Sarasota Christmas Lights 2024-2025

Even though some Sarasota residents may celebrate Christmas while swimming in the ocean, with daily high temperatures around 71 °F (21 °C), they still know how to create bright and dazzling holiday vibes. If you and your family want to immerse yourselves in the festive spirit fully, the Christmas lights in Sarasota, Florida, are definitely worth a visit!

Lights in Bloom®: An Open-air Holiday Light Show (December 5, 2024–January 1, 2025)

An open-air holiday light show at Selby Gardens' Downtown Sarasota campus features the dazzling glow of over 2 million LED lights. This spectacular Christmas lights display was recognized as one of USA Today's Top 10 Botanical Garden Holiday Lights Shows in 2019, making it a must-see attraction. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, including touchless face painting, photo opportunities, and balloon artistry. And don't miss out on the delicious food options available—there's plenty of finger-licking goodness to savor!

Holiday Tour of Lights (December 2–30, 2024)

The Holiday Tour of Lights is a popular Sarasota trolley Christmas lights tour that takes passengers to some of the city's best-illuminated displays. Hop on an open-air, old-fashioned trolley and immerse yourself in the brightest parts of Sarasota. Navigating the charming streets is the perfect way to embrace the holiday spirit with family and friends, while the SRQ Trolley showcases incredible holiday lights. Highlights include arch-lit streets, a gingerbread house, a replica of the National Lampoon Vacation home, and much more.

Tickets & Hours

Tickets are priced at $20 per person, with tours available at 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm. The trolleys accommodate groups of 20, 27, 32, and 35 passengers. The Holiday Tour of Lights lasts for 90 minutes, providing plenty of time to take in the beautiful holiday displays while enjoying the festive atmosphere. Please note that there are no tours on December 24-26.

Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights (December 14, 2024)

The Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights is a must-see event when it comes to Christmas lights in the area. Part of the annual Florida Holiday Boat Parade, it captivates thousands of spectators. People bring their chairs, snacks, and drinks to the best viewing spots to enjoy the dazzling display of brightly lit and spectacularly decorated boats. Around 25 boats and yachts begin their journey from City Island, traveling across Sarasota Bay to Centennial Park, the Ringling Bridge, and finally to Sarasota's Bayfront Park. With holiday music playing from onboard sound systems and live performances on some boats, it's a fun and festive experience along the waterway. You might even spot a few of Santa's elves dancing to the festive tunes.

Tickets & Hours

Admission to the Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights is free. The parade begins around 6 pm from City Island and lasts for about two hours. The best viewing spots are Bayfront Park, City Island, and Centennial Park. A little tip: arrive an hour early to secure the best seats!

Colonial Gables Neighborhoods (late November 2024–early January 2025, TBA)

What could be better than exploring the brightest neighborhoods in Sarasota on your own? Observing how the locals celebrate Christmas is one of the best and most affordable ways to immerse yourself in the holiday spirit. The Colonial Gables Christmas lights have been attracting visitors for years, and for good reason. This neighborhood features stunning displays and must-see homes that go above and beyond in their holiday decorations. Be sure to check out Camus Street, Woodmont Road, and Bee Ridge for the most dazzling sights!

Cedar Hollow Christmas Display (November 29–December 31, 2024)

The Cedar Hollow neighborhood along Bunyan Street truly embraces the holiday spirit each season with stunning arches of lights and various displays to enjoy. The lights shine nightly through December 30 from 5:30 pm to 1 am.