Holiday Events: Anna Maria Island, Bradenton & Sarasota

CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR'S 2026

The Holidays on the Gulf Coast

The holidays on Anna Maria Island come with palm trees, warm days and quiet beaches. From the tree lighting on Historic Bridge Street to boat parades on the Manatee River, here's what's on this season, on the island and a short drive away.

On the Island

Christmas Tree Lighting on Bridge Street (Sundown Get Down)

Saturday, November 21, 2026, 2 to 8 pm · Historic Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach · free

Bridge Street goes car-free for a tropical holiday street party with the official tree lighting, Santa and live music. The free island trolley from our door takes you there. Event info.

Anna Maria Island Chamber Christmas Tree Lighting

Friday, December 4, 2026, 5 to 8 pm · 5313 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach

The island's chamber of commerce lights its tree at its Holmes Beach office, just down Gulf Drive from Cedar Cove. Event info.

Anna Maria Holiday Walk on Pine Avenue

Friday, December 11, 2026, 5 to 9 pm · Pine Avenue, Anna Maria · free

Pine Avenue closes to cars for an evening of holiday shopping, treats and seasonal cheer along Anna Maria's main street. Event info.

Mistletoe Market Art & Craft Show

Expected Saturday and Sunday, December 12 and 13, 2026, 10 am to 5 pm · City Field, Holmes Beach · free

About 100 artists and crafters fill City Field for a weekend of holiday gift shopping, with food trucks and live music. One listing shows December 5 and 6 instead, so check the date before you go. Event info.

Bethlehem Walk at Roser Church

Usually a Sunday evening in early-to-mid December (December 14 in 2025); 2026 date to be announced · free

Carolers follow Mary, Joseph and live animals on a short candlelit walk through old Anna Maria, ending with refreshments at the church. Roser Church.

The Anna Maria Island Privateers' Christmas parade wasn't held in 2024 or 2025, and no 2026 date has been announced. If it returns, we'll add it to our calendar.

A Short Drive Away

  • Holiday Night of Lights on St. Armands Circle: Friday, December 4, 5:30 to 8:30 pm, free. Santa helps light the Circle's 60-foot tree. About 35 minutes. Event info
  • Winter Wonderland on Old Main Street, Bradenton: Saturday, December 5, free. Santa and Mrs. Claus, a snow slide and falling "snow". About 25 minutes. Event info
  • Sarasota Holiday Parade: Saturday, December 5, evening, free, on Main Street. About 40 minutes. Event info
  • Lights in Bloom at Selby Gardens, Sarasota: December 5, 2026 to January 2, 2027, ticketed. More than two million lights in the bayfront gardens. About 40 minutes. Tickets & info
  • Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade: Saturday, December 12, evening, free. Watch from the Bradenton Riverwalk, the Green Bridge or Palmetto Pier. About 25 minutes. Event info
  • Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights: Saturday, December 12, 6:30 to 8:30 pm, free, along the downtown bayfront. About 40 minutes. Event info
  • Winter Nights Under the Lights, Palma Sola Botanical Park: Thursday to Sunday, December 17 to 20, 6 to 9 pm, free. About 25 minutes. Event info
  • Christmas in the Garden at Longboat Island Chapel: nightly through December in past years (2026 dates to be announced), free. About 20 minutes. Event info

Making a day of it? Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (November 13 to January 4) and Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa (select nights, November 27 to December 30) are about an hour away.

New Year's Eve

  • Downtown Sarasota New Year's Eve: a street party with a giant pineapple drop at midnight and fireworks over the bay (expected December 31). About 40 minutes. Event info
  • Downtown Bradenton: usually live music and midnight fireworks over the Manatee River; 2026 plans haven't been announced yet.

Holiday dates: Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26; Christmas weekend is Friday to Sunday, December 25 to 27; and New Year's weekend is Friday to Sunday, January 1 to 3.

Spend the holidays by the beach Every suite and cottage has a full kitchen, the free island trolley stops right out front, and guests can borrow free bikes (sign one out at the front desk). Our beachfront and Resort Side suites are on the beach side of Gulf Drive, and our cottages are on the Cottage Side, just across Gulf Drive from our private beach. That kitchen makes a holiday dinner easy. See our current specials.

Check our availability

Dates and details come from each organizer and can change, so please check the event website before you go.

See everything else that's on in our Events & Area Calendar, and our tips for things to do on Anna Maria Island.