view lights this holiday season in the Sarasota area. This just touches on a few of our favorites. Enjoying the Christmas lights in Sarasota is a great experience for you and your family at this time of year. You will enjoy beautiful neighborhoods, light shows, and the festive feelings that come with the holidays!
