Happy Holidays from Sarasota County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nate Sweetman, 941-955-0991 Ext. 116
[email protected]

SARASOTA, Fla. (November 23, 2021) – The holiday season is upon us! The streets will soon be fluttered with, if not already, beaming Christmas lights and decorations, festive carolers, and the jolly, holiday spirit. If you, your family or friends are looking to get out of the house during the holiday season, Sarasota County has you set with various fun things to do.

Venice will be hosting its popular holiday parade in downtown Venice, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 27^th. The parade officially begins at 6:30 p.m. at the corner of Park Blvd. and W. Venice Ave and ends at the Venice Community Center. You can find more information about the parade here.

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is back this winter and beyond, with new shows debuting, and many familiar ones returning. From November 23^rd–28^th, check out Sarasota’s premier of Broadway’s COME FROM AWAY, a Best Musical winner all across North America! Don’t miss this breathtaking new musical written by Tony® nominees Irene Sankoff and David Hein and helmed by this year’s Tony-winning Best Director, Christopher Ashley. The CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE lights up the stage November 29^th, in this dazzling family spectacular. This annual tradition wraps a whimsical, Broadway-style musical infused with contemporary circus artistry into the ultimate holiday gift for the family. The following day, November 30^th, you can see Grammy-nominated saxophonist Dave Koz return to the road this holiday season with the 24^th annual Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour 2021. The tour features South African guitarist/singer Jonathan Butler, trumpeter Rick Braun, saxophonist Richard Elliot and introducing vocalist Rebecca Jade. Koz and Friends will perform fresh renditions of timeless Christmas classics. Mark your calendars for Thursday, December 2^nd, as some iconic legends will be in town to put on a performance of a lifetime. The Temptations and The Four Tops will be performing at The Van Wezel, with The Temptations performing legendary tunes like “My Girl,” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” and “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” while The Four Tops will display one of their chart-topping hits “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch),” amongst others throughout the night. Information on all of these events can be found here.

Hands of Hanukkah is a community event taking place at The Mall at University Town Center during the entire eight days of Hanukkah. The family-friendly event includes arts and crafts, various food options, raffles, giveaways, photos and live entertainment, with the lighting of the hanukkiah to close it out. Hands of Hanukkah runs from November 28^th – December 5^th.

Want to find a fun and interactive show for you and the family, or want to share a drink and some laughs with a group of friends? Come Deck the Halls with Sarah Durham and Caroline Saldivar this holiday season. Deck the Halls is a brand-new rendition of everything that makes the holidays in Sarasota special. An annual Sarasota holiday tradition, Deck the Halls invites families to deck the palms and join in on the fun at this interactive family show, which will play Saturdays and Sundays from November 27^th – December 24^th in Florida Studio Theatre’s Bowne's Lab. Ticket information can be found here.

New Year’s Eve is a reflective holiday for all. It gives you a chance to celebrate the accomplishments you’ve made throughout the year, along with the goals you have in store for yourself the following. What better way to celebrate than to experience beautiful Sarasota County? Head to Selby Five Points Park for the Downtown Sarasota Block Party and Pineapple Drop Celebration! The party will be filled with amusement rides and games, live music, food, drinks and full bar concessions. There will also be a firework display on Sarasota Bay, with the pineapple drop at midnight following the fantastic firework show.

Sarasota County offers tons of fun options for families and friends during the holiday rush. Be sure to check out one of these possibilities, and many more located on our events calendar. Come find out what makes the holidays so special in the breathtaking Sarasota.