Ultimate Event Guide for the Holidays on Anna Maria Island

The holiday season on Anna Maria Island is magical. Whether you’re visiting for Christmas or the New Year, the island offers a variety of holiday events, parades, light displays, celebrations, fireworks, and Christmas church services.

Below is a comprehensive list of Christmas and New Year events on Anna Maria Island. Exact dates will be added as published.

Enjoy a jolly good time with a lineup of festive events on and around Anna Maria Island! Each of Anna Maria Island’s three main cities, Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach, claims one weekend for its Holiday Walkabout. A time when the holiday decorations are put up, trees are lit up in hundreds of twinkling lights, and stores stay open late.

Light Up Longboat

• November 23rd · 2024
• 5:00 to 7:30 PM
• Karon Family Pavilion · Town Center Green · 600 Bay Isles Road · Longboat Key

A festive event to kick off the holiday season. There will be a tree lighting ceremony, live music, special appearances by Santa and Micky & Minnie, local eats, merchandise & gift card sales, and raffle giveaways. The Rotary Club of Longboat Key will be collecting unwrapped children’s gifts.

Lighting of Christmas Tree

• November 21st · 2025
• 6:15 PM
• Bridge Street · Bradenton Beach

North Pole Express

• November 30 and December 1, 4-8, 11-15, 18-22 · 2024
• 4:45 PM
• The Florida Railroad Museum · 12210 83^rd Street East · Parrish 
• website

A 3.5 hour experience beginning with a 35 minute ride from Parrish to the North Pole. Upon arrival, everyone will detrain at our special North Pole station where Santa will visit with every child. At the North Pole there is a variety of entertainment, activities, and a camp fires with all you can eat and drink hot chocolate and cookies. Additional food and beverage is available for purchase at the North Pole.

Mistletoe Market

• December 7th & 8th · 2024
• 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Coquina Beach

A holiday market featuring art and crafts.

Lester Family Fun Day

• December 7th · 2024
• 10:30 AM to 2:00 PM
• The Center of Anna Maria Island · 407 Magnolia Avenue
• website

Santa arrives at noon to 22nd annual Lester Family Fun Day. Activities include pony rides, face painting, inflatables, and craft. Performances, include the Manatee High School Drum Line and DJ Freeze. Food will include Duffy’s burgers and hot dogs.

A golf ball drop at 2 PM in which the participant claims a numbered golf ball. The closest ball in the hole or ball that lands in the hole first wins. Balls are $50 each or three for $100.

Christmas on Bridge Street

• December 7th · 2024
• 1:00 PM
• Pier Circle on Bridge Street · Bradenton Beach

Santa and his sleigh join the crowd for live music, face painting, and an outdoor screening of timeless Christmas classics.

A Night Before Christmas

• December 7th · 2024
• 4:00 to 8:00 PM
• GT Bray Park · 5502 33^rd Avenue Drive West · Bradenton
• website

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be taking professional FREE pictures with children. The event includes inflatables, face painting, crafts, petting zoo, foam zone, snow slides, food truck lineup, and Christmas Carolers. In addition, local vendors will be showcasing their holiday goods. “Shop Local” Vendor Marketplace will be set up in the parking lot. The event is FREE; however, a suggested donation per family of a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots is kindly requested.

Winterfest

• December 13th & 14th · 2024
• 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM
• City Hall Field · Holmes Beach

This arts and crafts festival will feature art vendors, live music, food, art exhibits, and community booths.

Privateers Christmas Parade

• CANCELLED due to safety concerns
• 10:00 AM
• Bayfront Park in Anna Maria to Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach

The parade features the Privateers’ famous pirate ship float, other festive floats, classic cars, and local groups decked out in holiday gear. Locals and visitors line the streets to cheer and collect candy and beads tossed from the floats. The kids will love seeing Santa riding through the parade. After the parade, families can head to Coquina Beach for the Children’s Christmas Party where the kids are provided free hot dogs and soda, meet Santa, enjoy games, and take part in holiday crafts.

Christmas Walk of Treasures · Bradenton Beach

• December 14th · 2024
• 5:00 to 8:00 PM
• Post Office on Bridge Street

This magical evening transforms Bridge Street into a winter wonderland with Santa and Mrs. Claus making a special appearance.

