December 2026Sarasota–Bradenton · The Suncoast

December in Sarasota–Bradenton with little kids.

5 things to do with kids up to age 6 in and around Sarasota–Bradenton in December 2026, sorted by week. Each listing links to its own page and to the organizer’s page, and we add more as new dates are posted.

5 listings · 2 free

Last checked · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

2 listings

Dec 1 to Dec 6

1 listing

Dec 7 to Dec 13

Dec12Sat

Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade

Manatee River, Bradenton and Palmetto · Bradenton

Parade or tree lightingFree
When
Saturday, Dec 12
Time
Staging 5:30 p.m.; boats head out at sundown. Organizers estimate the boats reach the Riverhouse area around 7 p.m. and Pier 22 between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m.
Price
Free at the public viewing areas
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check it.Suggest an event

2 listings

Open for weeks at a time

Light displays, exhibits and other runs that last longer than a week. Check each page for the nights or days they’re closed.

Dec5to 31

Lights in Bloom at Selby Gardens

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Downtown Sarasota campus · 1534 Mound St., Sarasota, FL 34236

Holiday lights
When
Dec 5 to Jan 2
Time
Early entry 5:30–9 p.m.; general entry 6:30–9 p.m.
Price
Tickets on the Lights in Bloom site; buy ahead
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked

Guides

More December guides for Sarasota

Santa visits in SarasotaBreakfasts, photos and Santa trainsChristmas lights in SarasotaDrive-thru and walk-through displays

Keep planning

More for little kids in Sarasota

November: things to do in SarasotaEvery dated listing for the month, by weekFree things to do in SarasotaFree days, free events and places that never chargeLibrary storytimes in SarasotaBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branchThanksgiving weekend in SarasotaParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayChristmas parades in SarasotaParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in SarasotaBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in SarasotaChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursThis week in SarasotaDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

December in Sarasota: the FAQ

5 dated listings so far, including Wellen Wonderland tree lighting (Dec 4 to Dec 5), Sarasota Holiday Parade (Dec 5), Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade (Dec 12) and Holiday Light Shows at UTC Sarasota (Nov 14 to Jan 3). The rest are below, by week. We add more as organizers post their dates.

Sarasota Holiday Parade (Dec 5) and Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade (Dec 12). For free days and places that never charge, see free things to do in Sarasota.

3 start this December: Wellen Wonderland tree lighting (Dec 4 to Dec 5), Holiday Light Shows at UTC Sarasota (Nov 14 to Jan 3) and Lights in Bloom at Selby Gardens (Dec 5 to Jan 2).

Yes, at the same address. After Dec 31, 2026 it switches to December 2027, starting with the events that come back every year.

Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them every Monday and Thursday. How we choose and check.

The checked list, every Thursday.

One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Sarasota that weekend.

Sarasota–Bradenton skyline