7 p.m. Saturday.
Sarasota Holiday ParadeMore than 4,000 participants will march down Main Street, including all county high school bands, along with community floats, dance and marching groups and performers., Girl Scouts, circus groups and performers. The parade starts at Washington Boulevard and Main Street. Last year’s parade drew more than 25,000 attendees. Canned food items will also be collected for the All Faiths Food Bank Holiday Food Drive.
6 p.m. Saturday. venicechristmasboatparade.com.
Venice Christmas Boat ParadeFor over 30 years boats have been decked out in thousands of lights and festive decorations for this parade. It starts north of Albee Road Bridge and continues along the Intracoastal Waterway.
5:30 p.m. Dec. 5 & 7; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8; 8 p.m. Dec 8. Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. $26-$71. sarasotaorchestra.org.
Sarasota Orchestra’s Winter WonderlandA concert of Christmas and Hanukkah music featuring March of the Toys, excerpts from the Nutcracker, Fantasia on Greensleeves, The Polar Express andChristmas Festival, conducted by Andrew Lane.
4-7:30 p.m. Saturday. G.T. Bray Park, 5502 33rd Ave. Drive W., Bradenton.
A Night Before Christmas at G.T. Bray ParkSanta Claus will fly into G.T. Bray Park by helicopter at 4 p.m. for the Manatee County Parks and Recreation Department’s annual celebration. There will be family activities, hayrides and crafts, and of course visits with Santa.
8 p.m. Tuesday Dec. 4. Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota. $10-$55. vanwezel.org.
Oak Ridge Boys Christmas Time's A ComingThe Oak Ridge Boys bring their down-home, four-part harmonies to the Van Wezel for a concert of Christmas classics.
9 a.m.-5 p.m. through Dec. 31. Historic Spanish Point, 337 N. Tamiami Trail, Osprey; historicspanishpoint.org.
Holly Days & Mangrove Lights at Historic Spanish PointFestive decorations and lights, costumed performers, photos with Santa, extended hours to view the Mangrove Lights, special holiday parties and more. Extended hours on Thursday and Friday nights.
7 p.m. Saturday. $12. North Port Performing Arts Center, 6400 W. Price Blvd., North Port. (800) 406-7722; northportchorale.info.
North Port Chorale's Happy HolidaysThe 70-member North Port Chorale — with the Joyful Ringers Handbell Choir, the 20-voice Soundsations and a full brass ensemble — will sing traditional Christmas songs.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday (through Dec. 22). Dakin Dairy Farms, 30771 Betts Road, Myakka City. 322-2802; dakindairyfarms.com.
“It’s a Country Christmas”Picnicking, hayrides, live manger, farm tours and more.
3 p.m. Sunday. Englewood United Methodist Church Sanctuary, 700 W. Dearborn St. Free will offering. 474-5588; englewoodumc.net.
Christmas Organ Concert and Carol SingDirector of Music Ministries Fonda Davies brings in the season on the Austin-Allen pipe and digital 4-manual organ in the Englewood United Methodist Church Sanctuary.
10 a.m. Saturday. Blackburn Point Plaza, 1086 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey.
Christmas on the PlazaToys for Tots and food drive with an array of family holiday activities and raffles.
Holiday Top 10: Nov. 29-Dec. 5
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