Christmas lights & holiday nights in Bradenton

2026 holiday calendar

Labels: 2026 confirmed means the organizer has posted this year’s date. Check dates means the date comes from a listing we couldn’t confirm with the organizer. Events that haven’t announced 2026 dates are further down with last year’s details.

Sunset is early this time of year. In December the sun sets between about 5:35 and 5:46 p.m., so light displays are bright by 6 p.m.

Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade: Saturday, Dec. 12

Decorated boats light up the Manatee River between Palmetto and Bradenton on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026, according to the organizers at holidayboatparade.org. It’s free to watch, and boat owners can enter for free. The parade is based at the Bradenton Yacht Club in Palmetto.

Timing. This year’s start time isn’t posted yet. Last year boats staged around 5:30 p.m., and the parade reached viewing spots between about 6:15 and 8:30 p.m., later the farther upriver you are.

Where to watch for free:

• Bradenton Riverwalk: lots of room along the seawall, restrooms and food downtown. Park in the free City Centre garage (see downtown parking).
• Palmetto Pier and Riverside Drive: the Palmetto side of the river, closer to the start.
• The Green Bridge and Snead Island: closer to the staging area for an earlier look.

Dinner with a view: waterfront restaurants along the route, including Pier 22 and the Riverhouse, have held parade-night dinners and parties. Book early; they fill up.

Winter Wonderland on Old Main Street: Saturday, Dec. 5

Realize Bradenton’s free holiday street festival returns to Old Main Street on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026. Expect falling snow, a snow slide, Santa and Mrs. Claus, performances, local vendors and a free Winter Carnival. Times aren’t posted yet; last year it ran 5 to 8 p.m. on Old Main Street between 3rd and 4th avenues West.

Parking: last year parking was free on Saturdays in both the City Centre garage and the Manatee County garage, both entered from 10th Street West. Our sister site has the full downtown events calendar. Make it a night: the Riverwalk is a block away, and Anastasia is playing at the Manatee Performing Arts Center that weekend (Dec. 3–13).

Winter Nights Under the Lights at Palma Sola: Dec. 17–20

Palma Sola Botanical Park (9800 17th Ave NW, west Bradenton) fills its gardens with light displays and decorated trees from Thursday, Dec. 17, through Sunday, Dec. 20, 2026, 6 to 9 p.m. Admission is free (donations welcome), with Santa and Mrs. Claus, food trucks, hot cider, live music, crafts, a gift market and a Toys for Tots drive. Details at palmasolabp.org.

Bridge Street tree lighting: Saturday, Nov. 21

Bradenton Beach starts the season with Sundown Get Down: Christmas Tree Lighting on Historic Bridge Street, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026, from 2 to 8 p.m. It’s free. Last year the 42-foot tree went up by the post office building at 116 Bridge St. Bridge Street closes to cars on event days, so arrive early or ride the free island trolley. Stay for dinner and sunset; our Anna Maria Island guide has places to eat.

More on Anna Maria Island

• AMI Chamber tree lighting: Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, 5–8 p.m., at the Chamber office, 5313 Gulf Dr N, Holmes Beach. 2026 confirmed
• Anna Maria Holiday Walk on Pine Avenue: last year Friday, Dec. 12, 5–9 p.m., with the street closed to cars. Last year
• Christmas in Cortez at the Florida Maritime Museum: last year Saturday, Dec. 13, noon–3 p.m. Last year
• Island Christmas parade: the AMI Privateers parade was canceled in 2024 and 2025, and none is announced for 2026.

Drive-through and walk-through light displays

Bradenton Holiday Lights Festival at the Freedom Factory (21050 E State Road 64): a drive-through show with more than 100,000 lights synced to music, a light tunnel, and a Christmas village with a 50-foot tree. Last year it ran select nights Dec. 5–27 from 6 p.m., at $25 per carload (up to eight people; no trailers or vehicles larger than a full-size pickup). Last year 2026 dates haven’t been posted.

Pilos Family Christmas Show (1811 72nd St NW, Bradenton): a popular home display set to music on 96.1 FM. Last year it was free, nightly from 6 p.m. through New Year’s Eve. Last year Check the family’s Facebook page before you go.

Selby Gardens Lights in Bloom (900 S Palm Ave, Sarasota): last season Dec. 6 through Jan. 3, with adult tickets from $34. Last year

Lakewood Ranch and east county

• Christmas on Main, Lakewood Ranch Main Street: Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 19–20, 4–8 p.m., free, with rides and games, Santa and a candlelight service. Check dates The listing doesn’t print the year.
• Music on Main: FM Station FLA plays the first Friday of December (Dec. 4), 6–9 p.m., free.
• A Night Before Christmas at G.T. Bray Park (5502 33rd Ave Dr W): Manatee County’s free family night. Last year Saturday, Dec. 13, 4–8 p.m., with Santa photos, a snow slide and vendors; bring a new unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. Last year
• Palmetto’s Christmas in the Park at Palmetto Historical Park: last year Dec. 5–6, 3–7:30 p.m. Free, but timed tickets were required and sold out, so watch for the ticket release in mid-November. Last year

Holiday shows

• Sat, Nov 21: Cirque Dreams Holidaze, Van Wezel, 7 p.m.
• Fri, Nov 27: Home for the Holidays with All-4-One, Sheena Easton and Ruben Studdard, Van Wezel, 7 p.m.
• Dec 2–Jan 3: Wonderful Life: Live Radio Play, Asolo Rep
• Thu, Dec 3: Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour, Van Wezel, 7 p.m.
• Dec 9–13: Sarasota Orchestra: Happy Holley Days, Holley Hall, Sarasota

Everything else is on our coming-up calendar.

Also this season

• North Pole Express at the Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish: evening train rides with departures at 5:15 and 7:15 p.m. on select nights, listed for Nov. 27–Dec. 22. Check dates Tickets sell out, so book early.
• European Holiday Market at the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto: early December, daytime. Check dates

Sources: Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade, Realize Bradenton, Palma Sola Botanical Park, Anna Maria Island Chamber, Lakewood Ranch, Manatee County, Bradenton Herald light displays list and The Islander. Checked October 28, 2026.