Snowbirds seeking warmer coasts can start packing for a Siesta Key Christmas holiday vacation. Visitors have plenty of warm weather under the Florida sun to enjoy our award-winning beaches and a beach town that fully embraces the holiday spirit.
Make your Christmas miracle come true with a stay with Siesta Key Dreams Vacation Rentals. Countdown the days of Christmas with local holiday activities, seasonal events, and more.
2024 Christmas Events in Siesta Key
1. Meet Santa Claus at Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center
- November 30, 2024
- 5223 Avenida Navarra, Siesta Key, FL
- my.siestakeychamber.com/events
Give the jolly fellow a proper Siesta Key welcome at the Meet the Santa event. If you’re visiting Siesta Key on an extended stay, you can attend this event hosted by the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center to kick off the holidays. Come for pictures of the big guy, and don’t forget to bring your Christmas list!
2. Siesta Key Light up the Village + Holiday Parade
- November 30 – December 1, 2024
- facebook.com/siesta-key-florida/light-up-siesta-key-village-holiday-parade
It’s officially the Siesta Key Christmas season with their annual holiday parade. Siesta Key Village transforms from a beach town vibe to a holiday atmosphere overnight. Watch the town Christmas tree lighting and local businesses participate in debuting their light displays.
Pick a spot on Beach Road or Ocean Boulevard for the best vantage point of the parade. Elves fill the crowd with holiday cheer while admiring local fire trucks decked in Christmas Lights and a Santa appearance.
3. Sandy Claws Beach Run
- 948 Beach Road, Sarasota, FL
- December 14, 2024
- runsignup.com/48thannualsandyclawsbeachrun
For nearly half a century, Siesta Beach has hosted this 5k race that gets your heart pumping for the holidays. Adults and kids participate in this race in the sand. Watch participants jog the scenic coast toward the finish line, where Santa awaits with high-fives! If you’re not up for the 5K challenge, there is also a one-mile fun run. Early registration is required to participate in the race.
4. Christmas Boat Parade of Lights
- 5 Bayfront Dr, Sarasota, FL
- December 14, 2024
- suncoastcharitiesforchildren.org/holiday-boat-parade/
It’s smooth sailing this season at the Christmas Boat Parade of Lights. Boat captains prepare all year with exciting Christmas-inspired themes, floating holiday light displays, and plenty of Santa suits. Marina Jack restaurant in Downtown Sarasota and Bayfront Park in Longboat Key are the best spots to watch the boat parade floating down Sarasota Bay.
5. Lights in Bloom at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
- 1534 Mound St, Sarasota, FL
- December 6, 2024 – January 1, 2025
- https://selby.org/dsc/dsc-special-events/lights-in-bloom/
More than two million Christmas lights twinkle across the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. This 15-acre botanical garden near Downtown Sarasota features one of the ‘Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights in the USA’ as voted by USA Today’s readers. For nearly a month, you can frolic in the illuminated garden on a self-guided tour. Walk through large-scale light displays, marvel at glowing ornaments hanging from tree branches, and you’ll lose count of the number of Christmas trees you see.
Packing for Your Christmas Getaway
Leave your heavy winter coats behind because Siesta Key winters are warm enough to go without them! We have average highs in the 70s and average lows in the 50s. That’s great weather for spending time at the beach during your trip. Plenty of people still walk around in their swim trunks and flip-flops. Here are a few things to include in your packing list:
- Light jacket or hoody
- Wet suit (for surfing)
- Sunglasses
Check out our other Siesta Key travel tips to optimize your holiday vacation.
Other Christmas Time Things to Do in Siesta Key
Annual holiday events are a great way to spend your siesta Key Christmas vacation. Between holiday events, check out some of the other fun activities our guests will love to get a true sense of Siesta Key’s charm during the holiday season. Here are our favorites.
1. Visit an award-winning beach
The beach is always an excellent choice for a snowbird winter giveaway—even better when it’s one of the best beaches in the US! Travelers flock to the white sand coastline to soak up the warm Florida sun during the winter.
Siesta Key Beach gets revived to its summer activity level for a few weeks during the holidays. You’ll see sunbathers, people walking the beach, swimming in the water, and the weekly Siesta Key Drum Circle happening.
Check out the best beaches in Siesta Key to visit during your stay. Guests staying at our Siesta Key Dreams Vacation Rentals will have access to beach chairs, toys, and accessories during their stay.
2. Learn to surf
Did you know wintertime is the best time of year to surf in Siesta Key? Siesta Key is one of Sarasota County’s go-to surfing destinations, and the excellent wave conditions make it the perfect time to get out into the water for a ride.
The Gulf of Mexico has larger and more consistent waves during the winter. Take a short golf cart ride to local surf shops for surfboard rentals and wetsuits. SURFit USA is a popular choice for private or group surf lessons at Turtle Beach.
3. Free trolley holiday ride
Riding the free Siesta Key Breeze Trolley is one of the popular things to do in Siesta Key—it even has stops right in front of several of our Siesta Key vacation rentals!
While many visitors use it as a hop-on, hop-off service, those in the know can take advantage of the night rides during the holidays. Listen to Christmas tunes while riding down Midnight Pass Road, the main street through Siesta Key Village, to see tons of lights decorating the front of local shops and community complexes.
4. Christmas shopping at St. Armand’s Circle
Calling all last-minute holiday shoppers! It’s never too late to find that perfect gift at St. Armand’s has just what you’re looking for. You can cross off everyone from your shopping list with more than 100+ shops to choose from. There are trendy threads for the fashionistas, jewelry for your flashy relatives, and specialty shops for those who love unique gifts. Don’t forget to treat yourself to something nice too!
St. Armand’s also hosts holiday events. See the lighting of their 55-foot Christmas tree during the Holiday Night of Lights event. Also, enjoy ice skating, holiday crafts, and more at the family-friendly Winter Spectacle on St. Armands Circle.
Looking for other gift ideas? Check out our recommendations for the best souvenir shops in Siesta Key.
Holiday Sweet Treats to Try in Siesta Key
Santa isn’t the only one with a sweet tooth during the holidays. From tasty seasonal ice cream flavors to chocolate delicacies, your vacation rental kitchen will stay stocked with local treats at these tasty Siesta Key dessert spots.
- Try the surprise flavor of the month from Abel’s Ice Cream, voted #1 on TripAdvisor.
- Get a taste of the holidays from the 65 homemade flavors from Olaf’s Siesta Village.
- Shop gift boxes of the award-winning fudge from the Siesta Key Fudge Factory.
Your Winter Getaway for the Holidays
Make this Siesta Key Christmas a ‘White Christmas’ with the white-sand beaches just steps away from our beachfront Siesta Key Dreams Vacation Rentals. It’s the perfect gift for the holidays that keeps giving you wonderful holiday memories.