FREE
FAMILY ACTIVITY & RESOURCE GUIDE SARASOTA & MANATEE COUNTIES
INSIDE:
HO, HO, HO! OUR 2016 HOLIDAY EVENTS ISSUE
DECEMBER 2016
Meet Princess Hadley!
Enter Your Cutie to be Our Next COVER KID! See Page 3!
Our Adorable December 2016
COVER KIDS WINNER! THE AREA’S O BEST GUIDE T TS HOLIDAY EVEN S, Y A L P IS D T H IG L PARADES & MORE!!! www.manasotakidsdirectory.com
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Manasota Cover Kids! We want YOUR cuties to fill our open front covers!
Enter your Cover Kid on our website or Facebook page. Winners will be chosen periodically to fill any Front Cover vacanies! Winners selected will be chosen not only by votes, but also by the season/theme of our issues. Our contest is always open & it’s FREE to enter! Check out our December issue to see which one of these cuties will grace its cover!
Visit our NEW website for contest rules and details!
manasotakidsdirector y.com
Next Deadline: January 20, 2016
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Holiday Lights Displays Here are just a few spectacular places to view some holiday displays this season. As always, Please check with the event organizer to verify dates/times before heading out!
until the end of the year. Cars driving by the Family Village will be able to tune their radios to an FM channel and listen to the music as they watch the lights perform. DEC 8-11 - The Living Nativity at Tabernacle Church
NOV. 25 - DEC. 31 - Historic Spanish Point Holly Days Experience the beauty of our historic museum and grounds decorated for the holiday season.
DEC. 9 - Living Nativity at Parrish UMC Hours: 6:30PM to 8PM and begin approximately every ten minutes. This event is free and family-friendly.
DEC. 1 - Christmas Walk On the first Thursday of December, historic downtown Venice glows with hundreds of luminaries during the annual Christmas walk.
DEC. 9-10, 16-17, 21-24, 26-30 - Sarasota Jungle Gardens Holiday Lights Spectacular Sarasota Jungle Gardens is transformed with millions of holiday lights guaranteed to ignite the season’s spirit.
DEC. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 - Holiday Nights at Ca’ d’Zan 5PM to 8PM. Included with Ringling Museum admission.
DEC. 10 - A Night in Bethlehem Join Living Lord Lutheran Church for a free, family-friendly event.
DEC. 2-3 - Village of the Arts Christmas Artwalk Weekend
DEC. 10 - Christmas Tree Lighting Enjoy this FREE celebration of music, lights and community spirit from 5PM to 7PM at West Blalock. Venice.
DEC. 3-30 - Sarasota Holiday Tour of Lights Pick up times are 6:30PM and 8:30PM. Seats are $15 each.
DEC 8. - 2016 Holiday Lights Spectacular DEC. 16-30 - Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Lights Check out the lights at the Lee Wetherington Family Village! in Bloom The light show will continue each evening in December Hours: 6PM to 9PM.
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Tickets On Sale Now! 366606
AMALIE ARENA JAN 25 – 29 Please say “I found it in The Kids’ Directory.” Thanks!
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Holiday Events
Find MORE family-friendly events on our online events calendar at www.manasotakidsdirectory.com! Please verify all dates and times before attending as events are subject to change. NOV 11 - DEC 24 UTC “Santa’s Flight Academy” Children will love this interactive adventure where they can become part of Santa’s flight crew and enjoy a snowfall dance party before meeting Santa. DEC 1-4, 8-11 AND 15-19 Florida Railroad Museum North Pole Express Hop on the train and ride to the North Pole where you will enjoy a Santa visit, crafts, campfires with s’mores, model railroad displays, Christmas tree display and more. DEC 3 Palmetto’s Christmas in the Park This free community event offers something for everyon with decorated buildings, kids’ crafts, Reindeer Games, contests, petting corral and entertainment. Kids can write a letter to Santa and they will get a letter in response from Santa a few days later! A SNOW HILL will be on hand to slide down! Santa Claus will be arriving at 4 PM. DEC 3 GT Bray’s A Night Before Christmas Santa Claus will fly into G.T. Bray Park by helicopter at 4PM and then enjoy family activities including 10 tons of snow, face painting, bounce houses, a snow slide, wagon rides and more. 4PM to 7:30PM. DEC 3 Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt Join Children’s Garden and Art Center at 10:15AM for the hunt! There will be hot chocolate for sale to warm you up. Be here early before all the gnomes find the candy canes!
DEC 3 Lester Family Fun Day Enjoy a lineup of fun activities and performances along with delicious food and great prizes. There will be pony rides, balloons, face painting, crafts, games, cookie decorating and a bounce house. Santa will arrive by fire truck at noon! DEC 3 Breakfast with Santa Join the Venice YMCA for a fun and festive breakfast complete with Santa and pancakes. Please say “I found it in The Kids’ Directory.” Thanks!