Winter Wonderland

• December 14th · 2024
• 5:00 to 8:30
• Old Main Street · Bradenton
• website

The magical experience of Winter Wonderland provides an opportunity to meet Santa, capture photos in holiday themed vignettes, watch performances, play carnival-type games, partake in free activities, and shop local vendors. They also have festive food and beverages.

Christmas Walk of Treasures · Anna Maria

• December 14th · 2024
• 5:30 to 8:30 PM
• Pine Avenue

The evening begins with the festive lighting of the Christmas tree and is followed by an open house where local businesses offer holiday treats, warm beverages, and seasonal sales. Stroll along Pine Avenue and enjoy Christmas carols while Santa Claus greets children and poses for photos.

Holiday Boat Parade

• December 14th · 2024
• 6:00 PM
• Bradenton · along the Manatee River · between the De Soto and Green Bridges
• website

A fleet of festively decorated boats parade down the river for a chance to win the title of best decorated.

Holiday of Treasures · Holmes Beach

• December
• 5:00-8:00 PM
• Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce

Holmes Beach businesses and merchants stay open until 8:00 pm, offering lite bites and refreshments. Santa makes his rounds through the crowd posing for pictures.

Santa in the Park

• December
• 4:00 to 5:30 PM
• City Pier Park · Anna Maria

Santa spreads joy with goody bags for children.

Christmas in Cortez

• December
• 1:00 to 4:00 PM
• Florida Maritime Museum, Cortez

Florida Maritime Museum provides a free family-friendly event featuring crafts, games, a maze, and a special meet and greet with Santa. Food is available for purchase.

Holmes Beach Sleigh Bell Social

• December
• 3:30 to 7:30 PM
• 5801 Marina Drive · Holmes Beach

Join the merriment at the City of Holmes Beach Sleigh Bell Social for an afternoon of family fun, free food, prizes, and holiday cheer!

Palma Sola Botanical Park’s Winter Night Under the Lights

• Mid-December
• Route: North end of Anna Maria Island to Coquina Beach, Bradenton Beach

Experience the acres of lights, Santa Claus, food trucks, live holiday music, a gift market, hot cocoa and cider, hayrides, a tree decorating contest, children’s crafts, Toys for Tots, decorated golf cart parade, and more at Palma Sola Botanical Park.

AMI offers several churches which host Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services.

CrossPointe Fellowship

• Location · 8605 Gulf Drive · Holmes Beach
• Christmas Eve Candlelight Service · blending contemporary worship music with traditional elements

Episcopal Church of the Annunciation

• Location · 4408 Gulf Drive · Holmes Beach
• Christmas Eve Service · service with music, Holy Communion, and candlelight
• Christmas Day Service · traditional service

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church

• Location · 6608 Marina Drive · Holmes Beach
• Christmas Eve Service · various Christmas services, including candlelight with musical programs.
• Christmas Day Service · traditional service

Roser Memorial Community Church

• Location · 512 Pine Avenue · Anna Maria
• Christmas Eve Candlelight Service · service with carols, scripture readings, and a message of hope
• Christmas Day Service · service with hymns

St. Bernard Catholic Church

• Location · 248 South Harbor Drive · Holmes Beach
• Christmas Eve Mass · Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve with carols, candlelight, and a Nativity celebration
• Christmas Day Mass · in the morning

Ring in the New Year on AMI with a sparkling fireworks show!. For New Year’s Eve the Beach House waterfront restaurant on Bradenton Beach puts on a colorful display over the Gulf of Mexico beginning at midnight. This fireworks show will be a hit for the whole family.

For a lively New Year’s Eve celebration, try Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach for its Pineapple Drop. The restaurants and bars provide live music, specials, and entertainment.

Main Street Live, a block party on Main Street in downtown Bradenton, kicks off in the late afternoon with live music, food trucks, and vendors.

Just a short drive off AMI and located on the Manatee River in downtown Bradenton New Year’s Eve Celebration at Pier 22 offers an an upscale dining option to welcome the new year. The event features a special prix-fixe dinner menu. As midnight approaches, guests can proceed to the patio to enjoy a fireworks display.

Until next time…

· izzy