Christmas Parades - The Sarasota Moms

Sarasota County & Surrounding Area Christmas Boat Parades

Saturday, December 3rd at 6 PM 34th Annual Venice Christmas Boat Parade Boats set sail at 6pm, starting just north of Albee Rd Bridge and travels south, ending just before the Circus Bridge in Venice.

Saturday, December 10th at 6PM Downtown Sarasota Boat Parade This annual event is presented by Suncoast Charities for Children and Marina Jack. Admission is free and the best viewing is from Bayfront Park and Marina Jack. Reservations are required in advance for Marina Jack and fill up quickly. Call 941-365-4232 to reserve your table now! Guests are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy or book which will be distributed by Suncoast Charities for Children. 

Saturday, December 3rd at 6PM 4th Annual Bradenton Beach Holiday Boat Parade.  Boat owners are invited to show off their holiday spirit and their beautifully lit vessels in a Parade along the Intracoastal Waterway. The event will begin at 6 p.m. and will last between 60 to 90 minutes.  Route: Vessels in the Parade will gather near the south end of Jewfish Key. The parade will head northwest along the Longboat Pass Bridge and then north up the Intracoastal Waterway. The parade will pass alongside the Bradenton Beach City Pier and end at the Bradenton Beach Marina. The Longboat Pass Bridge at the beginning of the Parade (6:00 PM to 6:30 PM). The Bradenton Beach City Pier as the Parade ends (6:30 PM to 7:00 PM). Free. 

Christmas Parades Around Town

Saturday, November 26th at 6:30PM Downtown Historic Venice Holiday Parade

Bring your appetite! Drinks and goodies are offered for sale by high school booster clubs, Scouts and local nonprofit service groups all along the parade route. Pre-parade entertainment begins at 5:30 p.m. at Harbor Drive and Venice Avenue and at Nokomis and Venice avenues. Music begins to fill the air, the lighting of the downtown holiday decorations begin to sparkle with the sunset and the fun is just beginning .

Family friends and out-of-town guests will all enjoy this community centered holiday experience that you will never forget and keep you returning for years to come!

Saturday, November 26th 5PM 37th Annual Light Up Siesta Key and Village Holiday Parade

The 37th Annual Light Up Siesta Key and Village Holiday Parade will be held Saturday, November 26, 5-9pm. Festive décor and holiday atmosphere will Light Up Siesta Key.  The Holiday Parade will begin at Avenida del Mare and Beach Road at 5:30 pm traveling north on Beach Road onto Ocean Boulevard into the Village. Saturday, December 3rd 7PM 26th Annual Sarasota Holiday Parade The parade takes place in downtown Sarasota on the first Saturday evening of December. With thousands participating and even more thousands viewing, the parade kicks off at 7 p.m. with decorated floats, live marching bands and the guest of honor “rounding” out the parade, Santa Claus. The Parade route runs along Main Street.    Saturday, December 3rd at 5pm North Port Poinsettia Parade The Poinsettia Parade will start at 5 p.m. and march south down Sumter Boulevard from Sylvania Avenue through the City Center Campus, ending at the Festival (a prime location to catch the parade). This year’s theme is “What a Wonderful North Port Life!” Floats adorned with poinsettias, decorated vehicles, and escorted by North Port Fire Rescue, Jolly Ole St. Nick will make a special appearance in the parade. The parade will end at the annual Poinsettia Festival. The Festival will include a tree lighting ceremony and will take place throughout the grounds of the City Center Campus, including on the Front Green and inside City Hall. This fun-filled holiday festival will also feature food vendors, entertainment, performances by local school choruses, attractions and much more. 4 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. City Center Campus 4970 City Hall Blvd, North Port, FL.

TIPS FOR THE BOAT PARADES

 

  • Drawbridges close to traffic for hours to allow boats to pass so plan ahead if you need to cross a bridge along the parade route
  • Restaurants with outdoor dining are great places to view parades. Make reservations several weeks in advance
  • Public parks along parade routes are excellent viewpoints. Bring beach chairs
  • Arrive early. Most boat parades start at dusk, between 6-7 pm

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