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Siesta Key Christmas Events You Don’t Want To Miss

A Siesta Key Christmas can be the best and most unique way to spend the Christmas season. While you won’t have a white Christmas, the warmer weather of Siesta Key can make for an exciting Christmas experience.

There are many different events that are held in Siesta Key as well as the city of Sarasota, which is near Siesta Key, for you to participate in order to enjoy the Christmas season. While it may seem strange to celebrate Christmas away from home, Siesta Key has many events that you can participate in as well as many attractions you can see that will get you in the Christmas spirit.

From the various parades that help bring the start of the Christmas season to the beautiful decorations of the city, Siesta Key helps to bring the Christmas spirit to life.

Siesta Key Christmas

Christmas parade in siesta key
Photo from Shutterstock

If you decide to spend your Christmas in Siesta Key, not only can you spend time enjoying the warmer weather, but the community in Siesta Key holds many different holiday events that you can participate in during your time in the area.

Whether these Christmas events are in Siesta Key or in nearby Sarasota, you will be sure to enjoy festive events like markets, parades, and other events that will surely bring in the Christmas spirit.

If you do plan on attending any of these events, you will find that they are a great way to celebrate Christmas in Siesta Key, so it would be a great idea to attend one or more of these when staying in Siesta Key.

Siesta Key Christmas Parade

The Siesta Key Christmas Parade is a big event that helps to kick off the Christmas season in Siesta Key. This year, the Siesta Key Christmas Parade will be held on November 25, 2023, and the event will last from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.

The parade will begin at Avenida de Mare and Beach Road around 5:30 p.m. From there, the parade will head North onto Ocean Boulevard and into the Village. It is here in the Village where the parade will reach its end.

The Siesta Key Christmas Parade has local businesses and local groups help to welcome Santa to the Siesta Key Village. Once the parade has reached its end, you can bring your children and find Santa at the Siesta Center. At the Siesta Center, Santa will greet children and take pictures with those who wish for their picture to be taken with Santa free of charge.

This event is free and open to the public. Everyone can come and enjoy bringing in the Christmas Season with a parade that leads Santa into Siesta Key.

Sarasota Christmas Parade

Another fun Christmas parade you can attend while staying in Siesta Key for the Christmas season is the Sarasota Christmas Parade. This parade is not as interactive as the Siesta Key Christmas Parade, but it is still a great one to watch.

The Sarasota Christmas Parade takes place in downtown Sarasota and travels along Main Street in the city. For this Christmas season, the parade is held on Saturday, December 2, 2023. This parade takes place every year, and it is free to attend.

The Sarasota Christmas Parade takes place after the Siesta Key Christmas Parade, so you can watch both parades during your stay in sunny Florida this holiday season.

Boat Parade of Lights

palm trees decorated for christmas in siesta key
Photo from Shutterstock

Another event you can attend while exploring Siesta Key at Christmas is the Boat Parade of Lights. This event involves a beautiful parade of boats that have been decorated for the holiday season.

The Boat Parade of Lights is an annual event that is put on by Sunocast Charities for Children and Marina Jack. For this Christmas season, the Boat Parade of Lights will take place on Saturday, December 9, 2023. The parade will begin around 6 p.m. and last until around 8 p.m.

Admission to the Boat Parade of Lights is free for all who wish to attend. You can find the Boat Parade of Lights being held at Marina Jack, which is located at 2 Marina Plaza in Sarasota. If you want the best viewpoint to watch the parade, you can watch from City Island and Bayfront Park in downtown Sarasota.

This is another great event that the whole family can enjoy. Since it does not take place at the same time as any of the other events, you can work this into your schedule of activities to do while in Siesta Key for Christmas.

Lights in Bloom

A popular activity during the Christmas season is driving around to see Christmas lights that people have used to decorate their homes and places of business. While this activity is a fun one you can do while in your home city, you can also participate in the viewing of different Christmas lights while enjoying your Siesta Key Christmas.

The Lights in Bloom is a beautiful assortment of Christmas lights that adorn the trees, bushes, flowers, and other fixtures at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in downtown Sarasota. This event is held throughout the month of December, so you have many different times that you can choose from to visit the gardens to see the lights, and you can visit multiple times during your stay in Siesta Key.

The Lights in Bloom allows you to step into a tropical Winter wonderland. You can see the lights, take photos, and participate in other activities that are held at the gardens during this time.

You do have to pay in order to see the lights. General admission tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for children aged 5 – 17. If you have children aged 4 and under, they get free admission to the Lights in Bloom. You can also get discounted tickets to the event if you are a member of the gardens. 

The Lights in Bloom is a beautiful sight to see and helps bring the Christmas season to life.

Plan Your Next Visit! 

Are you ready to trade snowflakes for sunshine this holiday season? Browse our entire selection of rental options like Siesta Key waterfront rentals or properties with pools! Find the perfect match for your next vacation today!

Stay With Siesta Key Luxury Rental Properties

You can have a great time spending your Christmas in Siesta Key! Although it may deviate from your usual Christmas holiday routine, Siesta Key effortlessly brings the festive Christmas spirit to you during your stay.

While all of the different events and things to do in Siesta Key may be fun, it is important to have a place to return to once all of the festivities are over. When planning your stay in Siesta Key, you can book with Siesta Key Luxury Rental Properties.

Siesta Key Luxury Rental Properties has many different rentals that you can choose from. You can find the perfect place for your stay in Siesta Key, so you can attend many of the events that help bring in the Christmas spirit. You can find the perfect rental for your family or group, and you can rest assured that your rental will have everything you want and need to make your stay in Siesta Key comfortable.