Holiday Lights and Christmas in Sarasota
By Carson B. · Updated November 5, 2026
The big three for holiday lights around Sarasota are Lights in Bloom at Selby Gardens (Dec. 5 through Jan. 2), Holiday Night of Lights on St. Armands Circle (Dec. 4), and the Sarasota Holiday Parade on Main Street (Dec. 5). Siesta Key gets things going early with its parade on Nov. 28.
Lights in Bloom at Selby Gardens
Selby's downtown gardens stay open after dark for Lights in Bloom, running Dec. 5, 2026 through Jan. 2, 2027. Selby sells timed tickets online and strongly suggests buying ahead, with entry starting in the early evening. Check Selby's event page for dates closed and current tickets.
Holiday Night of Lights on St. Armands Circle
St. Armands Circle lights up for Holiday Night of Lights on Friday, Dec. 4. Pair it with dinner on the Circle and leave yourself time to find parking, since it's a popular night out.
The parades
Siesta Key Holiday Parade, Saturday, Nov. 28. It starts at 5:30 p.m. at Avenida del Mare and Beach Road and heads north into Siesta Key Village, with Santa visiting beforehand at the Chamber's visitor center.
Sarasota Holiday Parade, Saturday, Dec. 5. The downtown parade on Main Street is in its 30th year. Local TV reported a record crowd of about 25,000 last year, so get there early. Check with the city for the start time.
Santa's Grand Arrival Parade, Saturday, Nov. 14. UTC's parade is the first one on the calendar.
Markets, music, and a very Sarasota beach run
UTC's Holiday Night Market and Festival of Trees carry you through most of December. Downtown Wellen Park in Venice runs Wellen Wonderland and a golf cart parade, and Lakewood Ranch has its Holiday of the Arts on Main Street. And on Dec. 12, the Sandy Claws Beach Run hits its 50th year on Siesta Beach, which might be the most Sarasota way to spend a December morning. The live list below has dates and details for all of them.
Holiday events on our calendar
Palmetto's Christmas in the Park 2026
Fri, Dec 4 · 3:00 PM · 2 dates
Palmetto Historical Park · Palmetto
Questions
When is the Sarasota Holiday Parade in 2026?
Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, on Main Street in downtown Sarasota. It's the parade's 30th year.
When is Lights in Bloom at Selby Gardens?
Dec. 5, 2026 through Jan. 2, 2027. Selby sells tickets online and suggests buying ahead.
When is the Siesta Key Holiday Parade?
Saturday, Nov. 28, 2026, starting at 5:30 p.m. at Avenida del Mare and Beach Road and heading into Siesta Key Village.