If you’re NOT dreaming of a White Christmas this year and want to escape to warmer climates for the holidays, you might look to spend this time of year in Siesta Key—where you’ll experience white sands instead of white snow and blue waters instead of a blue Christmas. If you are looking for an extended stay, check out our 2 week Siesta Key condos!
But just because you’re getting out of the cold doesn’t mean you want to miss out on holiday festivities, right? Well, you’re in luck: there are plenty of Siesta Key events lined up for this holiday season that’ll remind you exactly what time of year it is.
Let’s take a look at some of the holiday fun as well some places to stay in Siesta Key, so you’re not far from Christmas shows, parades, and concerts, in addition to restaurants, boutiques, and other island attractions.
Experience the Holidays with an Extended Stay!
A two-week stay at Crystal Sands Siesta Key beachfront condos puts you right where you need to be to enjoy all the best holiday entertainment the island has to offer. The two-week minimum for all Siesta Key condo rentals has you near downtown Sarasota, close to restaurants, shops, and attractions.
With the two-week minimum, it might be best to book for early- or mid-December so you’re sure to catch as many holiday Siesta Key events as possible.
These are 2-bedroom, 2-bath rentals that sleep up to six, complete with flat screen TVs, washer/dryer, ceiling fans in every room, and the sound of the waves just outside your bedroom window. Maybe not the sound of sleigh bells ringing…but remember, you came to get out of the cold, and there’s still plenty of Christmas feeling to be had in Siesta Key!
Depending on the unit you choose, you might enjoy sunset viewings, granite countertops, open floor plans, screened lanai, and terrace access from the master bedroom.
Here are just some of the festivities you won’t want to miss!
Sarasota Christmas Boat Parade
For a quarter of a century, the Sarasota Christmas Boat Parade of Lights has been stunning visitors and residents. Held on the second Saturday of December (with a rain date of Sunday), the event unfolds along the shores of Centennial Park to Bayfront Park. If you need a few essentials for you viewing party, take a look at these Siesta Key beach rentals!
Accompanied by live and recorded Christmas music aboard each boat, the small, medium, and even yacht-sized vessels—all decorated and brightly lit—move slowly across the waters. Watch closely and you just might see some dancing elves on the decks of at least one of the boats!
TIP: restaurants and parks with outdoor dining along the parade’s routes offer a great view of the spectacle, along with good food and drinks you can enjoy during the experience. Once you’ve got your fill of the parade, you can visit some of the other local Siesta Key craft breweries!
If you can’t get enough parades, there’s also the 25th Annual Sarasota Holiday Parade (Silver Bells theme in 2021) with floats, cars, trucks, walkers, and more.
Hunsader Farms Country Christmas
From December 10 -12 and 17-19, you can camp at Hunsader Farms and find yourself in the center of Christmas rides, music, movies, and over 300,000 lights!
The price of the Country Christmas is included in reservations made at the campground during these times ($10 admission for non-campers, kids 5 and under free). A wristband allows you and your family to come and go between the campground and Country Christmas as often as you’d like.
You can take the kiddies on a train ride, meet Santa, watch Christmas movies on a big screen, attend a campfire, take a hayride, and even go snow tubing. Food includes warm pretzels, hot chocolate, s’mores, ice cream, and kettle corn. You can also shop at a produce market and craft & antique store.
The Hunsader Farms Country Christmas is a full-blown, joy-filled Christmas extravaganza that will definitely put you in the holiday spirit.
This is a weather-permitting event and could be moved to another date if needed.
Porsches in the Park
Santa might prefer his sleigh, but if he had to travel the world in a car on Christmas Eve, we bet he’d choose a Porsche (how else would he get around the globe so quickly?).
The annual free Porsches in the Park event, hosted by Suncoast Motorsports and held at St. Armands Circle, puts plenty of these most striking vehicles from around Florida on display. Enthusiasts get to see the cars up close from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
If all you want for Christmas is to see a stunning display of some of the most beautiful cars in the area, stop at Suncoast Motorsports on December 11th and immerse yourself in this exotic display. Maybe not especially Christmas-themed, but definitely one of the top things to do in Siesta Key during this time of year. If you need help getting around, here is how to navigate around Siesta Key while on your vacation!
You just might wind up putting one of these sleek cars on your Christmas list…
A Digital Old Fashioned Christmas
An original version of “Night Before Christmas” with a funny twist? The opportunity to learn how to make your own orange and clove pomander, a fresh and spicy holiday decoration? A Christmas cookie recipe tutorial?
If this sounds like one of the holiday Siesta Key events you won’t want to miss, access the video event made possible by the Manatee County Historical Commission, Inc. Internet access with high-speed capabilities—which are available at Crystal Sands Siesta Key condo rentals—are needed to fully enjoy this holiday special that will make you recall Christmases past.
This unique digital holiday experience is absolutely free. Note that Manatee Village Historical Park is NOT holding this event nor providing internet access for it.
Sarasota Suncoast Concert Band
Tickets for the Suncoast Concert Band at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Sarasota for two shows in December are on sale for only $5.
The band of musicians, some whom are retirees, will play Christmas classics with big band flair on December 5th and 19th at 3 p.m. Come enjoy a lively musical event that is sure to get you in the holiday mood.
Sarasota Christmas Glow Run
Christmas is certainly the time of year for running: shopping, visiting, decorating.
But an actual 5K run, held at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota on December 18th from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., offers attendees the chance to run amidst Christmas decorations and music from start to finish as they race along a lakeside course. Runners even get a complimentary glow product which adds to the bright ambiance, in addition to a tank or tech tee, finish medal, finish video, and snacks.
And the forecast calls for a 100% chance of snowfall that will hit the finish line! If you’re up for it, don’t sit out this fun-filled event. And remember—you don’t HAVE to run, walking is acceptable. Note: Nathan Benderson Park charges $5 cash for parking. If you need to take a rest after your run, you have to visit the Cinebistro!
Selby Gardens Lights in Bloom
No matter what the temperature outside, Christmas isn’t Christmas without lights. Selby Gardens in downtown Sarasota hosts Lights in Bloom®: An Open-air Holiday Light Show that feature more than TWO MILLION lights throughout the gardens.
The glow will illuminate foliage and walkways, creating an eye-popping display of colors that is not to be missed. A great photo opportunity!
There are also children’s arts and crafts, food, drinks, and other activities and entertainment.
The display is runs from December 11 – 23 and 26 – 30, 2021, and January 1st and 2nd, 2022.
Plan Your Next Visit
Now that you know what you will doing, you just need the perfect Siesta Key condo rental to complete your vacation! Book your dates today!
At the end of a long day ringing in the holiday season with your family, return to one of our Siesta Key beachfront condos to relax and unwind. Contact us today to learn more about our places to stay in Siesta Key!
