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Holidays at UTC: Believe

The Mall at University Town Center 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota

Holidays at UTC: Believe transforms the entire University Town Center district into a walkable holiday destination filled with lights, music, and family fun. ✨ Stroll beneath immersive décor and towering animated trees, experience nightly synchronized light shows along Cattlemen Road, and capture memories at photo-ready installations throughout UTC’s shops and restaurants. 🎅 Guests can build their own holiday itinerary around: Santa’s Flight Academy inside The Mall at UTC The Rink at UTC – outdoor real-ice skating Holiday Movies Under the Stars – free outdoor family films Live music on The Green and fireworks on select nights Carriage rides, themed markets, and pop-up performances 🎁 Use this listing as your master hub for the season and direct visitors to the official Holidays at UTC page for the latest schedules, maps, parking details, and programming updates. Event elements and times are subject to change. Please verify details directly with the event organizer before attending.

free
Ongoing
rum

Siesta Key Rum Tasting Tours

Tour the award-winning Siesta Key Rum distillery and sample locally made rums. Free guided tours available several days a week with insights into small-batch production and local flavor.

sarasota art museum

Sarasota Art Museum First Fridays

Celebrate Sarasota’s vibrant creative community at First Fridays at Sarasota Art Museum. Held on the museum’s beautiful plaza, this monthly evening gathering offers live music, art, food, and drink in a lively, welcoming atmosphere. Guests can enjoy gallery access, curated performances, pop-up art activities, and a specialty menu from the on-site Bistro. Whether you're an art lover or just looking to unwind, it's a perfect Friday night out for friends, couples, and families alike.

sarasota art museum

Sarasota Art Museum First Fridays

Celebrate Sarasota’s vibrant creative community at First Fridays at Sarasota Art Museum. Held on the museum’s beautiful plaza, this monthly evening gathering offers live music, art, food, and drink in a lively, welcoming atmosphere. Guests can enjoy gallery access, curated performances, pop-up art activities, and a specialty menu from the on-site Bistro. Whether you're an art lover or just looking to unwind, it's a perfect Friday night out for friends, couples, and families alike.

sarasota art museum

Sarasota Art Museum First Fridays

Celebrate Sarasota’s vibrant creative community at First Fridays at Sarasota Art Museum. Held on the museum’s beautiful plaza, this monthly evening gathering offers live music, art, food, and drink in a lively, welcoming atmosphere. Guests can enjoy gallery access, curated performances, pop-up art activities, and a specialty menu from the on-site Bistro. Whether you're an art lover or just looking to unwind, it's a perfect Friday night out for friends, couples, and families alike.

sarasota art museum

Sarasota Art Museum First Fridays

Celebrate Sarasota’s vibrant creative community at First Fridays at Sarasota Art Museum. Held on the museum’s beautiful plaza, this monthly evening gathering offers live music, art, food, and drink in a lively, welcoming atmosphere. Guests can enjoy gallery access, curated performances, pop-up art activities, and a specialty menu from the on-site Bistro. Whether you're an art lover or just looking to unwind, it's a perfect Friday night out for friends, couples, and families alike.

SANTA'S FLIGHT ACADEMY @ THE UTC

Meet Santa at The Mall at UTC (a.k.a. Santa’s Flight Academy)

The Mall at University Town Center 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota

For the most magical photo op of the season, head inside The Mall at University Town Center to meet Santa in person amid an immersive North Pole-themed experience. Known officially as Santa’s Flight Academy, this elaborate holiday installation fills the Grand Court with Santa’s towering sleigh, glittering Christmas trees, animated displays, and interactive touchpoints for kids. Children are invited to “join Santa’s crew,” receive a virtual flight badge, and help prepare his sleigh for Christmas Eve—all leading up to a personal meet-and-greet and professional photo session with Santa himself. Families can pose for keepsake pictures surrounded by festive décor and snow-covered evergreens, while carols and twinkling lights bring the entire UTC atrium to life. 📅 Dates: Mid-November through December 24, 2025🕓 Hours: Vary daily; extended evening hours in December📍 Location: Grand Court, The Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Dr., Sarasota, FL🎟️ Reservations: Strongly recommended. Limited walk-ups may be available depending on line length.💻 Details & Booking: Visit utcsarasota.com for photo package options, pricing, and current schedule updates. This cherished Sarasota holiday tradition is free to visit, with professional photos available for purchase. All details are sourced directly from University Town Center Sarasota and may change—please confirm current information on the official event page before your visit.

FREE

lakewood ranch christmas

Lakewood Ranch Winterfest

Celebrate the holiday season with Winterfest at Waterside Park featuring snow slides, live music, food vendors, holiday characters, and a magical fireworks show over the lake.

Holiday Boat Parade of Lights

Holiday Boat Parade of Lights (Sarasota)

Sarasota Bayfront Park 1 Marina Plaza, Sarasota

Sarasota’s Holiday Boat Parade of Lights brings music, magic, and illuminated boats to the bay — a festive waterfront tradition that benefits local children.

Free to attend; arrive early for parking near Bayfront Park & Marina Jack; restaurant seating at Marina Jack requires advance reservation.

siesta key sarasota

Annual Siesta Key Santa Stumble

Put on your festive gear and join the jolly crowd for Siesta Key’s annual holiday-themed bar crawl. Enjoy drink specials and merrymaking across island hotspots.

venice symphony

Venice Symphony Holiday Concert

Enjoy classic and contemporary holiday music performed by the Venice Symphony in a festive concert.