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DEC 9 Florida Snow and Flamingos Stroll through Southside Village and enjoy a snowy evening of face painting, Santa, bounce houses, an ice slide, car painting and children’s activities. Most of the village restaurants will be open during this event. DEC 9-11 The 8th Annual Gingerbread Festival Come marvel at this holiday wonderland featuring gingerbread houses crafted by more than 150 local schools, youth groups, businesses and nonprofit organizations. DEC 10 Holiday Party at Dream Oaks Camp Kids of all ages and abilities will enjoy holiday festivities including crafts, bounce houses and cookie decorating. There will even be a special appearance by Santa and his helpers! RSVP at 941-746-5659. DEC 10 Jingle Paw Jubilee Bring your pet dressed in its holiday best to Five Points Park. Pets will be available for adoption from community rescue groups. There will be shopping, pet vendors, DJ, food vendors, agility demos, animal communicators, face painting, costume parade, raffle prizes, pet photos and more! DEC 11 Holiday Pet Photos Have your dog’s or cat’s picture taken with Santa at University Town Center. DEC 11 Breakfast with Santa Hotel Venezia will host a breakfast, and you can have your picture taken with Santa! DEC 12 A 1915 Florida Cracker Christmas Celebrate the Season with an old-fashioned Christmas, Florida Cracker style! The entire Manatee Village Historical Park will be decorated with Victorian accents. DEC 16-18 Snowfest Sarasota Enjoy giant snow slides, pony rides, pictures with Santa, snowman building, giant Snow Globes, live shows, kids amusement area, DJ Grinch, vendors and more! 12PM to 10PM daily.
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Holiday Events
DEC 17 Santa Jaws at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium 12-2pm
DEC 23 Christmas on Main Join Santa and the elves from 6PM to 8:30PM for food, games, rides, live music, Christmas carols and snow at this FREE event! Christmas Candlelight service at 8PM. DEC 31 Starlight and Fire Family Party Enjoy bonfires, marshmallow roasting, snow and more.
PARADES & BOAT PARADES DEC 3 Sarasota Holiday Parade In honor of the 75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor, the holiday parade participants will honor veterans, with special recognition of the area’s WWII veterans. The parade route goes from 301/Washington Blvd to Gulfstream Avenue in downtown Sarasota starting at 7PM. DEC 3 Venice Christmas Boat Parade Celebrate the holiday season by decorating your boat and joining in the fun or just enjoy watching the boat parade.
The boat parade starts at 6PM.
DEC 10 Sarasota Boat Parade of Lights The 31st Annual Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights starts at 6PM. The best areas for viewing are Marina Jack Restaurant, Bay front Park, City Island and Centennial Park. DEC 10 Bradenton Holiday Boat Parade This spectacular boat parade starts at 6:30PM. Best public viewing sites are from the Green Bridge Pier , the Riverhouse Reef and Grill Restaurant in Palmetto and along the Bradenton Riverfront. DEC 10 North Port Poinsettia Parade “Storybook Holidays” come to life with floats adorned with poinsettias, decorated vehicles and walking groups. Santa will also make an appearance! The parade starts at 5PM at the corner of Appomattox Drive and North Port Boulevard and travels south to Greenwood Avenue.
SEE MORE EVENTS ON PAGE 12! To submit a FREE event listing, visit manasotakidsdirectory.com. Free event listings are included in our online calendar & may be included in print if space & time permit. Email manasotakids@ outlook.com for other ways to promote your event!
www.manasotakidsdirectory.com
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Spotlight Amusements Sarasota/Bradenton spotlightamusements.com Inflatables & Party Rentals, 941-706-3102
Saturn 5 Family Entertainment Center DeSoto Square Mall, Bradenton, 941-745-5700 Party Venue
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Holiday Runs & Short Drives JINGLE RUNS, 5KS & MORE
SELECT DATES NOV. 25-DEC. 31 Christmas Town at Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay
DEC. 3 Jingle Bell Run The Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bell Run is a fun way to get out, get moving and raise funds and awareness to cure America’s #1 cause of disability. Wear a holiday-themed costume. 5K run or walk with your team members.
SELECT DATES NOV. 25-DEC. 31 SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration NOV. 25-26, DEC. 2-3, 9-10, 16-23 AND 26-30 Lowry Park Zoo Christmas in the Wild
DEC. 9 2016 Annual Christmas Lights Fun Run Wear your Christmas Running Festive Finery! Bring your post-race beverage and snacks for the Tailgate Party after.
NOV. 23-JAN. 5 ICE! At Gaylord Palms in Lake Buena Vista DEC. 2 Jingle Bell Rock at Glazer Children’s Museum after the Mayor’s Tree Lightning Ceremony!
DEC. 10 Sandy Claws Beach Run 5k and 1 Mile This annual run on Siesta Key Beach features a holiday costume contest, holiday photos and raffles.
DEC. 2 - Cirque Musica Holiday Spectacular Performed at Amalie Arena
DEC. 17 Frosty 5k Put on your best holiday costume and run the single-loop course starting from Twin Lakes Park. Followed by a festive post-race party. DEC. 22 Jingle 5k Enjoy holiday music along the course on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch and live music at the post-race party!
DEC. 19-24 Christmas Celebration of Lights at the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
HOLIDAY EVENTS WORTH THE DRIVE
NOV. 7-DEC. 22 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Disney World
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DEC. 10-11, 17-18, 23-24 The Great Christmas Light Adventure at Green Meadows Farm DEC. 17-18, 24-30 LEGOLAND Christmas Bricktacular
NOV. 14 - JAN. 4 Light Up UCF in Orlando For 50 days, University of Central Florida’s Arena has free holiday light shows, film festivals & large ice-skating rink.
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DEC. 3-JAN. 1 Holidays at Universal Studios Florida®
These are just a few events in and around Sarasota & Manatee Counties and a short drive in Florida. As always, Please check with the event organizer to verify dates/times before heading out!
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